McDonald's Opens First Fully-Automated Location

The Fort Worth, TX McDonald's serves as the pilot for the "Accelerating the Arches" automation program. [Photo Credit: McDonald's Corp.]

When McDonald's opened its first "automated restaurant" in Fort Worth, TX, in December of 2022, they knew the machines would be handling everything from taking orders to delivering food, but they probably didn't expect them to divide the opinions of the public.

According to reporting from Newsweek, the test location uses technology to minimize human interaction when ordering and picking up food, and features an "Order Ahead Lane" where guests can retrieve their meals via conveyor belt.

"When you step inside the test restaurant concept, you'll notice it's considerably smaller than a traditional McDonald's restaurant in the U.S.," McDonald’s said in a statement. "Why? The features—inside and outside—are geared toward customers who are planning to dine at home or on the go."

It's all part of an ongoing plan McDonald's is calling the "Accelerating the Arches" initiative, which works to grow and innovate the customer experience. Though, not all customers who experience the most recent innovation are pleased with the direction the restaurant chain is moving.

"Inside the restaurant, there's a delivery pick-up room for couriers to retrieve orders quickly and conveniently," McDonald’s explained in its statement. "There are also kiosks, where customers can place their orders to go, and a pick-up shelf for orders. Outside the restaurant, there are several parking spaces dedicated to curbside order pick-up, as well as designated parking spaces for delivery drivers."

McDonald's stressed that a crew of employees--living, breathing human beings--will remain to help prepare the orders. The removal of tasks such as handling the register and delivering food to the counter or drive-thru lanes will help to improve efficiency in assembling orders, increasing their accuracy, as well.

A customer retrieves their order from a conveyor belt in the drive-thru window, avoiding all human interaction. [Photo Credit: McDonald's Corp.]

"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," says Keith Vanecek, the franchisee operating the test restaurant.

While some celebrate the innovative changes as a move towards faster and more accurate orders, others are a bit more cynical, remaining adamant that this is only the beginning of the end of the working class.