Christmas Day is perhaps the only time of year when it seems like everyone has the day off. However, for those who can’t eat another bite of leftovers or don’t feel like cooking, December 25th is the perfect time to go to a restaurant. But which ones are open and which ones are closed? Let’s take a look.

Christmas Day 2024: Some restaurants will be open

According to The Daily Jeff, most restaurants will be closed for the holiday, but some will be open.

Taco Bell, Starbucks, Dunkin’, Burger King and Wendy’s hours vary by location, so it’s important to check with your local restaurant for details. McDonald’s will have most of its stores open on Christmas Day.

However, most restaurants remain closed on public holidays. Bob Evans, Bonefish Grill, Chipotle, Cracker Barrel, KFC, Ruby Tuesday, TGI Fridays and Olive Garden will all be closed, so you’ll have to wait to get your food on December 26th. According to USA Today, Outback Steakhouse will also be closed on Christmas Day, as will Texas Roadhouse, Whataburger, First Watch and Chick-fil-A.

Meanwhile, the outlet reported that IHOP would be open, but hours vary by location. The same goes for Applebee’s, which told USA Today that its hours may be shortened and will vary by location. Red Lobster will also be open December 25th from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m

Should shops close over the holidays?

As work changes in the new post-COVID world, questions have been raised about whether stores should be open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Aaron Walters, chairman and CEO of Stand Out For Good, said last year: “It has been a long-standing goal of mine to close the stores on Christmas Eve. Our team works so hard to make the holiday season happen and they deserve to rest and relax at home with their families.”

The company’s Knoxville, Tennessee-based stores were closed for the holidays last year and are expected to remain closed on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year. The company operates 118 Altar’d State stores, 32 Arula boutiques, 10 Vow’d boutiques, nine AS Revival stores and seven Tullabee boutiques in 38 states.

Stand Out For Good does not offer Christian clothing, but claims to take a “faith-based approach” to retail, with its flagship chain Altar’d State promising to “offer a fashion experience with a mission to change the world for the better.” .” On Mondays, 10% of proceeds go to nonprofits across the country.

“We are faith-based. “It doesn’t matter what your background is, where you come from, or what your beliefs are,” Walters told WWD in 2019 about working or shopping at Altar’d State. “But we run our business on a few simple principles – treat others as you would like to be treated and be of great help to others. We put love into our business.”

In recent years, chains such as Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Kohl’s, Macy’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods have chosen to close their stores on Thanksgiving. This decision was made in part to reduce crowds during the pandemic and express gratitude to employees. In 2021, Target announced the permanent closure of its stores on Thanksgiving.

Since 2015, REI has attracted significant media attention for its decision to close stores on Black Friday and encourage outdoor exploration among consumers.

While stores are often filled with last-minute shoppers on Christmas Eve, most stores, including grocery stores, close their doors earlier – usually around 6 or 7 p.m. Costco, IKEA and Home Depot are known to close their stores as early as 5 p.m

Regardless of your opinion or whether you think stores should be open for the holidays, we at RetailWire want to wish everyone a happy holiday season, now and in the future.