McDonald's has announced that four of its Leeds restaurants will reopen for walk-in take-away today.
The fast food giant is opening more than 280 restaurants after previously relaunching every drive-thru in the country earlier this month.
Today, however, is the first time since March that people have been able to physically walk into a branch of McDonald's and pick up a meal.
A McDonald's spokesman said: "With restaurant teams adjusting to new procedures to enable safe working and social distancing, stores will look a little different and things may take a little longer.
"The safety and wellbeing of our employees, customers and delivery partner couriers is our priority."
The Leeds branches which will reopen today include:
- 33/35 Briggate, Leeds
- 123 St Johns Centre, Leeds
- White Rose Shopping Centre, Leeds
- Cooperative Road, Leeds
A branch will also open in Owlcotes Centre in nearby Pudsey with several other branches across Yorkshire also set to reopen to the masses.
This includes two branches in Halifax in Old Market and Thrum Hall Lane, as well as the restaurants in Kirkgate, Huddersfield, and Rooley Lane, Bradford.
As part of the reopenings, McDonald's has introduced a number of new safety measures. These include:
- McDonald’s will provide clear signposting and floor-markings to create a one-way system around restaurants for customers and delivery partner couriers, where possible.
- A limited number of people will be allowed inside restaurants to help customers and employees adhere to social distancing – this will vary depending upon the restaurant size and layout.
- Customers will be welcomed inside when a space becomes available and will be asked to sanitise their hands at cleaning stations that have been introduced in all restaurants.
- There will be fewer self-order screens switched on and those in use will be sanitised at least every 30 minutes. Customers can also order via the My McDonald’s app.
- Customers are encouraged to visit alone to collect their food where possible. For those visiting with children, play areas and digital play areas will remain closed.
- Restaurant seating areas, customer toilets and lifts will remain closed.
- With dining areas closed, recycling points will also remain closed. The large majority of McDonald’s packaging can be recycled, and customers are encouraged to dispose of their litter responsibly and recycle wherever possible when they get home.
- To help protect employees and other customers, McDonald’s asks their customers not to visit if they feel unwell.
These measures are on top of those already introduced to reopened Drive-thru and McDelivery restaurants:
Perspex screens have been installed in the kitchens, service areas and Drive-thru windows and additional protective equipment has been provided for restaurant teams, including disposable gloves for people in customer and courier facing positions and face coverings.
- Restaurants will return with fewer people on each shift, serving a reduced menu* over reduced hours (11am-10pm).
- Customers are asked to use contactless payment methods and cap their spend at £25 wherever possible.
- McDonald’s will continue to encourage the use of the My McDonald’s App to view the menu, order and pay before arrival.
The spokesman added: "As employees and the business adapt to a new way of working, McDonald’s would like to thank customers for their continued support and patience.
"Customers are reminded to adhere to the guidance from the government and health authorities, especially if queuing outside restaurants before there is space to enter."
Wednesday will also see 42 restaurants pilot the return of the McMuffin with McDonald's also keen to bring back its breakfast service.
The pilot restaurants will test a limited menu and reduced hours in line with the previous reopening trials, with a view to rolling out breakfast service nationwide later in the summer.
You can see a full list of the 280 McDonald's restaurants reopening on Wednesday, June 24, here.
