In a throwback move aimed at enhancing customer convenience and operational efficiency, fast-food giant McDonald’s has announced the introduction of cash-accepting digital kiosks across its US locations. This innovation allows customers to pay with cash directly at the kiosk and receive change, addressing a long-standing limitation of digital ordering systems.
The integration of these digital ordering stations, first reported by Bloomberg, is expected to reduce the need for queuing at traditional cash registers. This change caters to the diverse payment preferences of customers and could significantly ease the ordering process during peak times.
While current kiosks accommodate card payments, cash-paying customers usually require assistance from a cashier, a process that can cause delays. The implementation of cash-accepting kiosks is anticipated to reduce reliance on cashiers, allowing them to focus on other customer service areas.
The adoption of this new system remains optional for franchisees, who currently manage approximately 95% of McDonald’s locations in the US. So far, only a handful of restaurants have implemented the new kiosks.
Additionally, McDonald’s will use behind-the-counter screens, which traditionally display the full menu, to promote select items and encourage customers to use the kiosks or the McDonald’s mobile app for placing orders. This strategic deployment aims to enhance the overall customer experience, making ordering faster and more efficient.
