Waffle House has a reputation as a restaurant that remains open no matter how challenging the social climate. In the first two weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic however, Waffle House saw 80% of its business evaporate. Now that states are beginning to lift stay-at-home orders, the chain is revving up to reopen its doors.

Today on Order Up, host Karly McBride is speaking with Leigh Rogers Slack, Vice President of Recruiting and Development at Waffle House. Leigh talks about all of the decisions that have to be made prior to reopening as well as the many new safety procedures that are in place for staff and patrons alike. She also has advice for restaurateurs eager to reopen: define your mission first.

While things will not return to normal for quite some time, Waffle House is creating a blueprint for success. 

• [00:45] - Interview with Leigh Rogers Slack
• [02:37] - The Waffle House approach to COVID-19
• [09:12] - Workforce support
• [12:16] - Ensuring customer safety
• [16:44] - Sponsor: ServSafe
• [19:46] - Define your mission
• [24:01] - A powerful place for community
• [27:10] - Sponsor: ServSafe

The views expressed in this podcast are solely those of the interviewee and do not represent the opinions of the National Restaurant Association and its affiliates.  This podcast is not intended to provide medical or legal advice but is meant to present suggested practices for restauranteurs to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 viral disease. Adherence to any suggestions cannot ensure prevention of infection and should not be interpreted as setting the standard of care or be deemed inclusive of all proper methods or practices.  Podcast listeners are urged to follow the requirements and recommendations of federal, state and local health authorities.  Pursuant to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, COVID-19 is generally considered to be spread from person to person by respiratory droplets, and not generally by food or packaging. Given the rapidly evolving nature of the pandemic, guidance may change as our understanding of unique challenges that COVID-19 poses within each country, state, and locality. 

Podcast listeners who develop policies and procedures based upon the views in this podcast are urged to obtain the advice and guidance of legal counsel with respect to their practices and local laws.

Karly McBride is the Marketing Program Manager at the National Restaurant Association.

The restaurant landscape has changed drastically in the last few months. To help restaurateurs navigate the impossible decisions they will have to make in the months to come, Order Up, is a brand-new podcast from the National Restaurant Association dedicated to aid in the recovery of restaurants and their employees.

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This podcast episode was produced by Dante32.