Restaurants Open on Easter Sunday 2026: Full List

Easter Sunday 2026 caught millions of Americans off guard — or at least mid-hunger-pang — wondering whether their go-to restaurant or grocery store would be open on April 5. From fast food regulars to family dining chains, holiday schedules vary wildly, and not knowing ahead of time can mean a wasted trip or a very hungry afternoon. Whether you're hunting for a last-minute brunch spot or planning ahead for next year, this complete guide breaks down exactly which restaurants were open, which were closed, and what to expect from retailers and services on Easter Sunday.

Why Easter Sunday Is One of the Biggest Closure Days of the Year

Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas consistently rank as the three holidays with the highest number of restaurant and store closures across the United States. Unlike July 4th or Labor Day — where most businesses stay open — Easter carries a different cultural weight, prompting many chains and independent operators to give employees the day off.

That dynamic drove a massive surge in search activity in the days and hours leading up to April 5, 2026, as consumers scrambled to figure out their dining options. USA Today and Yahoo Lifestyle both published comprehensive guides in the 24-hour window before and during the holiday, reflecting just how high consumer demand was for this information.

The bottom line: if you didn't check ahead of time, you risked showing up to a locked door. Here's everything you needed to know.

Restaurants Confirmed Closed on Easter Sunday 2026

Several major chains made the call to close all locations for Easter. If these were your first choices, you needed a backup plan:

• Chick-fil-A — Consistent with its policy of closing on Sundays, Chick-fil-A was closed on Easter Sunday, as it is every week.
• Chipotle — The fast-casual burrito giant shuttered all locations for the holiday.
• Raising Cane's — The chicken finger chain was fully closed on Easter.
• Wingstop — Most Wingstop locations were closed, though franchise-owned stores occasionally vary.

According to Yahoo's fast food closure guide, these closures were confirmed systemwide — not just in select markets — making them reliable data points for planning purposes.

Restaurants Open All Day on Easter 2026

The good news: a solid lineup of chains kept their doors open, many operating on regular or near-regular hours throughout Easter Sunday. If you were looking for a guaranteed seat, these were your best bets:

• Bob Evans — The comfort food staple stayed open, making it a top pick for families seeking a traditional Easter meal without cooking.
• Cracker Barrel — A perennial Easter destination, Cracker Barrel was open and is known for drawing large holiday crowds.
• IHOP — Open all day with its full breakfast and brunch menu available.
• Waffle House — True to its reputation for never closing, Waffle House was fully operational on Easter Sunday.
• Krispy Kreme — Locations were open, a popular stop for Easter morning pastry runs.
• Denny's — Open 24 hours as usual, with no holiday interruption.
• Whataburger — The beloved Texas-based chain confirmed all locations open on Easter.
• Taco Palenque — This regional Tex-Mex favorite has historically remained open on Easter Sunday, continuing that tradition in 2026.

For a broader breakdown of options, NBC DFW compiled a list of 56 restaurants open for Easter, covering chains ranging from regional favorites to national brands.

Chains Open on Easter — But Hours May Vary by Location

A large group of restaurants fell into a middle category: open at the corporate level, but with individual franchise locations potentially adjusting hours or choosing to close. If your Easter plan depended on one of these chains, calling ahead was essential:

• Applebee's
• Arby's
• Buffalo Wild Wings
• Burger King
• Chili's
• Dairy Queen
• Dunkin'
• Firehouse Subs
• Jersey Mike's
• McDonald's
• Red Lobster
• Shake Shack
• Starbucks
• Subway
• Taco Bell
• Wendy's
• Sonic Drive-In (some locations closed; others open with reduced hours)

As MSN reported, the safest move for any franchise-heavy chain was to check the brand's app or website location finder, which typically reflects real-time store hours — including holiday modifications.

Retail Stores, Banks, and Shipping on Easter Sunday

Restaurants weren't the only thing on shoppers' minds on April 5, 2026. Many consumers also needed to know about grocery stores, big-box retailers, and service providers:

Major Retailers

• Walmart — Open regular hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. A reliable option for last-minute Easter supplies.
• Target — Closed on Easter Sunday 2026.
• Costco — Closed.
• Sam's Club — Closed.
• BJ's Wholesale — Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., making it one of the few warehouse clubs available on the holiday.
• Home Depot — Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Lowe's — Closed on Easter Sunday.

Banks and Shipping

Banks that observe Sunday closures were also closed on Easter, which fell on a Sunday in 2026. USPS, UPS, and FedEx pickup and delivery services were all unavailable on Easter Sunday — no packages moved that day. If you had time-sensitive shipments, the window before April 5 was critical for getting them out.

Easter Candy and Food Trends: What Americans Were Buying

Beyond dining out, Easter is one of the biggest candy holidays of the year — second only to Halloween. According to DoorDash survey data, Reese's Pieces Easter Candy ranks as the most popular Easter candy in the United States. Its combination of peanut butter and chocolate has made it a seasonal staple for gift baskets and Easter egg hunts alike.

Another crowd favorite for Easter baskets is the Palmer Double Crisp Lil Crispy Bunny, a chocolate bunny with a light, crispy center that's become a recognizable Easter treat. For families putting together baskets, stocking up on candy before the holiday (rather than relying on stores being open Easter morning) is always the smarter move given the patchwork of retail closures.

If you're planning an Easter brunch at home, having the right tools matters too. A reliable Easter brunch serving platter or Easter basket kit can make the celebration feel more complete — and ordering ahead of time means you're not scrambling when stores are closed.

Frequently Asked Questions: Restaurants on Easter Sunday

Is McDonald's open on Easter Sunday?

Most McDonald's locations were open on Easter Sunday 2026, but hours varied by franchise location. Corporate confirmed availability, though individual stores may have adjusted their hours. Use the McDonald's app to check your nearest location.

Is Chick-fil-A open on Easter?

No. Chick-fil-A is closed every Sunday as a company policy, and Easter Sunday is no exception. This applies to all corporate and franchise locations nationwide.

What fast food is always open on Easter?

Waffle House and Denny's are among the most reliably open chains on Easter Sunday, as both operate 24/7 throughout the year. IHOP, Cracker Barrel, and Bob Evans also confirmed full operation on Easter 2026.

Is Starbucks open on Easter Sunday?

Most Starbucks locations were open on Easter, though hours varied. Mall-based and licensed Starbucks (inside grocery stores, for example) may have followed the host location's holiday schedule. Check the Starbucks app for real-time location status.

What stores are open Easter Sunday?

Walmart was open its regular 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. hours on Easter 2026. BJ's Wholesale was open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Home Depot operated 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Target, Costco, Sam's Club, and Lowe's were all closed.

Planning Ahead: Key Takeaways for Future Easter Sundays

Easter is one of the rare holidays where the restaurant and retail landscape splits sharply between open and closed — with almost no middle ground. Chains built on family or comfort-food identity (Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans, IHOP) tend to stay open because Easter is genuinely good business for them. Chains with strong cultural or religious commitments (Chick-fil-A) or those that honor employee rest days (Chipotle, Raising Cane's) tend to close.

The franchise model adds another layer of complexity. A corporate "we're open" statement doesn't guarantee your local McDonald's or Subway will be unlocked. The safest approach is always to check location-specific hours via the brand's app or Google Maps the day before the holiday.

For shipping, banking, and warehouse clubs, Easter Sunday is effectively a full blackout day — plan accordingly, and get any time-sensitive errands done by April 4 next time around.

Whether you ended up at Waffle House or cooking at home this Easter, the lesson is universal: a little research the night before saves a lot of frustration on the morning of. Bookmark this guide, and you'll be ready when April rolls around again.