Wendy's to roll out self-service kiosks nationwide

A Wendy's location in Torrance, California. A Wendy's location in Torrance, California. Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Wendy's to roll out self-service kiosks nationwide 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Following $15 minimum wage hike legislation in New York City and in California, fast food chain Wendy's has announced a plan to install self-service kiosks in every one of its 6,000 restaurant locations.

Although each franchise owner will have the option to use the new technology or not, Wendy's nevertheless plans to deliver the new kiosks across the U.S. by the end of 2016.

Company president Todd Penegor said that Wendy's is "wary about wage hikes," as Investor's Business Daily writes. The chain restaurant's shares posted a nine percent drop after poor second quarter sales.

In response to the cash loss and wage hikes, some locations have raised the prices of menu items. As IBD reports, "Wendy's Penegor said company-operated stores, only about 10 percent of the total, are seeing wage inflation of 5 percent to 6 percent, driven both by the minimum wage and some by the need to offer a competitive wage 'to access good labor.'"

In addition to the kiosks, Wendy's is also planning to begin implementing mobile ordering and payments also by the end of the year.

No further details have yet been announced as to the specifics of when the kiosks will roll out in California, but when it does happen, workers at dozens of local franchises may lose their jobs.