Changes to our operating hours

Six months ago today, we closed our UK and Ireland restaurants as the country faced the start of the COVID-19 crisis. Together with our franchisees, suppliers and brilliant restaurant teams we changed our operations, implemented new health and safety measures, test and trace procedures and social distancing and reopened slowly and safely throughout the summer. Today we have over 1,300 restaurants open, and this week’s announcement from the Prime Minister has led to a number of questions around which services we will be offering when and where, so I wanted to provide you with an update.

Because of the enhanced safety measures we’ve introduced, we will operate as follows from Thursday 24^th September:

For many years we have been proud to serve customers overnight, providing a familiar beacon in towns and cities across the country, offering great value to night workers, emergency service personnel, night owls and early risers across the UK. The safety measures in place in our kitchens and service areas means we can continue to safely provide that overnight service in 800 Drive-thrus. With thanks to our delivery partners Uber Eats and Just Eat, more than 800 restaurants will also be offering McDelivery^® past 10pm also.

There are, and will continue to be, local exceptions to the above, including additional restrictions in some areas. We will be guided by local and national government regulations and will ensure the My McDonald’s app, our website and delivery partner apps are kept up to date with the latest available services and opening hours in your area.

I’ve written to you many times about the enhanced procedures in our restaurants. These are designed not only for your safety, but first and foremost to enable our employees to work safely.

We know the new measures introduced by us or the health authorities take some adjusting to, I am very grateful for the support and patience you have shown as we’ve implemented these changes. From screens in service areas, dining rooms, and the kitchen, to face coverings, visors and hand sanitising, you have helped us adapt to new ways of working, with smaller teams serving a reduced menu and I thank you for your ongoing support and adherence to these processes.

We are all getting more familiar with technology helping us to navigate this new normal. The My McDonald’s app is no exception, providing contact-free ordering for dine-in, Drive-thru and takeaway, keeping you up to date with the latest opening hours, menu additions and offers. We will continue to offer all new users a free McCafé^® coffee as you adjust to ordering your McDonald’s favourites from your phone. For those customers choosing to dine-in, you can still order from the self-order kiosks or tills, and contact-free from your table using the app.

This is not how I expected us to be entering the autumn and winter in our restaurants but your support has meant we’ve been able to protect jobs and to continue serving the communities in which we operate.

It is incumbent upon all of us to take the necessary steps to protect one another at the moment. From supporting the most vulnerable through our partnership with FareShare and the End Child Poverty Now campaign, to simply following the health authorities’ advice on staying safe; we will continue to play our part in helping us navigate this continuing pandemic.

We really missed our customers and colleagues during our temporary closure, and we are pleased that our safety measures and procedures along with following government guidelines allow us to continue to serve you your McDonald’s favourites.

Paul Pomroy
Chief Executive Officer, McDonald’s UK and Ireland