Will kiosks soon replace workers?
Leonard Comma, Jack in the Box CEO, speaking at the ICR Conference in Orlando, Fla., told the audience automation might be the solution to rising labor costs, according to a report by Business Insider. The fast food chain is considering replacing cashiers with automation.
“As we see the rising costs of labor, it just makes sense,” he was quoted as saying.
Jack in the Box tested automatic kiosks years ago, but at the time, they were too expensive to install on a large scale across locations. Now, as minimum wage increases, Jack in the Box is reportedly looking again at kiosks and other technology to help control these rising labor costs.
California—one of 18 states planning to raise its minimum wage this year—will up its minimum wage to $11, raising it to $15 by 2023.
Jack in the Box is far from alone. Wendy’s Co. is testing self-order kiosks in about 1,000 stores. Last year, McDonald’s Corp. introduced its “Experience of the Future” plan that would bring self-order kiosks and other tech upgrades to 2,500 stores.
