Skip to content

5 Restaurant Chains That Now Require You to Wear Face Masks

New rules just put into place at restaurants across the country include mask requirements.

Various states and 11 grocery store chains have announced that customers have to wear a mask inside in order to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Several eateries around the country have adopted the rule now, too.

So in addition to Walmart, Target, and others, be sure to bring your mask if you head to these six restaurants.

McDonald's

McDonalds interior
Shutterstock

One restaurant requiring masks is McDonald's. The mega-chain is requiring every customer who comes into one of their 14,000 locations to wear a protective mask starting August 1. And they are already training employees on how to respond to customers who don't want to comply.

"In those situations where a customer declines to wear a face covering, we'll put in place additional procedures to take care of them in a friendly, expedited way," McDonald's USA president Joe Erlinger said.

The announcement came after Scientists Warn of a New Way Someone Could Infect You with COVID-19 at the Grocery Store.

Panera

panera bread
Shutterstock

The fast-casual cafe favorite recently announced a rule that all customers have to wear a mask inside starting on July 15. "To ensure the safety of our associates and guests, masks are required at all times, except while seated and eating or drinking," their website states. Keep in mind that Panera Curbside, as well as delivery and drive-thru orders, are great options that are less risky.

Related: 7 Things You'll Never See at Panera Again

Noodles & Company

The company announced a new set of procedures that went into effect on July 22, and on the list is that every customer has to wear a face mask inside all company-owned locations. All team members were already required to wear one while working, and now masked customers will order behind plexiglass and sit six feet away from each other.

Noodles & Company previously took a big step toward making paying safer, too: These Restaurant Chains Are Going Cashless During the Pandemic.

Chipotle

Chipotle restaurant
Shutterstock

Another restaurant requiring masks is Chipotle. All crew members, and now all guests, must wear a mask at all times while in the restaurant, according to the COVID-19 section of their website. "We've started to welcome guests back into our dining rooms in select locations with new guidelines in place," said Brian Niccol, the chairman,and CEO. "Serving real food to our communities safely is our number one priority."

So this means that if you head into the store to get This Long-Awaited Chipotle Item, bring your mask!

Starbucks

Starbucks coffee and pastry
Shutterstock

If your favorite local Starbucks location's dining room is open, wear your mask inside. The company announced in early July that all customers have to have one covering their nose and mouth. "The company is committed to playing a constructive role in supporting health and government officials as they work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19," they said in a statement.

The coffee chain has already seen some customers who are unwilling to comply with mask-wearing rules. A Starbucks Barista Earned Over $50,000 in Tips for Doing This One Thing — telling a woman she needed to wear a mask inside.

The next time you order a cup of joe, watch out for these 25 Mistakes You're Making at Starbucks.

Amanda McDonald
Amanda has a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a bachelor's degree in digital journalism from Loyola University Chicago. Read more about Amanda
Filed Under