Here Are the Measures That Fast Food and Fast Casual Restaurants Are Taking Right Now

March 17, 2020 Admin 0 Comments

While some restaurants like McDonald’s are closing dining rooms, others like Burger King have yet to announce major changes

Dining out is no longer possible in many parts of the U.S., with a growing number of cities and states mandating that bars and restaurants end dine-in service in an effort to enforce social distancing and slow the transmission of COVID-19 across the country. Amid these regulations and a huge loss in patronage, restaurants, bars, and even fast-food and fast-casual chains are pivoting to takeout and delivery.

While it’s always a good idea to consider supporting a favorite local restaurant — now, more than ever, they really need it — sometimes a chain is all that’s feasible. Here’s a running list of which major fast-food and fast-casual chains are open as usual, and which are adjusting operations in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic:

McDonald’s: All company-owned locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout, delivery, and drive-thru. All play areas are also closed. These changes don’t apply to franchisees, although McDonald’s said it’s encouraging franchisees to do the same.

Wendy’s: All locations in areas that have declared a state of emergency are closing their dining rooms and moving to carryout, pickup, delivery, and drive-thru.

Burger King: No major closures announced yet.

Arby’s: All company-owned locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms, with carryout, pickup, and drive-thru options subject to local mandates.

Cava: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout and pickup.

Chick-fil-A: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms. Some stores will offer drive-thru-only, while others are shifting to carryout, pickup, or delivery.

Chipotle: No major closures announced yet.

Dairy Queen: No major closures announced yet.

Del Taco: No major closures announced yet.

Domino’s: No major closures announced yet.

Dunkin’: All locations nationwide are reducing their hours, closing their dining rooms, and moving to carryout, delivery, and drive-thru.

Five Guys: Store operations and hours — including dining room closures and pickup/delivery-only options — are varying on a case-by-case basis and in accordance to local mandates.

In-N-Out: No major closures announced yet.

Jack in the Box: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to pickup, delivery, and drive-thru.

Jimmy John’s: All company-owned locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms, with carryout, pickup, and drive-thru options subject to local mandates.

KFC: Franchisees are determining dining room closures based on local mandates, said parent company Yum Brands.

Little Caesars: No major closures announced yet.

Noodles & Company: All locations nationwide are reducing their hours, closing their dining rooms, and shifting to carryout, pickup, and delivery.

Panda Express: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout, pickup, delivery, and drive-thru.

Panera Bread: No major closures announced yet, although the company notes that they may limit service to pickup, delivery, or drive-thru “when needed.”

Papa John’s: No major closures announced yet.

Pizza Hut: Dining rooms will close in states where it’s mandated, and those locations will offer carryout and delivery.

Popeyes: No major closures announced yet.

Qdoba: No major closures announced yet.

Quiznos: No major closures announced yet.

Shake Shack: All company-owned locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout, pickup, and delivery.

Smashburger: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout and delivery.

Sonic: All company-owned locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms, with carryout, pickup, and drive-thru options subject to local mandates.

Starbucks: All company-owned locations in the U.S. and Canada are closing their dining rooms and moving to carryout, pickup, delivery, and drive-thru. Company-owned stores in high-social gathering locations (e.g., malls, universities, etc.) and areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases are closed.

Subway: No major closures announced yet.

Sweetgreen: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to pickup (only via the mobile app) and delivery.

Taco Bell: All company-owned locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and moving to delivery and drive-thru. Franchisees are “determining dining room closures based on local mandates and community needs,” said parent company Yum Brands.

Whataburger: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to pickup and drive-thru.

This post will be updated as new information comes in.