McDonald’s will reopen 700 restaurants for dine in customers TOMORROW

213

View
comments

McDonald’s has announced it will reopen around 700 dine-in restaurants across the UK from tomorrow but customers will need to leave their contact details and food will be served by table-service only. 

The fast-food giant confirmed customers would be able to enter hundreds of their UK establishments from July 22 in a move which will also allow some restaurants to take part in the Chancellor’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme next month.  

The move, which follows a successful trial at four UK restaurant sites, comes just weeks after McDonald’s reopened its Drive Thru and McDelivery services amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

In a statement, McDonald’s said: ‘Around 700 restaurants will reopen for dine-in with customers able to enjoy their McDonald’s favourites inside the restaurant.

‘Social distancing measures will be in place and, to prevent congestion, the restaurant will carefully manage the number of customers inside. 

‘When arriving, customers will be asked to use the hand sanitiser provided and follow the safety measures laid out in restaurants to help keep them, other customers and restaurant teams safe.’ 

Upon arrival, customers will be asked to use the hand sanitiser provided at the entrance and follow the safety measures laid out in restaurants to help keep them, other customers and restaurant teams safe.  

Food will be served by table-service only with customers able to order directly to their table via the My McDonald’s App, at the till or kiosk.   

McDonald’s will also ask customers that choose to eat-in to leave their contact details by using their smart phone to either scan a QR code taking them to a dedicated webpage or by visiting that webpage directly, in line with government guidance.

The contact details will include their name, a phone number, the date and time of visit and the restaurant number.     

When inside the restaurant clear floor-markings and signposting will help customers and staff remain a safe distance from each other and touchpoints, including self-order screens, card readers and doors, will be sanitised at least every 30 minutes. 

Perspex screens have also been installed in the kitchens, service areas and Drive-thru windows and staff have been provided with additional protective equipment including disposable gloves and face coverings. 

The move comes just weeks after McDonald’s announced plans to slash prices on some of its best-loved items to help bring customers back.

The prices of Chicken McNuggets, Happy Meals and the Quarter Pounder were slashed after Rishi Sunak cut VAT from 20 per cent to five per cent.    

McDonald’s also announced that it had recommended that franchises reduce prices on classic menu items – including 50p off its much-loved breakfast meals.   

Other prices to come down included a 40p reduction on Extra Value Meals, 30p off Happy Meals, and cuts to the McCafe coffee range. 

Following the Chancellor’s announcement, Starbucks said it too would pass on the 15 per cent discount on coffee in stores while outlets with Starbucks licences could pass on whatever reductions suited their business. 

Nando’s, KFC, Pret A Manger, Costa Coffee, Wetherspoons have also followed suit as they try to entice back customers, in a shot in the arm to Britain’s struggling high streets. 

However the move to slash the price of junk food quickly prompted a backlash from health campaigners. 

Barbara Crowther, co-ordinator of the Children’s Food Campaign, previously said: ‘The Government needs to make sure tax incentives and VAT cuts are in line with its own anti-obesity drive. 

‘Quite simply, healthy food should be more affordable than unhealthy food. At the moment Government measures are choc-full of contradiction and confusion. 

‘On the one hand, Rishi’s VAT cuts and new £10 August meal deal offer will apply regardless of whether food and drink are healthy or not, whilst on the other the Government obesity plan sensibly looks set to introduce restrictions on junk food multi-buy deals.’ 

Meanwhile Katharine Jenner, Campaign Director at Action on Sugar, added: ‘If the Government’s soon to be released obesity plan is to be effective – four years after Chapter 1 was officially published – then there needs to be real joined up policies, including a complete ban on heavily promoting and discounting junk food, alongside no junk food adverts before 9pm, calorie reformulation, and only making healthier, more nutritious food more affordable. 

‘For those restaurants and takeaways that have reopened – now is the time to consider providing a healthier selection on their “lower VAT” menu – all with more reasonably sized portion sizes and display their calorie content. 

‘This will play a pivotal role in rebuilding the nation’s health, as well as its economy.’ 

On June 10, McDonald’s reopened 571 branches for delivery with customers able to order food using takeaway apps Just Eat and Uber Eats.

The fast food chain previously reopened 1,000 restaurants for Drive-Thru or McDelivery with strict coronavirus restrictions put in place.    

However those who wished to order from McDonald’s still had to choose from a limited menu, with a £25 spending limit and reduced hours in place.

The fast food chain also confirmed a trial of its breakfast service would begin in a small number of restaurants from June 24, with the aim to roll out nationwide in July. 

CEO Paul Romroy said: ‘Over the last four weeks, we have carefully reopened over 1,000 restaurants for Drive-thru or McDelivery, only progressing to new channels and more restaurants when we were confident that we could provide a safe working environment for our people. 

‘Following a closed test in London last month, I am pleased to confirm that we will begin reopening for takeaway and click and collect.’ 

Earlier this month, Rishi Sunak unveiled an eye-catching Eat Out To Help Out programme for diners to enjoy 50 per cent discount at restaurants and pubs to help revive the flagging hospitality sector.   

On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in August, customers will be able to claim the reduction, up to a maximum of £10 per head, at participating businesses which will claim the money back from the Treasury.

Mr Sunak hailed the £500million scheme a ‘creative’ solution to get the restaurant trade back on its feet amid the pandemic.  

However following the announcement many said the treasury’s bankrolling of meals was similar to the Tastecard – the popular scheme which allows diners to enjoy bargain prices.

But the hospitality sector generally welcomed the announcement, which was accompanied by a VAT reduction for food, accommodation and attractions such as cinemas.