Fast food, corona-style: say goodbye to… pretty much everything
Based on statements from the RIVM, the guidelines known so far and a little imagination, we wonder whether we will still see these seven familiar things in fast food restaurants. What about the mayo tank, for example?
Ordering kiosk
A cheeseburger but without the cheese… you don’t have to be ashamed of your odd order because you pass it on via an anonymous screen. But that won’t be happening for the time being, because those computer screens are naturally a breeding ground for viruses and dirty little fingers. And if someone has to stand beside it constantly to disinfect the screen, you might as well order at the counter.
The mayo tank and the ketchup pump
The best bonus of a hot dog at Ikea is the mayo tank and the ketchup pump. You can pump as much sauce onto your hot dog as you like, and if you need some more halfway through: top it up! Unfortunately, that island of pure happiness will probably have to go into quarantine in the one-and-a-half-metre society. There’s a good chance the soft-serve ice cream tap will suffer the same fate.
Unlimited napkins
Quickly grabbing some extra napkins at Smullers to put in your jacket pocket because of a runny nose? Not anymore, friends. Because a table where you can save on tissues is a gathering place for little snotty noses: corona danger! Stockpiling sugar packets (for the campsite!) at Starbucks and scoring an extra lid to use as an ashtray at the kiosk will also be out of reach for the time being.
Standing in line
You look over the shoulders of the people in front of you to see what’s in the stock shelves and try to read the menus above the counter. What will you have? Fewer visitors means no queue, so you’ll have to make your choice in advance. Or decide very quickly, but that’s difficult when you’re standing face to face with a McFlurry.
Advertising on the floor
Disney stickers on the floor, cheerful mats by the door… these will be replaced by strict lines made with police barrier tape to remind all guests to keep a sufficient distance.
Cheerfully smiling employees
They’ll probably still be smiling cheerfully, but no one will see it. Face masks, you know? Not very gezellig.
Someone clearing your table
Straws, fries, plastic forks… all things that have been near your mouth and therefore pose a potential contamination risk. Throw it all in the bin yourself when you’re finished with your burger – there probably won’t be any employees clearing the tables.
