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McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a [W:391]

Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

Oh hell yeah! Tuna and spiny lobster are very cheap here, I eat them close to twice a week! :chew:

nOjRRrd.jpg

bfrlev.jpg

What the hell did you do to that tuna? it looks like baked chicken.

I eat tuna steak regularly and salmon steak to boot..... The idea is to briefly cook it not fry or bake the hell out of it.

If it matters Tuna and Salmon can be eaten raw if you want..... I just hope you used butter to crisp the edges on on that tuna otherwise you ruined a perfectly good Tuna steak.
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

Where are you that a good burger is hard to find?

Take this:
top-sirloin-steak-1.gif

(sirloin steak)

And this:
chuck-steak1.jpg

(chuck steak)

Put it through this:
814735p.jpg


Then decide how you like your burgers and turn it into something like this:
kumas-burger-chicago-illinois-united-states.jpg


If you can't figure that out, you don't deserve a good burger.

That's what I do - I just don't ground the steak. I actually cut up a nice skirt steak and mix it with my ground beef... It makes for a really tasty burger. I also throw bread crumbs and Worcestershire sauce into the ground beef and steak mix - make my patty's and throw them on the grill. Everyone loves them because they're "chewy" because of the steak, so it's like getting the best of both worlds - a burger and a steak. haha
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

The poor will continue to be poor so long as they are not forced to improve their own situation in life. They are largely poor because they have done it to themselves, made bad decisions and failed to take advantage of opportunities when they had the chance. Who else is to blame for their situation? You refuse to acknowledge their part in their own failures.

OK, thanks for the words of wisdom. Tough love - should work out great. I mean, especially when we have millions of low wage jobs, and millions more unemployed, and many of those disabled or with skill sets that will never command more than poverty wages. If we just "force" them to improve their situation, they'll all become responsible or get culled out of the gene pool I guess. Either way neither I nor society owes them a GD thing except a good shove off the diving board and a "good luck, hope you can swim!" on the way down. I see the light. I'll resign my position with the charity tomorrow. All that coddling is bad for them.

FWIW, sure, there's a small segment of the population for whom that would work. The difference between us is I recognize there are an awful lot where this "force them to make good decisions" stuff won't and it's not because of the person's character or willingness.

But I have little interest in continuing this - you won't change your mind and I won't change mine, which was the point I was making earlier.
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

Where are you that a good burger is hard to find?

Take this:
top-sirloin-steak-1.gif

(sirloin steak)

And this:
chuck-steak1.jpg

(chuck steak)

Put it through this:
814735p.jpg


Then decide how you like your burgers and turn it into something like this:
kumas-burger-chicago-illinois-united-states.jpg


If you can't figure that out, you don't deserve a good burger.

What is wrong with you? A burger is good but steak is steak. I'm almost certain it is a felony in Texas to turn a perfectly good steak into a burger.
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

Won't sell any more crapburgers. They won't cut the price, will they, and crap is crap, no matter how fast it lands in your lap.



I agree. That's my point. And they deserve to die.

you still don't get it have a nice day.

it isn't about selling more burgers if they lower their operating costs by getting rid of 3 or 4 people then they dont' have to sell more burgers.
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

Yet I've read that every chain that has bought them them has found them to be a good investment.

Then why is there only 6 or so self checkouts and 30+ registers? It only appeals to a certain type of customer and most still prefer the same old customer service. If self checkouts were really so great you would only have 1 or 2 registers but obviously that is not the case.
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

'If you’ve ever felt guilty ordering at McDonald’s, the fast-food mega-chain has just the fix: You can now order your own quarter-pound bacon cheeseburger from a welcoming, non-judging machine.

Battling the worst sales slump in a decade and competition from build-your-own upstarts like Chipotle and Smashburger, McDonald’s is expanding a test concept built around ordering via tablet. Just tap on a screen and watch as your burger’s toppings (and calories) pile on, then wait for an employee to bring it over. No human interaction necessary.

McDonald’s move towards dehumanization, launched as a pilot last winter and expanded across San Diego last week, is part of a larger trend of chain eateries turning tablets into your full-time restaurant buddy: equal parts menu, server and paycheck. Applebee’s, Panera Bread and even airport bars have installed tablets to allow diners to order food or booze without a wait.'


McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a machine - The Washington Post


This is what happens when - among other reasons - you start demanding higher pay then your position is worth (like fast food workers demanding $15/hr.).

If these fast food workers force Congress to adopt a $15/hr. minimum wage? I guarantee you that the above will be the result...automation and mass layoffs.

