MCDONALD’S is scrapping its front counter as part of a major shake-up of its restaurants that could mean you get served quicker.
The fast food giant will refurbish 200 of its UK sites in 2022, rolling out the new design to 800 of its 1,465 branches in total over the next four years.
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The burger chain will get rid of its staffed counter, saying around 50% of McDonald’s sales are now made either through its app or using touch screens.
It will create “specific areas for different sales channels”, a move it said should mean fast food fans get their meals quicker.
The shake-up will result in fewer people congregating around the touch screens and help to shorten queues, it said.
We have asked McDonald’s whether customers will still be able to order face-to-face, and whether they can use cash.
The Sun has also asked whether a reduction in front counter space will result in any job losses – we will update this article when we have more details.
Meanwhile, delivery couriers picking up orders will have a separate waiting area and entrance.
McDonalds said it will install 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.
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Gareth Pearson, McDonald’s UK and Ireland chief operations officer, 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.”
Three restaurants have already been redesigned in Bow, east London, Peckham, south London and Kirkby, Merseyside.
In total, 200 will be redeveloped this year as part of McDonald’s £250million Convenience of the Future upgrade programme.
The US firm already announced a big change to its UK restaurants last year.
It opened its first net zero restaurant in Market Drayton in December, and it’s planning to roll the concept out to more stores.
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