Bye, Bye, Baristas? McDonald's Is Testing DIY Coffee Kiosks Downtown

By Mike Ewing in Food on Apr 12, 2016 4:34PM

McDonald’s is testing a DIY coffee kiosk at two of its downtown locations, allowing customers to get their caffeine fix while avoiding human interaction.

The touchscreen station lets customers customize their latte, mocha, cappuccino, or coffee, including adding flavoring or extra espresso.

@BrandEating seen at @McDonalds downtown #Chicago pic.twitter.com/H9i1LUqmKw

— bScott! (@bizzle_scott) April 2, 2016

This automation of the ordering process is the fast food giant’s latest attempt to appeal to Millennials who aren’t into Mickey D’s these days. They also tested a build-your-own burger kiosk in the suburbs, allowing at least one man to build an $800 monstrosity.

So much bacon.

Is this an attempt to substitute workers for robots? Maybe, although most McCafe drinks come out of a dispenser anyways. A spokesperson told the Tribune they plan to roll out the kiosks at stand-alone McCafe locations in Canada, but there’s no word on whether they’ll expand their use in the U.S.

For now you can give it a shot (or three of espresso) at the McDonald’s in Merchandise Mart or at the corner of Adams and Wells. And if you manage to concoct an $800 cup of coffee, feel free to tweet us a picture @chicagoist.