McDonald’s plans are to close 200 restaurants by the end of the year

Half of the places scheduled for closing are inside Walmart stores.

The company has decided on the final closure of its establishments, the flow of visitors in which is low by standards of the restaurant chain. Of the 14,000 McDonald’s points in the U.S. will be closed at about 200. About 100 of these restaurants are located inside Walmart hypermarkets.

Previously, the closure of small restaurants was scheduled to take place over several years. But the Coronavirus pandemic has accelerated this process and it was decided to complete the work of the restaurants, whose activities were questioned already in 2020.

The company reports that its car cafes are recovering faster because many customers are eager to maintain a social distance, but restaurants in central cities and shopping malls are still experiencing significant difficulties. 

It is also reported that after the reopening of 2,000 establishments with limited seating capacity in early July, the company suspended the opening due to an increase in coronavirus cases. Last week it was announced that the opening of halls for guests has been postponed for at least another month. The company also said that from August 1, all visitors to restaurants will have to wear a face mask. 

McDonald’s isn’t the only restaurant chain that’s reported massive closures. Dunkin said 450 restaurants will be closed by the end of 2020, and Starbucks announced in June that it plans to close up to 400 restaurants within the next 18 months.