Several Taco Bell restaurant locations in Oakland, California, shut down their indoor dining options due to surging crime, according to multiple reports published Monday.
Indoor seating is no longer available at four of the five Taco Bell establishments across Oakland as the restaurants restrict business to their drive-thru windows, CBS Bay Area reported Monday.
The four restaurants facing restrictions are operated by franchisee Diversified Restaurant Group (DRG), according to the DailyMail. The Taco Bell location in Oakland that is keeping the indoor dining option is owned by a different franchisee.
Elizabeth Cook reports on multiple Taco Bell locations in Oakland closing indoor dining rooms over crime concerns. https://t.co/Cno43NmUKJ
— CBS News Bay Area (@KPIXtv) March 11, 2024
The DRG operator threatened to completely shut down its restaurants if the city’s rising crime did not improve, the Daily Mail reported. Police met with the DRG owner in February about security issues and patrols were enhanced in certain locations one week after the meeting, according to the Daily Mail. (RELATED: Video Shows Thief Pocketing Dozens Of iPhones In Broad Daylight)
Taco Bell shared a statement with the Daily Caller about its indoor dining restrictions in Oakland.
“Providing a safe environment for team members and customers is the priority at Taco Bell restaurants The franchise owner and operator has informed us that they are consistently evaluating and working to ensure a safe environment by implementing procedures, such as closing dining rooms, and hiring security guards, and they have taken extra measures to meet with local law enforcement,” the statement reads.
Violent crime in Oakland surged 21% from 2022 to 2023, according to crime statistics for the city. Robberies increased 38% and burglaries increased 23% as Oakland recorded 120 homicides within the same period.
Other restaurants recently announced closures due to crime in Oakland. In-N-Out Burger’s sole location in the city is set to shut down March 24, 2024. Another fast-food chain, Denny’s, permanently closed its Oakland restaurant in late January.