Will AI Replace Fast Food and Counter Workers?

Accept payment from customers, and make change as necessary.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Serve customers in eating places that specialize in fast service and inexpensive carry-out food.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Request and record customer orders, and compute bills, using cash registers, multi-counting machines, or pencil and paper.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Balance receipts and payments in cash registers.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Communicate with customers regarding orders, comments, and complaints.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Serve food, beverages, or desserts to customers in such settings as take-out counters of restaurants or lunchrooms, business or industrial establishments, hotel rooms, and cars.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Monitor and order supplies or food items, and restock as necessary to maintain inventory.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping, mopping, and washing dishes, to keep equipment and facilities sanitary.

Routine cognitive or manual task with high vulnerability to automation.

Brew coffee and tea, and fill containers with requested beverages.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Clean and organize eating, service, and kitchen areas.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Prepare daily food items, and cook simple foods and beverages, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, pizza, or coffee, using proper safety precautions and sanitary measures.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Prepare and serve cold drinks, frozen milk drinks, or desserts, using drink-dispensing, milkshake, or frozen-custard machines.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Wrap menu items such as sandwiches, hot entrees, and desserts for serving or for takeout.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Set up dining areas for meals, and clear them following meals.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Collect and return dirty dishes to the kitchen for washing.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Scrub and polish counters, steam tables, and other equipment, and clean glasses, dishes, and fountain equipment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Deliver orders to kitchens, and pick up and serve food when it is ready.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Perform personnel activities, such as supervising and training employees.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Add relishes and garnishes to food orders, according to instructions.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Distribute food to servers.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Select food items from serving or storage areas and place them in dishes, on serving trays, or in take-out bags.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Notify kitchen personnel of shortages or special orders.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Take customers' orders and write ordered items on tickets, giving ticket stubs to customers when needed to identify filled orders.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Plan, prepare, and deliver meals to individuals with special dietary needs.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Replenish foods at serving stations.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Wash dishes, glassware, and silverware after meals.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Arrange tables and decorations according to instructions.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.