P’Nut Street Noodles sales grow as staff don masks

A Brisbane eatery has recorded a stunning increase in sales after making an in-store change to protect customers and staff from COVID.

A Queensland noodle chain which forces its staff to wear face masks says sales have skyrocketed as customers search for COVID-safe options.

P’Nut Street Noodles, which has four stores in Queensland and seven in Sydney, has introduced branded face masks for its staff as a mandatory uniform requirement last month.

$2.5bn blow: Businesses count brutal cost of COVID-19

JobKeeper: Queensland companies take millions from program

Since the introduction sales at the company’s Queensland stores have risen 11 per cent, with the flagship South Bank store recording a 26 per cent increase.

Nationally, sales have increased by 20 per cent.

P’Nut Street Noodles general manager Petra Orrenius said customers felt “safer and more comfortable” with the company’s move.

P'Nut Street Noodles has recorded double-digit sales increases after staff started wearing face masks.

“Our customers have been relieved to know our chefs are also abiding by these precautions, with one customer noting they wished every food outlet was wearing masks after noticing chefs at other restaurants not,” she said.

Customers are not required to wear a mask.

Ms Orrenius said the mandatory uniform change exceeded the required COVID precautions, and were done in the hope venues can remain open and secure customer support.

P’Nut was one of the establishments on alert after being visited by two COVID-positive Logan women a month ago.

Businesses across Brisbane have introduced face shields to prevent the spread of COVID-19.