MCDONALD’S has entered the future with a fully automated store that has no human staff.
The sci-fi shop is the first of its kind and has a large conveyor belt delivering food and robots putting burgers together but some customers are not impressed.
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An Instagrammer known as Munster, who posts under the handle @foodie_munster, has shared the update in a recent video.
A Fort Worth, Texas McDonald’s location has introduced a new takeaway and drive-through concept.
While not widely rolled out just yet, the location offers certain features to enhance a customer’s experience.
You can now order food on the app, pull into a curbside pick-up lane, and go through the drive-through lane.
You can also go to an order-ahead lane and be served by a conveyor belt, Munster shared.
“When you pull up, they’ll ask you for your code and in no time your food arrives,” he said.
“I gotta say, it worked pretty well.”
Munster said that the inside of the McDonald’s location is unlike any other.
There’s one kiosk where you can place orders, and the interior is largely designed for customers to quickly be in and out, Munster said.
He ordered a burger from the fast food chain he had never seen before, called the Daily Double.
Munster said it was “pretty good.”
He also ordered some classic McNuggets.
Fans had very mixed feelings about the new layout.
“It’s cool but I don’t think I’m a fan … I rely on the indoor play grounds haha. Also we already have too many automated things happening and I feel like we don’t need more stuff where you don’t interact with actual people,” one person commented.
“I wondered how that new concept would work. They don’t even want to see people’s face,” someone else chimed in.
“this is cool! didnt know that was a thing,” another said.
“This is kinda cool. No one to judge my order,” commented another.
‘FIRST OF ITS KIND’
Earlier this month, McDonald’s announced that this sci-fi location would be launched as a test to push the limits of the brand.
“At McDonald’s we’ve been setting the standard for drive-thrus for more than 45 years,” said McDonald’s director Max Carmona.
“As our customers’ needs continue to change, we are committed to finding new ways to serve them faster and earlier than ever before.”
The fast-food giant announced that this test location is perfect for on-the-go individuals who want something quick.
An Order Ahead lane has been designed for people to place their order while they are nearing the restaurant so they can immediately pick it up at the window.
There is also a delivery pickup room inside that is designed for courier services to easily grab food.
“The technology in this restaurant not only allows us to serve our customers in new, innovative ways, it gives our restaurant team the ability to concentrate more on order speed and accuracy, which makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone,” said Keith Vanecek who is franchising the location.
While this is a first for McDonald’s, other fast-food chains have announced plans to improve their drive-thru services.
In June, Taco Bell revealed a four-lane drive-thru concept that includes a “vertical lift” which will deliver orders from the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Burger King announced in 2020 that it was looking at a three-lane drive-thru as well as burger pickup lockers.
At this point, the Texas location is the only one of its kind until McDonald’s “tests and learns” more about the new concept.
“We’re always innovating to improve our customer experience, no matter how they want to order or receive their food.
“I am immensely proud to have this new restaurant concept serving our customers in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to McDonald’s for more information on similar locations opening up in the near future.
