Restaurants open on Christmas Day 2022: McDonald's, IHOP, Denny's, and more

• Christmas Eve and Christmas fall on the weekend, a busy time for restaurants.
• Some chains are closing Christmas. Others are open for limited hours on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day fall on Saturday and Sunday, typically the busiest days of the week for restaurants.

Most restaurants shut down for the holidays, but a large number of top chains are keeping their doors open this weekend. Consumers dining out on Christmas have a range of options this year – pancakes at IHOP and Denny's, hash brown bowls at Waffle House, Long Island ice teas at TGI Fridays, ice cream at Baskin Robbins, orange chicken at Panda Express, and Big Macs at McDonald's.

Some chains say it's traditional for them to remain open on Christmas for those looking for a break from cooking at home, or to be a haven for people without families to celebrate with over the holidays.

"We welcome all who wish to dine with us," Waffle House told Insider. "We traditionally have welcomed families, friend groups and singletons who look to Waffle House as their Waffle "Home" every holiday and all the days in between."

TGI Fridays stays open for those wanting to decompress, noting the holidays can be hectic.

"Following days of wrapping, gift giving and cooking, people are often looking to continue the celebration without the associated pressures of hosting. What better place to keep the party going with family and friends than at TGI Fridays," Brandon Coleman, chief marketing officer, said in a statement.

For Denny's, it's purely economics.

"Denny's locations are open on Christmas as it's one of the restaurant's busiest days of the year," the company said.

Restaurant analyst Tim Powell said a restaurant's DNA is to serve – so it makes sense for some to stay open on Christmas.

"It's part of the territory for the industry to never shut down entirely at Christmas or Christmas Eve," said Powell, managing principal at Foodservice IP. "Tip servers and staffers well because they are there to help those who don't have somewhere to go on the holiday."

Here's a list of restaurants open and closed on Christmas and Christmas Eve:

Open Christmas Day (all or many locations)

McDonald's: The chain told Insider that most McDonald's in the US are open on holidays, but hours vary by location. Check hours on the website.

IHOP: The chain is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hours vary by location.

Denny's: All locations are open for Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. Hours vary by location.

Waffle House: Waffle House has been open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 67 years. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are no different, a chain spokesperson told Insider. "However, we have not been immune to the staffing challenges that many employers have been facing this year, so a few of our restaurants may be open fewer than 24 hours or may offer to-go services only or dine-in services only during certain times of the day or night," the company said.

Benihana: Open Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

Bar Louie: Open Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. Hours vary by location. Check your local listing.

TGI Fridays: Select locations will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hours may vary by location so guests should contact their local restaurant for exact hours.

Arby's, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin', SONIC Drive-in, Jimmy John's: Many locations will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, parent company Inspire Brands told Insider. However, store  hours vary by location. Call ahead or check the brand's app before visiting.

Papa Johns: Select Papa Johns locations will be open on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

May be open Christmas Day, depending on location or franchisee

Golden Corral: Some locations will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hours vary by location. Check the website or call your local Golden Corral for hours.

Panda Express: Some franchisees will remain open on Christmas Day, but that is at the discrepancy of those particular operators, the chain told Insider. On Christmas Eve, hours vary by location.

Jack in the Box: Some restaurants will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. A chain representative said hours vary by location. Check the chain's website or app for more information.

Starbucks: The chain said store hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day vary by location and stores may occasionally adjust their hours based on business and customer needs. The company recommends customers look for specific store hours using the Starbucks app or website.

Subway: "Subway restaurants are independently owned and operated, and holiday hours can vary by restaurant. Guests should refer to their local Subway for specific holiday hours," the company said.

Domino's: It varies per location, the company said. "Since the majority of our stores are owned by franchisees, we let them decide whether or not they're open on those days. We do not mandate that they be open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day."

Burger King: Holiday hours vary by franchised location, a chain representative told Insider. Guests can confirm these hours at their local restaurant or online through the Burger King app.

Tim Hortons: Holiday hours for Tim Hortons restaurants will vary by location as each owner decides their own holiday schedules. a chain representative told Insider. Check the website or app to get opening and closing hours for stores.

Popeyes: Holiday hours for Popeyes restaurants also vary by location, a chain representative told Insider. Check the website or app to get opening and closing hours for stores.

Closed Christmas Day, but open Christmas Eve

Taco Bell: Restaurants are open on Christmas Eve. Hours may vary.

Chipotle: The chain is open on Christmas Eve for limited hours from 10:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time.

Red Robin: Restaurants are open until 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Pizza Hut: A few restaurants will have reduced hours on Christmas Eve. Hours vary by location. Check your local listing.

Clean Juice: Open until 3 p.m. Eastern on Christmas Eve.

Smashburger: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Panera Bread: Most cafes will be open until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Chili's: Open until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Maggiano's: Open until 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve, but hours may vary.

Fazoli's: Open on Christmas Eve. Hours vary by location for franchise stores. Corporate stores open 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Raising Cane's: Open until 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit: Open Christmas Eve. Hours vary by location.

Friendly's: Open on Christmas Eve until 6 p.m.

In-N-Out: Open from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Noodles and Company: Restaurants are open for limited hours on Christmas Eve.

White Castle: Restaurants will be open on Christmas Eve, with some stores closing between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., depending on the region.

Firehouse Subs: Holiday hours for Firehouse Subs restaurants will vary by location, with some locations closing early on Christmas Eve and completely on Christmas Day, a chain representative told Insider.