Fast Food Hours Guide

Typical Fast Food Hours

Fast food restaurants run on wider schedules than most retail stores. That makes sense - people eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks at all different times. But "fast food hours" is not one-size-fits-all. A Starbucks that opens at 5:00 AM might close by 8:00 PM, while a McDonald's across the street stays open 24 hours.

The biggest variable is whether you are looking for breakfast, a midday meal, or a late-night run. Breakfast-focused chains like Dunkin' and Starbucks open as early as 5:00 AM but close relatively early in the evening. Traditional fast food like Burger King and Wendy's starts around 6:00-7:00 AM and stays open until 10:00-11:00 PM. And McDonald's - the biggest chain in the country - has enough 24-hour locations that you can almost always find one open no matter the hour.

Early Morning Fast Food

Need coffee or breakfast before work? The coffee chains win here. Starbucks and Dunkin' both open around 5:00 AM at most locations, sometimes earlier at high-traffic spots near commuter routes and highways. These chains build their entire business model around the morning rush, so early opening is baked into how they operate.

McDonald's is the other reliable early option. Breakfast starts as early as 5:00 AM at most locations, and since many McDonald's run 24 hours, the drive-thru might already be serving when you wake up. Their breakfast menu runs until 10:30 AM on weekdays (11:00 AM on weekends at some locations), which gives you a solid window.

Chick-fil-A starts breakfast at 6:30 AM and serves it until 10:30 AM. Their chicken biscuit and egg white grill have built a loyal breakfast crowd. Burger King opens around 6:00 AM at most locations with breakfast items available until 10:30 AM.

Subway is the outlier for morning hours. Most locations do not open until 7:00 AM or later, and some do not start until 8:00 or 9:00 AM. Breakfast is not Subway's primary draw, and their hours reflect that.

Late Night Fast Food

Late-night hunger hits different, and not every chain is there for you when it does. Here is what is actually open after 10:00 PM.

McDonald's is the most reliable late-night option. Thousands of locations operate 24 hours, and even ones that close typically stay open until 11:00 PM or midnight. The drive-thru is usually the last thing to shut down, so even if the dining room closes at 10:00 PM, you can often order through the window for another hour or two.

Wendy's keeps relatively generous late hours, with many locations open until midnight. Burger King and Sonic generally close around 10:00-11:00 PM, though some locations in busier areas stay open later.

Coffee chains are not late-night options. Starbucks closes between 7:00 and 9:00 PM at most locations. Dunkin' follows a similar pattern. If you need caffeine after 9:00 PM, McDonald's and gas station coffee are your main bets.

The Sunday Question: Chick-fil-A is Closed

Every fast food chain we track is open on Sunday except one: Chick-fil-A. The chain has been closed on Sundays since founder S. Truett Cathy opened the first restaurant in 1967. It is a company policy rooted in his religious beliefs, and despite being one of the highest-grossing fast food chains in America, they have never wavered on it.

This means Chick-fil-A generates its revenue in just six days per week - and still outearns most competitors who operate seven. But for you as a customer, it means Sunday chicken cravings go unfulfilled. Alternatives for Sunday fast food include McDonald's (chicken sandwiches and nuggets), Burger King (Ch'King sandwich), and Wendy's (spicy chicken sandwich).

For a complete look at which stores and restaurants are open on Sunday, check our Open on Sunday page.

Fast Food Holiday Hours

Fast food chains are generally more likely to stay open on holidays than retail stores or grocery stores. The franchise model means individual owners make the call, and many choose to stay open because holidays are profitable - fewer competitors are open, and people still need to eat.

The bottom line with fast food and holidays: if a McDonald's or Burger King is near you, there is a good chance it is open on any given holiday. For a visual timeline of all holiday closures across every type of store, check the Holiday Calendar.

Drive-Thru vs. Dining Room Hours

Here is something worth knowing: the drive-thru and the dining room often keep different schedules. Most fast food chains close their dining rooms 1-2 hours before the drive-thru shuts down. At a McDonald's that operates 24 hours, the dining room might close at 10:00 PM or midnight while the drive-thru stays open all night.

This matters if you plan to eat inside. During late hours (after 9:00 or 10:00 PM), assume the dining room might be closed and plan to use the drive-thru or mobile ordering. Chick-fil-A is one chain where the dining room and drive-thru generally keep the same hours, since they close earlier than most competitors anyway.

Sonic is a special case - as a drive-in restaurant, there is no traditional dining room. You eat in your car or at outdoor picnic tables. This actually works in Sonic's favor for late-night business since there is no separate dining room to manage.

Breakfast Cutoff Times

One of the most common fast food questions is "am I too late for breakfast?" Here is the breakdown:

• McDonald's - Breakfast until 10:30 AM weekdays, 11:00 AM weekends (varies by location). Some breakfast items available all day.
• Chick-fil-A - Breakfast 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM Monday through Saturday
• Burger King - Breakfast until 10:30 AM at most locations
• Wendy's - Breakfast 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM at participating locations
• Dunkin' - Breakfast items available all day (donuts, sandwiches, coffee from open to close)
• Starbucks - Breakfast sandwiches and pastries available all day while supplies last
• Subway - Breakfast sandwiches typically served until 11:00 AM, though availability varies

If you are running late for breakfast, Dunkin' and Starbucks are your safest bets since they serve breakfast items throughout the day. McDonald's has expanded all-day breakfast at some locations too, though the full breakfast menu is only available in the morning.

How Franchise Ownership Affects Hours

Fast food hours are not set in stone the way retail store hours are. Most fast food restaurants are individually owned franchises, and the owner has some flexibility in setting hours based on local demand.

A McDonald's near a college campus might stay open 24 hours because there is demand at 2:00 AM. The same chain in a small town might close at 10:00 PM because there is no late-night traffic to justify the labor cost. A Subway inside a Walmart closes when Walmart closes. A standalone Subway in a strip mall might keep different hours entirely.

This is why the hours in our table above are "typical" rather than guaranteed. Your specific location might open earlier, close later, or keep shorter hours than the chain average. For the most accurate hours at a specific location, use the chain's app or website store locator.

All Restaurant Chains

Browse detailed hours and holiday schedules for every restaurant and fast food chain we track:

Frequently Asked Questions