The Ultimate List: 25+ Fast Food Restaurants That Will Be Open On Thanksgiving Day 2025
Planning your Thanksgiving Day 2025 itinerary? While the main event is usually a feast of turkey and stuffing, the reality is that many people—from those traveling long distances to essential workers and even cooks who need a break—will be looking for a quick, reliable meal or a much-needed cup of coffee on Thursday, November 27, 2025. The good news is that many of your favorite fast-food and quick-service restaurants will be open, though their hours will almost certainly be reduced or modified.
This comprehensive, up-to-date guide provides the latest information on which major fast-food chains are expected to keep their doors open this Thanksgiving, helping you navigate the holiday with ease. Remember that because most fast-food locations are independently owned franchises, their operating hours can vary dramatically, so always call your local store before heading out.
The Coffee and Breakfast Lifeline: Your Morning Fix on Thanksgiving 2025
For many, the most crucial fuel on a holiday is caffeine. Whether you're getting up early to start cooking or hitting the road to visit family, knowing where to grab a latte or a dozen donuts is essential. The good news is that the coffee and breakfast giants are typically your most reliable option on Thanksgiving Day.
Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts: The Holiday Caffeine Battle
Both Starbucks and Dunkin' are perennial holiday heroes, and Thanksgiving Day 2025 will be no exception.
- Starbucks: Most locations will be open on Thanksgiving Day. However, expect reduced hours, with many stores closing in the mid-afternoon. The company allows its store managers to set their own holiday hours, so your local drive-thru might open late or close early. Always check the Starbucks app or call ahead to confirm.
- Dunkin': Dunkin' locations are also expected to be open, serving their full menu of coffee, donuts, and breakfast sandwiches. Similar to Starbucks, most locations will operate on a reduced schedule. For those hitting the road early, Dunkin' is often one of the first chains to open its doors.
- Other Coffee & Bagel Chains: Keep an eye out for Krispy Kreme and Einstein Bros. Bagels, which often have select franchise locations operating on the holiday.
The Burger Wars: Major Fast Food Chains Open on Thanksgiving
If your holiday meal plans fall through, or you simply crave a classic cheeseburger, several major burger chains will be ready to serve you. This category is where the "call ahead" rule is most important, as franchise owners have significant discretion over holiday staffing.
McDonald's: A Thanksgiving Staple
McDonald's is one of the most reliable fast-food options on Thanksgiving. The vast majority of McDonald's restaurants will be open on November 27, 2025. While some might open a little later than their typical 24-hour schedule, many locations will offer near-normal operating hours. This makes McDonald's a great choice for travelers or anyone needing a quick, affordable meal at almost any hour of the day.
Burger King, Wendy's, and White Castle
The other major players in the burger category are also expected to be widely available:
- Burger King: Most Burger King locations will be open. They tend to operate on reduced hours, with many closing in the early evening. Burger King is a strong alternative if your local McDonald's happens to be closed.
- Wendy's: Many Wendy's locations are expected to be open on Thanksgiving Day 2025. As with other chains, the hours will be up to the individual franchise owner.
- White Castle: A true holiday hero, White Castle is known for being open all day on Thanksgiving, serving up their famous sliders. This makes it a great late-night or all-day option.
Beyond Burgers: Chicken, Tacos, and Sandwiches
The need for variety doesn't stop just because it's a holiday. Several other popular fast-food concepts will be available for those craving fried chicken, tacos, or a quick sandwich.
The Chicken Contenders: Popeyes and Bojangles
If you're looking for a spicy chicken sandwich or some Cajun-style sides, you may be in luck:
- Popeyes: Many Popeyes locations are slated to be open on Thanksgiving Day. This is an excellent option for a non-traditional holiday meal.
- Bojangles: Known for their Southern-style chicken and biscuits, Bojangles is another chain that typically keeps select locations open for the holiday.
- A Notable Exception: It is crucial to remember that Chick-fil-A is famously closed on Thanksgiving, as they are closed every Sunday and major holidays. Do not plan on getting a Chick-fil-A sandwich on November 27th.
Tacos and Sandwiches: Arby's, Taco Bell, and Del Taco
For those craving something different, these chains offer reliable alternatives:
- Taco Bell: Many Taco Bell restaurants will be open, though their hours are highly variable by location. If you need a late-night fix, check with your local store first.
