McDonalds UK and Ireland has announced a major change in how many of its stores across the nation will deal with cash paying customers. The franchise say that they will be bringing a new design to 800 of their branches over the next four years.
The fast food giants have around 1,200 outlets across Great Britain, three of which in Bow and Peckham in London, as well as Kirby, Merseyside being upgraded already.
The MEN reports that the Maccies refurbs are a result of 50% of people ordering in touch screens in store or through the company's official app. So instead of having a counter specifically for orders, in future, the retailer will have 'specific areas' for different sales channels - as well as a large collection window.
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The shake-up will result in fewer people queuing around touch screens, and should mean diners get their food quicker, the fast food chain said. Customers who want to pay by cash will still be able to do so via 'customer experience pods' fitted with a till. Touch machine orders can only be made with a card payment.
No jobs will be lost as a result of the refurbishments, McDonald’s told The Mirror. Other changes coming to restaurants include a separate waiting area and entrance for delivery couriers picking up home delivery orders.
There will also be bigger kitchens and separate areas for delivery and dine-in orders to speed up service. The burger chain is also planning to improve the layout of its car parks to make pick up easier for drive-thru customers.
McDonald's UK and Ireland Chief Operations Officer, Gareth Pearson, said: "The pace of change within the restaurant industry is relentless, and the pandemic accelerated this with digital adoption gathering greater pace. Our customers rightly expect to have choice in how and where they order and collect their food, and our job is to ensure that every experience is a great one.
"For this to be the case, we know we also have to provide our restaurant teams and delivery partners with the best possible environment to work in."
What do you make of the new fast food shake up? Let us know.
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