Christmas Day is, perhaps, the only time of the year when it appears like everyone is off. For those who can’t eat another bite of leftovers or who don’t want to cook, however, Dec. 25 will be the perfect time to head to a restaurant. But which ones are open, and which are closed? Let’s take a look.
Christmas Day 2024: A Few Restaurants Will Be Open
According to The Daily Jeff, most restaurants will be closed on the holiday, but a few will be open.
The hours of Taco Bell, Starbucks, Dunkin’, Burger King, and Wendy’s will vary by location, so it’s important to check with your local eatery for details. McDonald’s will have most of its locations open on Christmas Day.
Most restaurants, however, will be closed on the holiday. 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 fix on Dec. 26. Per USA Today, Outback Steakhouse will also be closed on Christmas Day, as will Texas Roadhouse, Whataburger, First Watch, Chick-fil-A.
Meanwhile, the outlet did report that IHOP would be open, though hours do vary by location. The same goes for Applebee’s, which told USA Today that its hours may be reduced and will vary by location. Red Lobster will also open on Dec. 25, operating from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Should Stores Close for the Holidays?
With work changing 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, stated last year, “It’s been a longtime goal of mine to close the stores on Christmas Eve. Our team works so hard to make the Christmas season happen, and they deserve to rest and relax at home with their families.”
Stores owned by the company, which is based in Knoxville, Tennessee, were closed last year for the holidays and will likely be closed this year as well for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The company runs 118 Altar’d State shops, 32 Arula boutiques, 10 Vow’d boutiques, nine AS Revival shops, and seven Tullabee boutiques across 38 states.
Stand Out For Good does not offer Christian apparel, but it claims to have a “faith-based approach” to retailing, with its flagship Altar’d State chain vowing to provide “a fashion experience on a mission to change the world for the better.” 10% of proceeds on Mondays go to nonprofits nationwide.
“We are faith-based. It doesn’t matter what your background is, where are you from, or what your beliefs are,” to work or shop at Altar’d State, Walters told WWD in 2019. “But we do run our business on some simple principles — treat others how you want to be treated and give much 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 opted to close their stores on Thanksgiving. This decision was made partly to reduce crowds during the pandemic and express gratitude for their associates. In 2021, Target announced the permanent closure of its stores on Thanksgiving.
Since 2015, REI has garnered significant media attention for its decision to close stores on Black Friday and promote outdoor exploration among consumers.
While shops are frequently filled with last-minute buyers on Christmas Eve, the majority of businesses, including grocery stores, shut their doors early — usually around 6 or 7 p.m. Costco, IKEA, and Home Depot are notable for closing their locations at 5 p.m.
Regardless of your opinion or whether you think the stores should be open on the holidays, we at RetailWire want to wish everyone a happy holiday season, now and in the future.
