Automated McDonald's Drive-Thru Sparks Debate Over Minimum Wage Raise

Advocates for workers rights and raising the national minimum wage took to Twitter Thursday, criticizing the release of the first automated McDonald's drive-thru restaurant.

The fast-food titan has started testing its first fully automated branch in Fort Worth, Texas. The eatery requires zero human contact to order and pick up meals. According to a statement from the company, the pilot location is part of its "Accelerating the Arches" growth strategy, which is focused on improving customer experiences.

According to a video of the test site, customers are served their orders by a robotic arm at the drive-thru window, and an automatic screen inside the building allows customers to place orders without the need for human interaction.

A video of the test location posted to TikTok and Instagram on Thursday sparked both backlash and fascination, as some users on Twitter said that the new McDonald's store was a sign that "the future is here."

However, other users were quick to point out that automating parts of the largest fast-food chain in the United States could lead to less job opportunities and compensation for workers.

On Twitter Wednesday evening, podcast host Elijah Schaffer posted a clip of the fast-food chain with the caption, "You asked for $25 minimum wage. You get: First fully automated McDonald's in Texas."

The tweet triggered debate on the social platform over the fight to raise the federal minimum wage, which has remained at $7.25 since July 2009. As activist Nina Turner, former member of the Ohio Senate, pointed out in response to Schaffer's post, the minimum wage in Texas is on par with the federal minimum.

At one point on Thursday, the phrase "Texas is $7.25" was trending on Twitter with over 18,000 posts, as many users criticized Schaffer's post for misleading his followers on the state's minimum wage.

Fred Wellman, host of the podcast On Democracy, responded to Schaffer's tweet with a screenshot of the minimum wage breakdown in the state, which shows that Texas employees working at $7.25 a hour make roughly $15,000 a year.

"Those ungrateful people demanding more than $15K a year!!" Wellman wrote.

Comedian Billy Procida criticized the McDonald's corporation in response to Schaffer's video, writing, "They'd rather fire people than have less profits. This is the problem."

The Twitter account of the movement Fight for $15 also responded to Schaffer's post, arguing that the new McDonald's location was a sign to battle for workers rights and higher wages.

"If simply *asking* for a living wage results in @McDonalds automating jobs away, that just tells us that asking isn't it," read the tweet. "We need to demand. We need #UnionsForAll."

"And automation is coming for a LOT of jobs buddy," the organization wrote to Schaffer. "Maybe it's time for broad worker solidarity so we can fight back."

Newsweek has reached out to Fight for $15 for comment.