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How grab-and-go food chains are adjusting to coronavirus reality

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NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) – Restaurants devoted mainly to quick bites and drinks are reconfiguring their businesses to limit traffic in tight quarters and maintain coronavirus social distancing.

Starbucks Corp (SBUX.N), Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc (DNKN.O), Peet’s Coffee and British bakery-cafe chain Greggs PLC (GRG.L) have been forced to rethink how to serve customers quickly while keeping staffers safe and still make enough money to operate.

At Peet’s Coffee, the U.S. chain owned by JDE Peet’s JDEP.AS, 191 of the 250 company-operated stores had reopened as of Thursday. But customers aren’t allowed inside.

“We moved all of the tables to the front of the store, blocking the entrance,” said Mary Dusenbury, senior director of retail marketing at Peet’s. Registers and chip readers were also moved to the front, so customers can perform their own credit-card transactions, with chip pads wiped down after each guest. In Britain, where Greggs has been testing reopenings at 20 locations, only one adult customer may enter at a time. The menu features fewer salads, and only credit cards and other non-cash payments are accepted.

After closing 2,050 stores in March, it hopes to reopen 800 stores from June 18.

The chains aim to keep at least six feet of space both between staffers working behind the counter and between customers lining up at the door.

But it is not clear that customers will be prepared to wait in long socially distanced queues outside, even to get one of Greggs’ popular vegan sausage rolls, which had helped fuel an 80% rise in Gregg’s share price before the crisis hit.

Companies’ profit margins will be squeezed this year by extra costs for employee hazard pay, cleaning and protective gear, as well as lower sales.

That could lead restaurants to raise some menu prices, said Alex Susskind, a professor at the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University.

However, with restaurants having already hiked menu prices over the last few years and cash-strapped consumers likely unable to pay more, “passing along price increases is going to be very difficult,” said David Portalatin, a food analyst at The NPD Group.

To keep customers from lingering, chains are encouraging using cell phone apps to order and pay or opting for drive-thru or delivery.

In China, delivery and mobile ordering at Starbucks made up 15% or all orders in January when the crisis was spreading. Mobile orders peaked at 80% in February but remained at 27% in late March, according to a McKinsey & Co report on May 19.

More than 98% of Starbucks locations are open in China, and more than 90% of its company-owned U.S. locations are expected to be open by early June under modified operations and hours.

There are signs the new strategies are working.

Starbucks in late May said it had regained nearly two-thirds of its comparable U.S. stores sales from the prior year, and in China it said comparable-store sales reached about 80% of the prior year levels. The U.S. and China are the company’s two largest markets.

Greggs has begun to test delivery through Just Eat (TKWY.AS) and pickup through Click & Collect. But analysts are skeptical.

Most of its outlets are tiny, making it a challenge to keep staff and customers far enough apart. Selling in the high volumes Greggs needs to make its model work could also prove difficult.

“Queueing at 2 meters distance outside the store is going to lose its novelty very quickly for even the biggest sausage roll addict,” said Peel Hunt analyst Jonathan Pritchard.

Reporting and photo: Reuters

Business

Dubai Chocolate Brownies in Maldives: BBM, Dreidoppel conclude pastry tour

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BBM’s exclusive Dreidoppel Demo Tour, led by Master Pâtissier Frankie Robin, concluded successfully on Apr 30th, after a 10-day pastry training series across 15 leading Maldivian resorts that requested the training. Two city bakeries were also trained on the 30th. The initiative brought together global expertise and a strong commitment to raising pastry standards in the local hospitality industry.

This year’s sessions focused on practical pastry solutions using Dreidoppel’s premium ingredient range to create Panettone, Dubai chocolate brownies, Mousses, Crème Brûlée, Fill & Gloss applications, and Caramel Chocolate Snacks.

A standout feature of the tour was the passion shown by young chefs across the islands.

Chef Frankie Robin remarked, “What truly impressed me was how prepared and passionate the young chefs were. Their eagerness to learn, experiment, and take their skills to world-class standards made every session an absolute joy.”

