Pizza Hut, a division of Yum Brands, said it is expanding contactless ordering with the addition of nationwide curbside pickup.
The quick-service pizza chain, which had initially closed 1,000 express units during the COVID-19 crisis, said consumers can now select contactless curbside for online orders by checking a box during checkout.
The move comes as “over 60% of online delivery orders are now via contactless delivery,” the company said. Adding contactless curbside pickup is one of a handful of new safety measures the Plano, Texas-based pizza chain announced Thursday to keep employees and customers safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
Pizza Hut is expanding contactless ordering with the addition of nationwide curbside pickup.
“While placing an order, customers can provide details on the vehicle they're driving, and then pre-pay using a credit or debit card,” the company said. “Once you've arrived, call the store or look for the curbside attendant. A gloved team member will bring out your pizza and place it in your car.”
Other new protocols include adding new tamper-proof safety seals to pizza boxes; employee temperature checks; distributing 13 million face masks to restaurant employees; and installing counter shields to increase protection between customers and employees.
The measures taken at Pizza Hut come a week after the FDA released a “best practices” checklist for retail food stores and restaurants. The agency said employers can reduce transmission of the virus among employees by providing them with masks and taking temperatures.
Last week, Pizza Hut’s sister brands, Taco Bell and KFC, announced plans to start taking employee temperatures and providing workers with non-surgical masks.
Quick-service restaurants chains across the U.S. have been offering drive-thru, delivery and carryout service for nearly a month as jurisdictions across the U.S. began to mandate dining room closures to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
It’s unclear when states and local municipalities will start allowing dining rooms to reopen.
Noodles & Company said Wednesday that adding contactless curbside pickup has helped stem revenue losses during the COVID-19 crisis.
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