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McDonald's, Wendy's CEOs outline brands' pandemic responses

McDonald's and Wendy's released their coronavirus response plans through statements from their CEOs this week. (Photo: iStock)

March 17, 2020

McDonald's and Wendy's have released CEO statements around each brand's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including closing in-store dining at McDonald's corporate stores, along with increased hygiene and staff support measures at both brands.

McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinsi told employees this week that it has instituted numerous in-store measures to help it continue providing service while also to align with increasing regulations throughout the country. As of the close of business Monday, March 16, McDonald's USA company-owned restaurants closed all seating areas, including self-service beverage bars and kiosks.

The brand said it was shifting its focus to drive-thru, carryout and delivery and encouraging all franchisees to do the same. McDonald's also mandated the closing of all its popular on-site playground areas in the U.S.

McDonald's said it would support employees by redeploying crew members as needed to support drive-thru, carry-out and delivery.

“Franchisee leadership completely supports the decision to adhere to social distancing guidelines and ensure that large groups of customers are not gathered together inside our restaurants," said National Franchisee Leadership Alliance Chair Mark Salebra, in the statement. "We are committed to our role in supporting the communities in which we do business and protecting the public’s health by shifting our operations to drive-thru, walk-in take-out and McDelivery," he said.

Similarly, aside from the the new industry standard of increased sanitation in stores, Kempczinski said the brand has enhanced delivery procedures to make sure food packaging remains "safe" before being used for food orders.

Kempczinski also stipulated that McDonald's would be "supporting employees in staying home from work if they are sick so they can rest and recover." He did not specify what form that support would take and the brand has not responded to a request for more details.

Wendy's President and CEO Todd Penegor also said late Tuesday morning that the brand's stores would provide drive-thru, takeout and delivery, adding that company-owned stores would close dine-in offerings, with encouragement for "Wendy's franchisees to do the same."  He said Wendy's is also instituting more stringent cleaning, particularly of "high-touch" areas, which he said would be cleaned "in many cases every 15 minutes." 

Penegor also said that "several weeks ago," the burger brand had engaged an internal team of what he said are subject-matter experts to guide the brand's pandemic response, in conjunction with ongoing recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and local public health authorities in each store's jurisdiction. 

Penegor emphasized the brand is putting the bulk of its focus on "continuing to serve food to our customers." That means all restaurants offer carryout, while most have drive-thrus which he said the brand was prepared to expand, if needed. These options, along with third-party delivery through DoorDash and GrubHub in the U.S., Skip the Dishes in Canada and other partners globally, were highlighted as the primary means of ongoing business in the midst of pandemic restrictions.

Penegor did not discuss any staffing or training actions related to the pandemic nor the brand's provisions, if any, for employees who are sick, and has not responded to an email request for further information.

Read more QSRweb COVID-19 restaurant coverage here.