When ordering fast food, why do you have to say if it is "to go" before you order?

Question

Ok, I completely understand that they need to know if it is to go or to eat there. That is pretty obvious...what I don't understand is why that question needs to be answered prior to ordering? It makes much more sense to put that question at the end. When I order "Number 1, no onions, small, diet coke to go" it gets the cashier completely confused and they have to review the entire order and usually I have to repeat the whole thing. It would make much more sense to say the order, then say that it is to go or for there.

I understand that the registers are set up that way...what I want to know is WHY they are set up that way...

Ok, it's obvious that they need to know if they have to put it in a bag or on a tray. What I'm trying to figure out is why the registers are set up to ask that question before it takes the order.

It doesn't bother me that they ask first. It is simply not efficient. I am merely asking why the registers are set up in this inefficient way.

Answer 1

Becasue target time at many fast food are!!
15-25 seconds to take and order,
10-15 to make your order
10- 15 to take your $$$
WE ARE BEING TIME THATS WHY!!!
cuz when the person taking ur order punches your order in the POS it shows up in the kitchen so before u know it your food is being served. within the certian time frame!!
Thats why they call it fast food.

Answer 2

It doesn't make any sense at all. The kitchen doesn't need to know that, the people who put it in a bag or on a tray are the only ones who need to know. I can't figure out why it is first either.

I live in Alaska and there is no sales tax in Anchorage (where I live) so the tax wouldn't come in up here. Maybe all the registers are set alike no matter where they are going.

Answer 3

Some fast food places have a button for "Dine In" or "Carry Out" on their cash register that the cashiers need to push BEFORE taking an order. That way, the computers in the back can sort it out for the food makers.

Answer 4

Mainly, because in some states, by ordering "to go", the food is tax-exempted. By eating "here", the restaurant must charge tax. That's why they ask you before ringing in your food.

Also, as someone stated above, it's just easier to know if should they put your food on the tray or in the bag.

Answer 5

reliable! i could purely do the Christmas one, in spite of the shown fact that. yet another one: Order your food dressed up as (e.g.) Barney The Dinosaur or Sonic The Hedgehog..... or another caricature character. AND ORDER utilising THEIR VOICE as properly. Ask them to grant you a fork to your coffee Say "Oh, ask your self me!" once you place your order Sing the quickly food music on the topof your lungs stroll throughout the time of the force by preserving a toy guidance wheel and asserting 'Brum brum', 'Vroom vroom' or the different appropriate automobile sounds. Racing kit optionally available Ask them to wager what you %

Answer 6

u don't have to hit the button on the register that say to go or for here they just want u to do so just in case some one else is getting your food they can look on ur ticket to know if they need to put in a bag or on a tray.

Answer 7

because - if you are ordering food to go the as the cashier types it in they can go ahead and start wrapping it for a bag - or placeing it in a serving tray - if you notice long john silvers to go containers are boxes and dine in containers are like open trays - this way the cooks can start prepareing your order and placeing it in the correct serving dish so you dont wait as long -

Answer 8

There are also certain areas of the country where the tax rate is different based on whether the order is dine-in or takeout.

Answer 9

so they know weather to bag you food or tray it..also if you eat in the resteraunt you will pay an extra tax..he.he

Answer 10

You're wondering why a person who works at a fast food restaurant gets confused?

Umm... helloooo?