McDonalds across UK to reduce overnight opening hours

[dutchman]

The fast food giant says it is "putting the wellbeing of our employees and customers first"



McDonald's has announced they are reducing the number of hours they are open during the night.

The fast food giant made an announcement on social media last night (March 20) explaining they are going to reduce their overnight trading hours in light of the coronavirus, starting on Monday, March 23.

They have said the hour reductions will vary per restaurant, so have asked customers to check directly.

Earlier this week, McDonald's also announced they were closing seating areas in their restaurants, alongside many other fast food chains.

Other interventions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 have also been introduced by the food outlet, such as floor guides when customers are collecting their food inside the restaurant and minimising contact between staff and employees.

McDonald's say they are taking these actions to "support the Government guidance on social distancing and to keep our employees and customers safe".

The CEO has also announced that McDonald's monopoly is being delayed as a result of coronavirus, so they "can be confident that customers can win, claim and redeem the prizes available".

[dutchman]

McDonald’s to close all UK restaurants today amid coronavirus pandemic



McDonald’s is set to close all 1,350 of its UK restaurants today.

The fast food chains will all be closed by 7pm tonight at the latest, according to bosses.

It comes during the coronavirus outbreak, as the number of British patients testing positive for COVID-19 continues to soar.

The restaurant had first acted to close sit-in eating areas in its stores but was still offering takeaway and delivery.

Now no-one will be able to get McDonald's in any format.

A statement issued by the restaurant chain said the stores will close by 7pm Monday.

Paul Pomroy, Chief Executive Officer of McDonald’s UK & Ireland said: "Over the last 24 hours, it has become clear that maintaining safe social distancing whilst operating busy takeaway and Drive Thru restaurants is increasingly difficult and therefore we have taken the decision to close every restaurant in the UK and Ireland by 7pm on Monday 23rd March at the latest."

Mr Pomroy added: "I want to thank every single one of our 135,000 employees. I am so proud of them all for adapting so quickly to a constantly evolving work environment, taking every step to keep our customers, couriers and teams safe and looking after each other so very well.

"We will continue to update you thorough our website, social media channels and email alerts in the coming weeks but in the meantime we thank you for your continued support and custom."

[dutchman]

I understand the need to close the restaurant side but why the takeaway/drive-thrus when there is hardly any physical contact and they are needed more than ever right now? It's especially annoying when you learn the takeaway side is still open in the USA!

And if they care so much about their employees why have the majority been laid off without any pay at all? Someone is pulling a fast one.

[rebbonk]

Not called Rotten Ronnie's for nothing

[dutchman]

Coventry Burger King is reopening



A Coventry Burger King is reopening today for fast-food lovers.

The branch in the Central Six shopping park on Warwick Road is just one of four set to re-open across the UK during the coronavirus lockdown.

Customers will only be able to get their food delivered, with no in-store or drive-thru service returning.

It will open from noon to 10pm each day.

The fast food chain also revealed it would be offering a reduced menu.

The chain had followed suit with most and closed restaurants across the country when the Covid-19 rules allowing restaurants to only offer delivery were announced.

Today it announced two stores in Bristol would reopen and another in Swindon as well as the Coventry store.

Staff will be required to wear gloves and masks and will be thoroughly trained in running a delivery-only kitchen.

The chain has also promised to deliver 1,000 meals a week to NHS workers working near the re-opened locations.

Burger King plan to open more restaurants in phases.

The decision follows the same move by KFC, which earlier announced it had reopened 11 restaurants across the country.

Katie Evans, marketing director for Burger King, said they hoped the re-openings would go "some way to lifting our customers' spirits in these difficult times".

She added: "We want to demonstrate how appreciative everyone at Burger King UK is of [NHS staff] efforts in these unprecedented times."

[dutchman]

Surely McDonalds will be forced to follow suit?

I see no reason why local fish & chip shops couldn't resume home deliveries too?

[Melisandre]

They will when they loose to much money .

I cant see why local fish and chip shops closed they could of social distancing they dont eat in the shop you take it away to eat.

[dutchman]

Not possible in the one I use I'm afraid Melisandre. The entrance is right next to the serving counter so customers are passing in close proximity to each other. There's also a 15 minute average wait to be served so there are often too many people hanging around inside. It's a shambles at the best of times.

[dutchman]

McDonald’s drive-thru could open during coronavirus lockdown as minister says it’s ‘made’ for social distancing



MCDONALD'S drive-thru could reopen during the coronavirus lockdown as a minister said it was "made" for social distancing.

Fast food fans were given hope as environment secretary George Eustice suggested the chain could return despite Britain's lockdown being extended by three weeks.

Mr Eustice said it was "quite possible" for takeaway restaurants to operate safely amid the pandemic during the daily coronavirus briefing.

He said: "A McDonald’s drive-through is made for the social distancing situation that we are in.”

It comes as the fast food giant has already drawn up plans to reopen 15 branches for delivery orders.

Asked if fast food outlets could have stayed open, Mr Eustice said: "While clearly restaurants and pubs had to close, we were quite keen to keep that capacity to be able to do takeaway food for people."

He suggested reduced footfall in town centres, staff anxiety and a sense of what was "socially acceptable" given the stay-at-home message had led to places such as McDonald's and KFC closing.

Mr Eustice went on: "I think it is quite possible for these venues to reopen and reopen safely, we never mandated that they should close.

"We have learned a lot from supermarkets and other food outlets about how you can do social distancing and do it well.

"I think some of those food-to-go businesses will probably be seeking to learn lessons from what supermarkets have done as they consider tentatively reopening."

Well DUH, it's what I've been saying all along!

[dutchman]

This is when Coventry and Nuneaton McDonald's drive-thrus will re-open



McDonald's drive-thrus in Coventry and Nuneaton are to open in a matter of days.

McDonald's announced today on social media that following successful trials, they will be re-opening all drive-thru stores as of next week.

The openings will occur from June 2 to June 4.

CoventryLive can reveal the drive-thru at restaurants in Walsgrave, Nuneaton, Appleby Magna and Tamworth will re-open on June 3.

At all drive-thrus there will be a limited menu on offer. This means you will not be able to buy breakfast, any wraps or milkshakes. There will be a maximum order spend of £25.

McDonald's will also be adding 75 restaurants to delivery services Just Eat and Uber Eats.

Sarah McLean, who owns the franchises for those opening on June 3, said the trading hours will be 11am until 10pm.

"These measures are temporary to assist social distancing for employee and customer safety and to help with speed of service as I expect there will be very high demand initially," she explained.

Following the opening of the drive-thrus on June 3, the restaurants will resume delivery one week after re-opening.