The Myth of Underpaid Fast-Food Workers
There’s a persistent myth that fast-food chains deliberately underpay their employees. However, low pay is actually quite costly for employers. Consider the expenses related to training new employees who often leave for better opportunities due to low wages. Moreover, low pay is linked to reduced individual productivity.
Investment in AI Technology
Contrary to popular belief, businesses do not aim to pay workers as little as possible. Yum Brands, for example, is investing tens of millions annually in AI technology to enhance the capacity of its restaurant brands like Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, and Habit Burger Grill. This investment aims to serve more customers faster and with higher quality.
AI and Increased Productivity
This significant investment is not about relying on cheap labor. Businesses eager to grow understand that cheap labor is costly. Yum is investing heavily in technology to enable its workforce to work more productively, which translates to higher wages for employees.
The Role of Machines in Amplifying Work
Machines that perform tasks for us do not eliminate jobs; they amplify our work. If this were not true, human capital would gravitate towards primitive working conditions without machines. Dividing work between humans and machines leads to specialization and higher pay.
AI in Fast-Food Operations
Yum is discovering that machines can handle tasks like order taking, digital order transfers, and broader operations such as oven temperatures and schedules. This is similar to the productivity leaps seen in the pin factories of the 18th century and Henry Ford’s factories in the early 20th century.
Digital Sales and Future Prospects
Approximately 45% of Yum’s sales are digital, indicating the direction of future growth. While external e-commerce technology could process 700 Taco Bell orders per minute, Yum’s in-house developers have created technology to process 4,600 orders per minute.
The Future of AI in Kitchens
Imagine the speed and quality of food production when AI is integrated into kitchens. Machines that don’t require breaks or vacations will handle much of the work, leading to increased pay and productivity for human workers.
Changing Perceptions of Fast-Food Work
As AI becomes more relevant in restaurants, the pay and perception of fast-food work will improve significantly. This will increase the demand for fast-food jobs, transforming the industry for the better.
Source: Forbes
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