Tommy Siegel | Bluesky
Transcript
Single panel comic
Illustration of a highway with 3 billboards for fast food chains. A bridge is visible in the background, as are power lines running along side of the service road.
Each billboard has a chain logo, with secondary text below.
Wendy’s
- Your fifth favorite burger is now an app
McDonald’s
- Will you give us your data for food?
Burger King
- Guess what: No app? No food
Nope, nope, and nope. My fiance stopped going to Wendy’s because she hated the AI voice. I still go there on occasion, all you have to do is say give me a human being. It is annoying having to wait for the McDonald’s drive-through to ask me if I’m using the mobile app. They’re just doing their job but it’s seriously annoying.
Although I did make a comment to the teenager work in the register when I went to pay at Wendy’s once because I drove past their slogan that said something about never cutting corners in service, which is hilarious seeing as using an AI menu board is literally cutting corners in service.
So I am an app fan. If there’s an app available, I will use it. However, I do have to say the fast food industry is one of the few industries that I had used the apps for and then stopped.
Mostly because you can take any fast food restaurant out there and it will likely fall into at least one of these categories.
- app barely functions
- food gets prepared when you arrive anyway
- deals on the app are either non-existent or not worth it
- improper worker training leads to order mistakes or deals not applied
You would think that the number one reason for not using the app in today’s world would be the absurd pricing for the food or the fact that there is non-existent deals. But honestly, the second bullet point is the one that I have the biggest issue with.
Like seriously, what is the point in ordering ahead using a mobile app if you arrive at the establishment and you have to wait 20-30 minutes in the drive-through line anyway? You go by the drive-through window anyway to get your order. You might as well just place the order at the drive-up window, be able to vocalize exactly what you want in the order without the restrictions that the app forces you on it, and if they’re out of something or one of their machines are broken so they can’t do a part of the water, they can inform you of that before you give them your money.
McDonald’s is notorious for that. I used to give them a pass because you weren’t charged until you arrived there anyway, so it made sense that they didn’t prep ahead. But about four years ago now, I believe, they updated the app to charge you when you place the order, and then proceed to still not start your order until you go up to the drive-through window and give them your order code.
And each of these apps is no less than 500 MB
That Burger king one is legit by me. They cut their staff so much they have 2 people cooking and one kiosk you can self order at that’s broken half the time. Half the time you to to the drive through and they have a sign that says “app orders only.” It’s insane.
I have not had this experience at the BK I went to last, but I assume it’s a matter of time. We need consumer protection that protects people from needing invasive apps to use services.
Yeah I agree. I have no idea how it is at other Burger kings, they’ve all closed near me except that one.
It’s not getting out of control at all. Just stop eating at these places.
I had no idea they even had apps, because I don’t eat at these places.
They used to have good deals. I was able to order meals with deals and points to get a combo for a dollar. You used to be able to customize better too. I was able to put fresh diced jalapenos on my beef n cheddar.
Now the customization options are worse and the deals are worse. I hardly go anymore. Just not worth it. I can get a better deal at the sit down restaurants.
That’s classic enshitefication. First it is good to hook you, then it gets slightly worse but you still use it out of habit, then it gets terrible and there is no other option.
Agreed. Supposedly all the best deals are on the apps, and the food is reasonably priced like it used to be if you play your cards right. However, to use those apps, you’re agreeing to binding arbitration in perpetuity should they fucking kill or maim you with their shitty food. That’s not a tradeoff I’m willing to make. I’m also not fond of ever giving anyone my data unless it’s absolutely necessary, so I just don’t go to these places unless I’m desperate and it’s the only thing open.
Fast food serves zero purpose now. It’s not cheap and it’s not good. So why on earth would I ever install an app for any of these ghoulish companies?
Last time I ate at McDonald’s they had 1€ burguers. Last time I checked it was like almost 20€ for a shitty menu.
Not in your widest dreams. I rather make myself a quick burger at home.
Because it’s fast?
It isn’t fast either.
It’s Louisiana fast … aka slow as paint peeling.
