DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Little Caesars recently introduced Michigan’s first fully contactless, self-service restaurant in Dearborn Heights. The location is the second of its kind in the nation, allowing customers to order, pay for and pick up their food without ever speaking to an employee.
The new location allows customers to walk in, grab items from a self-service station, place them on a scale, pay and head out the door. Those wanting specialty orders can still order online or on their phone, and for anyone who misses human interaction, there’s even a bell to ring if assistance is needed.
Customers seem happy with the change – so far.
Customers interviewed by Bridge Michigan about the new setup seemed impressed with the speed and convenience.
“It is way more convenient,” one customer said. “Just come in, grab your pizza, go.”
Before anyone starts imagining robots tossing dough in the back, employees are still making the pizzas. The automation is focused on the customer-facing side of the business, eliminating traditional cashiers and counters.
The future is self-serve.
Still, the concept is another sign that self-checkout technology continues spreading beyond grocery stores and into other industries. Researchers cited by Bridge Michigan note that automation and related technologies could replace roughly 20% of U.S. jobs over the next two decades.
One former employee who stopped by for lunch couldn’t help but notice the difference. “When I first got here, there’s actually people working over here at the counter and I worked in the back,” he recalled. “Honestly, it’s kind of crazy. That’s the way the world’s moving.”
And perhaps that’s the real takeaway. Whether it’s groceries, banking, fast food or now pizza, businesses increasingly want customers to do the work themselves.
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The good news? Your pizza is still Hot-N-Ready. The bad news? You’re officially part of the workflow, but somehow not on the payroll.
