Outsourcing at the drive-thru

Ghoulish Delight · 03-19-2009, 09:36 PM

Didn't fast food restaurants already do this before and gave up on it? The old two-window method? One person sitting at the first windows, doing nothing but taking orders over the headset and taking money. No one does that anymore. There are thousands of fast food restaurants with useless windows. I'm guessing there's a reason for it. I wonder if that reason will be rediscovered.

Alex · 03-19-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Didn't fast food restaurants already do this before and gave up on it?

The McDonald's nearest us not only has and uses (I haven't used it myself but I've seen it used) both windows for that purposes but also has two drive-thru ordering lanes that then merge into one before the windows.

I've wondered how they make sure that the cars stay in the correct order.

None of the other fast food places around here (including the other McDonald's) even has a second window to not use.

Kevy Baby · 03-19-2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWBear

I think most McDonalds still have the dual window system.

Some use them, some don't.

The McD's by our house used to have THREE windows: at the first window, someone took your order IN PERSON; window 2 was to pay and three was to pick up the food. Sometimes you would also pay at the first window.

Sadly, they have semi-permanently closed the first window.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

I've wondered how they make sure that the cars stay in the correct order.

Maybe they don't: it is like a food roulette

Andrew · 03-19-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

McD's [...] food

Assumes facts not in evidence.

lashbear · 03-19-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Didn't fast food restaurants already do this before and gave up on it? The old two-window method? One person sitting at the first windows, doing nothing but taking orders over the headset and taking money. No one does that anymore. There are thousands of fast food restaurants with useless windows. I'm guessing there's a reason for it. I wonder if that reason will be rediscovered.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWBear

I think most McDonalds still have the dual window system.

Our local McD's uses the two window system, although window #1 is a little booth sitting in the carpark all by itself. You drive around to the speaker box, and the lady 10 feet in front of your car asks what you want. When done, you roll forward 10 feet and pay her. Then you drive across the carpark to #2 window in the side of the restaurant and collect the food.

I don't know why you have to order through a tinny speaker and then pay the woman (whom you just spoke to) sitting 10 feet in front of you.

Ghoulish Delight · 03-20-2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lashbear

I don't know why you have to order through a tinny speaker and then pay the woman (whom you just spoke to) sitting 10 feet in front of you.

So she can be taking money and making change while taking the next order, presumably.

Quote:

OR, are they going to shut down all the First Windows and now require that the Second Window Operator not only put together your order and hand it to you, but also make change? In that scenario, the company has just fired one person (First Window Operator) who performed two functions and replaced them with a one-function person while increasing the work for the Second Window Operator.

This is what has me scratching my head. Someone still needs to take money and hand you your food. So yeah, either they'll still have that one person who used to take your order, take your money, and hand you the food, in which case all they've done is hired MORE people. Or they'll cut staff by one and make someone else do 2/3 of the job. Doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

Kevy Baby · 03-20-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MouseWife

Aw man, a bummer when the line is so long at In & Out that they have someone in the parking lot taking orders!!!

I actually like it. While I believe it may help the lead time during crunch periods, I like talking face-to-face with someone who I know is 100% focused on taking my order.

And I should add: In N Out is the one place I can count on to consistently put enough ice in my drinks, not forcing me to go inside.

MouseWife · 03-20-2009, 08:53 AM

That is a good point, KB. I just hate the long line. But, it seems anytime we go there is one that long.

About the money issue, I wonder if it will come to a point where they will have a 'self serve' check out and that you use your debit card to pay, say, at the first window {like an atm} and then {if you're cleared} at the second window they hand you your food.

And/or that they require you to come inside if you want to use cash. A lot of fast food places already take debit/credit.

The outsourcing. Well, we've seen what it can do to the economy. Right? It isn't just me and my tin foil hat, is it?

03-19-2009, 09:36 PM	#1
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Didn't fast food restaurants already do this before and gave up on it? The old two-window method? One person sitting at the first windows, doing nothing but taking orders over the headset and taking money. No one does that anymore. There are thousands of fast food restaurants with useless windows. I'm guessing there's a reason for it. I wonder if that reason will be rediscovered. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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03-20-2009, 08:53 AM	#8
MouseWife Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Da' Beach Posts: 2,957	That is a good point, KB. I just hate the long line. But, it seems anytime we go there is one that long. About the money issue, I wonder if it will come to a point where they will have a 'self serve' check out and that you use your debit card to pay, say, at the first window {like an atm} and then {if you're cleared} at the second window they hand you your food. And/or that they require you to come inside if you want to use cash. A lot of fast food places already take debit/credit. The outsourcing. Well, we've seen what it can do to the economy. Right? It isn't just me and my tin foil hat, is it? __________________ Summa' time....when the livins' easy.........
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