KFOR, the NBC station for Oklahoma City, posts a news story about the CEO of Carl's Jr./Hardee's wanting to try an all-automated fast food restaurant with no employees. I'm not sure he can pull it off.
An automated system might handle special orders. Who will pick up after the customers and clean the restrooms? Food prep and debit/credit card payment can be automated, but cleaning probably not.
It is a logical, if extreme, response to rising minimum wages. Rising wages make automation cost-effective. The true minimum wage is zero, if you hire no one.
Afterthought: An automated outlet could work in a mall food court where the mall's custodial employees handle cleanup for the common dining area and restrooms.