Grounded in real kitchen challenges—speed, flavour, and efficiency—Chef Frankie’s demos showcased how smart ingredient choices can drive both creativity and performance.

A.V.S. Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM, added, “At BBM, we believe in more than just supplying ingredients—we are committed to the professional growth of the industry. Collaborations like this empower culinary teams with global techniques and greater confidence.”

The tour reflects BBM’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the Maldivian foodservice industry through knowledge-sharing and access to world-class products.

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BBM brings Vaseline, Hellmann’s, BRU Coffee to Maldives market

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Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) extended their strong and decades old partnership with Unilever International, by adding to their brand portfolio – Vaseline, Hellmann’s, and BRU Coffee for the Maldivian market.

The collaboration was announced at a Business gathering held at the Manhattan Business Hotel, attended by over 300 trade partners from across Maldives.

With this partnership, BBM strengthens its retail offerings across the Maldives archipelago. Vaseline, a trusted name in skincare, and Hellmann’s, known globally for quality food products, will now be available through BBM’s distribution network.

“Vaseline is a name that generations trust for skin care. And Hellmann’s is a global icon in flavours. We’re proud to bring both to shelves across the Maldives and enrich everyday living for our customers,” said Muksith Hussain, Business Head – Retail.

In the hospitality sector, BBM introduces Bru Coffee as an addition to its HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant, Café) offerings. BRU Coffee provides a quality beverage option for hotels, resorts, and restaurants across the Maldives.

“BRU is one of the most loved coffee brands in the region. With this launch, we’re giving our hospitality partners a versatile product that delivers on both taste and reliability that can be consumed as a beverage and for the purpose of dessert preparation, something they can serve with confidence,” said Hisham Girsy, Business Head – HORECA.

The gathering served as a platform for BBM to engage with its valued trade partners and introduce these new brands to the market.

A.V.S Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM, remarked: “BBM is built on relationships. This event reflects our commitment to not just introduce great products but to support, connect, and elevate our trade partners. We’re in this together, and the journey ahead is promising.”

As BBM continues to grow its portfolio and global partnerships, the focus remains clear delivering excellence, building trust, and shaping the future of trade in the Maldives.

Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) is a leading distribution company in the Maldives, connecting international brands with local businesses across retail and hospitality sectors. With a customer-focused approach and extensive distribution network, BBM continues to be a trusted partner in the Maldivian market.

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Redefining corporate retreats at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives

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MICE travel is undergoing a sea change—quite literally. No longer limited to traditional conference rooms and structured schedules, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) are now about creating moments that inspire, rejuvenate, and bring teams closer together. At Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, the boundaries between business and leisure blur, offering a setting that transforms work into a pleasure.

Just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Malé, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is the ideal destination for teams looking to escape the expected. Here, brainstorming sessions take place on powder-soft beaches, where the rhythmic waves set the pace for new ideas. Mornings might begin with yoga by the ocean, followed by strategy meetings in open-air pavilions. Afternoons invite collaborative workshops under swaying palms or team-building activities that include snorkelling, paddleboarding, or even a friendly beach volleyball match.

Dining at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives elevates every corporate event with fresh, sea-to-table cuisine, designed to fuel both body and mind. From curated group dinners under star-streaked skies to themed private banquets, every meal becomes an experience in itself. For those looking to celebrate milestones or reward top performers, the resort’s scenic locations offer the perfect backdrop for gala evenings or intimate cocktail gatherings.

Accommodation blends comfort with elegance, offering ocean-view suites and beachside retreats that allow participants to rest, recharge, and return with a fresh perspective. Despite the remote charm, connectivity is never an issue—seamless Wi-Fi and business-friendly amenities ensure that productivity doesn’t pause, even in paradise.

Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives turns corporate travel into something memorable. Whether it’s a leadership retreat, a high-level conference, or an incentive escape, the resort offers a canvas for events that leave lasting impressions. Here, business goals are pursued in harmony with nature, creativity flows effortlessly, and the line between work and well-being fades.

Let your next MICE experience be more than a meeting—make it a journey worth sharing.

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