McDonald's removing self-serve soda machines

[disneysteve]

McDonald's has announced that they are phasing out having self-serve soda machines in their dining rooms. Of course, they're saying it's to the customers' benefit and will be more convenient but that's a bunch of crap. It's obviously to save themselves money. Allowing people to refill their own cups costs them money. By only having employees fill the sodas behind the counter, that cost goes away.

Doesn't affect us as it's been years since I've been in a McDonald's but we do occasionally stop for fast food when we're on a road trip so if other chains follow suit, it would impact us eventually.

[kork13]

Isn't McDonald's also the one that made a big deal of having those Coke machines that would let you customize your soda with flavor mix-ins & stuff?

Besides that irony, it's also funny that sodas are easily the highest profit margin product on a fast food restaurant's menu -- they charge $1-$3 for a cup of bubbly sugar water that costs the restaurant literally pennies. Last I heard, a 20oz cup of soda costs the restaurant about 10-15¢ (or less). But I suppose you're right ... By restricting access to the soda fountain, they can better control that profit generator.

[disneysteve]

Isn't McDonald's also the one that made a big deal of having those Coke machines that would let you customize your soda with flavor mix-ins & stuff?

I don't know if they have Coke Freestyle machines. As I said, I haven't been in one for years. We love those machines but rarely go anywhere that has them.

[myrdale]

I had words with a manager the last time I went in a McDonald's because no one wanted to take my order. They insisted on me using their kiosk, which I flatly refused to do. This seems to oppose that customer self service agenda.

Our local Moe's had a freestyle machine that for what ever reason gave far better sodas than the local Burger King or other locations with that machine. They've recently replaced it with a 5 spout regular machine. I miss my Mellow Yellow Zero Cherry.

[disneysteve]

I had words with a manager the last time I went in a McDonald's because no one wanted to take my order. They insisted on me using their kiosk, which I flatly refused to do. This seems to oppose that customer self service agenda.

Many places have done this as it eliminates the need to staff the counter, which low wage places have been having increasing difficulty doing. A new Dunkin Donuts opened near us earlier this year and it is digital only. You must order on the app or an in-store kiosk. Chipotle has been building stores that are electronic order and pick up only. No counter service. No dining room. You order on the app and pick up at the window. It's allowed them to expand to locations where there wasn't room to build a traditional restaurant and it reduces their labor needs and costs.

[james.hendrickson]

I dunno, I enjoy actually speaking with a real person when I order at Chipotle. The interaction is part of the experience.

[ua_guy]

The initiative probably does reduce some cost. I don't remember the last time I actually ate inside a McDonalds.

Coke Freestyle machines are a nightmare to own/maintain, or so I've heard. I've noticed some of my haunts that jumped on the bandwagon to get one, no longer have them. One of my big goals this year was to sharply reduce my soda intake. I've always gone for diet soda anyway, but that's not good for you either. The iced tea situation, which is my substitute, is mayhem. McDonalds is at least consistent. Their unsweet iced tea isn't awesome, but it's better than a large soda.

I guess I don't understand the kiosk thing or self-check groceries for that matter. If I don't have to interface with someone, I consider that a bonus. lol. Fast food or the grocery store isn't where I need or get the social interaction that I need. If I can check out faster or easier by doing it myself, I will. I bring my own bags to the grocery store and have now, for about the last 10-15 years.

[disneysteve]

I guess I don't understand the kiosk thing or self-check groceries for that matter. If I don't have to interface with someone, I consider that a bonus. lol. Fast food or the grocery store isn't where I need or get the social interaction that I need. If I can check out faster or easier by doing it myself, I will. I bring my own bags to the grocery store and have now, for about the last 10-15 years.

Same here. I will always choose a kiosk or app or website for ordering and self-checkout when available. Especially since NJ eliminated bags, it's so quick and easy to scan an item and drop it right into my bag. So much faster than emptying my cart onto a belt, then having a cashier scan everything, and then wait for them to bag it all. At BJs and Walmart, it's even easier as they have the scan guns so we don't even have to take things out of the cart. We were at BJs yesterday. Checkout took under 2 minutes. I just used the scan gun to scan each item, tapped my card to pay, and off we went. We don't bag things until we get to the car.

I was thrilled went I went to Aldi recently and discovered that they had installed self-checkout finally. There was always a line going to the back of the store before. Now, no line. I was in and out in 5 minutes. It's great.

[JoeP]

It's probably been 4 years since I've had McDonalds "food" so this doesn't impact me whatsoever. In fact, it solidifies my resolve to avoid that place.

[bjl584]

A self checkout machine runs around $10 to $15K, plus the annual software support license that might run $1000 a year.
After the initial cost to set up the machine, it's cheaper than hiring someone to run a register.

[JoeP]

A self checkout machine runs around $10 to $15K, plus the annual software support license that might run $1000 a year.
After the initial cost to set up the machine, it's cheaper than hiring someone to run a register.

Didn't know that! So, what are they going to do with the money? Pass the savings along to the customer, like they do at all the self-checkouts at retail establishments?

/s

[disneysteve]

A self checkout machine runs around $10 to $15K, plus the annual software support license that might run $1000 a year.
After the initial cost to set up the machine, it's cheaper than hiring someone to run a register.

Of course, plus no sick days, works 24/7, no taxes, no insurance, no workmans comp. Plus it greatly improves efficiency so you can process more sales in less time. Aldi is a perfect example. As I said, before there was almost always a line that went at least halfway to the back of the store and sometimes all the way back. Last time I was there, no line at all thanks to self-checkout. Much higher customer satisfaction, I'm sure. Who wants to waste time standing in line while your frozen foods defrost in your cart?

[Fishindude77]

Sounds like a good move by MacDonalds.
Customers tend to be slobs and gluttons. The areas around these machines are always splattered with soda and lids, straws, etc. laying on the floors and counters. Too many people touching the cups, lids, etc. also make it a bit unsanitary.
Nobody needs to fill up a large soda several times for free either.

[disneysteve]

Sounds like a good move by MacDonalds.
Customers tend to be slobs and gluttons. The areas around these machines are always splattered with soda and lids, straws, etc. laying on the floors and counters. Too many people touching the cups, lids, etc. also make it a bit unsanitary.
Nobody needs to fill up a large soda several times for free either.

Cleanliness is definitely part of it. It creates extra work for the already overworked staff and it’s potentially dangerous if stuff is spilled.

[steare]

Huh, I would still imagine it to cost more in the long run to have their employees fill up everyone's drink rather than let the customers do it themselves, despite some shrinkage. It seems Macca's is going the way of Chik-Fil-A....