Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) & Pub Sector

Subway to reopen a quarter of its circa 2,400 UK & Ireland estate

www.propelinfonews.ie – 12.05.2020

Subway is to open just over 600 stores, a quarter of its UK & Ireland estate, as part of a phased reopening plan. Starting Tuesday, 12 May, locally owned and operated stores will begin reopening with new operational and social distancing measures in place. Before rolling out the new plans, Subway tested them in the small number of sites it kept open to support key workers and hospital staff. Subway UK & Ireland director Colin Hughes said: “We have slowly and safely introduced a new store operating framework that will be rolling out across stores to protect guests, staff, delivery drivers and our suppliers. The weeks and months ahead will continue to be challenging for everyone and Subway will play its part in supporting the new normal whatever that may look and feel like.”

McDonald’s to reopen Irish restaurants from next week

The Irish Times – 12.05.2020

Fast food chain McDonald’s is to begin a phased reopening of restaurants in Ireland from next week, starting with a drive-through only service at six outlets in the Dublin area. McDonald’s UK and Ireland Chief Executive Paul Pomroy said updated Government guidelines make it clear that takeaways and deliveries can operate, and that as such the six restaurants will open from May 20th. He said the company would confirm the locations next week. “Moving in step with government guidelines, we plan to reopen all our drive-throughs by early June across the UK and Ireland,” he said. “As locations reopen, you will be able to search for a location near you on our website.” Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said he welcomed the news. “McDonald’s is a valued key purchaser of Irish produce and an employer of a large number of people throughout Ireland,” he said.