I’ll Take That To-Go: More States Are Temporarily Banning Dining In at Restaurants

According to a report in CNBC, California, Ohio, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Michigan, Illinois, Rhode Island, Maryland and Washington have all placed temporary restrictions on the operation of restaurants and bars. While the coronavirus outbreak was predicted to impact businesses, drastic measures such as completely closing down all bars or restaurants or limiting them to takeout and delivery only have been implemented in order to curb the spread of the virus.

Two of the three biggest restaurant chains, Starbucks and Chick-fil-A, are following suit and only allowing customers to place orders to go. For McDonald’s, a chain that is 95% franchisee owner, these decisions have been left to managing directors in their respective markets.

With most of their business coming from interactions that require minimal customer contact, quick-service restaurants are the most uniquely-equipped to handle this kind of outbreak. Fast-casual and full-service restaurants largely do not have the same luxury and will likely take a bigger economic hit.

Many customers are rerouting their business to takeout and delivery, but the panic surrounding the virus and the urge to practice social distancing is driving people to choose to buy groceries that can be prepared at home in lieu of any restaurant ordering.