Many chain restaurants, diners, and convenience stores stay open on Christmas Day, but which ones you can use depends heavily on your location and local hours. It is always safest to check a store or restaurant’s website or app for your specific branch before you head out.

Big chains often open

These larger brands frequently have at least some locations open on Christmas Day (hours vary by city and franchise):

  • Denny’s – 24/7 style diner; many locations open with full menu and holiday specials.
  • McDonald’s – Many branches open with reduced hours; check the app or store locator.
  • Red Lobster – Corporate guidance says restaurants are open on Dec 25, but hours differ by location.
  • Fogo de ChĂŁo – Typically open Christmas Day with set holiday hours (for example, roughly late morning to evening).
  • Dunkin’ – Many locations open for coffee and light food, though some close or run shortened hours.

Convenience and drug stores

If you just need snacks, microwave meals, or basics, many convenience chains stay open:

  • 7‑Eleven – Most locations operate 24/7, including Christmas Day.
  • CVS and Walgreens – Commonly open, but pharmacy counters may have shorter or separate hours.
  • Sheetz (and similar 24/7 gas station chains) – Open with hot food, drinks, and grab‑and‑go items.

Grocery options

Full grocery stores are more limited, but there are exceptions:

  • Most big names (like Kroger, Publix, Trader Joe’s, Aldi, etc.) are closed on Christmas Day.
  • Some Albertsons and Safeway locations stay open with reduced hours, so you need to confirm online or by phone.

Local restaurants in your area

Many cities have local spots that choose to open on Christmas, often including:

  • Hotel restaurants and higher‑end grills or brasseries offering special Christmas menus.
  • Independent Asian restaurants (Chinese, Indian, sushi, etc.) that sometimes open normal hours.
  • Buffet‑style or family restaurants that run holiday seatings or limited “Christmas plates.”

To find them quickly:

  1. Search “[your city] restaurants open Christmas Day” in maps or search.
  2. Filter for “Open now” and then click each listing to confirm holiday hours.
  3. Call ahead for small or independent places, since hours may not be correctly updated online.

Backup ideas if everything’s shut

If you find very little open near you, there are still ways to get food:

  • Check food delivery apps (Uber Eats, DoorDash, Deliveroo, etc.) and toggle the “open” filter; some ghost kitchens and chains take orders even when dining rooms are closed.
  • Look for hotel restaurants; many serve walk‑ins even for non‑guests on Christmas.
  • Gas‑station stores or 24‑hour mini‑marts often have sandwiches, instant noodles, and frozen food you can heat at home.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.