If you follow the Waffle House Index school of thought, then you know the iconic American chain is part of the bedrock of our everyday life.
Any closures, even temporary, are an indication of trouble on the horizon. Whether you actually eat there or not, Waffle House has the reputation of being one of those chains that you can count on, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Anyone will tell you: it takes nothing short of a disaster to close a Waffle House. COVID-19 just shuttered 418 of them.
#WaffleHouseIndexRed: 418 Waffle House restaurants closed. 1,574 open.
— Waffle House (@WaffleHouse) March 25, 2020
Call your local Waffle House today for a carry-out order.
Visit https://t.co/TJdYpTHQPn for specific restaurant details. pic.twitter.com/tOQib3gSoZ
All is not lost, though: over 1,500 are staying open. Still, the Twitterverse is freaking out about the news ... and it started when just the first 365 locations were closed earlier this week.
The ONLY business that remains open during a Cat5 hurricane is closing #COVID19 #StayAtHome #wafflehouse https://t.co/k5UDnHMx6Q
— savhjoan (@savhjoan) March 25, 2020
#wafflehouse is closing some, Walmart isn’t open 24/7....
— Amy Hernandez (@AlysnWondrlnd) March 25, 2020
If a time traveler wants to come tell us how to fix the timeline, now is the time. pic.twitter.com/QQ3zuWrHYy
ICYMI, the Waffle House Index is a very real thing. It speaks to the fact that the chain has incredible contingency plans to be able to remain open in the worst of circumstances. They are famous for continuing to serve the public, even during major hurricanes and natural disasters.
#WaffleHouse people ... both customers and employees ... are a tough breed too. These are not Fancy Nancy and Entitled Ed types.
— Gary Pansino (@GaryPansino) March 25, 2020
Follow the example and stay home. https://t.co/72cW6OlDca
Get your WH waffles while you can, folks! For more information about the closures, or to find the location closest to you, visit the Waffle House website.
What are your thoughts on this wave of closures: mountain, or molehill? Sound off in the comments!