1851

The CDC published <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-food-and-quick-service-restaurants-are-reacting-to-new-cdc-recommendations-2715610" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">new recommendations</a> on Tuesday for those vaccinated and unvaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, mostly as it relates to which activities are safe to do with and without a mask. These new recommendations are particularly interesting for fast food and quick service restaurants who, despite <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/12/drive-thru-ordering-surged-during-the-pandemic-heres-what-comes-next.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-food-and-quick-service-restaurants-are-reacting-to-new-cdc-recommendations-2715610" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">mostly closing indoor dining</a> in the early days of the pandemic, still had record sales years in 2020.The new recommendations state that <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/participate-in-activities.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-food-and-quick-service-restaurants-are-reacting-to-new-cdc-recommendations-2715610" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">fully vaccinated people can now</a>:<ul><li>Gather indoors with other fully vaccinated people without masks or social distancing&nbsp;</li><li>Gather indoors with unvaccinated people without masks or social distancing (unless someone has an underlying health condition)</li><li>Conduct outdoor activities such as walking, running and biking without wearing a mask or distancing</li><li>Dine at an outdoor restaurant with people from multiple households without wearing a mask or distancing</li></ul>It’s this last change that is music to restaurant owners’ ears. Previous recommendations asked customers to wear masks whenever they were not at a table. Some states also prohibited indoor dining completely through most of the pandemic, and other restaurants decided to close indoor dining on their own to save costs.The official word from the CDC is likely to accelerate re-openings and ease patron’s worries about potential health effects of eating out.Linsey Marr, an aerosol scientist at Virginia Tech, told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/27/us/politics/coronavirus-masks-outdoors.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-food-and-quick-service-restaurants-are-reacting-to-new-cdc-recommendations-2715610" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The New York Times</a>, “Scientifically the vaccines are good enough that it’s highly unlikely that someone who’s vaccinated is going to be exposed to enough virus outdoors to have a breakthrough infection.”As restrictions ease, some quick service and fast food brands are preparing to welcome customers back into the dining room. Others are taking a different approach.<a href="http://www.dunkinfranchising.com/franchisee/en.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-food-and-quick-service-restaurants-are-reacting-to-new-cdc-recommendations-2715610" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dunkin’ Donuts</a> has already <a href="https://www.qsrweb.com/news/dunkin-2600-us-dining-rooms-open-and-counting/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-food-and-quick-service-restaurants-are-reacting-to-new-cdc-recommendations-2715610" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">re-opened 2,600</a> dining rooms nationwide with plans to open thousands more in the coming weeks. It’s one of the first fast-food chains to do so.Dunkin’ franchisee Jim Cain said in a recent <a href="https://news.dunkindonuts.com/blog/dunkin-dining-rooms-opening?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-food-and-quick-service-restaurants-are-reacting-to-new-cdc-recommendations-2715610" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">press release</a>, “As we continue to see restrictions loosen, and our dining rooms reopen, you can feel that spark of energy from our restaurant team members and guests fill the restaurants.”Other chains aren’t as focused on in-house dining but on alternative ways to support the shift in consumer habits. <a href="https://www.kfc.com/franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-food-and-quick-service-restaurants-are-reacting-to-new-cdc-recommendations-2715610" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">KFC</a>, for example, is testing out <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/12/drive-thru-ordering-surged-during-the-pandemic-heres-what-comes-next.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-food-and-quick-service-restaurants-are-reacting-to-new-cdc-recommendations-2715610" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pick-up cubbies</a> that will allow customers to order ahead and pick up on-site. <a href="https://company.bk.com/franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-food-and-quick-service-restaurants-are-reacting-to-new-cdc-recommendations-2715610" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Burger King</a> is designing completely new <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/12/drive-thru-ordering-surged-during-the-pandemic-heres-what-comes-next.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-food-and-quick-service-restaurants-are-reacting-to-new-cdc-recommendations-2715610" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">restaurant formats</a> with smaller dining rooms and a bigger emphasis on the drive-thru.With the dramatic success of drive-thrus in 2020, some quick-service brands that are mostly dine-in or in-house pick-up are jumping on the bandwagon. <a href="https://www.sweetgreen.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-food-and-quick-service-restaurants-are-reacting-to-new-cdc-recommendations-2715610" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sweetgreen</a>, <a href="https://www.shakeshack.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-food-and-quick-service-restaurants-are-reacting-to-new-cdc-recommendations-2715610" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Shake Shack</a> and <a href="https://www.chipotle.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-fast-food-and-quick-service-restaurants-are-reacting-to-new-cdc-recommendations-2715610" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chipotle</a> are just a few with plans to add drive-thru lanes and expand existing ones.While the future of in-house dining is up in the air, these new CDC recommendations are a positive omen for restaurant owners heading into the summer months.&nbsp;

How Fast Food and Quick Service Restaurants Are Reacting to New CDC Recommendations

1851 Franchise

Restaurant owners gear up for a busy summer of outdoor dining with new CDC recommendations for vaccinated people.

how-fast-food-and-quick-service-restaurants-are-reacting-to-new-cdc-recommendations

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue’s Home Maintenance Plans: Peace of Mind for Homeowners

trublues-home-maintenance-plans-peace-of-mind-for-homeowners

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Targets Peoria, Illinois, for Franchise Growth

caring-transitions-targets-peoria-illinois-for-franchise-growth

Caring Transitions Celebrates a Strong Start to 2025 With 19 New Franchise Sales and Momentum-Building Training Events

caring-transitions-celebrates-a-strong-start-to-2025-with-19-new-franchise-sales-and-momentum-building-training-events

Right at Home

Right at Home 30th Anniversary in Home Care with Right at Home Logo

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence and Future Innovations in Home Care

celebrating-30-years-of-excellence-and-future-innovations-in-home-care

Why TruBlue is the Ideal Franchise for Multi-Unit Owners: Scalable Growth With a Purpose

why-trublue-is-the-ideal-franchise-for-multi-unit-owners-scalable-growth-with-a-purpose

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Amy Lepke and family and Papa Murphy's logo

After 14 Years as a Stay-At-Home Mom, Amy Lepke Returned to Papa Murphy’s — This Time as an Owner

papa-murphys-franchise-amy-lepke

Franchisee Spotlight with Micki Waters and Papa Murphy's Logo

Work Mom: How Micki Waters Became a Mother Figure to Her Entire Papa Murphy’s Team

work-mom-how-micki-waters-became-a-mother-figure-to-her-entire-papa-murphys-team

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

How Fast Food and Quick Service Restaurants Are Reacting to New CDC Recommendations

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS