You've been there. It’s 4:00 PM on Thanksgiving, the turkey is still weirdly frozen in the middle, or maybe you just honestly can’t look at another side of mashed potatoes. Sometimes, the "traditional" meal is a total bust. Or, let’s be real, maybe you're just working the late shift and need something that isn't a gas station sandwich.
Finding what pizza places are open on Thanksgiving feels like a high-stakes scavenger hunt. Most people assume everything is shut tight, but that’s not exactly the case. It’s a bit of a patchwork quilt of "maybe" and "check your local store."
The Big Names: Who’s Actually Firing Up the Ovens?
Don't bet your entire dinner on a national commercial. While corporate offices love to say they’re "here for you," the reality is that about 90% of pizza shops are franchises. That means the owner of the shop down the street gets to decide if they’re spending the day with their kids or slinging pepperoni pies.
Pizza Hut
Historically, Pizza Hut is your best bet. Most locations stay open, though "open" is a relative term. They usually run on a skeleton crew and close early—think 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM instead of their usual midnight run. If you’re in a big city or near a major highway, your odds are high. If you’re in a small town where the owner also coaches the local middle school team? They’re probably closed.
Domino’s
This one is controversial. There’s a lot of conflicting info out there, but for 2025 and 2026, many Domino's locations have actually moved toward closing on Thanksgiving Day. It’s a "thank you" to the drivers who get absolutely hammered on Thanksgiving Eve.
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Pro Tip: Thanksgiving Eve is actually one of the busiest nights of the year for pizza. Everyone is too busy prepping the turkey to cook dinner on Wednesday.
Papa Johns
Papa Johns is another "mixed bag" situation. Generally, they are open, but they lean heavily into delivery-only models for the holiday. Don't expect to walk into a lobby and sit down. They want you to use the app, take the pizza, and let the staff go home as soon as possible.
Little Caesars
The "Hot-N-Ready" king usually stays open, but they are notorious for early closures. If you want a $7 pizza (or whatever inflation has pushed it to this year), you better get there by mid-afternoon. Most Little Caesars locations in malls will be closed because the mall itself is closed. Standalone shops have much better odds.
Local Gems and Independent Shops
Kinda surprisingly, your local "mom and pop" shop might be your savior. While the big chains are worried about corporate optics, local owners often see Thanksgiving as a golden opportunity.
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- The "Non-Traditional" Advantage: Shops owned by families who don’t celebrate the US holiday often stay open regular hours.
- College Town Staples: If you live near a university, those shops know there are thousands of students stuck in dorms with no kitchen. They’ll be open.
- The "Slice" App: Honestly, forget Google Maps for a second. Use the Slice app or ChowNow. They focus on independents and usually have much more accurate holiday hours than the big aggregators.
Why Finding Pizza is So Hard Today
It’s not just about the holiday. Labor shortages have made it harder for stores to find people willing to work for "holiday pay" which, in the pizza world, usually just means an extra few bucks an hour.
A lot of managers are choosing to close simply because they can't staff the phones. If you do find a place that's open, be prepared for long wait times. A "30-minute delivery" can easily turn into 90 minutes when you're the only open shop in a three-mile radius.
Regional Chains to Watch
If you’re in specific parts of the country, your odds change:
- Marco's Pizza: Often open, especially in the South.
- Godfather's Pizza: Very hit or miss, usually closed.
- California Pizza Kitchen: Almost always closed, as they lean more "restaurant" than "takeout joint."
- Casey’s General Store: If you’re in the Midwest, this is your secret weapon. It’s a gas station, sure, but their pizza is legendary and they are always open.
How to Guarantee You Get a Pie
Basically, don't wait until you're hungry.
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First, check the app the night before. Most apps will show "no slots available" if they plan to be closed. Second, call the store. Don’t trust the "Holiday Hours" tag on Google—it's often automated and wrong.
Lastly, consider the "Take and Bake" route. Papa Murphy’s is usually closed on Thanksgiving, but you can grab a pizza on Wednesday, keep it in the fridge, and pop it in the oven when the turkey disaster happens.
Actionable Steps for a Pizza Thanksgiving
If you've decided that pizza is the move, follow this checklist to avoid a hungry evening:
- Download the apps now: Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, and Little Caesars. Check your specific address for "Store Status."
- Check the "Events" or "Promos" tab: Some places offer "Black Friday Eve" deals that actually start on Thanksgiving Day for online orders.
- Order by 2:00 PM: Even if they stay open late, the "dinner rush" on Thanksgiving is unpredictable and can lead to stores turning off their online ordering systems if they get overwhelmed.
- Tip like a hero: If someone is delivering you a pepperoni pizza while their family is eating stuffing, they deserve at least 25-30%. It’s just good karma.
Finding what pizza places are open on Thanksgiving doesn't have to be a headache if you plan for the franchise-by-franchise reality. Stick to the standalone big chains or the local independent shops, and you'll likely find a slice.
Verify your local store hours via their official app at least 24 hours in advance to see if they are accepting "future orders" for the holiday. This is the most reliable way to see if they’ll actually be staffed and operating.