A $15 national minimum wage doesn't look economically sound to me

[Igel]

69. Effect, meet cause.

I can't stand those little wifi "kiosks."

On the other hand, they reduce wait staff and that reduces costs. That reduces prices and keeps those places able to serve a slightly lower segment of the SES pie than they otherwise would or upgrade something else to attract a different and expanded clientele. They may lose a couple of customers, but figure they gain more than they lose.

They have other perks, too: You get to reorder drinks when you want them instead of when the waiter happens along to check on you--which may not be often if your waiter is on break and his replacement for 15 minutes has no interest in you. That makes you happier, unless you need the personal service.

There are games you can play.

And they get data from the short survey you're henpecked into taking, data right then and there and not done a day or two later (if ever).

Just wait until the burger-flipping bots are in place. We might be able to revert to automats. (Remember those?) Go in, place your order and pay for it at a kiosk, have a couple of bots make your food. A counter clerk verifies that you get the right food and handles complaints, one person in back of house keeps the bots happy and does oddball orders. A busboy cleans front of house. And that's the staff during lunch rush!