Christmas Day often means family gatherings and home-cooked meals, but what if your plans change, or you simply crave a quick bite? Knowing which fast food places are open can be a lifesaver during the holidays. While many restaurants close their doors to allow staff to celebrate, some fast food chains remain open, ready to serve you a festive meal or a much-needed coffee.
Navigating holiday hours can be tricky. Many establishments operate on modified schedules on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It’s always wise to check the specific hours of your local fast food restaurant, as times can vary by location. However, we’ve compiled a list of fast food chains that are typically open on Christmas, or at least Christmas Eve, to give you a starting point for your holiday dining plans.
Fast Food Restaurants Open on Christmas Day
For those looking for fast food on December 25th, you’ll find that options are somewhat limited but definitely available. Here are some fast food restaurants that are often open on Christmas Day:
- McDonald’s: The golden arches often shine bright even on Christmas. Many McDonald’s locations remain open on Christmas Day, although hours will definitely vary. It’s a good idea to use their app or website to check the specific hours of your nearest McDonald’s.
McDonald's restaurant exterior with golden arches logo
Alt text: McDonald’s restaurant front view, golden arches logo prominently displayed, suggesting it might be one of the fast food places open during Christmas holidays.
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Dunkin’ Donuts: Craving a coffee and a donut on Christmas morning? You might be in luck. Dunkin’ Donuts often keeps its doors open on Christmas Day, although like McDonald’s, hours can differ significantly by location. Check their store locator online for the most accurate information.
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Waffle House: Famous for being open 24/7, 365 days a year, Waffle House is a reliable option for a Christmas Day meal. If you’re looking for a no-fuss, classic American breakfast or lunch, Waffle House is likely to be serving.
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Burger King: Hungry for a Whopper on Christmas? Select Burger King locations stay open during the holiday. It’s best to call ahead or check online to confirm if your local Burger King is operating on Christmas Day.
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Denny’s: While not strictly fast food, Denny’s provides a quick and casual dining experience and is known for being open on Christmas Day. If you prefer a sit-down meal but still want speed and affordability, Denny’s could be a good choice.
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IHOP: Similar to Denny’s, IHOP offers a more relaxed dining atmosphere but with quick service. Many IHOP locations are open on Christmas Day, particularly for breakfast and brunch. Pancakes on Christmas morning, anyone?
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Wendy’s: While many Wendy’s are closed on Christmas Day, some locations do remain open. It’s worth checking the Wendy’s website or app to see if a location near you is serving on December 25th.
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Starbucks: For your holiday caffeine fix, some Starbucks locations will be open on Christmas Day. Hours are highly variable, so checking the Starbucks app for local store hours is essential.
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Hooters: If you’re in the mood for wings with a side of sports, some Hooters locations are open on Christmas Day, generally with adjusted hours, often opening in the afternoon.
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Biggby Coffee: Select Biggby Coffee locations might be open on Christmas, although with reduced hours. If you’re a Biggby fan, it’s worth checking your local store’s holiday schedule.
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Jimmy John’s: While many Jimmy John’s are closed, some locations, particularly those operated by franchisees, may choose to open with limited hours on Christmas.
Fast Food Restaurants Open on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve sees more fast food options available as many restaurants operate with modified hours before closing for Christmas Day itself. Here are some fast food chains that are often open on Christmas Eve:
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KFC: Kentucky Fried Chicken is often open on Christmas Eve, allowing you to grab a bucket of chicken for a pre-Christmas dinner. However, they are typically closed on Christmas Day.
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Taco Bell: If you’re craving tacos or burritos before Christmas, Taco Bell is often open on Christmas Eve with modified hours. They are usually closed on Christmas Day.
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Burger King: As mentioned earlier, some Burger King locations are open on Christmas Eve and even Christmas Day, but hours will vary.
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Popeyes: Holiday hours for Popeyes can vary by location, but many are open on Christmas Eve, offering their famous fried chicken and sides.
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Domino’s: Need a pizza for Christmas Eve? Many Domino’s locations are open on December 24th, although holiday hours may apply.
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Pizza Hut: Similar to Domino’s, Pizza Hut often operates on Christmas Eve, providing pizza for holiday gatherings. However, many Pizza Hut locations are closed on Christmas Day.
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Subway: For a lighter fast food option, some Subway locations are open on Christmas Eve, offering sandwiches and salads. They are generally closed on Christmas Day.
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Wendy’s: Wendy’s is often open on Christmas Eve with modified hours, giving you a chance to grab a Frosty or a burger before the holiday.
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Hardee’s: While Hardee’s is usually closed on Christmas Day, they are often open on Christmas Eve, serving up their signature burgers and breakfast items.
Always Check Local Hours
Remember, this list provides a general overview. It is crucial to verify the hours of your nearest fast food restaurants directly. The best way to do this is to:
- Check the restaurant’s website or app: Most major fast food chains have store locators that will display holiday hours when available.
- Call the restaurant directly: A quick phone call to your local restaurant will give you the most accurate and up-to-date information on their Christmas hours.
By checking local hours, you can ensure you know exactly which fast food places are open during the Christmas holidays, making your holiday dining a little easier and less stressful. Happy Holidays and happy eating!
