Fast Food Open on Christmas Day 2025: Your Holiday Survival Guide

Whether you burned the Christmas ham, got stuck traveling, or just need a caffeine fix to survive the in-laws, finding an open restaurant on December 25th can be a challenge. While many businesses close their doors to allow employees to celebrate, several major fast-food chains remain open to serve holiday travelers and last-minute diners.

We have compiled the comprehensive list of confirmed open restaurants for Christmas Day 2025, along with their expected operating hours.

Note: Hours can vary significantly by franchise location. We strongly recommend checking the specific store's app or calling ahead before you drive.

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☕ Coffee & Breakfast

Start your Christmas morning with a hot cup of coffee or a quick breakfast sandwich.

Starbucks

• Status: OPEN (Select Locations)
• Typical Hours: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Details: Most corporate locations will be open for limited morning hours. Locations inside grocery stores (like Target or Safeway) may follow the store's closing schedule, so check carefully. It’s the perfect time to grab a Peppermint Mocha.

Dunkin'

• Status: OPEN
• Typical Hours: Regular hours apply at many locations.
• Details: Dunkin' is generally more reliable than Starbucks on holidays. Many 24-hour locations will remain open all day, making it a go-to for coffee and donuts.

IHOP

• Status: OPEN
• Typical Hours: 24 Hours or 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Details: If you want a sit-down breakfast, IHOP is your best bet. They are famously open 365 days a year. Their holiday menu, featuring seasonal pancakes, is available all day.

Waffle House

• Status: OPEN
• Typical Hours: 24 Hours
• Details: The golden standard for holiday dining. Waffle House never closes. Rain, sleet, snow, or Christmas—they will be serving hashbrowns scattered, smothered, and covered.

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🍔 Burgers & Fries

Need a lunch or dinner option? These burger joints have you covered.

McDonald's

• Status: OPEN (Varies by Location)
• Typical Hours: Corporate stores: Open. Franchises: Owner's discretion.
• Details: McDonald's is hit-or-miss. About 75% of locations open on Christmas, often with reduced hours. It is the most reliable major burger chain for the holiday.

Burger King

• Status: OPEN (Select Locations)
• Typical Hours: Reduced hours (e.g., 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
• Details: Similar to McDonald's, many franchised locations will be open.

Wendy's

• Status: OPEN (Select Locations)
• Typical Hours: Varies widely.
• Details: Less reliable than McDonald's. Many locations are closed, but those near highways and airports are likely to be open.

Jack in the Box

• Status: OPEN
• Typical Hours: 24 Hours
• Details: A holiday hero. Most Jack in the Box locations stay open 24/7, even on Christmas. Perfect for late-night holiday cravings.

Sonic Drive-In

• Status: OPEN (Select Locations)
• Details: Many are franchise-owned and may open for limited hours in the afternoon.

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🍕 Pizza & Asian Cuisine

Alternative options if you aren't in the mood for a burger.

Domino's Pizza

• Status: OPEN (Select Locations)
• Typical Hours: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Details: Delivery drivers are often working on Christmas. It's one of the few delivery options available if you don't want to leave the house.

Panda Express

• Status: OPEN (Select Locations)
• Details: Following the tradition of Chinese food on Christmas? Panda Express locations in busy areas and movie theaters often remain open.

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🚫 Closed on Christmas Breakdown

Save yourself the trip—these major chains are Confirmed CLOSED nationwide:

• Chick-fil-A (Always closed on Sundays and Christmas)
• Chipotle
• Taco Bell (Most locations closed)
• Raising Cane's
• Jersey Mike's
• Jimmy John's
• In-N-Out Burger

Tips for Christmas Dining

1. Mobile Apps are King: The most accurate way to check if a store is open is to try placing a mobile order. If the app lets you check out, the kitchen is open.
2. Be Kind: The staff working on Christmas is giving up their holiday to serve you. Please be patient, tip generously if you can, and say "Merry Christmas."
3. Drive-Thru Only: Many locations close their dining rooms and operate drive-thru only to run with smaller staffs.

Enjoy your holiday meal, whatever it may be!

Source = https://unstory.app/food/fast-food-open-christmas-2025-hours