Burger King and KFC reopen motorway services for hungry drivers

‘It will provide a much-needed boost to those on the road,’ says motorway service company chief executive

A member of staff hands an order to a customer at a KFC drive-through in Leicester (Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

Dozens of KFC, Burger King and Starbucks restaurants are set to reopen at motorway services stations across the UK in the next couple of weeks.

Welcome Break, which operates 35 motorway service stations in the UK, announced that 40 food and beverage units will resume their operations at 26 sites by Thursday 4 June.

The company noted that 32 food and beverage units have already been opened across 18 of its motorway service areas, in addition to 39 forecourts and 36 retail stores, which have remained in operation throughout lockdown.

While motorway services have carried on operating throughout the coronavirus pandemic, certain facilities have been limited.

Welcome Break, which is the second-largest motorway service area operator in the UK, said it has updated its hygiene and cleaning practises at its facilities.

The firm has also reorganised the layout of its sites, so that customers are able to adequately practise social distancing.

“As the lockdown slowly eases and people around the UK gradually return to work, we are delighted to be opening up these great brands,” said John Diviney, chief executive of Welcome Break.

“It will provide a much-needed boost to those on the road and to support Britain working again. We very much look forward to welcoming back our returning customers.”

Mr Diviney added that the “health and safety of our colleagues and customers remains our absolute priority”.

“We will continue to be guided by advice from Public Health England at all times,” he stated.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Burger King was reopening a further 70 UK outlets for delivery and drive-through orders.

However, the fast food restaurant had to shut a branch in Scotland just days after reopening when large queues at its drive-through service caused traffic jams.

KFC is to reopen 500 of its branches across the UK and Ireland by the end of this week. For the full list of restaurants set to reopen, click here.

To check which McDonald’s restaurants have reopened in the UK for drive-through and delivery, click here.