In the Wild – New McDonald’s in Thornton Colorado
Editors Note 12/17/2024: We have seen the “counterless” McDonalds but their latest “test” is ultra-small stores that have no inside dining, or drive thru and seem to be geared for pickup and delivery by services. Pickup lockers outside are standard. Story on QSR Magazine. Thanks to Sixteen-Nine for tip.
The new McDonald’s is finally open here in Thornton and seeing McDonald’s Kiosk designs is one of my responsibilities. I have an older McDonalds down the street but the new one is right next to my golf course.
Editors Note: 9/23 — see new writeup on CNN article — McDonalds Touchscreen Kiosks – Not Taking Jobs CNN Story
What We Learned and Confirmed
- Not surprising to see it go in across from the new In-and-Out and Canes
- Most surprising is the compressed ordering area which consists of 5 kiosks with some enabled for cash as well.
- The usual long counter with LCD menus is virtually gone
- Two people help with orders and you sit down and they bring it to you (or you stand around)
- The drive thru menuboards are active digital menus. My “updated” MCD down the street still uses cardboard for specials
- The drive thru menuboards are facing the sun. We’ll see how they hold up…
- On the drive thru pre-order you can see the Coates decal at bottom
- Figure OH55s from Samsung. Note the “isotropic” failures in California by Coates/Samsung earlier.
- There is legal action related to all that as well. Improper/lack of ventilation can cause edge seal breach. Damage is permanent.
- Figure the LCDs are $10K each themselves not counting supporting engineering
- Regulatory — I didn’t see UL sticker on the kiosks
- Regulatory – Audiopad from Storm Interface installed and with JAWS screen reader by Vispero
- Regulatory – Not sure where the Braille labels came from and what spec. California has their own special design fyi*
- Ordering — you need to grab a “Table Tent”. We wondered what that was.
- Tables all come with charging plugs and the built in beacons.
- Payment – I always hate using NFC since you can never see if approved/done without removing your card
- Payment – the cheap Verifone was slow as expected
- Kiosk providers — these are manufactured and designed by Pyramid out of Germany (polytouch NGK32 K2) and “vended” into McD by Diebold Nixdorf. DN and other related companies like NCR have suffered the last couple of years. DN showed good recent results.
- Nice service contract though given McD certainly margin-limited
- Service photo — receipt jammed and employee fixed it
- Digital Signage display right next to one of the kiosks. Not sure from who.
- Cash — we were talking to attendant and got onto the Glory cash handling. Unfortunately Glory still uses bank terminology designed for bank employees, in a retail restaurant where customers are not trained cashiers. Not often used but the recurring question by customers is “What are Notes?. Is that something on my phone or something?”
- WiFi — surprised at how fast it is upload and download. Typically lucky to see 15 and they are almost 100. Makes it a great place to loiter.
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- At a drive-thru, the counterless McDonalds menu showcases breakfast sandwiches and drinks under a vivid blue sky. A finger partly obscures the top left corner, while yellow protective barriers frame this enticing morning scene.
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- A sleek, black vehicle waits at a drive-thru kiosk in a gravel-strewn parking lot. Beyond, a strip mall stands under a clear sky. The scene evokes modern efficiency, reminiscent of McDonalds vision of counterless service.
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- Situated on the right side of an empty parking lot, a McDonalds stands with its clear blue skies overhead. Trees and distant buildings fill the left view, while several vehicles are parked nearby. Embracing innovation, this location features a counterless experience for modern convenience.
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- On the McDonalds counterless self-service kiosk screen, text reads Grab a Table tent and enter the code. A numeric keypad shows the number 50, with Back and Continue options below. A QR code and card reader are located at the bottom for seamless transactions.
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- Close-up of a metal tag on a counterless kiosk, stating DIEBOLD NIXDORF and Pyramid polytouch NGK32 K2, alongside a section for serial numbers. Nearby McDonalds certification marks and electrical specifications are visible. The floor has a wood-like appearance.
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- A modern, counterless fast-food restaurant with wooden furniture and pendant lights. Some people are seated at booths and tables, eating and chatting. Large windows provide natural light, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere reminiscent of McDonalds new design ethos.
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- A McDonalds counterless kiosk offers a side and drink for $2.90 with your Sausage & Egg McMuffin purchase. Alternatively, get just the item for $3.99 at 480 calories. Conveniently finalize your choices using the card reader below the touch screen.
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- At a McDonalds, people engage with self-service kiosks in place of the traditional counter. A man and woman navigate digital menus near vibrant order stations, while a decorative wall showcasing large fries adds to the colorful ambiance.
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- A person in a jacket stands before an illuminated McDonalds breakfast menu sign, showcasing tempting images of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and a McCafé coffee. This counterless setup adds a modern twist to the classic This breakfast has it all experience.
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- View from inside a car facing a row of numbered pickup spots in a McDonalds parking lot. Each spot features counterless ordering instructions for seamless pickup. A restaurant is visible in the background under a clear blue sky.
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- A drive-thru menu board at the fast-food restaurant showcases breakfast items, meals, and drinks. A car waits nearby to order in this counterless McDonalds experience, as bright yellow bollards stand beside the menu in the sunny outdoor setting.
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- In a counterless McDonalds, self-service kiosks feature digital screens with various options. Nearby, numbered table markers sit against a backdrop of colorful abstract art. On the right, a persons hand reaches towards the screen.
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- A person with reddish-brown hair is working on the open panel of an ATM machine inside a building, reminiscent of the streamlined efficiency of a counterless McDonalds. Various cables and components are visible inside as they work efficiently in their gray shirt.
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- Inside a McDonalds featuring counterless service, people stand in line amid decor that includes a large yellow arch and red balloons shaped like fries. A digital menu displays drinks with the slogan Chill Out and Sip On. On the right, a woman wearing a mask waits patiently.
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- At a McDonalds counterless setup, a credit card payment terminal shows a $5.41 charge. You can insert, tap, or swipe your card. Nearby, another device features a fingerprint sensor and help button for seamless transactions.
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- In a McDonalds restaurant setting, a white table features a circular black disc marked 102 with QR codes. Nearby, a folded tabletop sign shows the number 50 and another QR code with instructions in English and Spanish, epitomizing the counterless trend.
Google Maps
mcdonalds kiosk
Wifi
McDonalds Wifi