McDonalds Got Your Money- Your Food Maybe Not

Forbes
McDonald's Says Goodbye Cashiers, Hello KiosksAs of 2020, self-service ordering kiosks will be implemented at all U.S. McDonald’s locations. Other chains, including fast-casual brands like Panera and casual-dining brands like Chili's, have already embraced this trend"

What Is Old Is New Again
This could very well signal the end of "fast food". The way I see it once you pay for a order you ain't going anywhere. Years ago in Philadelphia and New York there were a bunch of Horn & Hardart restaurant automats. The way these worked were similar to today's vending machines. There were a whole bunch of little window shelves where a customer would insert their money, open the window and take out the food cooks working behind placed in them. This plan is nothing like that. A customer at Horn & Hardart would get his food as fast as they could insert their money.

This is like buying a ticket to Disneyland never knowing how long you'll have to wait to get on a ride. If McDonald's wants to go down this path they should bear in mind the last Horn & Hardart in NYC closed in April 1991. People didn't like it then. I doubt in this case having to wait for their number to come up will fare much better.

Maybe if customers could play the slots or bet on sports while they wait it might work. Other then that I wouldn't be too optimistic. I'd sooner wait at home for my grub to be delivered.