‘The Real Minimum Wage Is Zero’: McDonald’s Restaurant Uses Automation For Pickups And Orders

McDonald’s An automated test restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas was revealed earlier this month. technology The replacement of many employees’ positions has attracted mixed reactions from conservatives as well as liberals.

The fast-food giant announced that customers could use kiosks and a smartphone app to place orders at conveyor belts rather than interact with customer service staff. This concept will give restaurant staff more flexibility. “the ability to concentrate more on order speed and accuracy, which makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone,” Keith Vanecek is the franchisee of the restaurant. press release.

Conservative-leaning commentators pointed out that the restaurant concept was born after left-wing politicians and activist campaigns. minimum wage hikes. Historically, the test restaurant will also be available for sale. labor shortages Companies face difficulties in filling their payrolls. This can lead to increased inflationary pressures as well as supply chain bottlenecks.

“The real minimum wage is zero and you are always replaceable,” BASEDPolitics President Hannah Cox said Social media: Using a phrase popularized by Thomas Sowell, conservative economist “If you want more money find a way to add more value. Anyone telling you differently has no idea how to eradicate poverty.”

These arguments were refuted by liberal-leaning commentators. Fight For 15, an activist group calling for $15 an hour minimum wage, has been rebuffed by liberal-leaning commentators. said The restaurant also shows its workers “need to demand” Higher salaries “Maybe it’s time for broad worker solidarity so we can fight back.”

“They’d rather fire people than have less profits,” Comedy comedian Billy Procida added. “This is the problem.”

Patrick Casey is a less serious writer observed: “On the bright side at least the ice cream machine will work.”

McDonald’s has made several recent pushes toward increased automation. The company partnered IBM will automate your drive-thrus unveiled Voice-ordering technology was installed in many Chicago restaurants last year following the acquisition of several artificial intelligence startups. “Do I think in five years from now you’re going to see a voice in the drive-thru? I do, but I don’t think that this is going to be something that happens in the next year or so,” McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said at an investor conference.

A majority of small businesses are now implementing new technology systems in response to worker shortages, higher wage pressures, and other factors, beyond large corporations. poll Morning Consult survey conducted last year.

Nonetheless, some policymakers continue to advocate for higher salaries in the restaurant and hospitality services industries. Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) signed Three months ago, the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act was created. empowered Minimum wages will be increased up to $22 an hour for the sector, which is more than 40% higher than the $15.50 an hour minimum wage set to go into effect in 2023.

A report The Congressional Budget Office published last year that a $15 an hour minimum wage would lead to 1.4 million job losses and 900,000 people being lifted out of poverty. A wage increase of this magnitude would have a negative impact on 17 million workers whose salaries would otherwise be below the threshold.