Coronavirus fears closing some Columbia fast food dining rooms
Some national chain restaurants are closing their dining rooms to help slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
In Columbia, Taco Bell, Capt. D’s, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A and Arby’s stores contacted by The State are only serving takeout, drive-thru or delivery orders.
Visits to some McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Smashburger and Moe’s Southwest Grill showed seated diners. Calls to Dunkin’ Donuts, Zaxby’s, Panera Bread and Chipotle Mexican Grill indicated their dining rooms were open.
The Taco Bell on Knox Abbott Drive in Cayce was serving drive-thru only. It is unclear if all Taco Bells were required to take the step.
Mark King, CEO of Taco Bell Corp., posted a letter Saturday saying the company has “an obligation to do something to help stop this from spreading.”
“As regions of the U.S. begin to mandate public closures and self-quarantine, we are equipping our restaurants to serve our guests via drive-thru and delivery only where necessary,” he wrote. “ Should we need to temporarily close our dining rooms, we would be limiting millions of guest interactions and further enabling social distancing.”
An employee at the West Columbia Arby’s said that while its lobby is open, the store is only taking to-go orders. The company’s website did not indicate if that practice was throughout the chain.
“At Arby’s, our top priority is always the health and safety of our employees and guests,” it said. “With the outbreak of COVID-19, we are taking the proper precautions to continue to protect our guests and employees. We are also working closely with the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization and other government officials to closely monitor and respond appropriately.”
The Starbucks in Five Points was allowing only grab-and-go drinks, but the Starbucks at the Petro Stopping Center on Beltline Boulevard was still allowing some seating.
An Starbucks employee at Petro said all Starbucks-owned stores have eliminated seating. But franchise operators were given the option to open or close seating.
“As we navigate the evolving impact of coronavirus on our communities, we are temporarily closing our dining room seating to help limit person-to-person contact,” Starbucks wrote on its website. “Some of our restaurants may only offer service through our drive-thrus, while others may be able to offer takeout, delivery or mobile order options.”
The Chick-fil-A in Five Points was serving only drive-thru, takeout orders and deliveries.
Manager Damon Brown said the store instituted the policy Monday and other steps may be taken as the pandemic progresses.
”We’re just playing it by ear,” he said.
The company said on its website, “As we navigate the evolving impact of coronavirus on our communities, we are temporarily closing our dining room seating to help limit person-to-person contact. Some of our restaurants may only offer service through our drive-thrus, while others may be able to offer takeout, delivery or mobile order options. “
The Capt. D’s restaurant on Knox Abbott Drive in Cayce was allowing people into the store, but only to pick up to-go orders. An employee said it was because of COVID-19.
“As things progress, we may implement additional preventative measures to ensure the well-being of our guests and team members, which includes staffing or service modifications,” CEO Phil Greifeld said in a letter to customers on the company’s website. “Any necessary changes will be communicated by the local restaurant operator.”
Reporter Greg Hadley contributed to this report.