Most corporate-owned Arby's locations close on Easter Sunday to give employees time off, though franchise-operated stores retain the autonomy to set independent hours. If you're craving roast beef on Easter Sunday, you shouldn't count on finding your local branch open. While holidays like Memorial Day or Labor Day feature standard operating hours, major holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter frequently trigger closures or modified availability across the chain.
Understanding how fast-food franchises manage holiday hours saves you from wasted trips. This guide breaks down what you can expect from Arby's on Easter Sunday, how franchise independence changes the rules, and the exact steps you can take to verify your local store's status before leaving home.
Franchise Independence and Easter Closures
Arby's operates thousands of locations globally, and a vast majority of these restaurants are owned by independent franchisees rather than the corporate parent company. Because of this structure, corporate holiday policies serve as general guidelines rather than absolute mandates for every single building.
On major holidays like Easter, corporate leadership typically recommends closing or shortening hours, but individual franchise owners make the final call based on regional demand and local staffing availability. A store located inside a travel plaza, a highway service oasis, or a busy urban center might stay open because holiday travelers generate heavy traffic. Conversely, a suburban standalone restaurant with a drive-thru usually locks its doors to observe the holiday.
Good Friday and the Saturday preceding Easter Sunday almost always run on normal operating schedules. Regular hours resume immediately on Easter Monday, meaning any temporary closures are strictly confined to Sunday.
How to Verify Your Local Arby's Holiday Status
Don't guess whether your nearest restaurant is serving food on Easter Sunday. Take a few proactive steps to confirm operating hours before you drive out.
- Check the official store locator on the Arby's Website to view specific phone numbers and address details for your closest branch.
- Use the official Arby's mobile application, which pulls real-time updates for local operating hours, drive-thru availability, and temporary holiday closures.
- Look up the location on Google Maps or Apple Maps, where businesses frequently update holiday hours weeks in advance alongside customer-submitted status notes.
- Call the restaurant directly the week before Easter to ask a manager if they plan to modify their hours or close entirely for the holiday.
Common Mistakes to Avoid on Holiday Weekends
Heading out for fast food on a major holiday often leads to frustration if you rely on assumptions. Keep these pitfalls in mind.
Don't trust third-party aggregator sites blindly. Many generic holiday hours blogs publish automated, unverified schedules that fail to account for local franchise variations or annual calendar shifts.
Don't assume delivery apps reflect actual restaurant status. Third-party delivery platforms like DoorDash or Uber Eats sometimes display a restaurant as open simply because the digital storefront is active, even if the physical dining room and kitchen are dark.
Don't wait until dinner time to check. If your local store happens to be one of the rare franchise locations operating on reduced holiday hours, they might close much earlier than usual. Always check closing times ahead of afternoon or evening cravings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Arby's drive-thrus open on Easter if the dining room is closed?
When a franchise location decides to stay open on Easter Sunday with modified operations, they occasionally keep only the drive-thru lane active while closing the indoor dining area. However, if the store's official holiday status is closed, both the dining room and drive-thru remain locked.
Do Arby's holiday hours change for Good Friday?
No. Good Friday is treated as a standard business day across the entire restaurant network. You can expect normal opening and closing times, standard menu availability, and regular drive-thru operations.
What other holidays does Arby's close for?
Arby's locations are traditionally closed on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day. For most other federal and seasonal holidays—including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day—restaurants stay open, though some adjust their closing times depending on local foot traffic.
Can I order Arby's catering ahead of Easter weekend?
Yes, but you must place large catering orders several days in advance. Because Easter Sunday itself usually involves store closures, you'll need to pick up any party platters or bulk orders on Saturday before closing time. Check out the USDA Food Safety Guidelines if you plan on holding prepared foods in your refrigerator over the holiday weekend.
