Yesterday I went into a Steak and Shake restaurant for the first time in 12-15 years. Like their food, but seldom find myself in their neighborhood at meal time.

Anyway, I go inside, no waitresses, no menus (I'm almost positive that the last time I ate at Steak and Shake I ordered from glossy menus, at a booth). And not even a cash register at the counter where all indoor customers, both carry out as well as dine-in, were expected to order from. Just two automated kiosks.

So, I dutifully entered my order, and flagged down what I thought to be a clerk, explaining that I intended to pay cash.

They ended up having to process my transaction at the drive thru window, which evidently had the only cash register. Which required that I abandon the order I had already placed, and order verbally from the cook who ultimately processed my order for me, at the drive up terminal.

So, I inquired "no cash at all for indoor purchases? is this a covid thing?"

And the reply was no, it was not due to covid, it was all brand new, as part of their "reduced staffing" strategy.

I guess that's one way to dodge the "pay a living wage" bullet? :mad:

I'd like to add, that the terminals were well done, the menu sequence was both as intuitive as it was attractive.

And, if they had just included a currency receiver similar to the ones in the self service lanes at the groceries, I would have been completely on-board.

But their expectation of a cashless environment just rubs me the wrong way. I really prefer the autonomy that cash transactions afford.

Yeah, they moved to self-serve kiosks, and I'm sure they've lost a lot of business. Anything to save a buck!

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The trend towards a cashless society, is discomforting to me. Glad I will never live long enough to see it fully implemented

The order-at the-counter aspect kinda reminded me of "In an Out", which is hugely successful out west

The order-at the-counter aspect kinda reminded me of "In an Out", which is hugely successful out west

In-N-Out is definitely a growing chain, but outside of California, you will not find them in most areas: in my state, Arizona, they are limited to the bigger cities. The order at the counter part is no different than most fast food chains, same as McDonald's, Burger King, etc. I think the big difference is that they do not freeze or thaw their food, as all ingredients are brought in fresh. They also pay their employees more than McDonald's, so the employees are really motivated to go the extra mile, which builds customer satisfaction.

While In-N-Out is okay, I prefer Culver's, which is a mostly-Midwest chain, but they've taken this state on by storm, and now outnumber In-N-Out. Same concept: no frozen food, pay the employees more so they are focused on good customer service. They have the best customer service and a really good menu.

wow, I just noticed that the news story in your linked video is a year old. I've really been in a cocoon during this covid thing. Just now discovering the Steak and Shake transformation.

But again, if they would just incorporate a better means to accommodate cash transactions, most of my objections would go away.

I do believe they are gonna alienate a lot of their senior customers who might not be enthusiastic about having to stand and wait 10 minutes for their orders.

So, "waitressing" has always been a dependable source of employment for under-educated females. Wonder if this sort of automation might push women back into being more dependent upon marriage as a source of support?

Yeah, they moved to self-serve kiosks, and I'm sure they've lost a lot of business. Anything to save a buck!Yes im sure they have lost alot!!

So, "waitressing" has always been a dependable source of employment for under-educated females. Wonder if this sort of automation might push women back into being more dependent upon marriage as a source of support?

I think that ship has sailed. From what I've read, there are now more women in the workforce than men. (https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2020/01/13/women-now-hold-more-jobs-than-men/?sh=56f565948f8a)

I've really been in a cocoon during this covid thing.

We all were... thank goodness things have opened back up!