The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is a vital initiative that enables eligible SNAP recipients to utilize their EBT cards at participating restaurants for prepared meals. This program particularly supports individuals who face challenges in preparing their own meals or lack stable housing with food storage facilities. Let’s delve into the specifics of the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program and discover which fast food options accept EBT.
Finding Restaurants That Accept EBT
Locating restaurants that participate in the Restaurant Meals Program can be done through various methods. Many participating states offer interactive maps or comprehensive lists of RMP restaurants on their official websites.
Participating restaurants often display a sign indicating their involvement in the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program. This sign, typically found in a front window, on a door, or near the cash register, might include the phrase “Participating Restaurant: SNAP Restaurant Meals Program” along with a fork and knife symbol. Furthermore, these restaurants are required to offer discounted meal options for SNAP participants.
Alternatively, contacting your local SNAP office can provide you with a list of participating restaurants in your area.
States That Participate in the Restaurant Meals Program
Currently, the Restaurant Meals Program is active in nine states across the United States:
- Arizona
- California
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
A Detailed List of Restaurants Accepting EBT
Below is a snapshot of restaurants participating in the RMP program nationwide, confirming their acceptance of EBT:
Arizona
- Chandler: Burger King, El Pollo Loco, Firehouse Subs, Jack in the Box, Jimmy & Joe’s, Pizzeria Serious, Slices, McDonald’s, Subway, and more
- Flagstaff: Burger King, Butler Subway Cafe, Chix N Mex, Subway, and more
- Mesa: Burger King, Carl’s Jr, El Pollo Loco, Jack in the Box, Subway, and more
- Phoenix: Burger King, Carl’s Jr, Dairy Queen, El Pollo Loco, Jack n’ the Box, McDonald’s, Subway, and more
- Tucson: Burger King, Carl’s Jr, Chickenuevo, Church’s Texas Chicken, Dairy Queen, Denny’s, Del Taco, McDonald’s, Papa Johns Pizza, Subway, Wendy’s, and more
Find more eligible restaurants in Arizona
California
- San Francisco: Carl’s Jr, Chico’s Pizza, UCSF Subway Parnassus, UCSF Subway, Mission Bay, and more
- Los Angeles: Subway, Jack in the Box, Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken and Fish Market, Domino’s Pizza, Denny’s Restaurant, Wok on the Wild Side, Wendy’s, El Pollo Loco, Del Taco, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, and more
- Riverside: McDonald’s, Subway, Yoshinoya Beef Bowl #2152, Del Taco, Denny’s #7156, and more
- San Diego: Pizza Hut, Burger King, Denny’s, Jack in the Box, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Wendy’s, and more
Find more eligible restaurants in California
Illinois
- Chicago: BJ’s Market & Bakery, Caribbean Jerk’s Palace III, Doughboy’s Chicago, Firehouse Bakery & Grill, JJ Fish and Chicken, Ocean Wave Soul & Seafood, S2 Express Grill, and more
- Franklin County: Bonnie’s Care, Joe’s Pizza
Find more eligible restaurants in Illinois
Maryland
- Anne Arundel County: KFC
- Baltimore: Burger King
- Calvert County: 2 Soul Sisters Restaurant, KFC
- Carroll County: Burger King
- Charles County: KFC
- Frederick County: KFC
- Hartford County: CR Wings
- Montgomery County: Burger King
- Prince George’s County: KFC
Find more eligible restaurants in Maryland
Massachusetts
- Boston: Fresh Food Generation, Merengue Express, Vejigantes Restaurant, Stokes BBQ, La Parada Dominican Kitchen, Merengue Restaurant
- Worcester: New Wine Pizza, Sabrosa Venezuela
Find more eligible restaurants in Massachusetts
Michigan
- Detroit: A Eagles Coney Island, Embassy Coney Island, ERR’Thang Smoked, Heavenly Chicken and Waffles, Market Fresh Deli, Sheeba Express, Subway, The Congregation Detroit, YumVillage
- Dearborn: Toarmina’s Pizza, Bionde’s Subs, Westpoint Bar-B-Que, Del Taco
- Grand Rapids: Burton Village BBQ Company, Popeye’s, Wing Heaven Moo Gobble Burger
- Lansing: Crack Chicken, Eastside Fish Fry, Just Munchies, Siraj Cuisine
Find more eligible restaurants in Michigan
New York
- Bronx: Leche Y Miel Restaurant, Pa’ Comer, Lins Home Chinese, Kaieteur Restaurant
- Brooklyn: Jam It Bistro, Brain Food Deli & Smart Kitchen, Roseli Chinese Restaurant, Memphis Seoul, IHOP, Ocean Eats, Lady Chow Kitchen
- Manhattan: Justino’s Pizzeria, Ray’s Pizza, BarIL, SoleSapoara Restaurant, The Chubby Crab
- Queens: Blaze 718
- Rochester: Lakeside Haven Family Restaurant, Pomodoro Pizza, Wings & Pasta, Gregorio’s Pizza, Nin’s Restaurant
Find more eligible restaurants in New York
Rhode Island
- Cranston, Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Westerly: Subway restaurants
Find more eligible restaurants in Rhode Island
Virginia
- Ararat: Red Rooster Cafe
- Newport News, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth: Subway restaurants
- Lynchburg: Asian Fusion, Bistro Bros Q Deli
- Richmond: Kokonut Grill
- Statewide: KFC, Taco Bell (participating locations)
Find more eligible restaurants in Virginia
Breaking Down Which Fast Food Restaurants Take EBT
In the nine states offering the RMP, eligible individuals can use their EBT cards at select fast food establishments. Participation levels, however, can differ across states. Here’s a more detailed look at popular fast food chains and their EBT acceptance:
- McDonald’s: Select McDonald’s locations participate in the RMP. Participation varies by state.
