[judge2020]

This is mostly due to understaffed (cough underpaid staff at) locations needing to help in the kitchen so often that having a cashier only increases frustration for customers that are waiting in line and don’t see it moving. Easier to place a sign saying “order at kiosk” to make sure the kitchen has enough staff to keep up.

[tshaddox]

I haven't experienced it at a McDonald's, but twice in the last 2 years I've attempted to walk into big chain fast food restaurants during normal business hours only to find the doors locked, even though I can see workers inside and the drive-through window is open. I suspected this is because they're understaffed and/or swamped with orders and can't be bothered to also open the dining area.

One such time was at a Taco Bell, and I was trying to go inside because I saw that the drive-through line was massive. There was a hastily-drawn note on the door that said "go to drive-through for online pickup orders," which I thought would be pretty frustrating if you had ordered ahead! (Not that I blame any of the workers, of course.)

[qingcharles]

In Chicago this happens regularly for the reason you've stated, and also because there are so many fights inside McDonald's restaurants in Chicago.

The solution I use is to order on the app and then they have to give you your food, either by bringing it out or by pushing it through the drive-thru window.

[WorldMaker]

A Taco Bell and a McDonald's in my vicinity have seemed to have closed their dining rooms permanently.

I think another reason for this is that it is also the easiest solution for handling the homelessness crisis. Requiring all orders go through the drive through by someone in a car is one way to avoid dealing with unhoused people looking for shelter/restrooms/water for a few hours and not spending money that they don't have.