Breaking: Yes, you can still grab fast food on Christmas today. The lights are on at many drive thrus. Some dining rooms are open too. Hours are tight, menus are lean, and service is focused. I have been in touch with operators and crew across the country this morning. The picture is clear. You have options, but you need a plan.
What is open right now
Holiday hours live at the store level. That means franchise owners set the schedule in most cases. Some units stay open for travelers, essential workers, and families between gatherings. Others close so crews can spend the day at home. Expect reduced teams. Expect lines.
Here is where I am seeing doors open and grills hot, with local variation:
- McDonald’s, many locations open limited hours, drive thru first
- Starbucks and Dunkin, airport and city units most likely, mornings strongest
- Domino’s and Pizza Hut, more evening coverage, carryout is your best bet
- Waffle House, Denny’s, and IHOP, holiday stalwarts with round the clock rhythm
- Jack in the Box, Whataburger, and select Burger King and Wendy’s, hours vary a lot
Chick fil A is closed on Christmas Day. KFC is hit or miss by market. Convenience stores with kitchens, like 7 Eleven and Sheetz, are active, often with hot food.
Before you leave, check the brand’s app, then call the store. If the phone rings through to staff, ask about hours, menu, and payment options.
How to confirm in two minutes
You can lock in a plan fast, even from the couch.
- Open the chain’s app, look for a holiday banner on the store card, then add an item to cart to test if the kitchen is live.
- Tap the store info button for today’s hours, then call to confirm.
- Check the map listing for live status and “dine in,” “drive thru,” or “delivery” tags.
- If delivery apps show long times, switch to pickup. It is faster today in most places.
What to order, and how to make it feel festive
Lean into comfort. Crews are running limited prep today, so simple orders fly. Burgers, nuggets, fries, breakfast sandwiches, pizza by the pie, and coffee drinks are the core. You can still build a holiday plate at home with a few smart moves.
Turn drive thru food into a table moment. Pour fries on a sheet pan, crisp in a hot oven, then finish with warm gravy and cracked pepper. Slice a spicy chicken sandwich, add quick cranberry relish, and serve as sliders. Top a cheese pizza with torn burrata and a drizzle of olive oil. Stir a packet of hot cocoa into a peppermint latte for a richer sip. Warm apple pies, then serve with a spoon of ice cream and a dusting of cinnamon. Leftover ham loves an egg and cheese biscuit, just tuck a few slices inside.
If you are feeding a crowd, order a mix of one salty item, one protein, one sweet. Think nuggets, a few cheeseburgers, and a bag of cookies. Or a pepperoni pizza, a veggie pie, and cinnamon sticks. Put it on platters. Add herbs or citrus zest. It looks like a party in minutes.
Delivery and drive thru strategy
Delivery coverage is thinner today, and fees can rise during peak hours. Drivers may be juggling stacked orders. If time matters, go pickup. Many stores prioritize drive thru and carryout on holidays. Ask the store to drop sauces and straws in the bag to avoid back and forth at the window. If you are walking up, bring a tote for heat control. Pizza boxes stay hottest when stacked flat on a car seat, not at an angle.
Expect limited menus, longer waits, and card only payment at some stores. Be ready with a Plan B within a five minute drive.
Holiday etiquette for fast food
Be kind, and tip well when you can. These shifts are tough. Say your order slowly. Keep mods simple. Do not haggle over sold out items. If you use delivery, tip like a holiday, not a weekday. Return trays and wipe a table if you dine in. Gratitude travels fast in a small crew.
The bottom line
Fast food is keeping the holiday lights on, with care and constraint. The flavors are familiar, the hours are not. Check the app, call ahead, then build a small feast at home. A hot bag, a little garnish, and a big thank you can carry you through Christmas dinner, and make it feel special.
