It's safe to say the world has changed drastically this year. The covid-19 pandemic took America by storm, but thankfully it looks like the clouds are starting to clear up. The state of Georgia is starting to open back up (a controversial move from Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp) and with it, local businesses are beginning to reopen their doors as well. This includes over 300 Waffle House locations that will now allow customers to eat in their dining rooms. The restaurant chain is based in Atlanta and has over 2,100 restaurants across the Southern United States. The new Waffle House Index Benchmark stands at 33 days, the number of days it took for the chain to resume dine-in service.
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Waffle House Resumes Dine-In Services Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer spoke with Channel 2 Anchor Jorge Estevez recently, sharing the restaurant's reopening will be gradual and will still comply with social distancing guidelines. Along with enhanced sanitizing practices, the restaurant is setting up screening protocols to ensure employees are not coming to work sick. Waffle House restaurants will be requiring their employees to wear masks as well as keep empty booths and seats between customers.
"I think it might make the difference between having a job and not having a job, and I know the unemployment system has been enhanced to help take care of the most vulnerable people, but people want to have jobs, and they want to have something to do and take care of their families," Ehmer said in an interview with WSB-TV. " I think it's going to give them some hope."
There's no telling when the restaurants will begin opening in other states. Until then, the brand is selling its famed Waffle Mix and hashbrown mix online along with other items.