It ain't rocket science people - you are VERY replaceable.

Oh *Drama* the worst sales in a decade for a multi-billion dollar franchise.

Oh - I'm so giving a ****.

Maybe they should sell their black squid-ink burgers in the US (Sarcasm, by the way)
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

you still don't get it have a nice day.

it isn't about selling more burgers if they lower their operating costs by getting rid of 3 or 4 people then they dont' have to sell more burgers.

You still don't get it cutting cost is a short term solution, until McDonald’s figures out why sales are slumping they will still have a problem
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

Oh hell yeah! Tuna and spiny lobster are very cheap here, I eat them close to twice a week! :chew:

nOjRRrd.jpg

bfrlev.jpg
Grew up in San Diego. Spiny Lobster (bugs) and tuna were a way of life. As a kid I was actually sick of lobster. Those were the days.

Here in NE Ohio, you can't even get a decent lobster. :(
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

You still don't get it cutting cost is a short term solution, until McDonald’s figures out why sales are slumping they will still have a problem

i get it fine. if i take away 3 or 4 positions and never hire people for those positions that is a net gain.
again you don't get it i was answering a question from someone else of what ordering from a tablet had to do with minimum wage.

if you would have read my other posts i have already commented on the burgers. not keeping up with the discussion and what is being discussed hurts any kind of point that you would make.
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

Like I said earlier, the 'acceleration' will be IMO small.

The largest employer of unskilled workers in the country is already testing automated cashiers in CA so the cost barrier is likely crossed even without a $15 minimum wage.


"Promote the modernization..." Sounds good, but means little.

So it's not really any different than most government projects.

You going to teach a person with an IQ of 80 to fix robots?

No, that IQ range is capable of robot assembly and packaging which, as an actual marketable skill, pays more than minimum wage already.

And if a person with few skills doesn't catch on, they get to beg, their children go without healthcare, die early of treatable illness or disease, etc.?

"Doesn't catch on"? What does that mean? And nice straw man you built there ... apparently arguing that unskilled labor will be replaced by automation is an endorsement of the abolition of all social services! :roll:

That's what I expected. No attempt to actually have an honest discussion.

Were you expecting me to respond to your straw man arguments before you actually posted them?
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

Thanks for the mouthwatering pics but USDA prime beef is extremely expensive and imported in frozen where I am so it aint practical to do what you are suggesting. When I do buy USDA prime I pretty much cook it as a steak.

You don't need USDA prime beef to make a hamburger. The "Prime" designation has nothing to do with taste. It's merely a description of qualities that boil down to one thing - how much "marbling" (intramuscular fat) there is. Since you're going to grind it up anyway, it doesn't matter if the fat is marbled or not. You can get choice or even "select". As long as you have enough fat in there, it won't make a difference.

That's what I do - I just don't ground the steak. I actually cut up a nice skirt steak and mix it with my ground beef... It makes for a really tasty burger. I also throw bread crumbs and Worcestershire sauce into the ground beef and steak mix - make my patty's and throw them on the grill. Everyone loves them because they're "chewy" because of the steak, so it's like getting the best of both worlds - a burger and a steak. haha

The secret to a great burger is to minimize the handling of the meat once it's been ground. Mixing stuff into the ground meat requires a too much handling. You'd be better off sprinkling some Worcestershire over the meat, leave out the bread crumbs, and just form the patties using the least amount of pressure and handling possible. To get the steak "chunks" in it, just swap a coarser grinding disk in and out.
 
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Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

The largest employer of unskilled workers in the country is already testing automated cashiers in CA so the cost barrier is likely crossed even without a $15 minimum wage.

Exactly my point. And that equipment will get even cheaper.

So it's not really any different than most government projects.

Which ones? Building planes, Medicare, SS?

No, that IQ range is capable of robot assembly and packaging which, as an actual marketable skill, pays more than minimum wage already.

They might be, but there aren't any jobs assembling and packaging robots.

"Doesn't catch on"? What does that mean? And nice straw man you built there ... apparently arguing that unskilled labor will be replaced by automation is an endorsement of the abolition of all social services! :roll:

Sheesh, I asked this: "But beyond that, is there any role for government or society?"

You responded: " If there is a job for Government it is to promote the modernization of the work force. If people refuse to make use of the ample services already provided to help them gain a marketable skill then what more does society owe them?"

So now you're saying we ALSO owe them social services beyond "promoting the modernization of the work force?" So you wouldn't let poor children die of preventable disease if their mothers 'refused to...gain a marketable skill'? You're contradicting yourself.

Were you expecting me to respond to your straw man arguments before you actually posted them?

