News

Wendy's ceases most US carryout, McDonald's does so in UK, Ireland

Photo: iStock

March 23, 2020

QSRs are increasingly turning to blogs from their executives speaking directly to customers and shareholders to relay COVID-19 restaurant news, including the latest information on shut-downs and other related pandemic business actions for McDonald's and Wendy's. 

For instance, at McDonalds U.S., President Joe Erlinger penned a blog Monday that tells those e-listening, so to speak, what the brand is doing worldwide in relation to operations, staffing and community help related to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. However, in this message's case, Erlinger did not specifically mention some of the more negative news related to the brand's operations, including the fact that its U.K. and Ireland stores shut down completely, including carryout operations, starting today, according to a statement issued to CNN in that country.  

That follows an order Friday by the U.K. government ordering restaurants to close, though brands are allowed to continue carryout. But, McDonald's U.K. and Ireland CEO Paul Pomroy told the news organization that it ceased even carryout because social distancing was becoming increasingly hard to maintain in carryout locations. 

In the blog from Erlinger, he called attention to successful handling of the transitions in China, where the virus first emerged, adding that "Restaurants around the world are open where we believe it is safe and advisable to do so. In some communities and countries, including the U.S., we have closed seating areas and are focused on safely serving our customers through walk-in take out, drive thru and McDelivery."

At Wendy's, President and CEO Todd Penegor also relayed in a letter to "Wendy's Fans," that the brand was doing "everything possible to keep our restaurants open while following public health guidance and the evolving guidelines from national, state and local governments."

He said that meant that Wendy's is discontinuing carryout as of March 22 in what he said were "most Wendy's restaurants … in the U.S., Canada and other international markets, as appropriate," Penegor wrote. 

"Select restaurants may continue to offer the convenience of carryout service in communities around the globe where there are specific needs or where a drive-thru or pick-up window option is not available, such as an airport, travel center or in an urban area. Decisions to continue to offer carryout services at select restaurants will be made on a case-by-case basis and in compliance with any state or local requirements."

As far as medical care for employees, Wendy's did say it provides access to an Employee Assistance Program, which provides free, confidential 24/7 counseling. He said in the U.S. employees have access to telehealth and can see a board-certified doctor through a video consultation from a smartphone, tablet or computer for a low cost, though those costs were not delineated. 

McDonald's has previously said that employees "impacted by the virus" at its corporate-owned restaurants in the U.S. will receive two weeks of paid leave.