Supermac’s is to reopen some of its outlets around the country on a phased basis for delivery, drive thru and drive and collect. All lobbies in the restaurants will remain closed.

Supermac’s spent approximately €40m on Irish produce last year, with one quarter of that spent on Irish chicken.

Supermac’s will provide a limited service in a number of outlets following consultation with the authorities, staff, customers and its suppliers, including farmers.

“The outlets will open on a phased basis in locations where the company can provide hot cooked meals to the public while fully implementing Government guidelines regarding social distancing for our staff and customers,” it said on Wednesday.

All services will be contactless, card payment only and all staff will be provided with masks, gloves and their temperatures will be monitored at the start of each shift.

Supermac’s restaurants have been closed since 26 March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Restaurants

Fifteen of its restaurants will be operational by Friday.

On Wednesday 22 Apri,l three stores in Galway will reopen:

On Friday 24 April, the following stores will reopen:

“We have spent that time developing systems and processes in order to open and provide a service to the community where safety, wellbeing and standards are not compromised,” it said.

Supermac’s operates 120 outlets across the country.

One small step

ICSA beef chair Edmund Graham has described the move by Supermac’s to begin a phased reopening of their outlets as: “One small step that might boost beef demand as we struggle to cope with the impacts of COVID-19.”

Supermac’s have always been a big supporter of Irish beef producers

“We have to open restaurants and food service operations in a realistic time frame. Their closure has had devastating consequences, not only for their staff but for the wider economy and for the beef sector in particular.

"We also know that for every week they remain closed, those impacts are being compounded. Supermac’s have always been a big supporter of Irish beef producers and we commend them for that and for taking this move now.”