Will Robots Replace Fast Food Workers?

This robot named Flippy runs the fry station at a White Castle outside of Chicago. With a mechanical arm and using computer vision technology Flippy can cook everything from french fries and onion rings to cheese sticks. White Castle said it plans to add 100 Flippy’s to its kitchens’ nationwide. Up to 82% of restaurant positions could, to some extent, be replaced by robots. Automation could save U.S. fast food restaurants over $12 billion in annual wages. And restaurants are also struggling to find workers. American restaurants are down more than 560,000 jobs or about 4.6% of its workforce from their pre-pandemic levels. So what impact will robots have on the fast food industry and the livelihood of its workers? CNBC got a behind the scenes look at restaurant robot maker Miso Robotics to find out.

Chapters:
0:00-2:23 - Intro
2:24-5:17 - Chapter 1 Miso Robotics
5:18-8:36 - Chapter 2 Workers quitting
8:37-10:59 - Chapter 3 Importance of Seeds

Produced by: Shawn Baldwin
Additional Camera: Andrew Evers
Graphics: Christina Locopo
Supervising Producer: Jeniece Pettitt

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Will Robots Replace Fast Food Workers?

[waleed]

imagine asking the robot to speak with the manager and you see the terminator walking towards you.

[KarlRock]

Can these guys just focus on fixing the McDonald’s milkshake machine. First things first.

[r.]

"Sorry Flippy is broken, we only can serve drinks"

[ageegag]

"Flippy can cook everything, from french fries and onion rings, to cheese sticks."
Three things, Flippy can cook three things.

[bleucarrotcake]

I would feel like crap if my manager called me in their office and asked me “WHY CAN’T YOU BE MORE LIKE FLIPPY?!”

[clarkanderson]

“Flippy doesn’t call in sick” … flippy doesn’t want any pay or any benefits 😂

[Astracruiserhenry]

The staff’s reaction at the start looking extremely unammuzed was EVERYTHING

[worldpeacearroyo]

"Flippy doesn't call in sick."
Yeah, expect when it needs repairs & the power goes out.

[PeterSedesse]

They need to invent ' Slappy ' for when a customer demands to see the manager...

[redross]

Seems like it would be more cost-effective if the CEO was a robot

[DarkDekieon]

Them: Flippy is broken down, can you cook the fries today?
Me: It isn't my job. Either make flippy do it, or fire his ass.

[rnettles]

They just installed a "Flippy 2" at my McDonald's. It was awesome, at first. Always getting my order correct.
By the 2nd week all the new robot did was look at its cell phone and stopped working completely.

[SilkCrown]

They claim one benefit is that the robots don't require time off and don't call in sick. That just means they've never heard of McDonald's ice cream machine. That thing takes more time off than any fast food worker.

[TheIncomparableGolfer]

Honestly, the whole fast food restaurant should be designed like a vending machine. This is the next evolution after McDonald's first changed everything..

[russelljconquerslifehawkey]

Imagine going to McDonald’s not speaking to one human being all the food getting given to you automated and still paying $15 for a meal that’s crazy

[taurusjd]

"I would like to speak to your manager"
Robo Manager: Talk to my hands.

[ahmedeox]

once we're all replaced by robots, how will we be able to afford the stuff the robots make?

[Bob-B-.]

"Flippy doesn't call in sick."

*Laughs in Mcflurry machine*

[andyhight]

I wonder if California will see more of these machines because of the minimum wage hike?

[blockrunner]

He’s confident the robots won’t replace him and his in depth analysis on the specifics of mechanics/robot.