Those are still around but they're kind of a gimmicky thing that you only try once before realizing that they suck.
Japan figured out the best version of these with conveyor belt sushi. But in most of those restaurants you can see the sushi chefs and there's still waitstaff for drinks, so it's like they made it as un-alienating as possible.
edit: actually I just realized that Ghost Kitchens are the current cutting edge of the automat concept. Just a kitchen in an unmarked building that you (more likely your delivery driver) pick up food from.
Way cheaper and more efficient to have bays of food under a heat lamp like a gas station. But most gas stations aren't busy enough to justify a self check out.
Whatever happened to the automat model? Just a bunch of glass boxes constantly kept staffed by cooks behind a wall.
Those are still around but they're kind of a gimmicky thing that you only try once before realizing that they suck.
Japan figured out the best version of these with conveyor belt sushi. But in most of those restaurants you can see the sushi chefs and there's still waitstaff for drinks, so it's like they made it as un-alienating as possible.
edit: actually I just realized that Ghost Kitchens are the current cutting edge of the automat concept. Just a kitchen in an unmarked building that you (more likely your delivery driver) pick up food from.
You enjoy conveyor sushi? Care to invest in an entire conveyor restaurant?
Way cheaper and more efficient to have bays of food under a heat lamp like a gas station. But most gas stations aren't busy enough to justify a self check out.
too many cooks preparing food that might not be picked up that instant, think just-in-time logistics but with food prep
That was a real thing? I thought it was made up for the movie Dark City.