Kiosks are also to be introduced at Subway restaurants across the south of England after a franchisee that runs hundreds of outlets began rolling them out over recent weeks.
Caroline Abrahams, director at charity Age UK, said: “As technology develops and many are using cash less and less, it’s understandable that organisations are looking at how they can automate functions but it’s important they remember that some of us, particularly if we are older, can find these new approaches difficult to navigate.
“It would be completely unfair to exclude swathes of our older population from being able to eat out or shop because everyday activities require use of an app or a self-service kiosk.”
Most chains still allow shoppers to order at the till if they do not wish to use a kiosk.
A McDonald’s spokesman says this is the case in its sites but that introducing more kiosks “freed up more of our people to spend more time ensuring every customer has the best possible experience”.
It comes as the rise of self-service checkouts in supermarkets has also proved controversial.
Tesco has been forced to defend its roll-out after a backlash from customers, while northern supermarket Booths is removing them to improve customer service.
Simon Stenning, hospitality industry expert and director of Future Foodservice, said: “Even M&S have now got digital kiosks being rolled out into their cafes.
“When you see that a very traditional cafe operator like M&S can put in digital kiosks, the dam has been broken and they will be everywhere.
“The reality is that anyone who has got a member of staff just stood at a till waiting to take orders and take payment – it’s harder to recruit people just for that, the labour pot is shrinking, and technology just makes it so much easier.”
A Subway spokesman said: “We are exploring innovative restaurant design features, such as the integration of digital kiosks, to provide added convenience for guests who prefer this option.
“These kiosks are intended to complement, not replace, our Sandwich Artists. Guests will always have the option to place their orders with a Sandwich Artist at the counter.”