DAYTON — Life in the fast food business has been undergoing changes since the stay-at-home order by Governor Mike DeWine.
Curt Oxyer is the Vice President of Operations for AES Restaurants that operates every Arby’s in the Dayton area. He told News Center 7’s James Rider that they’ve had to shift their focus to almost entirely drive thru business.
Prior to the ordedr, Oxyer said the restaurants did about 70% of their business via drive thru, now that’s up around 93%. He’s noticed a change in the customer’s demeanor as they visit the restaurants, now using the drive thru as a “date night” or an escape.
"Getting in your car and going to your local fast food restaurant is almost like the new vacation so they're coming out of their excited, they got out of the house and everything's good," Oxyer said.
While the lobby remains open the dining room is closed. Amanda, the shift manager at the Washington Township Arby’s said there is a downside to seeing fewer customers walk through the front doors.
"We do like to interact with our customers so we like having them come inside as well so not having them come inside is a little downer."
As the restaurants continue to operate close to as normal they have implemented several changes focused on cleaning. Each hour, or more frequently if they’re able, they use a peroxide cleaner on every part of the restaurant to kill any germs that may exist. On top of that they check employees before they start their shifts.
“We do a wellness check including checking their temperature asking them some questions about some symptoms they may or may not experience and if they’re not feeling right they don’t get to work that day,”Oxyer said.
Oxyer wanted to be sure to remind people that his restaurants as well as many others remain open and, even though there is a stay-at-home order, you can still leave your home to get food.
Arby’s is also still hiring locally. Oxyer said anyone looking for a job can go to snagajob.com and search for your local Arby’s restaurant to apply.
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