- Arby's: A large number of Arby's locations are expected to be open, offering their roast beef sandwiches and curly fries. Hours will vary.
- Del Taco: This West Coast favorite often has select locations open on the holiday, catering to those who need a mix of American and Mexican fast food.
The Dessert and Snack Stops: Ice Cream and Pizza
Even if you're skipping the main course, you might need a dessert or a simple snack.
- Baskin-Robbins: As an ice cream and dessert specialist, Baskin-Robbins often has many locations open on Thanksgiving, perfect for a post-dinner treat or a quick scoop.
- Domino's: Pizza is a popular choice for families who want a break from cooking. Domino's is one of the pizza chains that typically has select stores open for carryout and delivery on Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving Day Fast Food List: Entities Confirmed Open (with Variable Hours)
To summarize your options for November 27, 2025, here is a list of fast-food and quick-service restaurant entities that are expected to be open at select locations. Remember the golden rule: Call ahead to confirm hours.
- McDonald's (Most locations open)
- Starbucks (Most locations open, reduced hours)
- Dunkin' (Most locations open, reduced hours)
- Burger King (Many locations open)
- Wendy's (Many locations open)
- Arby's (Select locations open)
- Taco Bell (Select locations open, highly variable hours)
- Popeyes (Select locations open)
- White Castle (Often open all day)
- Baskin-Robbins (Select locations open)
- Del Taco (Select locations open)
- Bojangles (Select locations open)
- Domino's (Select locations open)
- Einstein Bros. Bagels (Select locations open)
- Krispy Kreme (Select locations open)
- KFC (Select locations often open, check locally)
- Subway (Select franchise locations open, check locally)
- Panda Express (Select locations often open, check locally)
- Sonic Drive-In (Select locations open, check locally)
- Hardee's / Carl's Jr. (Select locations open, check locally)
- Jack in the Box (Select 24-hour locations may remain open)
- Waffle House (Known for being open 24/7, even on holidays)
- Denny's (Technically a diner, but often open 24/7)
- Boston Market (Often open with special Thanksgiving meals)
- Cracker Barrel (Technically a full-service restaurant, but open with special holiday menu)
The Crucial Caveat: Why You Must Call Ahead
The single most important piece of advice for Thanksgiving Day 2025 is to verify the hours of operation for your specific location. Unlike Christmas, which sees widespread closures, Thanksgiving is a holiday where many fast-food chains leave the decision to the individual franchise owner. This means:
- Staffing Decisions: Owners must decide if they can adequately staff the restaurant on a holiday, which often involves paying premium holiday wages.
- Local Demand: Locations near major highways, hospitals, or airports are far more likely to be open than those in quiet residential areas.
- Varying Hours: A store that is normally 24 hours might close at 6:00 PM on Thanksgiving, while another might open an hour late at 7:00 AM.
To avoid disappointment, use the restaurant's official app, website, or a quick phone call to confirm their Thanksgiving Day hours before you make the drive. Enjoy your holiday, and may your fast-food run be successful!
Detail Author:
- Name : Lucile Hayes
- Username : janelle80
- Email : mcormier@macejkovic.com
- Birthdate : 2002-09-10
- Address : 6810 Hegmann Drives Marvinburgh, VT 05420
- Phone : (315) 284-5109
- Company : Leannon, Cole and Armstrong
- Job : Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
- Bio : Qui est necessitatibus ut qui quo. Delectus aut impedit debitis ut. Accusantium est laborum non ipsum dolor omnis iure et. Fugit quos distinctio quis quas.
Socials
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/beaulahblock
- username : beaulahblock
- bio : Consectetur eum sint iusto possimus.
- followers : 5921
- following : 1595
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/beaulahblock
- username : beaulahblock
- bio : Debitis a ipsum aut provident beatae voluptas. Beatae eum molestias esse nihil eligendi laboriosam. Molestiae deleniti alias qui ipsam eos.
- followers : 6231
- following : 86
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/beaulahblock
- username : beaulahblock
- bio : Error expedita libero est quos nostrum omnis quo.
- followers : 6174
- following : 2279
