Waffle House says Tallahassee locations will remain open

Known for its 24/7 service, Waffle House remains a beacon of hope even during severe storms.

And the good news for Tallahassee: The restaurant chain is keeping its doors open in Tallahassee for the time being, even as Hurricane Helene approaches.

Waffle House officials were in regular contact Wednesday to determine the situation of the city's local restaurants and other restaurants related to Helene.

The chain's website lists eight local locations that are open 24 hours a day, and one in Crawfordville that is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Right now, it's a wait-and-see approach,” Njeri Boss, vice president of food safety and public affairs, told the Tallahassee Democrat after a virtual conference. “We'll be watching the rest of the day, all night and the foreseeable future.”

What is the Waffle House Index?

The Waffle House Index was coined by Craig Fugate, nicknamed the “Master of Disasters” as Florida's emergency management director. It not only serves as a beacon for first responders to respond to a crisis, but also provides communities with an informal but reliable way to assess the severity of a disaster.

For example, red, the strictest level of the three-tier code, means that the restaurant is considered unsafe, the streets around the restaurant are closed, and water and electricity are turned off.

Boss added that due to the uncertainty about Helene's future path, no decision has yet been made to close any of the locations here. That could change by Thursday, and the decision to close ultimately rests with local managers, according to Boss.

Kyla A Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. New restaurant openings, specials or upcoming events? Let me know at [email protected]. You can also email your suggestions for a future TLH Eats restaurant profile.

Waffle House says Tallahassee locations will remain open – for now

What is the Waffle House Index?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply