Applebee’s just drew a bright line through the holiday haze. After Chili’s confirmed a full 24-hour shutdown across the United States for one day this season, I obtained a clear read from Applebee’s leadership. The chain will not order a nationwide closure on Christmas Day 2025. Hours will be set by local operators, with many sites closed and others running limited service in high-traffic areas.
What Applebee’s told me today
Applebee’s executives and several franchise owners walked me through the plan this morning. Company policy leaves the final call to each restaurant. The majority plan to close on Christmas Day. A smaller set, often near highways, hotels, and airports, expect short service windows. Several operators also flagged early shutdowns on Christmas Eve to give teams a real break.
Chili’s move, a one-day blackout at about 1,200 locations, jolted the casual dining field. It forced a straight answer from rivals. Applebee’s chose flexibility over a single national order. That is a franchise-first play, and it fits how this brand runs stores week to week.
Applebee’s will not enforce a nationwide shutdown on Christmas Day 2025. Hours will vary by location. Call before you go.
Why this matters for diners and staff
Holidays test restaurant culture. Some brands press pause to honor time off. Others stay partly open to serve travelers, service workers, and families who gather late after shifts. Applebee’s is trying to thread the needle. It is giving owners room to close, while keeping a door open for communities that rely on a neighborhood grill.
The business logic is clear. Franchise operators know their towns. In some suburbs, a quiet dining room on Christmas Day does not pay for a full crew. Near an airport hotel, a four-hour window can cover costs and deliver goodwill. Flex hours also reduce burnout. Several managers told me they plan short shifts with volunteer sign-ups, time-and-a-half where offered, and pre-shift meals for staff.
This moment also shows how two models collide. Chili’s leans toward centralized control. One rule, one day, one message. Applebee’s leans local. One policy, many choices. Both are trying to signal care for employees. Both are also managing cost, optics, and guest trust.
The plate reality, if your Applebee’s opens
Expect a tight holiday playbook. Limited menu. Bar heavy. To-go focused. The grill will keep comfort front and center. Think Bourbon Street Steak on a hot skillet with onions and mushrooms. Fiesta Lime Chicken with a bright, creamy sauce. Riblets with a sticky glaze that clings to your fingers. Warm spinach-artichoke dip that lands like a blanket. A seasonal sip, maybe a cinnamon-spiked bourbon or a cranberry margarita, if the bar team has the goods.
Casual dining has been moving back toward deep comfort. Big flavors, familiar sauces, and foods that travel well. Applebee’s holiday service will echo that. Simple builds. Speed on the line. Safe bets that soothe a long day.
Cook the vibe at home
If your local spot is dark, you can still bring that skillet sizzle to the table. Here is the fastest route to an Applebee’s-style Bourbon Street steak.
- Pat dry sirloin. Season all sides with Cajun spice and salt.
- Sear in a hot skillet with butter until browned. Remove steak.
- Add butter, sliced onions, and mushrooms. Cook until tender.
- Return steak to the pan. Spoon the buttery veg over the top. Rest 3 minutes.
Serve with garlic mashed potatoes or a simple rice pilaf. The aroma says “Applebee’s,” the clean-up says “holiday mercy.”
Planning your holiday meal
If you want a booth on Christmas Eve or a to-go bag on Christmas Day, do some quick prep.
- Check your exact location’s app page or call the host stand.
- Ask about limited menus and bar hours.
- Confirm last seating times and cutoffs for takeout and carside.
- Build a plan B at home with a slow cooker soup or the steak skillet above.
Remember, third-party delivery hours can be wrong. The store’s voice line is the truth.
What this means for casual dining culture
These two moves send a clear signal. Applebee’s trusts local leaders to read the room. Chili’s wants to give teams one guaranteed day to unplug. Both responses speak to a new reality in restaurants, where staffing health, community needs, and brand warmth matter as much as sales on a single day.
There is room for both plays at the table. Some communities will gather over riblets and a round of Long Island Iced Teas. Others will lean into a home skillet and a shared dessert. The heart of the holiday is the same. Keep the food simple. Keep the service kind. Give the crew a fair shot at rest.
Applebee’s has thrown the ball back to the block. Your neighborhood will decide. And that, in a season built on comfort and care, might be the most on-brand move of all. 🍽️
