Fast Food Open on Christmas 2026: Which Chains Serve on Dec 24 & 25?
A practical, chain-by-chain guide to McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Waffle House, Starbucks and more.
Last Updated: September 28, 2026 | Reading time: about 9 minutes
Christmas morning arrives, the fridge is bare, and the family wants something hot. Or the road trip runs long and everyone is hungry. Either way, one question comes up fast: is there any fast food open on Christmas?
The short answer is yes, but the choices are narrower than on a normal day. In 2026, Christmas Day falls on Friday, December 25, and Christmas Eve on Thursday, December 24. This guide explains which chains usually open, which almost always close, and how to confirm hours before leaving the house.
Which Fast Food Is Open on Christmas Day?
No national chain is guaranteed to open every single location. Most burger and coffee brands leave the decision to individual franchise owners, so a restaurant that opens in one town may be dark in the next.
That said, several brands turn up on holiday lists year after year. Recent Christmas 2025 roundups from Nexstar and Axios named the brands below as having at least some locations open.
Fast Food and Coffee Chains Commonly Open
| Chain | Christmas Day Status | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Waffle House | Open | Famous for staying open every day of the year, Christmas included. |
| McDonald’s | Many open | Franchise decision. Hours vary; check the app store locator. |
| Wendy’s | Many open | The company has said many restaurants open, with hours varying. |
| Burger King | Many open | Some locations run shorter hours or drive-thru only. |
| Arby’s | Select locations | Listed among open chains in 2025 roundups. |
| Jack in the Box | Select locations | Often includes late-night and 24-hour drive-thrus. |
| Starbucks | Many open | Limited hours; some stores close. |
| Dunkin’ | Many open | Franchise-run, so check your store first. |
| Domino’s | Select locations | The store locator shows Christmas hours and closures. |
| Qdoba | Select locations | Included on some 2025 lists; confirm locally. |
Sit-Down and Diner Options Worth Knowing
If fast food is not quite what the day calls for, several casual chains also open select locations. These include Denny’s, IHOP, Applebee’s, Red Lobster, Huddle House and Perkins. Hours are often shortened, so expect a mid-morning to early-evening window.
Many local Chinese restaurants also open on Christmas, and Axios has noted it is one of their busiest days of the year.
Fast Food Chains Usually Closed on Christmas
Some brands close nearly every location so employees can spend the day with family. Based on 2024 and 2025 reporting from Axios and USA TODAY, these are the ones to skip when planning:
Typically Closed
- Chick-fil-A
- Taco Bell
- Chipotle
- Raising Cane’s
- In-N-Out
- Whataburger
Also Reported Closed
- Panera Bread
- Shake Shack
- Firehouse Subs
- Cracker Barrel
- Chili’s and Olive Garden
- Texas Roadhouse and Outback
A few of these, such as Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell, do open on Christmas Eve with reduced hours. That makes December 24 a much better day for them than December 25.
Fast Food Open on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is far easier than Christmas Day. Most chains that close on the 25th are open on the 24th, usually with early closing times between roughly 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
| Factor | Christmas Eve (Dec 24) | Christmas Day (Dec 25) |
|---|---|---|
| Chains open | Most major brands | Limited to a smaller group |
| Typical hours | Normal opening, early close | Reduced, varies by store |
| Wait times | Long around lunch and late afternoon | Shorter, but fewer stores |
| Best strategy | Order ahead in the app | Call or check hours first |
If a chain like Taco Bell or Chick-fil-A is on the menu plan, buy on the 24th. For a broader view of who is serving at any hour, the fast food open late page helps when Christmas Eve plans run past dinner.
Why Christmas Hours Differ From One Location to Another
Most people assume a brand is either open or closed. In reality, it works differently for three reasons.
- Franchise ownership: Independent owners set holiday hours for their own stores, which is why two McDonald’s a few miles apart can differ.
- Staffing: Owners often open only if enough employees volunteer.
- Location type: Airports, highway rest stops, hotels and travel plazas are more likely to stay open than suburban strip-mall stores.
How to Find Fast Food Open on Christmas Near You
Since hours change store by store, a quick check saves a wasted trip. These methods work best.
1. Use a Live Hours Tool
Start with the fast food open near me page, or try fast food open near me now when hunger is immediate. For restaurants serving at this moment, see fast food open now and fast food open right now.
2. Check the Brand’s App or Store Locator
McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Starbucks and Domino’s all show store-specific hours in their apps, and many list holiday changes. If the app allows ordering, the restaurant is usually open.
3. Search Google Maps
Look for “Holiday hours” labels on the listing. Owners can update these, so look for a recent edit or call the store if it looks uncertain.
4. Call Ahead
It takes a minute and settles the question, especially for large group orders.
Prefer to see what is available on the day itself? Bookmark fast food open today for December 24 and 25.
Practical Tips for Eating Out on Christmas
- Go early or late. Lunch rushes are strongest between noon and 2 p.m.
- Order ahead. Mobile ordering shortens the wait, and delivery apps run on Christmas too.
- Have a backup. Save two or three nearby options in case the first is closed.
- Expect limited menus. Some stores skip breakfast items or certain ingredients.
- Be kind to staff. Anyone working on December 25 is giving up family time, and patience goes a long way.
What About Delivery?
Delivery stays popular on the holiday. Axios reported that DoorDash named Christmas its busiest holiday for food delivery in 2024, measured by average deliveries per open restaurant. Still, what shows up in the app depends on which restaurants are open, so the same checks apply.
More seasonal and planning articles are collected on the fast food open blog and in the blog fast food open archive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is any fast food open on Christmas Day?
Yes. Waffle House keeps its doors open every year, and many McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, Starbucks and Dunkin’ locations also open with adjusted hours.
Is McDonald’s open on Christmas?
Many McDonald’s restaurants open, but it is a franchise decision. Confirm your local store’s hours in the McDonald’s app before going.
What fast food is open on Christmas Eve?
Most major chains open on Christmas Eve, usually closing earlier than normal. Brands closed on Christmas Day, such as Taco Bell and Chick-fil-A, often serve on the 24th.
Is Chick-fil-A open on Christmas?
No. Chick-fil-A restaurants are closed on Christmas Day, though many are open with limited hours on Christmas Eve.
How do I find fast food open on Christmas near me?
Use a live locator such as the fast food open near me page, check the brand’s app, or search Google Maps for holiday hours.
Conclusion
Finding fast food open on Christmas takes a little planning, but it is very doable. Waffle House, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, Starbucks and Dunkin’ give the best odds on December 25, while Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell and Chipotle are best saved for Christmas Eve.
Because each franchise chooses its own hours, always confirm before leaving. Check the app, call the store, or use the live tools on the site homepage, FastFoodOpen.com. A two-minute check keeps the holiday meal stress-free.