Measures That Fast-Food and Fast-Casual Chains Are Taking Right Now

While some chains, like McDonald’s, are closing dining rooms, others have yet to announce major changes

Dining out is no longer possible in many parts of the U.S., with a growing number of cities and states mandating that bars and restaurants end dine-in service in an effort to enforce social distancing and slow the transmission of COVID-19 across the country. Amid these regulations and a huge loss in patronage, restaurants, bars, and even fast-food and fast-casual chains are pivoting to takeout and delivery.

While it’s always a good idea to consider supporting a favorite local restaurant — now, more than ever, they really need it — sometimes a chain is all that’s feasible. Here’s a running list of which major fast-food and fast-casual chains are open as usual, and which are adjusting operations in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic:

McDonald’s: All company-owned locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout, delivery, and drive-thru. All play areas are also closed. The company is also implementing daily temperature checks for employees. These changes don’t all necessarily apply to franchisees, although McDonald’s said it’s encouraging franchisees to do the same. McDonald’s also announced that all of its U.K. restaurants would close due to COVID-19 concerns.

Wendy’s: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to delivery and drive-thru, with carryout available in limited locations.

Burger King: No major closures announced yet.

Arby’s: All company-owned locations and the majority of franchisee locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout, and drive-thru options subject to local mandates.

Carl’s Jr.: All company-owned locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout, delivery, and drive-thru.

Cava: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout and pickup.

Checkers and Rally’s: The few locations nationwide that have dining rooms are closing, with carryout, pickup, delivery, and drive-thru still available.

Chick-fil-A: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms. Some stores will offer drive-thru-only, while others are shifting to carryout, pickup, or delivery.

Chipotle: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout, pickup, and delivery.

Church’s Chicken: All company-owned locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout, delivery, and drive-thru; the company said it has “urged franchisees to do the same.”

Dairy Queen: The company said it’s encouraging franchisees to close their dining rooms and shift to carryout, delivery, and drive-thru.

Del Taco: Most locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout, delivery, and drive-thru.

Domino’s: No major closures announced yet.

Dunkin’: All locations nationwide are reducing their hours, closing their dining rooms, and shifting to carryout, delivery, and drive-thru.

Firehouse Subs: All locations in the U.S. and Canada are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout, pickup, delivery, and drive-thru.

Five Guys: Store operations and hours — including dining room closures and pickup/delivery-only options — are varying on a case-by-case basis and in accordance to local mandates.

In-N-Out: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to drive-thru or curbside pickup, when possible. Restaurants without drive-thru are closing.

Jack in the Box: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to pickup, delivery, and drive-thru.

Jimmy John’s: All company-owned locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms, with carryout, pickup, and drive-thru options subject to local mandates.

KFC: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout, pickup, delivery, and drive-thru.

Little Caesars: The company said it has advised all its locations to close their dining rooms and shift to carryout, delivery, and drive-thru.

Mod Pizza: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout, pickup, and delivery.

Noodles & Company: All locations nationwide are reducing their hours, closing their dining rooms, and shifting to carryout, pickup, and delivery.

Panda Express: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout, pickup, delivery, and drive-thru. The company is also implementing temperature checks for employees.

Panera Bread: All company-owned locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout, pickup, delivery, and drive-thru.

Papa John’s: No major closures announced yet.

Pizza Hut: Dining rooms will close in states where it’s mandated, and those locations will offer carryout and delivery. On March 25, Yum Brands — which owns Pizza Hut, KFC, and Taco Bell — announced that 7,000 restaurants around the globe would be temporarily closing, including 1,000 Pizza Hut Express stores in the U.S.

Popeyes: No major closures announced yet.

Qdoba: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout, pickup, and delivery.

Quiznos: No major closures announced yet.

Raising Cane’s: Most locations nationwide are serving via drive-thru, with some still allowing dine-in or carryout in accordance with local mandates. Some locations in malls or university food courts are closed. The company said that franchisees are “following suit where legally allowed.”

Shake Shack: All company-owned locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout, pickup, and delivery.

Smashburger: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout and delivery.

Sonic: All company-owned locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms, with carryout, pickup, and drive-thru options subject to local mandates.

Starbucks: All company-owned locations in the U.S. and Canada are closing their dining rooms and shifting to primarily delivery and drive-thru where available, with exceptions “serving in or around hospitals and healthcare centers” in order to serve first responders and health care workers. Company-owned stores in high-social gathering locations (e.g., malls, universities, etc.) and areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases are closed.

Subway: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout and delivery.

Sweetgreen: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to pickup (only via the mobile app) and delivery.

Taco Bell: All company-owned locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to carryout, delivery, and drive-thru. Franchisees are “determining dining room closures based on local mandates and community needs,” said parent company Yum Brands.

Whataburger: All locations nationwide are closing their dining rooms and shifting to pickup and drive-thru.