Basically every restaurant is fast now. The Sysco/US Foods duopoly has made it infeasible to prep/cook fresh in-house
It’s mostly just heating up pre-made foods now (that I grudgingly admit have gotten a lot better over the past 10 years)
Chain ones maybe but there’s absolutely still restaurants that cook food from scratch.
I doubt the person who drew this comic has had the misfortune of trying to order food in China. It’s basically a literal form of what the comic is poking fun of, and it’s ubiquitous.
In China, you can go up to the counter, but you cannot place an order. Sometimes, you cannot even read a physical menu. Not even so much as a menu on the screen. You have to scan the QR code using the Panopticon app (also known as WeChat) and then get bombarded with advertisements. Like us and get a free drink! Click here for a random coupon! Join our WeChat group! No, no, no, no. Then click through their garbage UI to find the one thing you actually want. Make sure you don’t accidentally replace your order with one of their “recommendations” that pop up! Then, try to check out. Do you want to join our WeChat group for exclusive deals? Do you want to create an account? Dismiss, dismiss, dismiss.
Click here to pay. Only WeChat Pay is accepted. No cash, you backwards peon. Enter your mobile number here. Required to order. Ha ha, nice try, 123456789 is not your mobile number. No worries, we got it from WeChat. You’ll get 3 order confirmation texts and 2 advertisements a week for the next six months.
I’m so sorry but you are full of shit. You can definitely order on the counter, all restaurants still have physical menus. I see it all the time with the elderly. They struggle with wechat or AliPay - which are apps western countries can only dream off - hence all stores can serve you normally.
And most shops have AliPay over wechat anyway except in 3rd and 4th line cities.
If you use AliPay, nothing gets bounded. Not your phone number or anything. The mini app isn’t even available again until you go scan or NFC again.
And the UI of the miniapps in general is very good and intuitive because they want you to order quickly.
Also you don’t have to link your wechat account, nor your phone number. This is specifically forbidden by the Chinese version of the GDPR in regards to personal privacy.
I know it is extremely popular to shit all over China because ‘China bad’. Most western that come here are amazed at the technology and convenience of shopping, travelling and ordering. My parents who speak no Chinese and are in their late seventies, happily go to any small local shop and order their meal without my help.
You clearly want to karma farm and keep the negative western propaganda flowing, up to you but be real and do not tell such bullshit.
Mfw the “communist” country that can do no wrong according to the tankie instances out-enshittifies the home country of enshittification and capitalism in general 🤦🏻😄
Meanwhile, the best baseball player in the world is Japanese, the number one ranked player in the NBA is Serbian, and they’ve even been overtaken as the most obese people by the citizenship-deprived residents of American Samoa!
If not for Handegg and money hoarding, the US would hardly be #1 at ANYTHING anymore!
If not for Handegg and money hoarding, the US would hardly be #1 at ANYTHING anymore!
The US has ended like 40 wars this year alone!
The US has ended just the Iran war 40 times already, without even counting the others.
Sir, this is a Wendy’s.
Now download our app.
they’re the current leaders at global terror
I thought that was Israel, US is being led, not leading
israel is just a US colony.
It only exists so the US has a “friend” in the sandbox, and that friend has been getting the US hurt lately.
Israel and Russia keep their shit pretty localised (espionage notwithstanding). The US exports its shit globally.
Hey now, we’re still the #1 lapdog of the petrochemical industry!
I saw a post about this last night. Really scary stuff.
Removed by mod
I’ve seen this in Abu Dhabi. A bit creepy but it came with inbuilt convenience like letting your party members each pay for their items or splitting into X portions (you can pay for n*X portions if you want). Sure it’s handy but just give me a paper menu for fucks sake, let me ask the staff for a recommendation
There are many fast food chains that effectively require the app
McDonald’s and Subway are examples. You’ll be paying quite a bit more without the app exclusive deals
There are also many chains that don’t require an app for the best deals. Burger Kind and Culvers being examples
I wish this comic had a bit of nuance, because Burger King shouldn’t be getting lumped in because they’re better than most others
But the deal are so shit in recent years I just don’t even go there anymore
I didn’t mind the app, but even then they still didn’t stop make them shittier over the years with them being less reliable and losing features I just uninstalled them.
That Burger king one is legit by me. They cut their staff so much they have 2 people cooking and one kiosk you can self order at that’s broken half the time. Half the time you to to the drive through and they have a sign that says “app orders only.” It’s insane.
I dunno, I go to burger king way more because they have a deal with Walmart + of 25% off your order ever day for members, but the only way to claim it is via app, so I’d say they’re right there with the others.
They don’t require it. You just want it for the deals. I love it for the free food I get. But I but from them all the time without the app when I don’t care. Before the app they never had deals like these anyways. So it’s just like the old time.
I’m never going to install an app for a fucking fast food restaurant lol
I’ve never seen a restaurant in the US or Europe that requires you to download an app to order. They bribe you with coupons and discounts to download the app, which is fair enough, I suppose, but you’re not obligated to. You can still walk up to the counter, tell your order to a human, and then pay with cash. No algorithm will ever know who you were or what you ordered.
They bribe you with coupons and discounts to download the app, which is fair enough, I suppose, but you’re not obligated to.
They jack up prices and then offer what their menu prices should be through the app. It isn’t a discount and this deceptive pricing practice is not fair enough.
Sadly, you get forced to a digital kiosk most places in my city if you walk up to the counter and expect to order there… but at least you still can avoid downloading the app. It’s actually been helpful for me as I eat less fast food now, lost some weight.
I think the vast majority of stores with the kiosk still have a cash option, but it takes forever to get an employee for the register
Taco Bell (here) does not. They expect you to use the filthy kiosk and then eat with your hands. I am surprised that there hasn’t been some kind of outbreak from this.
Taco Bell is for sure the worst with forcing the stupid kiosk, they just hate hiring staff for a register. It’s a terrible experience all around going into a Taco Bell anymore because of the terrible customer (none) service.
I’ve seen a few of those stores around, but they seem to be the minority. At least as of a year ago. I used to travel quite regularly for work and taco bell was a common place to go. Living out of hotels sucks sometimes
Of course they don’t require it, but you pay way more at some without it
Subway near me is $11.50 for the footlong I’d normally get. They regularly offer $7 footlong on the app, or buy one, get one free
At $11.50, I’d never eat there. For $7, it’s a decent deal
I’ve never seen a restaurant in the US or Europe that requires you to download an app to order.
Same. So far it’s only been the perks of some sort sell. But either way, it’s gonna be a hard no from me. I refuse to install apps from significantly more consequential businesses/organizations even; restaurants are just never going to make the list for me personally.
All the places around me are installing ordering kiosks inside, which not only removes even more human interaction but also tracks data I’m sure because you have to use a card to pay. I hate it so much
The places I’ve been to either allow you to pay cash at the counter or they have a machine that accepts cash.
Not yet, but that sure do keep adding more layers of asking you about the app when you pull up to the drive thru window
I was broke and in college and the app deals were so incredibly cheap then. I used to exploit a burger king coupon that was a free kids meal with a $1 purchase. At the time you could get a 10 count nugget for $1. That kept me fed for sure
Fast forward to today, and now you have to have the app to get a still expensive meal. It’s a bit more expensive than full priced meals used to be. It’s not even worth it anymore
Just curious about the lemmy consensus, what is it about the app specifically that people find distasteful? Is it the concept of ordering through your phone instead of in person, the app making a profile of your ordering habits, or some nefarious third thing the companies do by getting an app on your phone to steal data?
It also forces you into the iPhone/Android phone with Google Play services duopoly. And I simply don’t want some stupid app on my phone.
Plus it’s also just inconvenient. I give you money, you give me food. It should be that simple.
I think the answer is generally all of the above
Privacy is a big one
For me, I don’t think they make any sense. Ordering through the app is slower. I have to add a credit card and select a location before I can even start ordering. Half the time I get to the end to find out the discount/deal I was using isn’t honored by that specific location. In all, it would be much faster to just order at the restaurant than use the app at the restaurant
Most seem to assume you’re ordering before arriving, which requires pre-plannung that defeats much of the convenience of fast food IMO
Also I really dislike the fact the vast majority of the time, the reality is people are ordering while driving. It’s a safety hazard
As someone who walks, I love ordering before arriving. You just order it as you walk to pick them up, don’t even need any pre-planning.
