How is COVID changing Burger King? Think pickup lockers, conveyor belts, walk-up windows
Say hello to Burger King in the coronavirus era.
The Miami-based fast food company announced some changes are coming to its restaurants, thanks to the ongoing pandemic.
Expect to see COVID-19 makeovers sometime next year at locations right here in South Florida, as well as in the Caribbean, BK said in a statement.
“The designs we’ve created completely integrate restaurant functionality and technology,” said Global Head of Design at Restaurant Brands International, Rapha Abreu. “The restaurant of tomorrow merges the best functional technology with unique modern design to elevate our Burger King guest experience.”
Translation: You can have it your way, more safely.
Drive-in likely will be ever popular, so BK is adding double or even triple drive-thru lanes to accommodate more cars. While you wait, you can watch the cooks flame broiling and frying via “a living wall.”
Traveling on foot? Many restaurants will feature a walk-up window with plexiglass separating you from your server.
Prefer to go even more contactless? Guests will be able to park and order through the BK App by scanning a QR code and have food brought to their cars.
There’s yet another social distancing option, in the form of so called Pick Up Lockers outside the eatery. The food will come straight from the kitchen to these insulated boxes, placed outside the establishment. An actual person won’t be bringing the Whoppers and fries, food will be sent to the lockers via a conveyor belt.
For those who prefer to eat on premises and not dirty up their houses even more, BK has replaced indoor dining with shaded patios with well-spaced-out seating. You may want to rethink sitting out there next August, folks. But let’s hope there’s a vaccine by then.
This story was originally published September 4, 2020 at 1:46 PM.
