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

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Home Halo

home-halo-former-athletes-frachisees-image

Why Former College Athletes Can Make Winning Home Halo Franchise Owners

former-college-athletes-home-halo-franchise

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue Featured in USA Today as Key Player in Helping Seniors Age Safely at Home

trublue-featured-in-usa-today-as-key-player-in-helping-seniors-age-safely-at-home

Right at Home

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth, Tech Advancements, and Strong System Engagement in First Half of 2025

right-at-home-franchise-growth-2025

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

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

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

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

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

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

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

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

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS