It should be interesting how the Fight for $15 crowd will fight this development.
A McDonald’s in Boston is testing out a so-called Big Mac ATM. It functions as an ATM that dispenses fresh Big Macs, and this machine will be installed in one location for just one day on January 31. Most importantly, for those die hard lovers of Big Macs, it will be free.
Here is how it works: customers select one of three Big Mac sizes on a touch screen. Without any assistance from a human, the Big Mac is dispensed. On Tuesday, participants will be required to tweet out their experience in order to receive the free meal. In the future, you’ll just need to deposit money or swipe/tap/insert your credit card.
The Big Mac ATM will be located in Kenmore Square from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Say what?! A Big Mac ATM machine, where you can order real Big Macs, is coming to the Pru/Copley on January 31st. https://t.co/fjMZcrLpr7 pic.twitter.com/MGRxplpsRI
— BostonTweet (@BostonTweet) January 24, 2017
This is just another reaction to the rising minimum wage, and the nationwide protests demanding a $15 living wage. With more and more jurisdictions around the world adopting higher minimum wages, companies are responding to these rising labor costs with automation.
And, of course, the minimum wage is creating compulsory unemployment.
Indeed, automation, since it enhances productivity, would occur anyway but over a longer period of time. Since the minimum wage movements are gaining momentum and encouraging governments to install higher wages almost immediately, companies like McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and Burger King will inevitably turn to automation.
This comes as Amazon recently revealed a concept of a human-free grocery store without any checkouts and cashiers.
How do the likes of Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Chuck Schumer feel now about helping millions of low-skilled people lose their jobs?
This is nothing more than a publicity stunt. If it really saved money you would see them installed in every McD’s. We are years away from any of this so called tech changing the employment numbers.