Ordering a Big Mac from MacDonald's should become a lot easier next year, as the fast-food chain reportedly plans to introduce mobile ordering next year.
Fast food has the obvious advantage of being ready, but big lines and McDonald's registers or drive-thru can take a whole lot longer. This should be a thing of the past come next year, however, as McDonald's USA is planning a big tech push and is finally joining the mobile era in 2017.
Although it's one of the world's most popular fast-food chains, McDonald's has been rather slow in adopting new technology. While other popular chains such as Starbucks, Papa John's, Pizza Hut, Domino's and others have embraced apps to facilitate ordering, McDonald's has remained one step behind in this department.
McDonald's Mobile Ordering
According to a recent Reuter's report, that's about to change. Starting in the first half of next year, McDonald's will reportedly allow customers to order items off its menu through the McDonald's smartphone app. Customers will be able to pay for the order within the app as well, so ordering McDonald's food will get a lot easier and faster.
McDonald's has yet to provide specific details on its mobile ordering rollout, but Reuters notes that a pilot will take place in the first half of 2017, with a full national rollout set for the second half of the year. The information comes from Chris Kempczinski, a former Kraft Foods exec who will be the president of McDonald's USA come Jan. 1, 2017. Kempzinski reportedly talked about McDonald's plans for next year at an event in New York City.
"As the company tries to become a 'modern, progressive company,' as one of its executive noted on Thursday, this is just the latest step to attract customers," TechnoBuffalo points out.
The McDonald's app has already racked up an impressive 16 million downloads, and the ability to order and pay for food and beverages within the app will surely make it even more popular.
McDonald's Self-Serving Kiosks
The fast-food chain reportedly wants to make hefty investments in self-serving kiosks as well and is willing to help franchises deploy such kiosks by contributing money or financing. Deploying self-serving kiosks is expected to cost between $50,000 and $60,000, said McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook. The CEO further added that installing such kiosks is not expected to reduce the number of employees working in restaurants, as they would still have to help customers learn how to order through kiosks and the deliver the orders to customers' tables.
