Caffè Nero launches delivery service for first time: Caffè Nero has partnered with UberEats to offer a delivery service for the first time as it responds to demand from customers for its coffee. The exclusive partnership with UberEats means Caffè Nero can continue to be flexible in how it serves its customers, and more than 40 stores will offer delivery by the end of May. Through the partnership with UberEats, customers will be able to order coffee, hot drinks and a selection of food-to-go. Will Stratton-Morris, Caffè Nero UK chief executive, said: “Since we’ve opened some of our stores for takeaway, we’ve seen strong demand for our coffee. We want to be able to help those unable to visit one of our open stores enjoy our coffee without compromising the premium quality. I believe the partnership with UberEats allows us to do that and continue to as we open more stores.” Toussaint Wattinne, general manager of UberEats in the UK, added: “Caffè Nero is one of the nation’s favourite coffee brands, and we're delighted it has partnered with us to offer its premium quality coffee and products to customers.” A total of 40 Caffè Nero stores are currently open for takeaway only in the UK, and include clear protocols to ensure employees and customers are kept safe, and offering a limited menu including Caffè Nero’s coffee and other items such as pastries. Each store is offering free hot drinks to all NHS staff throughout May and all store teams working in these stores are volunteers. UberEats has introduced measures to ensure all couriers have personal protective equipment and hand sanitiser, with all deliveries made contactless. 

McDonald’s reopens further drive-thrus: McDonald’s has taken the number of restaurants now open in the UK and Ireland to 44 as it brings more of its drive-thru sites back into operation. The company has now reopened 23 sites in the UK for drive-thru only, with outlets in Dunstable, Peterborough and Staines among the latest to reopen. Ten sites are available for drive-thru and delivery and five for delivery only. In Ireland, six drive-thrus have reopened in Dublin. McDonald’s said the restaurants were all chosen as they are close to one of its distribution centres as it continues to prepare its supply chain for reopening. There is a £25 cap per vehicle on drive-thru orders as the business adjusts to smaller teams and social distancing in its kitchens. Perspex screens are fitted at drive-thru windows and all employees are wearing personal protective equipment. McDonald’s said this month it planned to have all its drive-thru sites operational by early June.