What Restaurants Accept EBT Near Me?

Wondering which restaurants accept EBT near you in 2026? From reliable takeout chains like Papa Murphy’s to dine-in restaurants like Denny’s, there are hundreds of restaurants throughout the United States that can accept SNAP benefits for hot, ready-to-eat meals.

When I first started researching this, I was shocked! I had always been told that food benefits could only be used to purchase groceries and that you could never buy hot food with those benefits. However, as I travelled around the United States, I noticed that many fast food establishments and even dine-in restaurants accepted EBT benefits for certain users!

In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about how you can find restaurants that accept EBT near you!

Restaurants that Accept EBT from Anyone

Although the majority of restaurants that accept EBT do so as part of the Restaurant Meals Program as explained below, there are a few outliers that will accept SNAP benefits from anyone. There are only a few of these, however.

• Papa Murphy’s Take & Bake Pizzas are available to anyone with SNAP benefits. Because the pizza is cold at the point of sale, it’s not considered any different that purchasing a frozen DiGiorno pizza from the grocery store. You can also buy their salads, cookie dough, and sodas with EBT.
• Other Take & Bake Pizzas allow you to purchase cold pizza to cook at home can accept EBT benefits as well. Over the years that we’ve been researching and updating this list, we’ve found many local take and bakes that will sell you cold pizza with your EBT benefits. Some of them (including some 7-11s) will even bake the pizza on-site for an extra fee, which usually must be paid in cash.
• Starbucks: Corporate Starbucks locations do not accept EBT. However, some licensees (especially those within grocery stores) have been able to process EBT transactions in the past. As this practice has gotten more attention, though, Starbucks has encouraged licensees to stop this practice.
• Restaurants in Grocery Stores: Some users have reported that certain restaurants inside stores like Walmart or Target can accept EBT and this information often circulates on social media platforms. These users claim to have purchased hot pizzas from Pizza Hut locations inside Target or restaurants inside Walmart. It is true that sometimes retailers have food service areas that sometimes accept EBT. This is usually a glitch and it isn’t supposed to work, unless the location participates in the Restaurant Meals Program.

It’s important for users to verify this information with their specific local stores, as policies may vary by location. Checking directly with the store or referring to official government resources can help ensure accurate and up-to-date information regarding the acceptance of EBT benefits at these establishments.

About the Restaurant Meals Program

In order to understand why there are some restaurants that accept EBT when most don’t, we’ll need to start with a quick introduction to the Restaurant Meals Program.

The Restaurant Meals Program is a part of the federal law that governs the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Since 1977, this program has allowed certain eligible SNAP recipients to purchase hot restaurant meals with their SNAP benefits.

The catch?

• Only certain people can do this. The program is only for people who can’t make their own meals at home because they are homeless, disabled, or at least 60 years old.
• It’s only available in certain areas. Even though the Restaurant Meals Program is authorized under federal law, each individual state can decide whether or not to participate.
• It only works at certain restaurants. In areas where the Restaurant Meals Program is authorized, each individual location has to go through an approval process to accept EBT benefits. That’s why one Jack in the Box may accept EBT, but another one in the same town might not.

How Can I Tell if a Restaurant Accepts EBT?

To determine if a restaurant accepts EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer), you can follow these steps:

1. Check the List Below: We have aggregated a list of every restaurant that accepts EBT benefits in the United States. We do this by pulling data from official state websites to ensure that our listings are accurate, and we regularly update these lists to ensure they stay accurate. Scroll to find your state subheading below for the list in your area.
2. Look for Signage: Restaurants that accept EBT often display a sign or sticker on their entrance or window indicating they accept SNAP benefits.
3. Call the Restaurant: If you’re unsure, the most direct way is to call the restaurant and ask if they accept EBT for payment.
4. Consult the EBT Customer Service: Every EBT card issuer provides a customer service number, usually found on the back of the card. They can offer information about participating restaurants in your area.

Remember, not all states participate in the Restaurant Meals Program, and even in participating states, not all restaurants accept EBT. The program is generally intended for the elderly, disabled, and homeless SNAP recipients who might not have the facilities to prepare meals.

How Do You Use an EBT Card at a Restaurant?

Navigating the use of your EBT card at participating restaurants is simpler than you might think. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure a smooth experience.

