Did you know there are restaurants that accept EBT? It’s true!
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps low-income families and individuals with groceries, food and beverages. SNAP benefits are delivered to recipients through an EBT card.
Many people are curious to know whether these cards can be used in fast food restaurants or not.
The Restaurant Meals Program is a federal government initiative designed in many states as part of the SNAP program. The program helps low-income families and individuals pay for a hot, prepared meal with the help of their debit card.
Many businesses and states have participated in the restaurant dining program. This guide will shed light on fast food chain restaurants and pizzerias near you that accept EBT payments from customers.
Top 15 Restaurants That Accept EBT
Consumers may think they can only use their SNAP benefits at traditional grocery stores, but they can actually use their EBT cards at other places, including Dollar General, 7-Eleven, and select pharmacies like Walgreens. You can even use your EBT cards at the following fast food restaurants:
- Burger King
- Carl’s Jr.
- McDonald’s
- Domino’s
- KFC
- Little Caesars
- Subway
- Popeye’s
- Taco Bell
- Wendy’s
- El Pollo Loco
Remember that SNAP benefit rules vary from state to state. GOBankingRates indicates below which states these fast food restaurants that accept EBT cards. None of these chains accept EBT cards in all 50 states.
1. Burger King
Burger King is the second largest hamburger chain in the United States, after McDonald’s. It has more than 18,700 locations in more than 100 countries. Burger King accepts EBT cards in Arizona and California.
2. Carl’s Jr.
Serving customers since 1941, Carl’s Jr. has more than 1,000 locations in the U.S. and operates in 28 countries. Carl’s Jr. accepts EBT cards in Arizona and California.
3. McDonald’s
No other restaurant is as famous for fast food as McDonald’s, which opened in 1955. The home of the Happy Meal accepts EBT cards in Arizona, California and Michigan.
4. Dominoes
Domino’s was originally called DomNick’s and was renamed Domino’s in 1965. Today, there are more than 14,400 locations in more than 85 countries. Domino’s accepts EBT cards in Arizona and California.
5. KFC
Fried chicken hasn’t been the same since a man named Harland Sanders came along with his secret recipe many moons ago. KFC accepts EBT cards for meal purchases in states that participate in the Restaurant Dining Program. This includes Arizona and California. Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Virginia offer this program only in certain cities or counties.
6. Little Caesars
Little Caesars was actually founded by a couple named Mike and Marian. They invested their life savings into opening a small pizzeria in Garden City, Michigan. Decades later, business is booming, with more than 4,000 locations in the U.S. But only a few Little Caesars locations in San Diego, California, accept EBT cards.
7. Subway
Famous for its foot-long sandwiches, Subway operates more than 37,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. The fast food chain accepts EBT cards in Arizona, California and Rhode Island.
8. Popeye
The beloved fried chicken chain opened 50 years ago in Louisiana and has spread its Southern love around the world. Popeye’s accepts EBT cards in Arizona and California. The chain also accepts EBT cards in select cities and counties in Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island and Virginia.
9. Taco Bell
When Taco Bell was born in 1962, tacos sold for just 19 cents. We have surely come a long way since then. But the United States has not lost its appetite for this almost Mexican cuisine. Taco Bell has more than 7,000 locations in the U.S. Some locations in Arizona and California accept EBT cards.
10. Wendy’s
With more than 6,500 restaurants worldwide, Wendy’s has become a leading fast food chain. Wendy’s accepts EBT cards, but only in a few counties in California.
11. El Pollo Loco
Opened in 1980 and acquired by Denny’s, Inc. in 1983, El Pollo Loco now operates nearly 500 locations in the U.S. El Pollo Loco locations in California and Arizona accept EBT.
Read Also: Does Trader Joe’s Accept EBT Card (Food Stamps)?
Restaurants That Accept EBT from Anyone
Although most restaurants that accept EBT do so as part of the Restaurant Dining Program, there are some outliers that will accept anyone’s SNAP benefits. However, there are only a few of these.
Papa Murphy’s Take and Bake Pizzas
You can always buy Papa Murphy’s with food stamp benefits! Because the pizza is cold at the point of sale, it is no different than buying a frozen DiGiorno pizza at the supermarket. You can also buy their salads, cookie dough, and soft drinks with EBT.
Papa Murphy’s has more than 1,150 locations across the United States. All of their locations accept EBT benefits.
How it works: You can place your order in store, over the phone, or online. If you order online, you will need to pay in person with your EBT card at the time of pickup.
Read Also: Does Whole Foods Take EBT?
Starbucks
Starbucks-licensed locations inside grocery stores often accept EBT as a form of payment. According to a Starbucks customer service representative, “Starbucks, as a policy, does not accept food stamp cards as payment in company-operated stores. However, some of our licensees, particularly those in grocery stores, may accept them as payment.”
Some licensed Starbucks locations, such as those inside grocery stores, may accept EBT. Company-owned Starbucks stores will never accept EBT.
How it works: You should always ask before placing your order to avoid problems at the time of purchase. If the store is set up to accept EBT, they should be able to tell you which items are eligible for EBT.
What is The Restaurant Meals Program?
The Restaurant Meals Program is part of the federal Food Stamp Act. This program allows certain eligible EBT users to purchase hot meals at restaurants with their food benefits.
Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as it seems. The federal government allows each state to decide whether or not to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program, and most states have refused.
Even in areas where the program exists, not everyone can buy hot meals at restaurants with their food stamp benefits. To be eligible to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program, you generally must not be able to cook your own meals at home because you are homeless, disabled, or elderly.
However, for people who are eligible and live in a participating area, the Restaurant Meals Program can make their lives much easier.
Read More: Does Target Accept EBT?
What are the Restaurants that Accept EBT?
There are over 500 restaurants accepting EBT nationwide at the time of this publication. That’s a lot! Some of these restaurants are small family businesses or food trucks. Others are well-known and established restaurant chains.
Here is an alphabetical list of some of the best-known national restaurant chains that accept EBT in certain locations:
- Arby’s
- Burger King
- Carl’s Jr.
- Dairy Queen
- Del Taco
- Denny’s
- Dickey’s BBQ Pit
- Domino’s Pizza
- El Pollo Loco
- Firehouse Subs
- Jack in the Box
- KFC
- Little Caesar’s Pizza
- McDonald’s
- Panda Express
- Papa John’s
- Pizza Hut
- Popeye’s
- Rally’s Hamburger
- Subway
- Taco Bell
- Wendy’s
- Wing Stop
Although many of these are well-known restaurant chains, not all places accept SNAP benefits. Only certain locations, described below, are approved to process these payments for restaurant meals.
Read More: Does Costco Take EBT?
Where are the Restaurants that Accept EBT Located?
Although there are some nationwide options for purchasing restaurant meals with EBT, the vast majority of restaurants that accept EBT are located in specific states.
States that have chosen to participate in the Restaurant Dining Program include:
- Arizona
- California
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Snowfall
- NY
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
Even within those areas, only specific regions and restaurants are approved to process EBT transactions. It is a very limited program.
Let’s talk about what each state has authorized.
Arizona has 300+ restaurants.
This state has been participating in the Restaurant Dining Program for a long time and has a well-established program.
Arizona residents who receive EBT can also double their money at Farmer’s Markets, get EBT discounts at popular destinations, and more through these EBT discount programs!
There are more than 300 restaurants that accept EBT in Arizona, including:
- 47 Ave Food Store Inc.
- Angies Lobster
- Blue Seas Express
- Burger King
- Burger Shoppe
- Butler Subway Cafe
- Captain Tony’s Pizza
- Carl’s Jr
- Chavelas Water and Ice Cream Eatery
- Chix N Mex
- Churchs Chicken 955
- Classic Cooking Academy
- Dairy Queen
- Diamond Creek Restaurant
- Domino’s Pizza
- Dorsey B’s Fish and Fixins
- Eat Fresh Mexican Food
- Eegee’s
- El Pollo Loco
- Fat Sub
- Figami Asian Fresh
- Firehouse Subs
- Harris & Smith Coffee Company
- Helpings Cafe and Market
- Hungry Howie’s
- Jack in the Box
- Jimmy and Joe’s Pizzeria
- KFC
- Krispy Krunchy Chicken
- La Perla Sports Cantina
- Latino Restaurant
- Lenny’s Burger
- Love Hawaiian BBQ
- Maskadores Taco Shop
- McDonald’s
- NK Gyros
- Paradise Mexican Food
- Perfetto
- Rags Real Chicken and Waffles
- Rally’s Hamburgers
- Senor Sushi
- Smoke Dem Bones BBQ
- Speedy Street Tacos
- Subway
- Sue Soul Food Heaven
- Sylvia’s La Canasta
- Sylvia’s Off The Grill
- Taco Bell
- T and Y Hawaiian BBQ
- Tasty Box
- Uncle Sam’s
Of course, as we explained above, not all locations are set up to process EBT payments. Be sure to check out the list of participating locations before you go!
Read More: Does Sam’s Club Take EBT?
California has more than 200 restaurants.
California has participated in the Restaurant Dining Program for a long time. The program used to be administered at the county level, but the state has changed its policies so the program is now authorized statewide.
Of course, we also found hundreds of EBT discounts for California residents. You can save money on some great things, including visits to the La Brea Tar Pits!
There are more than 200 restaurants that accept EBT in California, including:
- A&T Burgers
- Alma’s Cookies & Company Restaurant
- Ameci Pizza Kitchen
- Angelo’s Burger
- Arby’s
- Arnold’s Burgers
- Art’s Famous Chili Dog
- B&R’s Old Fashion Burger
- Baby Brother Pizza
- Banh Mi Che Cali
- Bayou Grille
- BBQ Express
- BBQ King
- Big Al’s Pizza
- Bobo’s Hamburger
- Bonnie B’s Smokin BBQ
- Boy’s Hamburgers
- Bravo Burger
- Broadway Food Corner
- Brother’s BBQ
- Burger King
- Cafe Creole
- California Cheeseburgers
- California Steak & Fries
- Campus Ktichen
- Captain Tony’s Pizza and Pasta
- Carl’s Jr
- Carnitas Michoacán
- Casa Sanchez
- Ceiba Restaurant
- Chabelita’s Restaurant
- Chavez Polo & Burger
- China Beauty Food Express
- Chinatown Express
- Chinese Express
- Church’s Chicken
- City Hall Market Restaurant
- Classic Burger
- Cliff’s Texas Style Burritos
- Corner Kafe
- Covina Burgers
- Crazy Falafel
- Curry Time
- Cypress Best Burgers
- D’s Original Take Out Grill
- Daily Donuts House
- Del Taco
- Deli Robert’s Pizza
- Denny’s
- Dinna’s Mexican Food Restaurant
- Dickey’s BBQ Pit
- Dino’s Burgers
- Dominguez Pizza
- Domino’s Pizza
- Dono’s Fish & Chicken
- Doublz
- Downtown Catch 21
- Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen
- El Arka Bakery & Restaurant
- El Huero
- El Merendero
- El Pollo Loco
- Jack in the Box
- Le Pardis Bakery and Cafe
- New York Pizza
- NYC Deli & Grill
- Nikko’s Family Restaurant
- Primo Burgers
- Taqueria El Torero
- and more!
You can get the full list of restaurants that accept EBT in this state by checking out this detailed list of locations in California. Remember, not all locations are set up to process EBT payments. For example, as of this writing, there is only one Arby’s location in the United States that accepts EBT.
Illinois has 5 restaurants.
Illinois launched its restaurant dining program in spring 2022. This program is still in development and is relatively new. It is currently limited to certain zip codes in Chicago.
As of January 3, 2024, there are 5 restaurants that accept EBT in Illinois, including:
- BJ’s Market and Bakery
- Doughboy’s Chicago
- Firehouse Bakery and Grill
- JJ Fish and Chicken
- Ocean Wave Soul & Seafood
- S2 Express Grill
Don’t forget that Illinois has amazing EBT discounts too! Some of my favorite deals are on our list of Illinois EBT discounts, so you won’t want to miss them!
Maryland has a restaurant.
Maryland launched its restaurant dining program in 2020! This program is still in a pilot phase, meaning it is being tested in a small area to see if it is a good fit for the state. If all goes well, the program should eventually expand to other areas of the state.
Read Also: Does Instacart Take EBT In 2024?
As of January 3, 2024, there is only one restaurant that accepts EBT in Maryland:
Massachusetts has 27 restaurants.
Massachusetts to Launch Restaurant Dining Pilot Program in 2024! This program is expected to open in fall 2024.
The state recently announced the restaurants and food trucks that were selected for the pilot. They include:
- Bella Isla Café (Chelsea)
- Bridge Pizzeria (Revere)
- Brother’s Deli (Lynn)
- Café Reyes (MA)
- Caribbean Classic on Wheels (Mattapan)
- Cedar’s Food Mart (Springfield)
- Cocina Lupita (Greenfield)
- Crave (Holyoke)
- Dona Habana (Roxbury)
- El Taller (Lawrence)
- Faneek’s Coney Island (Fall River)
- Fresh Food Generation (Boston)
- Fritay Restaurant (Mattapan)
- January’s Kitchen (Roxbury)
- La Parada Dominican Kitchen (Roxbury)
- Las Delicias Colombiana (Revere)
- Las Palmas Restaurant (Roslindale)
- Merengue Restaurant (Roxbury)
- MexiRico (Springfield)
- New Wine Pizza (Worcester)
- Pizza Maria (Brockton)
- Sabrine Bakery and Café (Malden)
- Sabrosa Venezuela (Winchendon)
- Sazon Peru Restaurant (Lawrence)
- Soleil Restaurant (Roxbury)
- Thmor Da Restaurant (Revere)
- Vejigantes Restaurant (Boston)
Michigan has 15 restaurants.
