Thanksgiving, with its daylong family gatherings and sizable home-cooked feasts, might be the last holiday on which most people would suspect to find restaurants open and serving food. Nevertheless, numerous chains across the United States are set to have business hours on Thursday, ideal for catering to those not celebrating the holiday or those looking for a bite to eat while traveling to and from family visits.
The following is a rundown of restaurants one can expect to find open on Thanksgiving if the turkey and stuffing just aren't cutting it:
McDonald's
McDonald's is open on Thanksgiving, though hours at the famed fast-food burger chain will vary by location. Customers should check in with the location they hope to visit ahead of time for specifics.
Burger King
The Golden Arches' main competitor in the burger game, Burger King, will also remain open on Thanksgiving with hours varying by location.
Popeye's
If a burger doesn't suit your tastes, fast food chicken chain Popeye's is also expected to remain open on Thursday, with hours varying by location.
Dunkin, Starbucks, and Krispy Kreme
Especially helpful for travelers in need of a pick-me-up, major American coffee chains Dunkin and Starbucks will be open on Thursday, though hours will vary by location. Looking for another spot to grab coffee and a donut? Krispy Kreme locations, meanwhile, will also be open, but only until 2 p.m.
Bob Evans
Homestyle regional chain Bob Evans will remain open on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including a special Thanksgiving-themed dinner option.
Cracker Barrel
All Cracker Barrel locations will be open on Thursday at their normal hours, with a similarly Thanksgiving-themed menu option offered.
IHOP
If the family is too focused on dinner prep to make breakfast, the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) is open on Thursday for all your flapjacks needs and beyond, with—you guessed it—a special Thanksgiving-themed dinner option.
Waffle House
A breakfast chain known for its dogged commitment to remaining open year-round, with a resilience in the face of natural disasters recognized by FEMA, Waffle House locations will remain open on Thanksgiving.
Chinese takeout
If you are looking to get away from the chains, a good number of Chinese takeout restaurants in the U.S. are known to stay open during major holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Check in with your local favorite ahead of time to be certain.
Notably not open
Several prominent chains have announced that they will not open on Thanksgiving. Those looking for the Tex-Mex takeout fix will be disappointed to find the likes of Taco Bell, Del Taco, and Chipotle closed on Thursday.
Chick-fil-A, the chicken sandwich chain noted for being closed on Sundays, will also be closed for the holidays. Other notable chains shutting their doors for Turkey Day include Chili's, Texas Roadhouse, the Cheesecake Factory, Bonefish Grill, P.F. Chang's, Moe's, and Carraba's.
How to check store hours
If you are not completely sure about a restaurant's hours or if it will be open at all on Thanksgiving, there are several options to confirm. A quick Google search can sometimes turn up an announcement from a company about their specific holiday hours, or they might be posted on its official website. Failing that, look for the phone number of the place you want to go to and call them about their holiday hours ahead of time.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Thomas Kika is a Newsweek weekend reporter based in upstate New York. His focus is reporting on crime and national ... Read more
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