- Subway: Subway is a participant in the RMP, but EBT acceptance can vary by individual restaurant.
Subway restaurant exterior, showcasing potential participation in the Restaurant Meals Program. - Jack in the Box: Certain Jack in the Box locations participate in the RMP. Consult your local RMP directory for specific locations.
- KFC: KFC locations within participating states may accept EBT.
- Wendy’s: Wendy’s participation in the RMP is primarily limited to locations within California.
- Taco Bell: Taco Bell has limited participation in the RMP at select locations.
- Popeyes: Popeyes participates in the RMP in a limited number of locations.
Purchasing Options at Restaurants with EBT
When using an EBT card at a participating restaurant, you have the freedom to order any food item from the menu.
Andrew Cheyne, managing director of public policy for the California-based non-profit GRACE/End Child Poverty CA, clarifies, “Any meal offered at that restaurant [can be purchased]. Not necessarily the discounted meal, if that’s not what the customer wants.”
It’s important to remember that the RMP specifically allows for the purchase of hot meals at approved restaurants, not at any store accepting EBT. Propel policy specialist Julianna Lai emphasizes that this benefit is exclusive to restaurant purchases.
Using Your EBT Card at Restaurants: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you meet the eligibility criteria for the RMP, paying for restaurant meals with your EBT card is simple. The process mirrors using a debit or credit card.
According to Lai, “If you are eligible for the RMP, your EBT card will be specifically coded by the state to be accepted at participating restaurants.”
To complete your purchase, present your EBT card at the restaurant. The card will be processed using a point-of-sale device configured for EBT payments. You’ll need to enter your PIN and ensure sufficient funds are available in your EBT account.
EBT cards held by SNAP beneficiaries not eligible for the RMP will be declined at participating restaurants.
Key Reminder: Protect Your EBT PIN
Never share your EBT PIN with anyone, including restaurant employees. Your benefits can be compromised if your EBT card number and PIN fall into the wrong hands.
Eligibility for the Restaurant Meals Program
The Restaurant Meals Program enhances SNAP by offering an alternative way for eligible individuals to utilize their benefits.
Lai explains, “The RMP is an additional option that some states offer as part of SNAP.”
“It gives SNAP recipients that are at a high risk for chronic hunger the option to use their benefits to buy prepared meals at approved participating restaurant vendors. This is really helpful for folks who might have trouble cooking for themselves, like older adults (60 and up), people with disabilities, and unhoused individuals.”
Qualifying Individuals for the Restaurant Meals Program Include:
- Seniors (60 years of age or older)
- People with disabilities (recipients of disability or blindness payments, or disability retirement benefits from a governmental agency due to a permanent disability)
- Unhoused individuals
- Spouses of SNAP recipients within the above categories
Cheyne emphasizes that the Restaurant Meals Program plays a crucial role in providing nutrition to vulnerable populations, aiding eligible households that may otherwise struggle to utilize their SNAP benefits.
Cheyne further states, “If you cannot leave your home to purchase groceries, or do not have a home, these are just a few of the scenarios in which the RMP is a lifeline to ensure people experiencing poverty-related hunger can utilize their federally entitled food benefits to eat.”
Additionally, the Restaurant Meals Program supports SNAP beneficiaries living in areas lacking traditional grocery stores, offering an alternative means of accessing food.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you buy hot food with EBT?
Generally, the answer is no. Cheyne clarifies, “Hot foods are [things like] rotisserie chicken, ready to eat soups, but also cold foods like salad bars that are ready to eat. Normally, SNAP customers cannot purchase hot foods, unless there is an approved waiver following a disaster when it is assumed that you cannot cook groceries at home.”
2. Can you use EBT on DoorDash?
EBT cards can be used for purchases at specific stores through DoorDash but cannot cover the cost of hot meals.
Irene Lewis, senior policy and research analyst for the national Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), notes, “While individuals can use their SNAP benefits on DoorDash at grocery stores that accept EBT, SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase meals from restaurants on DoorDash.”
SNAP/EBT benefits are accepted for purchases at some 7-Eleven locations, as well as various grocery stores, including Costco, ALDI, FoodLion, Hannaford, Safeway, Sam’s Club, Stater Brothers, Star Market, Vons and Target via DoorDash.
In Summary
The SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is a crucial resource, providing access to nutritious meals for individuals with limited options for using their SNAP benefits. This program enables the use of EBT cards for purchasing hot meals at participating restaurants. If you need assistance managing your SNAP benefits, consider using the Propel app, a highly-rated EBT balance checking app that provides valuable benefits information to keep you informed.
