> I was reading CNN and they had a story about how McDonalds and some other fast food places in the USA are planning to accept payment by credit or debit card, at some hazy date in the future.
>
> Is this serious? They don't already do this in the USA? I can't believe such a large chain doesn't accept debit cards.

Do you have a link to the story? I believe McDonald's is a franchised chain, meaning each store is free to set its own policies regarding these sorts of things (though not every McD's is a franchise; I know the corporation owns a number of the stores). I've paid with credit/debit at McDonald's before.

As for other fast food places, I really do think it varies on a store-by-store basis. I pay by debit or credit a lot, and I've seen some Jack-in-the-Boxes that do and some that don't. Ditto Taco Bell and Carl's Jr. I am, however, largely surprised if I ever go *anywhere* plastic is not accepted. Such places are increasingly few and far between.

Stephen