How Coca‑Cola North America is Helping Restaurants Get Through the COVID-19 Crisis
04-14-2020
While no industry is immune to the impacts of COVID-19, the economic toll this crisis is taking on restaurants – which employ more than 15 million Americans – is especially heartbreaking.
Nimble operators are shifting to takeout, drive-thru and delivery-only models for an indefinite period of time to navigate dramatic traffic declines, unexpected interruptions and temporary closures.
“In this season of uncertainty, our valued partners can count on one thing with certainty: our unwavering support,” said Kathleen Ciaramello, president, Foodservice & On-Premise, Coca‑Cola North America. “We’re here with them and for them.”
Coca‑Cola North America is taking several proactive steps to aid the foodservice industry during these challenging times, including:
Providing more than 8,000 Coca‑Cola North America employees with a $100 delivery credit for either DoorDash, Grubhub, UberEATS or Skip The Dishes to place meal delivery orders. Coca‑Cola North America plants also have implemented routines to order takeout meals from foodservice customers as a thank-you to associates working hard to produce our products. This effort adds up to an immediate injection of nearly $1 million into the restaurant industry.
Joining forces with industry peers and to support #TheGreatAmericanTakeout initiative, which encourages Americans to support the restaurant industry by ordering delivery or takeout meals. Coca‑Cola is encouraging employees, bottling partners and industry partners to participate, and using its social channels to promote the movement. On April 14, The Great American Takeout will give away $10,000 in gift cards to people who order takeout. One grand prize recipient will win free takeout for a year in the form of a $5,000 gift card, while 100 more winners will receive a $50 gift card, all courtesy of The Coca‑Cola Company. Learn more.
Donating to the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund (RERF.US) to help the organization reach its $10 million fundraising mark in just 10 days. The fund is supporting restaurant workers financially impacted by the crisis.
Launching the Coca‑Cola Rapid Response Resource online portal to give restaurants access to free information and resources – from tips for optimizing takeout and drive-thru operations, to updated COVID-19 safety guidelines, to information on third-party delivery services and more.
“Even during the toughest times throughout our 134-year history, Coca‑Cola has always been there,” Ciaramello added. “Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference — and that’s never been more important than right now.”
