Odds When McDonald’s, KFC, and Starbucks Reopen in UK

• McDonald’s, KFC and Starbucks have all closed their locations in the United Kingdom.
• Books have posted an Over/Under for May 15 as to whether they’ll re-open by that date.
• There seems to be value on ‘Before May 15’ if that includes drive-thrus as part of the re-opening.

As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, a lot of countries have been going into lockdown to help stop the spread. That includes shutting down nonessential businesses. In the United Kingdom, they’ve taken it a step further as they’ve shut down fast-food restaurants like KFC, McDonald’s and Starbucks completely – even drive-thrus.

When will these fast food joints reopen? Sportsbooks have posted an Over/Under of May 15^th, so let’s take a closer look and see what the best bet is.

Odds On When Fast Food Restaurants Re-Open In United Kingdom

Odds as of Mar. 25.

United Kingdom on Lockdown as They Battle Coronavirus

The United Kingdom was originally planning to tough it out through the COVID-19 crisis and just continue on with business as usual, by a study from epidemiologists in the Imperial College changed their tune. Now the United Kingdom has had a complete turnaround in strategy and is implementing a stringent lockdown.

Officials at the palace said that Prince Charles had last seen his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on March 12. Doctors estimate that the earliest the prince could have been infectious with the virus was the next day. https://t.co/A5BsjBRFRR

— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 25, 2020

The severity of the situation hit home on Wednesday when it was announced that Prince Charles, who is the heir to the throne, has contracted the coronavirus. That has many concerned as to who else in the Royal Family or government might have it. At any rate, now the country knows that it’s clearly not “business as usual”.

Speaking of businesses, the U.K. has shuttered almost everything, implementing stricter rules on nonessential businesses than even Canada or the United States. That has led to some panic as people try to stock up on goods as they’re not exactly sure how long the quarantine will last.

Fast Food Chains Closed Monday

There were some unbelievable photos on Monday circulating around social media as fast-food chains were forced to close. KFC, McDonald’s and Subway – among many others – closed up shop. Photos of incredibly long drive-thru lines were passed around on Twitter

V
Just one more Big Mac! Fast-food fans queue at McDonald's drive-thrus for a final meal before burger giant closes all UK branches at 7pm today amid coronavirus shutdown
======https://t.co/HjmdFWYRxQ pic.twitter.com/4I2JfjkigU

— Επικαιρότητα – V – News (@triantafyllidi2) March 23, 2020

It wasn’t just fast-food chains as coffee shops shut down too. Starbucks has temporarily closed all UK stores as they hope to cut down on the spread of the coronavirus while Costa did the same. That has many people wondering as to when the shops will once again open up their doors.

What Are the Best Bets?

What’s interesting with the KFC, McDonald’s and Starbucks closures is that they have also shut down the drive-thru. In other countries, like Canada, for example, restaurants have closed dine-in options but takeout is still available. The U.K. is employing a bit of a different strategy.

⚠️ BREAKING: KFC, Subway and Greggs are the latest food outlets to announce their closure across the UK and Ireland. pic.twitter.com/XROMAwTDxX

— Stuart Robinson (@stuartrobinson1) March 23, 2020

At any rate, if drive-thru and takeout is included in the prop, I would expect them to reopen those within a few weeks or a month at the latest, which means “Before May 15” would be my bet. If those aren’t included, I’d probably pass on this prop as it’s hard to say when we’ll see in-restaurant dining again.