I DO understand why they do this though. It's marketing. These fast food places want to push their latest new sandwich or salad. When I worked fast food we'd be requested by the main office to push a particular item in person. In essence the drive-thru operator had to remember to say the lines every time. If you've ever worked fast-food, especially in the drive-thru you know how difficult and tedious this can be, especially during the lunch rush (the best time to do any marketing however).
So now we, as customers, have to listen to automated greetings first, then talk to a real person. It's a shame, but I understand it. It's still irritating though.
