Chick-fil-A will flip the lights on for New Year’s Day 2026. Operators across the country are planning to open, running shorter, holiday-style hours. It is a Thursday this year, not a Sunday, so the chain’s weekly closure does not apply. Expect a slower start, an earlier finish, and lines that favor drive-thru comfort over dining room linger.
So, is Chick-fil-A open today?
Yes. Most restaurants will open on New Year’s Day with modified hours that vary by location. Many will start service later than a normal weekday. Many will close earlier than a typical dinner rush. Breakfast windows may be trimmed, or shift to a later start. Drive-thru and dining room times can differ, so do not assume both open together.
Airport and mall locations often follow their venue’s holiday schedule. If the terminal opens early, that Chick-fil-A might be pouring coffee before sunrise. If the mall rides a noon opening, you will feel it in the line.
If New Year’s Day ever lands on a Sunday, Chick-fil-A is closed company-wide. Not this year.
What hours to expect, and how to confirm fast
Here is the pattern you will see today. Many suburban freestanding restaurants are aiming for a late morning open, often around early lunch, with dinner service ending before prime time. Urban stores may split the difference. College town units, still in winter break mode, could lean toward very short windows.
Drive-thru usually opens first. Dining rooms may open a bit later, especially if operators are running lean crews to give staff a holiday breather. Breakfast lovers, take note. Some kitchens will offer biscuits and hash browns for a shortened stretch. Others will flip straight to lunch by late morning.
Use the Chick-fil-A app or the store locator for exact hours. App listings update first, and mobile orders will show you what is actually available at your restaurant.
- Open the app, tap your location, and check Today’s Hours.
- Toggle between Drive-thru and Dine-in to spot any difference.
- Peek at the breakfast menu. If it is grayed out, breakfast has ended or starts later.
- If your unit is in a mall or airport, check that venue’s holiday hours too.
What to eat on a slow, foggy holiday morning
New Year’s Day is heavy on cravings. Salt, heat, and soft textures win early. The chicken biscuit is the headliner for a reason. It is buttery, warm, and steady. Ask for a side of honey, then drizzle, or stir in hot sauce for a get-up-and-go glaze. The hash browns carry that crispy edge your body seems to want today. If you need protein with a gentler landing, go egg white grill, then add a fruit cup and coffee.
By lunch, a Spicy Deluxe scratches the itch, while a Kale Crunch side keeps things honest. Waffle fries play well with champagne leftovers, oddly enough. The vinegary fizz cuts the richness, a little New Year sparkle with your salty crunch. If your location still has any late-season shakes, consider them bonus dessert. Seasonal items drift away in early January, and supply varies by store.
- Quick at-home upgrades: drizzle hot honey on a chicken biscuit, dust waffle fries with smoked paprika, toss nuggets into leftover black-eyed peas for luck
Brunch moves for the home crowd
If you are hosting, build a Chick-fil-A plus pantry brunch. Stack sandwiches on a sheet pan at 250 degrees for 10 minutes, they rewarm without drying. Set out jars of pickles, honey, and your favorite hot sauce. Warm leftover collards or cabbage, then spoon them next to nuggets for a tradition-meets-drive-thru plate. Coffee on, citrus on the table, and you have a low-lift spread that feels celebratory.
Why hours differ today
Chick-fil-A restaurants are run by local operators who set holiday hours in sync with staffing, weather, and community rhythms. That is why one store may open at 9, while another waits until 11. Team members worked through a busy December, and many locations lighten the load today. Venues also matter. Airports and malls write their own holiday playbooks, and in-line units must match those doors.
Remember the brand’s holiday cadence. Closed every Sunday, closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, open on New Year’s Day with modified hours. That mix confuses diners every year, especially when the calendar shifts. Consider this your yearly reset.
Menu availability can change during shortened hours. If the kitchen flips to lunch early, breakfast items may be limited or unavailable.
The bottom line
Chick-fil-A is open on New Year’s Day 2026, with most locations running reduced hours. Plan for later openings, earlier closings, and drive-thru first. Check the app for exact times and live menu availability, especially for breakfast. Then lean into the mood of the day. Keep it warm, simple, and a little spicy. Happy New Year, and enjoy the first bite of 2026. 🐔✨
