Don’t Let Your Business Get Burned! Drive-Thru and Curbside Safety for Hot Beverages

As food-service businesses have adapted very rapidly to the COVID-19 pandemic, drive-thru and curbside service have become mainstays of a sustainable business model. For customers surveyed by Datassential, curbside pickup and drive-thru enjoyed the highest percentage of confidence (80%) of any possible options for getting food and drinks outside the home. 

Nobody wants to spread COVID-19, but getting burned shouldn’t be the trade-off. Pivoting to serve customers with the least amount of physical contact has become critical for keeping afloat—but these modes of service present a strong need for safety precautions to prevent hot beverage spills.

When serving coffee, tea, and other hot drinks at a drive-thru or curbside, keep these important safety tips in mind:

1. Fully prepare hot drinks for the customer. Avoid requiring customers to remove the lid to add condiments by adding creamer, sugar, and flavors before serving.
2. Securely attach lid before serving. Double check every time. An insecure lid can result in spills during handling or when the customer takes a sip. 
3. Always hold the bottom half of cups. Never carry cups with your hand placed over the top. This could result in the whole cup falling, or in a previously-secure lid popping off during handling and leading to spills. For good hygiene, this also avoids touching the cup where the customer will be putting their mouth.
4. Avoid hand-to-hand cup transfer. Place cups securely in a hot drink carrier tray or caddy for the customer to receive securely. For curbside service, create a designated pickup area with a table for servers to set the drink on. 
5. Give verbal reminders. A quick reminder that “this drink is very hot, please handle it carefully” can cue customers to slow down and take extra time.

Investing the time to shape your service practices will serve your business well not only now, as you protect your employees and customers from avoidable spills and burns, but also into the future because these models are likely to continue as the country opens back up. Businesses who are prepared to serve customers with convenience and distancing in mind will have a leg up on the competition. 

When placed prominently in serving areas, our Handling Hot Beverages safety poster helps prevent hot beverage spills and promotes customer and employee safety—and protects your business—by providing a consistent, clear reference. Pick up copies in our Safety Store today!