I just had two people take my order in a drive thru. They alternated every question. First person welcomed me and asked what I wanted. The next person asked what size and drink I wanted. The first person came back on and asked if I wanted any cheese sauce then the second person came back on and told me the price. When I got up to the window the 2nd person was the one working the register. This happens from time to time at different places when I get lunch but I can’t figure out why it is done.
Sometimes the operator is in another state! There was an article I read a while ago about… maybe it was Carl’s Jr.? but they were saying that the drive thru operators were in call centers in states with a lower labor cost.
Not exactly uplifting, but “yay capitalism” I guess.
I don’t know if this is everywhere, but some of the McDonalds locations around me do have some kind of Alexa-like voice in the drive-thrus. Like those automated phone systems. I’m assuming it’s actually taking the order and not just being listened to by staff who are actually inputting the orders.
So yeah, it’s already here.
I eat Taco Bell occasionally and I do like their system. Order on the app, use Apple Pay/Google Pay to actually pay for it in advance; roll up to the drive thru and give your name; drive forward and get food.
It’s the most frictionless fast food experience I ever had ever had.
That sounds pretty neat, but I personally don’t want anymore apps on my phone. I wish that I could trust companies to not access my information. It’s not like I’m big on privacy, but I know that companies are short-sighted and will do whatever they can to increase their quarterly profits at any legal expense. Since I don’t want to spend my time trying to figure out which apps are using my data and how, I just avoid installing them to begin with. I also don’t eat fast food enough to have all of these apps installed, so it’s not like I’m missing out on a major convenience. This concludes my unsolicited Ted Talk.
Sir, this is a Wendy’s.
