Operations

McDonald's puts dine-in reopening on 3-week hold

July 2, 2020

McDonald's Corp. will halt its reopening plans for dine-in at U.S. locations, due to increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases. The chain reopened 2,200 of its 14,000 U.S. locations for limited dine-in service in May as some restrictions lifted, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

"Our resiliency will be tested again. COVID-19 cases are on the rise," Joe Erlinger, McDonald's U.S. president, and Mark Salebra, head of the National Franchisee Leadership Alliance owners association, said in a company letter.

Many jurisdictions are already delaying or halting restaurant reopening plans. For example, California ordered 19 counties to stop allowing indoor dining for at least three weeks, and New York City has also delayed indoor restaurants from reopening, according to the report.

Erlinger said operators need to remain vigilant and follow all safety protocols such as masks, gloves and handwashing, according to the report.