Adapting to Crisis

Popeyes and Burger King's CEO Says Coronavirus May Permanently Alter the Restaurant Experience

José Cil, head of Restaurant Brands International, discussed what reopening will look like at the conglomerate's locations

Image of a Burger King location — Jose Cil said that RBI is moving into the reopening phase of the coronavirus crisis.Getty Images

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When Americans return to restaurants, they’ll be facing a different sort of dine-in experience.

That’s according to José Cil, the CEO of Restaurant Brands International (RBI), which owns Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons. In an open letter published today that RBI shared with Adweek, Cil addressed the changes that RBI’s locations will incorporate upon reopening—and may remain a part of the restaurant experience, even after the coronavirus pandemic has ended.

“We have fully embraced the notion that parts of our restaurants need to change,” Cil said.