It's no secret that restaurants and other hospitality and service industries have been suffering due to the coronavirus lockdown, and despite what you might think of big chains and franchises like McDonald's when those stores have to close up shop, it can mean that tens of thousands of people are out of a job.
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McDonald's UK and Ireland CEO, Paul Pomroy stated:
It has been an unprecedented four months. After 45 years serving the UK, at no point did we expect to close every restaurant for any period of time. You may not know that in the UK, the vast majority of our 1,350 restaurants are owned and operated by individual business men and women. Our franchisees own and operate an average of six restaurants each and serve as active members in your local communities.
He continued by stating how government support has allowed their industry to open back up and bring people back to work:
Last week's package of business support from the Chancellor was a vital boost for our sector. Daily headlines on the challenges faced by retail and hospitality cause such uncertainty for so many. I am very grateful for the support from our franchisees, who balance the needs of their local businesses with that principle of returning their employees back to work and customer support; many of them have faced challenges while we were closed, and are working hard to recover their businesses.
Several locations across the UK and Ireland have also opened to 'test dine-in' service which will see that you place an order at a kiosk or via the mobile app and your food will be brought to your seat. Hand sanitizing stations, floor marking and perspex barriers are also to be installed in the locations.
