It’s Christmas Day, a time usually associated with family gatherings and home-cooked meals. However, for various reasons, some people find themselves looking for a quick and convenient meal option. This leads to a common question: is Fast Food Open On Christmas? While many businesses close their doors for the holiday, you might be surprised to learn that yes, some fast food restaurants do remain open on December 25th. But what’s it truly like to work at a fast food restaurant on Christmas Day? To understand this unique experience, we spoke with a fast food employee in London, offering a glimpse behind the counter during this festive yet unusual workday.
The Eerily Quiet Christmas Morning Commute
Imagine waking up in London on Christmas morning and stepping out into complete silence. This is the reality for some fast food workers. With public transport at a standstill on Christmas Day, the journey to work becomes a solitary trek. As described by a 22-year-old fast food employee, the pre-dawn walk is “seriously early,” starting around 5 AM. This unusual commute transforms the bustling city into a ghost town. “London’s silent on Christmas morning,” they noted, comparing it to “that zombie film when that dude is wandering around and the whole of Britain is dead.” This silence, while initially striking, becomes a peculiar gift, a moment of peace before the workday begins.
Inside a Fast Food Restaurant on Christmas: A Different Kind of Routine
Arriving at the fast food restaurant, the atmosphere shifts from the external quiet to an internal hum of routine, albeit a subdued one. The employee describes the familiar morning tasks: “making sure the condiments are filled up, the tables are clean.” Yet, there’s a palpable difference from a regular workday. The usual rush and urgency are replaced by a quieter, almost contemplative pace. A pre-shift smoke break outside is described as “immersing myself in the silence,” highlighting the stark contrast to the typical urban noise. As colleagues arrive, a sense of shared experience develops, “headphones on, jackets up to the neck.” Coffee and quiet laughter mark the moments before the day truly begins, a small crew united in their unusual Christmas Day work setting.
The Christmas Day Clientele: Who Seeks Fast Food on December 25th?
One of the most intriguing aspects of working at a fast food restaurant open on Christmas is observing the unique clientele it attracts. Forget the usual lunch crowds or tourist influx; Christmas Day brings a different mix. The employee categorizes them broadly: “loners and drunks and people with nowhere else to go,” painting a somewhat somber picture. However, the spectrum is wider, also including “doctors and nurses, too, throughout the day. Some people who work in the hotels nearby who just want a change of scene.” This diverse group underscores the varied needs and circumstances that lead people to fast food on Christmas. Interestingly, the orders themselves remain fairly typical, with the employee noting, “The orders are the usual.” Even festive specials don’t drastically alter customer choices, suggesting a desire for familiar comfort rather than holiday indulgence.
Christmas Day Perks: Relaxed Rules and Personal Playlists
Despite the unconventional workday, there are unexpected perks to working at fast food restaurants open on Christmas. With fewer customers and a more relaxed atmosphere, the usual strict rules become more flexible. The employee mentions, “Rules sort of feel less strict. Like we’re not being watched as much, you know?” This relaxed environment extends to personal expression, with employees gaining control over the restaurant’s sound system. “Best thing about Christmas Day is that we get to play our own music some of the time,” the employee shares. This freedom to curate the soundtrack of the day, featuring artists like “Stormzy, Frank Ocean,” transforms the ambiance and makes “the time pass faster.” The quality sound system, usually unnoticed amidst the daily bustle, becomes a noticeable benefit in the quieter Christmas setting.
Why Work When Most Celebrate? The Motivations Behind Christmas Day Shifts
Understanding why someone chooses to work at a fast food restaurant open on Christmas requires looking at diverse motivations. For some, like the colleague mentioned who “isn’t Christian,” the primary driver is practical: “she likes to come in for the extra pay.” Financial incentives, such as holiday pay, can be a significant draw. For others, the decision might stem from personal circumstances or a lack of strong Christmas traditions. The employee reflects, “We’re not really that into Christmas, to be honest with you, which is why I work it. I don’t mind that much. It’s voluntary.” This highlights that for some individuals and families, working on Christmas is not a hardship but a neutral or even preferred option. The voluntary nature of these shifts further suggests a degree of personal agency in choosing to work on a day when many others are off.
Is Fast Food on Christmas Day a Necessary Service?
Reflecting on the experience, the employee contemplates the role of fast food restaurants open on Christmas. Observing a family ordering a large meal, they express a poignant sentiment: “Last year, this couple came in with their two kids and ordered more food than I can remember. They’re were pretty happy, which is fine, but it made me sad.” This moment encapsulates a deeper question: is a fast food restaurant truly where one should spend Christmas Day? While acknowledging their own employment in such a place, the employee admits, “I kinda feel our restaurant isn’t where you should spend Christmas Day—even if you’re not into it.” Yet, they also implicitly recognize the service provided. For those working on Christmas, traveling, or lacking other options, fast food restaurants open on Christmas offer a convenient and accessible meal. Ultimately, while perhaps not the ideal festive setting, these establishments fulfill a need, providing sustenance and a space for those who seek it on a day when many other doors are closed.
Conclusion:
So, if you’re wondering “is fast food open on Christmas?”, the answer is yes, at least some establishments are. Working at a fast food restaurant on Christmas Day presents a unique and somewhat surreal experience. It’s characterized by quiet mornings, a different rhythm of work, and a diverse mix of customers seeking various things from a Christmas Day fast food visit. While perhaps not the most traditional or festive choice for a Christmas meal, fast food restaurants open on Christmas serve a purpose, offering convenience and familiarity on a day of unique circumstances. Next time you see a “fast food open on christmas” sign, remember the employees who are there, making that quick meal possible, and the varied stories behind those who choose to visit on this distinctive day.
