Restaurants Open 24 Hours Around The Country

In the past, going to a restaurant was a special occasion for many Americans – something that you did rarely or as a treat. Today, restaurants are a part of many people’s daily lives. This often includes going out to eat late at night or early in the morning.

24-hour restaurants aren’t as common as they used to be, due in large part to staffing issues. That being said, there are still a number of chain restaurants that are open 24/7/365. Depending on your unique circumstances, you may even consider keeping your own restaurant open 24 hours a day.

Based in Michigan, Budget Branders works with independently owned and operated restaurants throughout the United States. We offer the highest quality plastic cups, coffee sleeves, sandwich bags, and more – all of which can be custom-printed with your restaurant’s name and logo. Whether you are open just for breakfast or are hoping to stay open 24 hours a day, we can help you get the supplies you need at a price that works for your budget.

Should My Restaurant Be Open 24/7?

For most Americans, there are 3 meals a day, plus the option of snacking in between. If you own a restaurant, you might be thinking to yourself that it’s a shame to miss any opportunity to serve (and sell!) a meal. In addition, many people work varied shifts and simply eat at different times of the day – so you may be missing a chance to cater to that crowd.

There are many factors that should be considered before deciding to keep your restaurant open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As an initial matter, you should consider whether you could actually turn a profit by being open around the clock.

If you are located in a smaller town or in a sleepy neighborhood, then the likelihood of getting a late-night crowd is probably low. However, if your restaurant is near a college campus, a hospital, an airport, or a factory that has shift work, then you may get more business at all times of the day and night.

Next, you need to think about staffing. It can be challenging to find restaurant workers at all in 2023 – let alone ones who want to work an overnight shift. You will also have to manage scheduling, and may even have to pay a premium to get people to work unusual shifts.

Finally, you will have to consider logistics, like how the restaurant will be cleaned if it is always open. Other things to think about include:

Whether you will need security for late night hours
If the long hours will impact food quality
How you will make sure that you have enough ingredients, disposable products, and other supplies
What you will do if a piece of restaurant equipment needs to be repaired at an odd time
When you will take care of administrative tasks, like running profit and loss reports and managing inventory

Being open 24 hours a day has the potential for big profits, especially if you will be one of the few places in the area where a person can get something to eat at any time. That being said, it’s a big decision to make, so you should think carefully about whether it makes practical and financial sense before committing to the plan. You could even try a trial run, such as being open 24 hours on weekends only, to see how it goes.

Restaurants That Are Open 24/7 Across the U.S.

Keeping a restaurant open 24 hours a day isn’t the norm. It takes a lot of work to keep a business open around the clock, which can be difficult if you are running an independently-operated restaurant. Because of these logistical challenges, many 24-hour restaurants are chains that benefit from economies of scale and often bigger budgets.

There are fewer 24-hour restaurants than there were in the past, due in part to the pandemic and challenges with staffing. That being said, there are still some restaurants that are open 24/7. Below, we have compiled a list of some of the top options.

Photo via Kelly

Waffle House

Waffle House is one of the few restaurant chains that is truly open 24/7/365. Unlike some restaurants, where only select locations are open 24 hours or where service may be limited, Waffle House is open all day, every day – serving up breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This restaurant even stays open during major storms!

A Southern chain, Waffle House is a popular spot for people leaving bars and clubs. It is little wonder, then, that videos of fights from Waffle Houses often go viral. If you’re hungry at any time of day and happen to live near a Waffle House, this diner may be a great option.

Photo via Billy Hathorn

Denny’s

Denny’s is another incredibly popular chain diner restaurant that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In fact, Denny’s prides itself on being “always open and always welcoming.” Since the pandemic, not all Denny’s restaurants are open 24/7, however, so be sure to check with your local business before going.

You can get any of Denny’s menu items at any time of the day. This includes classics like the Grand Slam breakfast, along with popular menu items like “Moons Over My Hammy.” The coffee at Denny’s is always hot, fresh, and ready to go.

