Thanksgiving is one of the biggest holidays in the United States, filled with family gatherings, traditional meals, and warm moments. But not everyone cooks at home, and not every family celebrates the traditional way. For many people, fast food becomes a convenient option—whether they need a quick breakfast before traveling, a last-minute meal after a busy day, or simply prefer an easier alternative to cooking. Because of this, one of the most common questions every year is: “Which fast-food restaurants are open or closed on Thanksgiving?”
To help you plan ahead, here is a complete guide to fast food availability on Thanksgiving Day 2025.
And that’s why every single year, the same question shows up across Google searches, social media, and local news:
“Which fast-food places are open on Thanksgiving?”
Thanksgiving 2025 is shaping up to be no different.
But the landscape of fast food has changed — staffing shortages, new franchise rules, digital ordering, and customer demand all influence who stays open and who closes their doors.
So if you’re planning to grab something quick on Thanksgiving Day, or you simply want to know your options before the holiday rush hits, here’s the complete breakdown of what to expect in 2025.
Why Fast Food Still Matters on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving may be known for turkey and home-cooked dishes, but fast food remains important for many reasons. For example, travelers often need early-morning breakfast options. In addition, people working on the holiday may need a quick meal during their limited break. Moreover, some families simply choose not to cook and prefer affordable takeout.
As a result, fast-food restaurants adjust their hours differently across the country. Because of this, it becomes essential to understand how these schedules are created.
People rely on fast food on Thanksgiving because:
- They’re traveling long distances
- They don’t celebrate Thanksgiving traditionally
- They’re working holiday shifts
- Their kitchen setup is limited (especially students or travelers)
- Cooking isn’t their thing
- Something goes wrong with the main meal (burnt turkey, missing ingredients, etc.)
Fast food fills a real need — especially for people who want something quick, cheap, and familiar while everything else is closed.
2. How Fast Food Chains Decide Who Opens and Who Closes
The fast-food world doesn’t operate on one simple rule.
Each chain — and each location — decides based on a mix of factors.
a. Franchise vs. Corporate
Some restaurants are corporate-owned. Others are individually owned.
Corporate stores often follow a strict “open/closed” policy.
Franchise stores? They decide based on staffing and demand.
This is why one restaurant may be open while another down the street is closed.
b. Employee Availability
Thanksgiving is one of the hardest days to staff.
Restaurants that can’t fill shifts simply close.
c. Demand Based on Location
Stores near:
- Airports
- Highways
- Tourist areas
- Major city centers
are far more likely to stay open than restaurants in small towns.
d. Cost of Being Open
Some states require holiday pay, which can double labor costs — and some owners decide it’s not worth it.
e. Company Culture
Certain brands have a history of closing for family holidays, while others pride themselves on being open for travelers.
3. What Fast Food Availability Will Look Like in 2025
Based on industry behavior over the last few years, here is what Thanksgiving 2025 will almost certainly look like.
Most likely to be OPEN (with limited hours):
- Locations near highways and gas stations
- Chains that are usually open 24 hours
- Restaurants with strong drive-thru business
- Stores inside travel plazas
- Major city or airport locations
These spots usually open late morning and close earlier than normal.
Most likely to be CLOSED:
- Family-centered brands
- Restaurants in residential or rural areas
- Locations with small staff
- Stores that require large teams to operate Chains with strict holiday traditions
These places often shut down completely for the day.
4. Morning, Afternoon, and Evening — Different Hours, Different Rules
Thanksgiving availability isn’t the same all day long. The pattern changes as the hours pass.
Morning (7 AM – 11 AM)
This is the quietest time of the day.
Very few fast-food places open early because morning staffing is the hardest to fill.
If you’re looking for breakfast, expect:
- Limited menus
- Drive-thru only
- Longer waits
- Some stores opening later than posted
Afternoon (12 PM – 5 PM)
This is when most of the open locations operate.
People stop for:
- Snacks on road trips
- Quick meals before a family dinner
- Food if they’re not celebrating Thanksgiving
- Breaks during long shifts at workplaces
This is the safest window if you’re hoping to find an open fast-food restaurant.
Evening (5 PM – 10 PM
- Some restaurants shut down completely
- Others run skeleton crews
- Menus may shrink
- Many locations switch to drive-thru only
If you’re planning to grab dinner, expect reduced hours.
5. Drive-Thru vs. Dine-In: What 2025 Will Look Like
Thanksgiving 2025 will heavily favor drive-thru service over dine-in
- Requires fewer workers
- Keeps operations quick
- Is easier for holiday staffing
- Reduces cleanup time
- Serves travelers more efficiently
Even if the restaurant itself is open, the dining room might not be.
