Fast from fast food nearly over

When New Zealand moves to alert level three next Tuesday, restaurants will be able to sell food using contactless delivery or pickup services.

While that is causing anxiety for some restaurants, it’s a relief to fast food chains, already set up with products, packaging and delivery systems designed to send food home.

So when will you be able to get your laughing gear around your favourite burger or pizza slice?

MCDONALD’S

The fast food giant has 170 restaurants in New Zealand, about 130 of which will open on Tuesday from 5am.

However, a spokesperson said Macca’s couldn’t promise a full menu from the get-go.

McDonald’s used a large number of suppliers, each of which required different lead times to supply stock.

‘‘If we can offer the full menu we will,’’ he said.

The restaurants will be offering drive-thru, and delivery via Uber Eats and DeliverEasy in towns where the services operate.

KFC & PIZZA HUT

A spokesperson for Restaurant Brands, which operates KFC and

Pizza Hut as well as Carl’s Jr and Taco Bell in New Zealand, said it would announce its plans today.

DOMINO’S

The pizza chain is working towards having most of its 133 stores open on Tuesday, with the rest following soon after as stock begins to flow through from its distribution centres.

They will be open 9.30am to 9.30pm.

Most menu items will be available, with the exception of stuffed crusts, thick shakes, and icecream, because it is too difficult for staff to maintain social distancing while preparing them.

Domino’s, which has its own delivery system, is expecting to be so busy after lockdown lifts that it is recruiting 1000 new staff members.

Chief executive Cameron Toomey said he ‘‘wouldn’t be surprised to see a 50 to 100 per cent increase on orders’’.

BURGER KING

While the group that owns the franchise operator of BK in New Zealand has been put into receivership, restaurants will continue to operate in the immediate future and there is hope of a sale that would keep them in business.

Burger King was hoping to open its 83 outlets on Tuesday but couldn’t confirm that at time of writing.

‘‘We’ve got a reopen plan in place that the team are working through to open as soon as we are able to,’’ said chief executive Michelle Alexander.

Burger King would offer drivethru and delivery, through Uber Eats.

SUBWAY

The sandwich specialist will open all 250 of its New Zealand stores on Tuesday, with a full menu available from the outset.

The chain will accept orders through its app or website, and will offer contactless pick up in all stores.

Uber Eats will deliver Subway in regions where it operates.

HELL

The Kiwi pizza chain, which originated in Wellington, now has 76 stores throughout the country, all of which it plans to open on Tuesday. Chief executive Ben Cumming said Hell was ‘‘aiming to safely offer all of our menu items’’. It will offer both contactless pickup and contactless delivery.

BURGERFUEL

BurgerFuel was hopeful that all 56 stores would open on Tuesday, though some would have menu limitations during the first week because of delays in supplies.

All BurgerFuels will offer contactless pick up, and some will also have kerbside pickup and delivery options.

Deliveries would be undertaken by BurgerFuel franchisees and staff as opposed to a third-party operator.

UBER EATS

The food delivery service will resume with contactless delivery on Tuesday and offer a tipping option to funnel more money to restaurants.

But it said it Uber Eats would not reduce its commission, which sat between 33 per cent to 36 per cent per order.

CAFES AND COFFEE

Cafes around the country are gearing up for a re-open from as early as 7am on Tuesday. But strict guidelines set by the Government means cafes won’t be accepting keep cups or cash, they won’t allow sitting instore and all orders will be click and collects, placed through mobile apps, websites, or on the phone. – with Melanie Carroll