Photo via Dwight Burdette

Steak ‘N Shake

Steak ‘N Shake is a fast-casual restaurant based out of Indianapolis, Indiana with locations across the country. As the name implies, Steak ‘N Shake is known for its juicy steakburgers and creamy shakes (complete with whipped cream and a cherry on top). However, the chain sells more than just burgers and shakes. You can also add chicken fingers, chili, hot dogs, and more to your order.

Steak ‘N Shake hasn’t always been a 24-hour restaurant, but most locations are now open 24 hours a day. Steak ‘N Shake has been in the process of transforming their business model for the past two years. They’ve been transitioning from a full-service restaurant to a quick-service model, which means servers and counter attendants are being replaced with kiosks. This change will allow Steak ‘N Shake to continue to offer 24-hour service in the face of labor shortages.

Photo via Mike Mozart

IHOP

The International House of Pancakes – or IHOP – isn’t just a breakfast joint. Many of its locations are open 24/7, with breakfast options available around the clock. Other locations are open late, until 10 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on weekends.

In addition to its namesake pancakes, you can get other breakfast foods at IHOP. They also have a range of lunch and dinner menu items.

Photo via Corey Coyle

Perkins

At Perkins, franchisees are given the option of staying open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Many individual owners do choose to stay open 24 hours. At Perkins, you can get a wide range of menu options, such as omelets, pancakes, salads, and sandwiches. Perkins is also known for its bake shop with fantastic pies.

Photo via Anthony92931

Dunkin’ Donuts

Dunkin’ Donuts – or as it is currently known, Dunkin – is a classic donut and coffee shop. This chain has many locations that are open around the clock. If you’re lucky enough to live near a 24-hour Dunkin, then you can get great coffee, donuts, breakfast sandwiches, and more at any time of the day or night.

Photo via Famartin

Jack in the Box

Jack in the Box is a well-known fast-food chain with thousands of locations across the United States. At Jack in the Box, you can get slightly unusual menu options, like breakfast tacos, potato wedges, chicken teriyaki bowls, and “munchie meals.” While not all locations are open 24 hours a day, many are – and Jack in the Box even advertises its special late-night menu.

Photo via Jonesdr77

Whataburger

The famed Texas chain Whataburger isn’t just known for its iconic orange logo. Its burgers and fries are top-notch. In many places throughout the South and Southwest, you can get your Whataburger fix 24 hours a day.

Photo via Robi Pastores

McDonald’s

McDonald’s may be the quintessential fast food restaurant – an American classic. When it comes to operating times, most people may be familiar with the fact that McDonald’s only serves breakfast until a certain time (at least in some locations). What they may not know is that many McDonald’s restaurants are open 24 hours – although some only have drive-through availability after a certain time.

Photo via Jovydas Pinkevicius

Burger King

At Burger King, you can “have it your way.” In some locations, this means getting a burger, chicken sandwich, and fries 24 hours a day. While this option isn’t available everywhere, it’s a perfect choice for a late-night or early-morning snack if you have a Burger King near you.

Photo via Dwstultz

White Castle

America’s oldest fast food restaurant, White Castle is known for its small, square burgers known as sliders – and for its starring role in the 2004 movie “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle.” If you are fortunate enough to live near a White Castle (mostly in New York and the Midwest), you can get some of its famed sliders at any time of the day or night.

Partner with Budget Branders

Keeping your restaurant open all day and night can present many logistical challenges. One thing you won’t have to worry about – no matter what your operating hours may be – is getting high-quality promotional items for your restaurant at affordable prices.

Budget Branders provides small to medium-sized restaurants, coffee shops, food trucks, bars, and other businesses with custom-printed disposable products. All of our products are offered in smaller quantities, which makes it possible for even a relatively tiny operation to buy branded disposables. Our prices are affordable and are an effective way to market your business for less.

If you’d like to learn more or to request a quote, contact us today by pressing the live chat button, or sending us a message online.

David Kranker

David Kranker has been working in and writing topics related to the food and beverage service industry since 2012. David continually monitors restaurant, bar, and coffee shop trends to keep a finger on the pulse of the food and beverage service industry. David has been writing for Budget Branders since 2020, where he's covered emerging trends like ghost kitchens, robot waiters, and the angel shot. David shares all of his insights on the Budget Branders blog to inform and entertain restaurant, bar, and coffee shop owners.

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