Expect more:
- Locked dining rooms
- Takeout only
- Drive-thru priority
- Mobile-order pickup windows
6. Why More Fast Food Restaurants Are Reducing Hours in 2025
The industry is changing — and so are holiday food decisions.
a. Staffing Shortages
One of the biggest reasons for reduced Thanksgiving hours.
b. Holiday Labor Costs
Higher pay discourages some owners from staying open.
c. Employee Burnout
More companies now choose to close so workers can spend the day with family.
d. Growth of Delivery Apps
Some restaurants open only for delivery and pickup, not dine-in.
e. Declining Dine-In Traffic
With fewer people eating indoors, restaurants don’t need full staffing.
Overall, 2025 is a year where restaurants are open — but not as fully or consistently as in the past.
7. If You’re Traveling on Thanksgiving 2025, Read This
Travelers make up a huge part of Thanksgiving fast-food demand.
Here’s what you need to expect:
Expect long lines
Highway fast-food restaurants get extremely crowded.
Expect limited menu items
Many locations run “holiday menus” with fewer items.
Expect unexpected closures
Staff members calling out can force early shutdowns.
Expect drive-thru reliance
Most travelers order from the car to save time.
Expect mobile ordering to be a life-saver
Apps can tell you:
- If a store is open
- What menu items are available
- Whether wait times are long
Expect price differences
Holiday labor + high demand sometimes raises menu prices.
If you’re traveling long distance, it’s better to plan your food stops in advance.
8. Tips to Avoid Thanksgiving Fast-Food Stress
Here’s how to avoid frustration on Thanksgiving Day 2025:
1. Check hours online — then call the store
Holiday hours listed online are often outdated.
2. Don’t rely on dine-in
Stay prepared for drive-thru only.
3. Avoid peak hours (1 PM – 4 PM)
This is when road traffic and hunger collide.
4. Order ahead through apps
This reduces waiting time and helps you see the real menu.
5. Keep backup snacks
Especially if traveling with kids — you never know which restaurants will suddenly close.
6. Don’t expect full menus
Holidays = limited ingredients + limited staff.
9. What Happens the Day After: Black Friday 2025
If Thanksgiving has unpredictable food hours, Black Friday is the complete opposite.
Fast-food restaurants usually:
- Open early
- Run full menus
- Have complete staffing
- Stay busy all day
- Serve shoppers and retail employees
Thanksgiving may be the holiday slowdown —
but Black Friday is the fast-food industry’s real kickoff to the holiday rush.
10. Final Breakdown: What to Expect on Thanksgiving 2025
Here’s the simplest way to understand fast-food availability on Thanksgiving:
Most likely open:
- Drive-thru heavy restaurants
- Highway locations
- Major city areas
- Travel plazas
- Certain 24/7 chains
Most likely closed:
- Restaurants in small towns
- Dine-in focused chains
- Locations with family-oriented policies
- Stores with strict corporate rules
- Places with staffing shortages
General patterns for 2025:
- Reduced hours
- Reduced menus
- Drive-thru dominance
- Sudden closings possible
- Afternoon peak service
- Evening slowdowns
- High demand from travelers
Fast food has quietly become a part of the American Thanksgiving experience — not as a replacement for home-cooked meals, but as a safety net, a convenient option, and a reliable stop for millions of people who aren’t sitting around a dining table that day.
How to Confirm Hours for Your Local Restaurant
Because holiday hours vary widely, checking before you leave is crucial.
You can confirm hours using:
✔ Google Maps
Provides updated holiday schedules. Additionally, many restaurants mark their Thanksgiving hours specifically.
✔ Official Websites
Chains publish special announcements. Furthermore, some even list modified hours for each location.
✔ Mobile Apps
Restaurant apps often show real-time status like Open, Closed, or Closing Soon.
✔ Phone Call
Calling the restaurant directly is still the most reliable option. After all, staff can give you exact timing.
FAQs: Fast Food Open or Closed on Thanksgiving 2025
1. Are fast-food restaurants open on Thanksgiving 2025?
Most are open with limited hours, but some locations may stay closed.
2. Which fast-food chains usually stay open?
McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Starbucks, Dunkin’, and Jack in the Box often stay open.
3. Which fast-food chains are usually closed on Thanksgiving?
Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane’s, and some In-N-Out locations typically close.
4. Do fast-food restaurants have reduced hours on Thanksgiving?
Yes, most open late and close early.
5. Is the drive-thru open on Thanksgiving?
Yes, many chains keep drive-thru open even if dining rooms close.
