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I want my baby back ribs… and the whole Chili’s menu, for that matter!
Luckily, fellow fans of the restaurant chain won’t have to wait much longer, because they’ve just announced that locations are finally reopening their dining rooms, amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. We are so happy to see this insanely exciting news!
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The company announced via website that they would be joining restaurants like McDonald's, Cracker Barrel, and others, to reopen their dining rooms for food service. If you recall, the company closed dining rooms, per state guidelines when the COVID-19 spread occurred in March.
Hundreds of locations are now reopening across the U.S., Rick Badgley, executive vice president and chief people and administrative officer, says. The company has been preparing for this moment, Badgley explains.
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(The restaurant's parent company Brinker also owns Maggiano’s, which is following a similar reopening strategy, FYI.)
What are they doing to keep employees and customers safe? To start, workers are required to wear masks and gloves and must wash their hands for at least 20 seconds every 30 minutes, and after touch points like touching a credit card.
The new protocols also require that any employee who displays symptoms of COVID-19 is not allowed to work until they are free of symptoms for at least 3 days. Lastly, if an employee tests positive, they cannot return to work for at least 14 days. Seems reasonable!
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Additionally, surfaces are being sanitized every 30 minutes and sanitation stations have been installed at every entry point of the restaurant. Tables and chairs have been removed to meet social distancing requirements in states, and doors are now staffed with extra team members to make sure that guests never have to touch door handles--ever.
So, how are Chili's lovers reacting the news? You bet, it's positive! Twitter has been flooded with customers sharing their first dine-in experience since the outbreak. Aw!
My amazing Mom eating out for the first time in months! Of course at her favorite place, @Chilis ! #WelcomeBack #ChilisLove pic.twitter.com/Ehatrp2CaT
— Katy Amaya (@katycchristian) May 29, 2020
