KFC Is Closing Its Dining Rooms In Florida Because Of Coronavirus Concerns

Photo credit: SOPA Images - Getty Images
Photo credit: SOPA Images - Getty Images

From Delish

KFC has closed its 40 corporate-owned stores in Florida for indoor dining as the state continues to see a surge in new COVID-19 cases.

In a letter obtained by Reuters, KFC U.S. Chief Operating Officer Monica Rothgery shared that these locations would only be available for drive-thru. She also offered the suggestion that franchisees in states currently seeing a surge in cases, such as Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas, do the same.

A KFC representative confirmed the closures to Delish, saying: "Due to the continued escalation of COVID-19 cases in Florida, we have taken the step to close dining rooms in our 40 corporate-owned restaurants there. To date, only five percent of KFC restaurants in the U.S. have opened dining rooms for dine-in seating."

They also confirmed the guidance given to franchisees as mentioned in the Reuters report: "This guidance is part of our continued efforts to prioritize the health and safety of our team members, customers, and the communities where they live and work. Our restaurants remain open for drive-thru, delivery, and carry-out where available."

Coronavirus cases have been rising generally in the U.S. but several states have emerged as troubling hotspots, including Florida, which saw a little more than 12,000 new reported cases of COVID-19 yesterday.

Earlier this month, McDonald's sent a letter to franchisees saying that it was pausing dining room reopening over similar concerns surrounding coronavirus cases rising around the country. In addition to decisions made by individual companies, some states and counties are also rolling back or pausing re-openings for indoor dining, most recently California, which announced it was re-closing restaurant dining rooms across the state on Monday.

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