1. Verify Your Eligibility: Before you go to the restaurant, make sure that your state participates in this program and that you meet the criteria as a disabled, elderly or homeless EBT recipient.
2. Locate Participating Restaurants Near You: Not all restaurants accept EBT cards. Look for signs that say “EBT Accepted Here” or check our list below to find participating locations in your area.
3. Order Your Meal: Look for “EBT-Eligible” signs on the menu or ask the cashier what meals are covered by SNAP benefits. Some restaurants may offer special, discounted meals for EBT shoppers. Select what you’d like to eat and order.
4. Pay with EBT: When it’s time to pay, swipe your EBT card like a regular debit card. Enter your PIN.
5. Receipt & Balance: Always collect your receipt! IT shows the cost of your meal and the remaining balance on your EBT card.

The hardest part is finding restaurants that accept EBT near you. However, we’ve made that easy in our list below!

What Can You Buy With EBT at a Restaurant?

There are a lot of rules about what you can and cannot buy with SNAP benefits. Even though the Restaurant Meals Program enables you to buy hot meals from restaurants, you still cannot buy alcohol, vitamins or other non-food items with your benefits.

When in doubt, always ask the cashier what you can buy with EBT so that you don’t accidentally order something that isn’t EBT-eligible. If you do, you’ll have to pay with a different payment method!

Big Chains That Accept EBT Through the RMP

In RMP states, plenty of well-known chains have locations that accept EBT. Here’s a quick look at some of the most common ones. For the exact addresses near you, check your state’s list above.

• Burger King — Widely available across RMP states.
• Carl’s Jr. — Participates in several states.
• Del Taco — Mostly concentrated in California.
• Denny’s — A smaller but growing number of locations.
• El Pollo Loco — Strong presence in California and Arizona.
• Jack in the Box — One of the largest chains participating.
• KFC — Participates in most RMP states.
• McDonald’s — Location-specific; not every McDonald’s is enrolled.
• Pizza Hut — Wide participation across multiple states.
• Subway — One of the most common RMP restaurants nationwide.
• Wendy’s — Growing participation.
• Wingstop — Available in select markets.

You’ll also find local favorites participating — diners, family-owned barbecue joints, sushi spots, and plant-based restaurants. Our full guide to fast food places that take EBT has more detail on individual chains.

What Restaurants Accept EBT Near Me?

Not every location accepts EBT benefits. Each location has to be independently authorized to process these transactions. Due to strict paperwork and regulatory requirements, it is entirely possible for one location in a city to accept EBT payments while another location in the same city does not.

As of 2026, nine states run some version of the Restaurant Meals Program:

• Arizona
• California
• Illinois
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• New York
• Rhode Island
• Virginia

Even within these states, not every county or city participates yet. And even in participating areas, each individual restaurant has to apply and get approved. So one Subway might take EBT while the one down the street doesn’t.

How can I get restaurants to accept EBT in my area?

If you live in one of the states that has not chosen to participate in the Restaurant Meals Program, you can encourage your lawmakers to adopt this in your area. If you get enough people to speak up for this option, you may be able to make it happen! We have instructions on how to ask your lawmakers below.

If you would like to have restaurants that accept EBT in your state, here’s what you need to do.

First, you need to find the contact information for your elected officials. Find their information by using the State Legislatures tool on Congress.gov. You will need to follow the prompts to identify your state senators and state representatives. Remember to focus on the state officials, since the Restaurant Meals Program is already authorized at the federal level.

Second, you will need to contact each one of your elected state legislators. You may contact them by phone, written letter and/or email.

It helps to have a script prepared so that you stay focused and on-topic. I have included a sample message below, which you are welcome to copy and paste.

Dear [Elected Official],

Since 1977, the federal Food Stamp Act has given states the ability to enact the Restaurant Meals Program. This program serves vulnerable and at-risk populations, such as the homeless and elderly, who cannot cook meals for themselves at home. Through this program, these specific qualifying individuals are allowed to use their food benefits to purchase affordable meals at select restaurants such as Subway.

For more information about this program and how it works in other states, you can visit LowIncomeRelief.com (https://lowincomerelief.com/fast-food-restaurants-ebt/).

Please take action to introduce the Restaurant Meals Program in our state.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Obviously, you will need to insert the name and title of your elected officials, as well as your name, before sending that letter.

FAQ about Restaurants that Accept EBT

Most people have been told over and over again that SNAP EBT benefits cannot (or should not) be used to purchase hot food, and that’s usually true… so it’s understandable why so many people have questions about this unique and relatively-unknown program.

We have answered hundreds, if not thousands, of questions about this program since we first reported on it in 2017. We’ll answer the most common questions here for your convenience.

If you don’t see an answer to your question, ask us in the comments and we’ll respond as soon as we can.