The bigger problem with apps is because each app takes quite some space and you can only use it for one franchise per app, when WEBSITES exist. I do still often order through website on places that have them.
Also, it’s quick to repeat your last order with an app. I eat at a subway-style pizza place called Mod, and there’s at least 20 pieces of information to relay to the person making the pizza. I’d rather have it print out an easy to parse list for them to work with.
Stop buying fast food. The companies are scum, its terrible for you and you will save a lot of money.
Fucking hell fast food costs as much as a sit down meal these days, of far better food.
I just haven’t done fast for for so long that I didn’t know the prices had skyrocketed.
It does
Maccas: Double Quarter Pounder Deluxe meal: $17
Local bowlo: grilled fish, chips and schooey for $15
Your sit down meals must be incredibly cheap. In this area, they’ve gone up, too. We usually don’t get out of a sit down meal for less than about $50 these days. And we’re not ordering extravagant meals or any alcohol. Fast food will be $20-$30 for the two of us.
Have started carrying out from local restaurants by calling ahead instead of any fast food for this reason.
I found I was spending near too or as much each time anyway I was going out and this way I help put money into the local family businesses instead of it going to CEO profits.
i have such a simmering nostalgia for the old days. on tuesdays there would be 39 cent hamburgers and on wed there’s be 49 cent cheeseburgers. this was at the local micky d’s. that’s what we called mcdonalds in those days. we were beyond a first name basis.
this was around the time i started my first job, which paid $7.50 an hour. and no, this wasn’t in 1970, it was 2001. i wasn’t in the middle of a space odyssey, but an odyssey of the everyman; it was days filled with the aroma and flavor of savory fast food and nights spent with fit y2k hotties in low-rise jeans sipping strawberry shakes. neither of these things cost much and that was a mutual expectation.
screw em all. they just want all your personal info to sell for increased profits
Dropping all that garbage food for high prices they are doing you a favor for your Health and pocketbook
First time I saw a restaurant with an app only menu (that obviously required your phone number too) I just froze in confusion, looked at the staff like they were stupid (they looked me the same) and left. It was in Tallinn, Estonia. Later when I checked the rewievs of the place, those implied that it was more of a money laundering place than an actual restaurant, but I won’t go further into that. Suspicious anyways. Found great food in the next door restaurant, they had a normal menu as did most other restaurants except some take-away pizzerias.
This is not generally common here in the US, but Indian restaurants now tend to have no menu, just a QR code that you scan and then you order from their website (no apps so far, or at least they’re not mandatory yet). I was a mobile app programmer until about five years ago and I had to ask these guys how to scan a QR code.
Interesting. I wonder what they do when someone has no phone or internet access tho? I have worked in many restaurants and saying no to money is usually not the way to go.
Tallin is a gorgeous place. Did you hit up Headless Chicken too?
Yes, it is! Gotta go again some year and will try to remember that place, looks good. The Vegan Restoran V was amazing!
Is it really apps that are getting out of control? I still get by just fine not using them.
Prices, on the other hand… I’ll just say sitting down at a proper restaurant is a viable alternative.
A lot of places charge a premium for not using the app. I’ve never heard of any that require you to use it
I knew a place where, during the day, I could get all-you-can-eat Sushi for the same price as a McDonalds menu.
Absolute no-brainer.
Yeah I remember the moment when I realised I could buy 3 full sized avocado and cucumber California rolls, for the price of one Big Mac or Whopper. The math was easy.
Plus, there was this thing where if I showed up at 6am, they would sell me the sushi literally hot off the presses before they officially opened (if I paid cash). Warm rice, cool vegetables, and crispy nori; God I want sushi now.
![but seriously this fast food situation is getting out of control [Tommy Siegel]](https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/333c7b0d-a459-48ce-baf4-108ba3f5aa2d.png){kind=link}