On Monday, Yum! Brands (YUM -0.18%) announced new efforts aimed at supporting its employees during the COVID-19 containment efforts now gripping the U.S. economy.
The restaurant chain, which operates the Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, and The Habit Burger Grill franchises, is giving $1,000 bonuses to roughly 1,200 general managers at company-owned stores across those fast-food brands. The cash is meant to "acknowledge [their] efforts managing teams and maintaining business continuity during these challenging times," Yum! Brands explained in a press release.
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The coronavirus pandemic is having a mixed but overall negative impact on the business today. On the bright side, delivery demand is spiking for Pizza Hut, just as it has for rival chains like Domino's. However, customer traffic is plummeting at Yum! Brands franchisee restaurants, many of which have temporarily closed or shifted to a drive-thru and delivery model in response to social distancing guidelines.
Today's payment move, in addition to new paid leave benefits for hourly employees affected by the coronavirus, is focused on helping those partners navigate significant operating challenges in the weeks to come while preparing for an eventual resumption of normal business.
"Restaurant general managers are critical to getting our company through the COVID-19 crisis," Yum! Brands said.
Editor's note: This story was updated March 31, 2020, with additional context.
