Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving 2026: Fast Food and Sit-Down Chains
Thanksgiving 2026 falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Many breakfast and diner chains stay open, while several big names close for the day. We did not find official 2026 holiday plans from these chains yet, so the notes below describe what each chain did in 2025.
Hours are set by each store and often change on holidays. Always call your local restaurant or check its listing before you go. You can also browse regular items on our McDonald’s menu with prices page and the other menu pages linked below.
Thanksgiving 2026 date and what to expect
Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November, which is November 26 this year. Restaurants that open on the holiday often shorten their hours. Some close early in the evening, and some serve a limited menu. Franchise-owned stores, like many fast food shops, make their own choice, so two shops of the same brand can differ.
Restaurants that are usually open
Reports from news outlets in 2025 listed these as open on Thanksgiving, with hours that vary by store:
- Diners and breakfast chains: Waffle House, IHOP, Denny’s and Bob Evans. Waffle House has many 24 hour stores, but that is not true of every Denny’s.
- Family dining: Cracker Barrel served a holiday meal and sold takeout dinners. Golden Corral offered carved turkey and glazed ham at participating stores.
- Fast food and coffee: McDonald’s, Starbucks, Dunkin’, Burger King, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Popeyes, Arby’s and Jack in the Box were listed as open in many places.
- Others: Boston Market was reported open with a holiday menu in 2025. Applebee’s and TGI Fridays were listed at select locations. Maggiano’s and Buca di Beppo were open for dine-in and takeout.
Restaurants that usually close
In 2025 reports, these chains were closed on Thanksgiving:
- Chick-fil-A
- In-N-Out Burger
- Panera Bread
- Olive Garden
- Chili’s, Chipotle and Panda Express
Chick-fil-A and In-N-Out are known for closing on this day each year. Big warehouse stores such as Costco are also normally closed, but they are not restaurants, so check their own pages.
Chain by chain table
This table sums up the last set of reports we could confirm. It is not a 2026 promise.
| Chain | Usually open? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| McDonald’s | Usually open | Most locations open, but hours vary by franchise |
| Starbucks | Usually open | Most stores open with changed hours; some closed |
| Dunkin’ | Usually open | Many locations open; hours vary |
| Waffle House | Usually open | Most locations open, many around the clock |
| IHOP | Usually open | Open, but hours vary by location |
| Denny’s | Usually open | Open, but not every location is 24 hours |
| Cracker Barrel | Usually open | Serves a holiday meal; takeout dinners offered |
| Golden Corral | Usually open | Participating locations serve a holiday buffet |
| Bob Evans | Usually open | Special holiday meals and breakfast all day |
| Buffalo Wild Wings | Not confirmed | No 2025 list we checked included it; call your location |
| Chick-fil-A | Closed | Closed on Thanksgiving |
| In-N-Out | Closed | Closed on Thanksgiving |
| Panera Bread | Closed | Closed on Thanksgiving in 2025 lists |
| Olive Garden | Closed | Closed on Thanksgiving in 2025 lists |
| Boston Market | Open in 2025 | Offered a holiday menu; check your local store |
| Chili’s, Chipotle, Panda Express | Closed | Closed in 2025 lists |
Tips for eating out on Thanksgiving
- Call first. Ask for the holiday hours and whether the kitchen is open.
- Book early for sit-down meals. Holiday seating fills up, and many places take reservations.
- Look at takeout. Several chains sell full dinners or sides to go, and these often need to be ordered ahead.
- Expect early closing. Even open stores may close in the afternoon or early evening.
- Have a backup. If your first choice is closed, a diner or coffee shop may still be open.
- Check the app. Many chains post holiday hours inside their app or store locator.
When will 2026 plans be confirmed?
Chains often share holiday plans in the week before Thanksgiving, and some only confirm by phone. We will not state a 2026 plan unless the chain itself has published one. Until then, treat the lists above as a guide based on past years.
Bottom line
Expect breakfast diners, many fast food chains and some family restaurants to be open on November 26, 2026, and expect Chick-fil-A, In-N-Out, Panera and Olive Garden to be closed, based on 2025. Verify with the exact store before you head out.
Frequently asked questions
When is Thanksgiving 2026?
Thanksgiving 2026 is on Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Is McDonald’s open on Thanksgiving?
In 2025 reports, McDonald’s was usually open, but hours vary by franchise. Check your local store for 2026.
Is Chick-fil-A open on Thanksgiving?
No. Chick-fil-A is closed on Thanksgiving.
Which restaurants are open 24 hours on Thanksgiving?
Many Waffle House locations are open around the clock. Not every Denny’s or IHOP is 24 hours, so confirm with your store.
Are the 2026 holiday hours confirmed?
We did not find official 2026 plans for these chains yet. The information here reflects what they did in 2025.
Prices are typical U.S. prices before tax and can vary by location. Menus Info is not affiliated with any restaurant mentioned. See how we check prices.
