Few things are more frustrating than pulling into a drive-thru at 10:40 AM only to hear that breakfast just ended. Every chain sets its own cutoff, and some serve breakfast all day or even overnight. Here is when the major US chains we track serve breakfast, so you can plan your morning order.
Times below are typical for most locations. Individual restaurants can set their own hours, and weekend cutoffs are sometimes later, so check your local store if you are cutting it close.
Breakfast hours at a glance
| Chain | Breakfast hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| McDonald's | Opening to 10:30 AM | Often 11 AM on weekends |
| Burger King | Opening to 10:30 AM | Most locations |
| Wendy's | 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM | Some until 11 AM on weekends |
| Chick-fil-A | Opening to 10:30 AM | Closed on Sundays |
| Taco Bell | 7 AM to 11 AM | Some switch at 10:30 AM |
| Whataburger | 11 PM to 11 AM | Overnight breakfast |
| Jack in the Box | All day | Most locations |
| Dunkin' | All day | Most locations |
| Starbucks | All day | While supplies last |
| Sonic | Morning, many all day | Varies by location |
| IHOP | All day | Many open 24 hours |
| Denny's | All day | Most open 24/7 |
| Waffle House | 24 hours | Open every day of the year |
| Cracker Barrel | All day | Until close |
| First Watch | 7 AM to 2:30 PM | Daytime only |
Chains that stop breakfast at 10:30 AM
McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's and Chick-fil-A all switch to lunch around 10:30 AM on weekdays. McDonald's and Wendy's often keep breakfast running until 11 AM on weekends. If you want an Egg McMuffin or a Breakfast Baconator, aim to order before 10:25 AM to be safe.
Chains that serve breakfast all day
Jack in the Box, Dunkin', Starbucks, IHOP, Denny's and Cracker Barrel serve breakfast from opening to close. Waffle House goes further and serves its full menu 24 hours a day, every day of the year. These are the safest picks if you want pancakes or a breakfast sandwich in the afternoon.
The overnight option: Whataburger
Whataburger starts serving breakfast at 11 PM and keeps it going until 11 AM, which makes the Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit a popular late-night order. Most Whataburger locations are open 24 hours.
Tips for ordering breakfast
- Order ahead in the app a few minutes before the cutoff. Many chains honor app orders placed before the switch.
- Look for breakfast value deals, such as the McDonald's $4 Breakfast Meal Deal.
- Remember Chick-fil-A is closed every Sunday, so plan weekend breakfasts elsewhere.
- For a sit-down breakfast any time, IHOP, Denny's, Waffle House and Cracker Barrel are the most reliable choices.
Find full prices, hours and menus for every chain on our restaurant menus page.