McDonald's "employs robots" in all-new restaurant in Texas

McDonald's has begun testing its first-ever robot restaurant in Texas, sparking debate and intrigue in equal measure.

In Forth Worth, Texas, the branch is fully automated and requires no human contact to order and pick up your favourite meal, Newsweek reports.

The introvert's dream gained viral attention online after TikTok and Instagram food blogger shared a video from inside. With 1.2 million views, the video shows how customers can use automated screens to order fast food and collect it via a machine.

McDonald's explained in a statement that the restaurant includes new features including the "Order Ahead lane," where customers can receive their orders on a conveyer belt.

The restaurant is the latest move in McDonald's "Accelerating the Arches" growth strategy, which is working on innovation to improve customer experiences.

"When you step inside the test restaurant concept, you'll notice it's considerably smaller than a traditional McDonald's restaurant in the US. Why? The features—inside and outside—are geared toward customers who are planning to dine at home or on the go," McDonald's said in the statement.

"Inside the restaurant, there's a delivery pick-up room for couriers to retrieve orders quickly and conveniently. There are also kiosks, where customers can place their orders to go, and a pick-up shelf for orders. Outside the restaurant, there are several parking spaces dedicated to curbside order pick-up, as well as designated parking spaces for delivery drivers."