>One way or another, the retailer will not bear that cost of increased wages.
They will try to avoid it before the increase, and they will try harder after. That doesn't mean they can have a 100% unmanned mcdonalds if minimum wage somehow shot up to $30. And given that McDonald's main revenue isn't even on food, it's not even a good idea for that specific company to shut down locations over increased wages.*
That's clearly why they are investing more into those automated tellers. automation is the only way to reduce headcount but not affect throughput.
*Other chains might, though. I do wonder in this scenario if this would lead to small business rising up as large business find it untenable to hire entry level labor. I don't imagine so (they will pass the costs to the customer), but it's an interesting thought experiment.
They will try to avoid it before the increase, and they will try harder after. That doesn't mean they can have a 100% unmanned mcdonalds if minimum wage somehow shot up to $30. And given that McDonald's main revenue isn't even on food, it's not even a good idea for that specific company to shut down locations over increased wages.*
That's clearly why they are investing more into those automated tellers. automation is the only way to reduce headcount but not affect throughput.
*Other chains might, though. I do wonder in this scenario if this would lead to small business rising up as large business find it untenable to hire entry level labor. I don't imagine so (they will pass the costs to the customer), but it's an interesting thought experiment.