What restaurants are open Thanksgiving? Starbucks, McDonald's, Denny's are open but Chick-fil-A is closed

Kelly Tyko, USA TODAY
·2 min read

Many Americans are expected to skip family feasts this Thanksgiving, opting to eat the big holiday meal apart or alone as the coronavirus pandemic spreads.

But for those wanting to pick up a meal from a restaurant, take note: Many national chain restaurants will be closed on the holiday.

According to data from Womply, a small business software provider, Thanksgiving has historically been the second-slowest day of the year for local restaurants.

“Local restaurants have been hit especially hard by the pandemic," Brad Plothow, Womply vice president of corporate marketing and communications, told USA TODAY. Womply found 1 in 4 restaurants are still closed because of COVID-19.

Grocery stores also have limited hours with several closed Thursday, including Walmart and Target. (See the roundup of which stores are open Thursday and who is closed here.)

Thanksgiving Day store hours: Walmart, Target, Best Buy are closed Thanksgiving amid COVID-19, while CVS and Walgreens are open. See the list.

Thanksgiving meal cost: The cost of traditional Thanksgiving meal this year falls to less than $5 per person

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises Americans to keep Thursday's dinner small – ideally with only people living in their household – and to avoid traveling for the holiday.

Several companies including Uber Eats, Postmates and DoorDash also will be delivering Thanksgiving from participating businesses open Thanksgiving.

Restaurants open Thanksgiving 2020

The following restaurant chains have select locations open in some capacity. Some dining rooms may be closed, and many may be offering a special menu or takeout and delivery. Check with your closest location before heading out as not all locations are open. Some restaurant websites do not have updated holiday hours so calling ahead is suggested.

Applebee's

Bertucci's (mall locations are closed)

Black Bear Diner

Bob Evans

Boston Market

Bravo! Italian Kitchen

Buca di Beppo

Burger King

Capital Grille

Cracker Barrel

Del Taco

Denny's

DoorDash

Dunkin'

Famous Dave's (only corporate locations)

Fogo de Chão

Golden Corral

IHOP

Jack in the Box

Maggiano's Little Italy

McDonald's

Metro Diner

Morton's The Steakhouse

Pollo Campero

Postmates

PT's Taverns

Ruth's Chris Steak House

Papa John's

Popeyes

Smokey Bones BBQ

Sonic Drive-In

Starbucks

Steak 'n Shake

Uber Eats

Waffle House

Wendy's

Restaurants closed Thanksgiving 2020

While the majority of the following restaurants are closed, it is still possible some franchise locations will be open.

Bonefish Grill

Carrabba's Italian Grill

Chick-fil-A

Chili's

First Watch

Krispy Kreme

Little Caesars

Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes

Newk's Eatery

Peet's Coffee

P.F. Chang's (Four of the chain's 200-plus locations are open)

Tijuana Flats

This roundup will be updated with additional restaurants open on Thanksgiving and who is closed. Check back. And restaurants with 50 or more locations, submit Thanksgiving hours or say whether your restaurants are closed via this form.

Contributing: Alan Gomez, USA TODAY

Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Thanksgiving 2020 restaurants open: Cracker Barrel, IHOP, Waffle House

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