KFC closes dining rooms amid coronavirus pandemicKFC closes dining rooms amid coronavirus pandemic

KFC, the chicken division of Yum Brands Inc., is closing its dining rooms and shifting to off-premise sales only as of Thursday, the company said Wednesday.

Yum’s other two quick-service brands, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, announced dining room closures on Monday.

“Our dining rooms remain open for to-go/carryout only,” Kevin Hochman, president of KFC U.S., said in an emailed note to guests. “You can order at the front counter and take your food to go, or you can order online at KFC.com and pick up your meal at the designated area at the front counter. If you don’t want to leave your car, our drive thru will continue to service you, too.”

KFC announced Friday that it would offer free delivery across the U.S. through April 26 via kfc.com, Grubhub.com or Seamless.com.

Customers picking up their meal can order online at kfc.com and pick up in the restaurant from the designated area at the front counter.

In a CNBC “Squawk on the Street” interview Wednesday morning, David Gibbs, CEO of Yum Brands, said his brands are offering contactless delivery and workers are wearing gloves to assure the customers of food safety.

KFC said it also was implementing tamper-evident seals “so that customers’ food travels safely.” Grubhub customers can also select the option for “contact-free delivery” at checkout.

Related:Restaurant chains closing or moving to off-premise in light of coronavirus

KFC also said that two weeks ago it increased the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing throughout its restaurants to hourly, particularly around high-touch areas. 

“In addition, you may notice that more of our team members are wearing gloves for their protection and yours,” Hochman said in his letter to customers.

“As always, team members who feel sick are advised to stay at home,” the company said Wednesday, “Further, KFC is committed to paying company-owned restaurant team members for their scheduled or regularly scheduled hours if they are sick, required to self-quarantine, or they cannot work because a restaurant temporarily closes.”

Yum’s KFC division, as of Dec. 31, had 24,104 units globally, of which about 17%, or more than 4,000, are in the United States. Yum is based in Louisville, Ky.

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