Michigan has had a back-and-forth relationship with the Restaurant Dining Program. They had one for a few years, then they finished it, and then they brought it back. It seems that this time the program is here to stay!
As of January 3, 2024, there are 14 different restaurants that accept EBT in Michigan:
- Foundry Bakehouse and Deli
- Emma’s Coffe House
- Breadless
- Market Fresh Deli
- Ray’s Pizza and Chicken
- Sheeba Express
- Burton Village BBQ Company
- McDonald’s (4 locations)
- Just Muchies
- Siraj Cuisine
- Wing Heaven Sports Haven
- Dee’s Pizza Pad
- Sally’s Whatta Pizza
- Holy Cow! Creamery
Of course, each individual location must be approved to participate in this program. Check our list of locations for directions before your visit.
Rhode Island has 2 restaurants.
Like other states, Rhode Island’s Restaurant Meals Program is designed specifically for seniors, the disabled, and the homeless. Interestingly, Rhode Island regulations define homelessness as a household that lacks a fixed and regular nighttime residence.
This may include people living in a shelter, a halfway house, a place not designed for sleeping, or even those temporarily staying in someone else’s home (for up to 90 days).
As of January 3, 2024, restaurants that accept EBT in Rhode Island include:
- Federal Hill Pizza Restaurant
- Subway (10 locations)
To find exact locations, you’ll need to look for the “fork and knife” program logo in the restaurant window or check our list of locations.
States That Not Participate in the Meals in Restaurant Program
The following states have chosen not to implement the Restaurant Dining Program as of January 3, 2024. However, these states have other discounts, freebies, and EBT programs that may benefit you.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa (ended February 2001)
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Conclusion
Consumers participating in SNAP should know that they can pay for their fast food at various chains with their EBT cards, but only if they live in certain states, most commonly California and Arizona. Certain fast food chains have also expanded the use of EBT cards in Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island and Virginia, but only in select cities or counties.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can EBT be used in restaurants?
SNAP EBT (food stamps) benefits can be used at restaurants if you live in an area that participates in the Restaurant Dining Program. We have a list of participating states at LowIncomeRelief.com/RMP.
Is it legal to use EBT in restaurants?
Yeah! Federal law has authorized the Restaurant Meals Program since 1977. It is not available in all areas or to all users, but it is legal for eligible EBT users to purchase meals at approved restaurants.
Will I need a different EBT card to use at restaurants?
No. The EBT card you use at the grocery store is the same one you will use to purchase meals through the Restaurant Dining Program. If you are eligible, your caseworker will make sure your card is enabled for use at participating restaurants.
Do restaurants charge sales tax on meals purchased with EBT?
No. Restaurants should not charge sales tax when you purchase your food with your EBT card. Check your receipts before leaving the restaurant. If you were charged sales tax, try to resolve it with the restaurant first. If that fails, you can open a dispute by calling the number on the back of your EBT card.
Can I use my EBT benefits at a restaurant in another state?
No. Although you can shop at grocery stores in other states, the Restaurant Meals Program is state-specific. Eligible EBT users can only purchase meals at restaurants that have been approved by the state government. Out-of-state EBT users are not eligible to participate.
Can you buy hot food with an EBT card in California?
California is by far the most liberal state when it comes to EBT benefits, as it is the only one where all 11 fast food restaurants on this list allow EBT card use. That said, you can’t buy hot food with it in a supermarket.
Do Texas fast food restaurants accept EBT in Texas?
No, fast food restaurants in Texas do not accept the EBT card. Texas is one of many states that does not participate in the Restaurant Meals Program. To use your EBT card to buy fast food, your state must be part of the Restaurant Dining Program, which Texas is not.
What restaurants accept EBT in Houston?
Restaurants accept EBT in Houston; Restaurants accept Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) as payment. We know this is a question we get asked by dozens of people every day, so we’ve put together a list of businesses where you can use your EBT card to purchase food and drinks.