As the days pass, the threat of the Coronavirus pandemic gets bigger, prompting businesses to alter business as usual. To limit person-to-person contact, many fast food chains are closing dining room seating in favor of drive-thru service and carry-out. With the evolving impact of Coronavirus, it is becoming clear that social distancing is the only way to slow down the spread of COVID-19. While it may be inconvenient, chains like Chick-fil-A share how important it is to take the coronavirus outbreak seriously. "Our highest priority continues to be the health and well-being of everyone who comes into our restaurants," the chain shares in a press release, "We know these are challenging times, but we'll continue to do our best to serve you."
The following fast food chains are currently implementing these processes in light of coronavirus concerns.
Chick-fil-A - The chicken sandwich chain is closing dining rooms to prevent person-to-person contact and is offering takeout, delivery, or mobile order options.
Starbucks - The coffee chain has removed all chairs from its locations and has moved to a "grab-and-go" model for the time being. Café, mobile order & pay, drive-thru, and delivery will still be open.
Starbucks took all the chairs out so people can?t stay pic.twitter.com/Svd6uwzJmv
— D.Miles (@OctobersOwnTae) March 15, 2020
Whataburger - According to a release, Texas-based Whataburger has closed its dining rooms and is only offering drive-thru and delivery.
McDonald's - Fast food giant McDonald's announced it has closed restaurant seating areas, play-places, self-service beverage stations, and kiosks. Walk-in take-out, McDelivery, and the drive-thru is still open.
Shake Shack - The burger chain has closed dining rooms; customers can still place to-go orders in the restaurant, pre-order online, use the Shake App for pickup, or order delivery via Grubhub
Halo Burger - The Michigan-based restaurant has closed its dining rooms, keeping the drive-thru open.
Burgerville - PNW burger chain Burgerville closes dining rooms in all 41 locations. Its drive-thrus will remain open. Food will also be available for delivery through DoorDash.
Dickey's Barbecue Pit - The quick-service restaurant is rolling out new tamper-proof carry-out packaging and contactless doorstep dropoff.
Panera Bread - The restaurant has added hand sanitizer stands in all of their bakery-cafes as well as added antimicrobial covers for Fast Lane Kiosks.
Even for pick-up, guests to KFC in Springfield have to use drive-thru. pic.twitter.com/lmrhh8GaYd
— Kathleen E. Carey (@dtbusiness) March 16, 2020
KFC - Get your fried chicken delivered for free with free Grubhub delivery through April 26 on orders larger than $12.
Chipotle - The Mexican fast-casual chain will be offering free deliveries with tamper-resistant packaging March 15-31 "to make life easier for guests,"
Taco Bell - The Mexican-food chain has decided to close all dining rooms and will only operate drive-thru and delivery.
We will be updating this list as more restaurants announce their procedures.
