Some fast-food restaurant chains may close indoor dining due to the threat of the Delta variant. According to a Reuters report, McDonald's had informed its franchisees on Wednesday about the steps needed to implement dining closures in areas that had a high number of COVID-19 cases.

"We have a much deeper sense of what actions make a difference for the safety of our restaurant teams and crew," McDonald's USA President Joe Erlinger said Wednesday in a conference call.

McDonald's released a statement about potential new safety measures.

"We’re monitoring the impact of the Delta variant closely and recently convened together with our franchisees to underscore existing safety protocols, reinforce our people-first approach and provide updates on the rise in cases in the country," McDonald's said Friday in a statement.

There are over 13,000 McDonald's locations in the U.S.

KFC and Taco Bell have recently added limitations to their hours due to the Delta variant in some areas.

Fast-food chains may be able to weather a shortfall from indoor-dining sales due to drive-thru lanes. NPD Group, a market research company, reported that drive-thru lanes saw a surge during the height of the pandemic.

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