McDonald’s is betting on digital cashiers

McDonald’s is piloting a new set-up of digital kiosks in some U.S. locations that accept both cash and card, with the hope that they can reduce the burden of waiting in line, the company told Quartz in an email.

McDonald’s did not immediately say whether the new kiosks would cut costs for franchisees or if they could lead to layoffs. However, demand for order automation technology in the fast food industry has increased in response to new living wage laws in Californiasignaling broad interest in replacing some fast food jobs with kiosks.

Some McDonald’s locations are also replacing old menu boards with digital screens that feature promotions and popular items, the chain said. For those who still want to order the traditional way, printed menus will still be available.

McDonald’s says these upgrades are meant to meet growing demand for digital options and increase speed and accuracy. The decision to adopt this new format rests with franchisees, who own and operate approximately 95% of McDonald’s locations. There is no timeline yet for a nationwide release. Some McDonald’s stores had ordering kiosks back in 2016but until recently they didn’t accept cash.

As digital ordering grows, McDonald’s stores are rethinking how they train their staff. With fewer counter staff needed, some employees are reassigned as “guest experience leads” to help customers dine or wait for pickup.

The push for more kiosks is likely to boost the chain’s digital presence as a whole. McDonald’s currently has about 166 million loyalty members, which represent 25 percent of systemwide sales, according to CEO Chris Kempczinski.

“Digital will continue to grow for us,” Kempczinski said. “But today, we just don’t have the penetration where it needs to be.”

McDonald’s, one of the the largest fast food chains globallyit was active in other fields to get budget-conscious diners back. In June, this one launched a $5 meal dealwhich he noted it would keep for a little while longer.

In July, it said it was pilot testing “Big Arch” in select markets with the caveat that it will land in the US soon. In early August, he said he was launching a limited time “Collector’s Cup promotion. In the same month, there was even talk of a new “Chicken Big Mac.”