GATES, N.Y. — Back in 1968, the area's first McDonald's restaurant opened at 35 Spencerport Road in Gates.

That building, complete with its golden arches, ushered the Rochester region into the fast-food era.

Nearly 50 years later, customers are being introduced to another new concept; the first automated McDonald's restaurant.

It includes digital, self-order kiosks where orders can be delivered to tables or to cars in the parking lot. 

The high-tech upgrade is part of McDonald's corporate push for all of its 14,000 restaurants to embrace the new technology.

Louis Buono owns eleven McDonald's restaurants in the area. He says the changes are for the customers and the staff.

"Because we offer a bunch more things now that we didn't offer before to our staff because we have to remain current," Buono said. "Staffing is an ongoing challenge for us. And we offer things like tuition assistance programs for our staff, and cool things back in our crew room, that allow them to be a happier person. Because happier crew people provide happier service to our guests."  

Phil Sinopoli has been coming to this McDonald's since it opened.

He says the technology is a little confusing at first, but a welcome change.