| 答え One of America's major fast food chains, Mr. Burger, has decided to phase out 800 workers, including 600 part-timers, over the next three years. The move was made in response to plummeting net profits caused by excessive labor costs and increasing ingredient costs, Mr. Burger Deputy Vice President Michael Jefferson announced yesterday. Mr. Burger, which ranks fifth in the United States in the fast food business but has struggled to meet productivity demands the past few years, will also introduce a newly developed systematic kitchen which requires only half the current number of workers to operate in each of its 267 outlets across the country. The kitchens will cost an estimated $93 million to install and cut $32 million in labor costs annually. Directing Manager of Mr. Burger Bill Wilson said, "It's important that we implement the systematic kitchen though it's a fairly large investment. Drastic changes are sometimes required to survive in this industry. We don't expect this project to be easy to carry out. Members of the labor union are bound to protest. But in the long run, what we're doing will be for the best." Reaction to the move from industry observers was mixed. One food business critic commented, "This move will trigger major changes in kitchen operation. I'm not sure if they will turn out to be positive or negative at this time. It remains to be seen." 単語＆フレーズ ◆ phase out 段階的に除く ◆ in response to 〜 〜に応じて ◆ plummet 急激に下がる ◆ net profit 純益 ◆ excessive labor costs 度を越えた人件費 ◆ increasing ingredient costs 増大する材料費 ◆ rank fifth 第5位に位置する ◆ to meet productivity demands 要求される生産性を満たすために ◆ introduce 導入する ◆ be bound to 〜 きっと〜する ◆ for the best 結局一番いい (よくなさそうに見えていても) ◆ critic 評論家 ◆ trigger きっかけとなる； 誘発する ◆ It remains to be seen. それはこれからのことである｡ All Rights Reserved. C 2000 Front Page |