Tim Hortons is among several fast-food chains in St. Albert turning to takeout, drive-thru and delivery service in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Parent company Restaurant Brands International Inc. said Monday it will be closing all dining room seating at Tim Hortons starting Tuesday, March 17, until further notice.
"As Canada's leading restaurant brand, we have a responsibility not only to serve our guests – but to protect them and our team members during this uncertain time."
The changes come as Alberta Health recommended employers consider how the virus could impact their workplace, and to make plans to protect their employees, limit spread and explore alternate working arrangements.
Arby's
Arby's posted a notice to its website announcing the chain will be temporarily suspending dine-in seating options in a majority of restaurants, including the St. Albert location.
Drive-thrus remain open, along with take-out and third-party delivery. Additional steps include establishing a COVID-19 preparedness task force with other parent company Inspire Brands restaurants, increasing cleaning and sanitizing protocols, expanding sick leave and pay policy for team members.
McDonalds Canada
The fast-food chain posted a notice on its website on March 13 to update customers about their operations at this time.
Restaurants in Canada will be cleaning their facilities more often with a focus on high-touch surfaces like door handles and pin pads. They have stopped accepting travel mugs for hot drinks, and are changing the way coffee is refilled at the store.
"We will continue to serve you in many ways; in our restaurants, at the drive-thru, with the My McD's app, and McDelivery through our partnerships with Uber Eats and Skip The Dishes," the notice read.
St. Albert locations had signs up Monday notifying customers they would not be able to dine in starting Tuesday.
Subway
The sandwich chain is temporarily removing dine-in sandwich baskets and serving trays, providing new cups with each drink refill, increasing the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing restaurants, and reinforcing health and safety protocols with employees.
They also offer third-party delivery through partners like Skip The Dishes.
"We are prepared for any service changes to local Subway restaurants should they be required by the CDC, WHO and regional public health department officials," the notice read.
Dairy Queen
DQ stores remain open at this time.
However, this year's Free Cone Day, which was scheduled for Thursday, March 19, has been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.
"The health and wellbeing of our fans and crew members is our top priority, and we look forward to rescheduling at a later date when we know more," a notice posted on their website read.
The chain will continue to follow their cleaning and sanitization practices, reinforce health and safety protocols with employees, and clean high-contact areas like door handles and pin pads.
Starbucks
As of March 15, Starbucks will be turning its operations to a "to go" model in store locations in the U.S. and Canada, pausing sit-in options to create more social distancing between customers.
“Your Starbucks Experience may look different as we navigate through this time together,” said Starbucks chief executive officer Kevin Johnson in a recent letter to customers.
Orders will still be accepted at the register, through the Starbucks app and at the drive-thru. Delivery is another option through Starbucks Delivers.
"As a last resort, we will close a store if we feel it is in the best interest of our customers and partners, or if we are directed to do so by government authorities."
A&W Canada
The company has yet to post a notice about COVID-19 to its website. Dine-in areas at the St. Albert location remain open, along with drive-thru and delivery services.
If you know of any other fast food restaurant that is closing or limiting its operations due to COVID-19, email [email protected].
