SlashNOT

Jeremy Camp writes: OAK BROOK, IL (August 19, 2004) — McDonald’s Corporation, in an attempt to cut costs and boost profits, has introduced a new order taking system in all of it’s U.S. locations.

The new system relies on order takers from a phone center based in India. Customers who drive to the menu at the drive through will be connected to an operator in India who will take the customer’s order and send the information to the store location for fulfillment.

“Customers can expect the same friendly service they’ve received in the past, only from operators in India rather than local store employees,” says Mike Roberts, CEO, McDonald’s USA. “We are proud to contribute to the global economy by improving our bottom line while providing those in India with solid employment.”

Several thousand U.S. employees will be laid off or moved into other positions over the next few months as the transition is made. Most of those being laid off are high school students and retirees, who “can count on their parents or social security for income,” said Roberts.

McDonald’s is the world’s leading global food service retailer with more than 30,000 restaurants serving nearly 47 million people in more than 100 countries each day. Approximately 80 percent of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and women.