McDonald's has announced a revolutionary way to cut costs, one that is sure to please their penny-pinching executives and their employees. Starting next week, the fast-food giant will unveil its new do-it-yourself burger, a self-assembly menu item that shifts the responsibility of cooking the patty from the restaurant's significant workforce to their customers.
The announcement has caused waves in the world of fast-food culture, as McDonald's moves to create self-service stations in its restaurants. For years, customers have handled the accoutrements - from adding ketchup and mustard to adjusting the ingredients, but now, McDonald's is taking it a step further.
The company's flagship dish will now come with all the ingredients, but it's up to customers to put it all together, grill the patty, and assemble their burger to their exact specifications. There is a catch though; the customers have to bring their own burger makers and grills.
"We are all about giving our customers more control and freedom, and this new DIY burger is the ultimate expression of that," said a spokesperson for McDonald's. "We are well aware of the dangers of micromanaging, which is why we have entrusted our customers with the responsibility of cooking their own meals."
As part of its new 'self-service' initiative, McDonald's locations will remove all of their grills and machines previously used for cooking burgers, as well as laying off their entire kitchen staff. The decision to offer self-service at its restaurants was undoubtedly a bold move, but one that the company is confident will scale well.
"We're all constantly pressed for time these days, and it's becoming tricky to fit in breakfast, lunch, or dinner, especially during a pandemic," continued the spokesperson. "That's why we're empowering our customers by giving them the tools to take matters into their own hands and whip up their own burgers, all while saving more money that can instead go towards our shareholders, who deserve it."
It remains to be seen what this move will mean for McDonald's, but it's clear that the company is looking for ways to streamline its operations and offer something unique to its customers. One can only hope that the new DIY Burger comes with an IKEA-like assembly manual.