No, I was expecting what I got, which wasn't much except a long trip avoiding an honest discussion.
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

Exactly my point. And that equipment will get even cheaper.

Sooooo... it is your argument that the accelerated loss of unskilled labor after a minimum wage increase will be small because unskilled labor is already doomed? You don't think doubling the cost of unskilled labor will prompt more businesses to start going the automation route, and tip the scales on McDonald's decision on their automation trials?

Which ones? Building planes, Medicare, SS?

The government doesn't build planes and Medicare and SS are doomed... so good job in your examples there, chief! :thumbs:

They might be, but there aren't any jobs assembling and packaging robots.

I'm betting you haven't looked.

Sheesh, I asked this: "But beyond that, is there any role for government or society?"

You responded: " If there is a job for Government it is to promote the modernization of the work force. If people refuse to make use of the ample services already provided to help them gain a marketable skill then what more does society owe them?"

So now you're saying we ALSO owe them social services beyond "promoting the modernization of the work force?" So you wouldn't let poor children die of preventable disease if their mothers 'refused to...gain a marketable skill'? You're contradicting yourself.

I asked you what you think we owe them, I never stated my opinion on it. And my response was to your point that automation would kill unskilled jobs when there are no other jobs. Do you think the government owes them a job that sinks to their level? Do you think anyone owes them that? What you propose would kill SKILLED jobs to protect unskilled jobs. In other words, it is societal poison.

If McDonald's were to automate their cashier system nationwide there would be a billion dollar industry formed over night to supply McDonald's demands and and well paying career jobs to replace the unskilled jobs being lost. You see this as a bad thing, I see this as progress.

No, I was expecting what I got, which wasn't much except a long trip avoiding an honest discussion.

You are the one building straw men.
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

I'm confused; what does ordering a burger on tablet have to do with minimum wage? This seems a bit of a stretch...

If you are force to raise your operating costs, then you look for places to cut costs to offset the increase. This is a logical place to start. At least they haven't invested automated burger cooker/assemblers yet (raise the MW to $15 and you will see them though).
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

The US had something like this in the 1930's.... no person taking your order or handling money.... it was called an automat.

automat2.jpg


Automat%2B%2BBoenzi%2BNeal%2B1978.jpg
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

If you are force to raise your operating costs, then you look for places to cut costs to offset the increase. This is a logical place to start. At least they haven't invested automated burger cooker/assemblers yet (raise the MW to $15 and you will see them though).

When I heard about this idea, I imagined something that White Castles already does and that is ordering up the burger (from home) and coming and getting it.
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

When I heard about this idea, I imagined something that White Castles already does and that is ordering up the burger (from home) and coming and getting it.

My understanding is that this would more of a kiosk style, not a smart phone app (although you can bet that would be next or even first) or website. I could see McDs ending up with a bunch of kiosks that hold automated cookers, assemblers and baggers that only require one person to maintain (keeping supplies stocked and trouble-shooting). That one person would probably end up being a part time employee so that they would have 24/7 coverage in 4 hour shifts (avoiding having to deal with covering lunches/breaks). So instead of having 10 part time and 3 full time employees, you end up with 4-6 part time employees.
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

Right-Wing utopia is where everyone makes a buck an hour and Uncle Sam picks up tab for what employers don't pay, but bitch about Uncle Sam picking up the tab.
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

Right-Wing utopia is where everyone makes a buck an hour and Uncle Sam picks up tab for what employers don't pay, but bitch about Uncle Sam picking up the tab.

No, that would be left-wing utopia. Right wing utopia would be not having the government involved at all and people making what they were actually worth.
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

'If you’ve ever felt guilty ordering at McDonald’s, the fast-food mega-chain has just the fix: You can now order your own quarter-pound bacon cheeseburger from a welcoming, non-judging machine.

Battling the worst sales slump in a decade and competition from build-your-own upstarts like Chipotle and Smashburger, McDonald’s is expanding a test concept built around ordering via tablet. Just tap on a screen and watch as your burger’s toppings (and calories) pile on, then wait for an employee to bring it over. No human interaction necessary.

McDonald’s move towards dehumanization, launched as a pilot last winter and expanded across San Diego last week, is part of a larger trend of chain eateries turning tablets into your full-time restaurant buddy: equal parts menu, server and paycheck. Applebee’s, Panera Bread and even airport bars have installed tablets to allow diners to order food or booze without a wait.'


McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a machine - The Washington Post


This is what happens when - among other reasons - you start demanding higher pay then your position is worth (like fast food workers demanding $15/hr.).

