As a follow-up to this story, it seems that this (~20 minute) job interview actually happened hours before the father left the kids at the restaurant.
https://archive.ph/Em7ws

"Furthermore, by his own admission, he was walking between McDonald’s and The Hendrix Apartments on foot during that period. The distance between these two locations is approximately 0.4 miles." [~.64 km]
Additionally, police determined "that a misdemeanor charge of Deprivation of a Minor was appropriate to ensure the welfare of the children and facilitate a review of the matter by the court. This charge ensures that all parties have an opportunity to appear before a judge to determine if the children are receiving appropriate care."