DQ's local owner suspects an evening trip for ice cream can serve as a stress break for people during the coronavirus pandemic. (Trevor Redden/paNOW Staff)

By Trevor Redden

Lengthy Lines

Drive-thru delirium throughout pandemic

Jun 10, 2020 | 12:43 PM

A pair of local drive-thru franchise owners have seen unprecedented traffic this spring, as locked down residents look for a reason to get out and about.

Just north of 15^th Street on Sixth Avenue East, it’s become an evening ritual for vehicles to spill out onto the street, with drivers and passengers waiting patiently for a frozen treat at DQ.

Owner Trent Kachur suspects the drive-thru has provided a welcome distraction.

“Whether it’s food or in our chill line, the soft-serve that everybody has grown to love, it’s a feel-good thing. It’s a treat, maybe a little bit of a stress break for everyone,” Kachur said.

Despite lifted restrictions from the government allowing for dine-in serving at 50 per cent capacity, there is no plan to stray from what has been a successful formula. With an already small dining area, Kachur said the added workload on the staff wouldn’t be worth it at this point.

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

12h ago

National

Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds

15h ago

Budget woes

Golf and curling centre faces grim season without financial boost

19h ago

Like many businesses DQ cut back staffing hours when pandemic measures first set in, but it wasn’t long until those hours returned.

“Towards April things got busy and now our staff have had their full-time hours that they need, and our part-timers are getting lots of hours. There’s lots of work out there and I think we’re actually getting ready to do some hiring because we need it,” Kachur said.

Incredibly, the store has held steady year-over-year through the drive-thru alone. The owner is grateful for the patience of customers who have tolerated the lengthy lines and extended wait times.

“They’ve been really good, they’ve been pleasant and cheerful even with a little bit longer wait to place their order,” he said.

Another local business no stranger to a busy drive-thru saw a new level of visits.

Ed Zaparaniuk, owner of three local Tim Hortons franchises, said he has never seen the type of traffic that mounted while the dining areas were closed to the public. Like Kachur, he’s observed plenty of patience from patrons.

“Wherever you go in Prince Albert there’s lineups. Everybody’s patient, staying six-feet apart. It’s going well. It’s a slow process [to return to normal] but it’s going OK and I’m happy about it,” Zaparaniuk said.

Tim Hortons has taken a couple progressions since the initial shut down, moving from drive-thru only to a take-out service and now to dine-in at 50 per cent capacity. The owner found people took the permitted steps and are happy to work back toward normal, although the drive-thru traffic doesn’t seem to be slowing at all.

“It’s a good feeling. Things are [somewhat] back to normal. It’s a slow process, but it’s OK because you’ve got to work safe,” he said.