If these fast food workers force Congress to adopt a $15/hr. minimum wage? I guarantee you that the above will be the result...automation and mass layoffs.

It ain't rocket science people - you are VERY replaceable.

This has nothing to do with the minimum wage whatsoever. Also I know that McDonald's can afford to pay its workers $15/hr because they do that in other countries around the world.

"Even in countries with a high minimum wage, the golden arches manage to turn a profit. Here's how." (http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/08/the-magical-world-where-mcdonalds-pays-15-an-hour-its-australia/278313/)

Will McDonald's charge higher prices if the minimum wage goes up? Yes, but either way we are going to pay. It's either going to be through increased McDonalds prices or it is going to be through the government in the form of paying for increased social services to poor workers.
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

Sooooo... it is your argument that the accelerated loss of unskilled labor after a minimum wage increase will be small because unskilled labor is already doomed? You don't think doubling the cost of unskilled labor will prompt more businesses to start going the automation route, and tip the scales on McDonald's decision on their automation trials?

Right, it will tip the scales and move up the automation by a small amount. There is already a huge incentive to automate. Machines are easier than low skill, 200-300% turnover labor, even if the cost was neutral. Maybe I'm wrong, but we're both guessing here, and I don't think the choice is "decent wage or NO wage" as you imply. It's a good way to keep wages low until the automation, which is inevitable, happens IMO. But I'm a cynic, what can I say.

The government doesn't build planes and Medicare and SS are doomed... so good job in your examples there, chief! :thumbs:

Well, provide your own, cherry picked ones then.

I'm betting you haven't looked.

Yeah, there are all those good jobs that aren't filled, which is why the unemployment rate is so high, and so many people accept jobs at minimum wage, because there are all these robot making jobs. Give me a break. We've had a few plants open up in Tennessee in the last few years. There are thousands of applications for what are just decent production jobs. People are desperate for decent work.

I asked you what you think we owe them, I never stated my opinion on it. And my response was to your point that automation would kill unskilled jobs when there are no other jobs. Do you think the government owes them a job that sinks to their level? Do you think anyone owes them that? What you propose would kill SKILLED jobs to protect unskilled jobs. In other words, it is societal poison.

I forget how you debate. You said, " If there is a job for Government it is to promote the modernization of the work force." That's clear enough - promote modernization and nothing else. Except now you say provide social services, I guess, but who the hell knows. I think I'll not go down a rathole on this topic, having to parse every statement for the weasel words.

If McDonald's were to automate their cashier system nationwide there would be a billion dollar industry formed over night to supply McDonald's demands and and well paying career jobs to replace the unskilled jobs being lost. You see this as a bad thing, I see this as progress.

OK, so if they replace 100,000 cashiers, how many U.S. jobs emerge to build and maintain the kiosks or whatever? You're making a statement like you've run the numbers. What do they show?
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

This has nothing to do with the minimum wage whatsoever. Also I know that McDonald's can afford to pay its workers $15/hr because they do that in other countries around the world.

"Even in countries with a high minimum wage, the golden arches manage to turn a profit. Here's how." (http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/08/the-magical-world-where-mcdonalds-pays-15-an-hour-its-australia/278313/)

Will McDonald's charge higher prices if the minimum wage goes up? Yes, but either way we are going to pay. It's either going to be through increased McDonalds prices or it is going to be through the government in the form of paying for increased social services to poor workers.

Soooooo....if McDonald's can save money, lower food prices and increase sales by replacing humans with robots/automation; you seriously think they won't do it?

And you honestly think the amount they are forced by the government to pay their workers has 'nothing to do with' automation?

Obviously you have no clue how a business actually works...noted.


Good day.
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

No, that would be left-wing utopia. Right wing utopia would be not having the government involved at all and people making what they were actually worth.

But you've already expressed your opinion if their worth doesn't pay the bills - "Screw em."

There's a talk show host who's always pointing out that when conservatives watch "A Christmas Carol" they see a kindred spirit in Mr. Scrooge:

At this festive season of the year, Mr Scrooge, ... it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir."
"Are there no prisons?"
"Plenty of prisons..."
"And the Union workhouses." demanded Scrooge. "Are they still in operation?"
"Both very busy, sir..."
"Those who are badly off must go there."
"Many can't go there; and many would rather die."
"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."
 
Re: McDonald’s fresh hope to turn around slumping sales: Ordering burgers from a mach

But you've already expressed your opinion if their worth doesn't pay the bills - "Screw em."

Aren't you the one who keeps saying there's nothing more to say, yet keeps responding?
 
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