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

Pet Wants

FOX Reno: Summer Pet Safety With Pet Wants of Sparks

fox-summer-pet-safety-with-pet-wants-sparks

Workout Anytime

Workout Anytime Teams Up with Viral Baseball Star Kyle “KJ” Jackson to Inspire Fitness Journeys Nationwide

workout-anytime-teams-up-with-viral-baseball-star-kyle-kj-jackson-to-inspire-fitness-journeys-nationwide

Sola Salons

1851 Franchise Deep Dive graphic with Sola Salons logo

Sola Salons Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-sola-salons-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Paris Baguette Canada

image of paris baguette cake and franchise decorations

What Canadian Franchisees Want to Know: Paris Baguette Profit Potential and Franchisee Support

paris-baguette-franchise-canada-profit-support

Home Halo

How Home Halo Is Supporting the Growing Demand for Home Care

how-home-halo-is-supporting-the-growing-demand-for-home-care

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 Development Website Builder

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

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Keurig Dr Pepper Splits in $18 Billion JDE Peet’s Deal, Creating Global Coffee Giant

keurig-dr-pepper-splits-in-18-billion-jde-peets-deal-creating-global-coffee-giant

McDonald’s Rolls Out Major Value Push To Win Back Customers Amid Inflation

mcdonalds-rolls-out-major-value-push-to-win-back-customers-amid-inflation

Photo of Paris Baguette pastries and beverages 

Paris Baguette Celebrates 250th Café Opening in Frederick, Maryland, Accelerating Expansion and Reviving the Neighborhood Bakery Café

paris-baguette-250th-north-america-cafe

Restaurant Chains Open Their Wallets To Jump-Start Franchise Growth - 1851 Franchise

Restaurant Chains Open Their Wallets To Jump-Start Franchise Growth

restaurant-franchise-incentives-cash-royalty-holidays-fee-reductions

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

graphic image of a franchisee spotligh aman kaur of voodoo brewing

How This Trio of Friends Is Brewing Up Community With Voodoo Brewing Co. in Prosper, Texas

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

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS