About half of Starbucks’ company-owned stores have been closed since the coronavirus pandemic intensified in March. | Photo: Have a nice day Photo/Shutterstock
Plus, President Trump orders meat processing plants to stay open despite worker illnesses, and other news to start the day
Starbucks plans to reopen most stores for to-go orders by June
Over the next month, Starbucks will begin to gradually reopen its stores for to-go service, BuzzFeed News reports. The coffee giant expects to reopen 90 percent of company-operated locations in the U.S. by early June, the company said on a call with investors. Sit-down cafe areas will remain closed, and the majority of stores will ask customers to order and pay using the Starbucks app.
Since March, when people across the country began sheltering in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, about half of Starbucks’ company-owned locations have remained closed, while some stores have continued to operate via drive-thru, pickup, or delivery only.
As states like Georgia and Tennessee move forward with plans to reopen the economy, businesses have been deliberating over if, how, and when to open their doors again, weighing financial straits against the health and safety of employees, customers, and the general public. Per BuzzFeed News: “Starbucks joins companies like McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, and Dunkin’ Donuts, which said they will not reopen seating in their dining rooms, even as states lift restrictions.”
And in other news…
- President Trump has signed an executive order to keep meat processing facilities — which have been closing as thousands of workers fall ill from COVID-19 — open, declaring the plants “critical infrastructure” as part of the nation’s food supply chain. [NYT]
- Following Trump’s order, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration reminded meat processors that they should follow guidance on protecting workers from the coronavirus, but doesn’t anticipate citing employers so long as they try to adhere to the recommendations. [Bloomberg Law]
- Nathan’s Famous joins the list of chain restaurants that are returning their Paycheck Protection Program funds. The hot dog restaurant will repay a $1.2 million loan. [NRN]
- With bars and taprooms closed, craft brewers are forced to dump their beer or get creative in making sure it doesn’t go to waste. [NYT]
- Popeyes’ head of culinary innovation shares some tips for cooking chicken at home. [Forbes]
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