My local McDonald's just renovated with what I assume is their newest layout concept. The front counter has exactly two registers/terminals, of which even at a busy time (school out, so tons of teenagers packed into the place), only one was staffed. Very small ordering counter. On the other side of the area is a much larger pick up area with order status screens.

There's only two electronic menu boards down from the previous four. Yet six total self-order kiosks (three double-sided), but the real expectation is people will just place the order with the phone via mobile ordering. After all, that's what most of the teenagers order did, in order to get their $0.50 Double Cheeseburger (with no additional purchase).

Moreover, you can't see into the kitchen anymore at all. It was a solid wood-decorated wall behind the counter, clearly a "hallway" or partition behind that, of which behind that is likely the actual kitchen. They increased the space of the dining area somewhat as a result.

I much prefer a kiosk or ordering on my phone… and I also rarely do a drive thru order. There is less chance of a mistake when I enter the order myself.

This was inevitable.

As a human it’s hard to compete with a screen when the person who needs to interact with you has used them for as long as they can remember.