A complete list of restaurants that accept EBT

The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is a special benefits program that allows certain SNAP recipients to purchase prepared meals at restaurants using their EBT card.

The restaurant program is meant to support people who are unable to make their own meals or who may not have permanent housing where food can be stored. But what does that mean in practice? And how can you find restaurants that accept EBT and are part of the program? Here's a closer look at all of the key information surrounding the SNAP Restaurant Meals Program.

How to find restaurants that take EBT

There are a few ways to find restaurants that are part of the Restaurant Meals Program. Participating states, for instance, often have interactive RMP restaurant locator maps or full participating restaurant lists available on the state website.

Typically, participating restaurants that accept EBT payment will have a sign somewhere stating this fact. Often this sign is displayed in a front window, on a door, or near the cash register.

The sign will say something like: “Participating Restaurant: SNAP Restaurant Meals Program." The sign may also have the symbol of a fork and knife. Restaurants that participate in the program must also offer a discounted meal for SNAP participants on their menu.

You can also call your local SNAP office to request the names of participating restaurants.

Where can you use EBT at restaurants?

The Restaurant Meals Program has not been adopted by every state. Currently, the RMP is available in nine states across the country that have opted to implement it. The participating states are:

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

A list of restaurants that accept EBT

Here's a snapshot of some of the restaurants nationwide that participate in the RMP program (meaning they all accept EBT).

Alabama

Does not participate in RMP

Alaska

Does not participate in RMP

Arizona

• Chandler: Burger King, El Pollo Loco, Firehouse Subs, Jack in the Box, Jimmy & Joe's, Pizzeria Serious, Slices, McDonald's, Subway, and more
• Flagstaff: Burger King, Butler Subway Cafe, Chix N Mex, Subway, and more
• Mesa: Burger King, Carl's Jr, El Pollo Loco, Jack in the Box, Subway, and more
• Phoenix: Burger King, Carl's Jr, Dairy Queen, El Pollo Loco, Jack n' the Box, McDonald's, Subway, and more
• Tucson: Burger King, Carl's Jr, Chickenuevo, Church's Texas Chicken, Dairy Queen, Denny's, Del Taco, McDonald's, Papa Johns Pizza, Subway, Wendy's, and more

Arkansas

Does not participate in RMP

California

• San Franciso: Carl's Jr, Chico's Pizza, UCSF Subway Parnassus, UCSF Subway, Mission Bay, and more
• Los Angeles: Subway, Jack in the Box, Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken and Fish Market, Domino's Pizza, Denny's Restaurant, Wok on the Wild Side, Wendy's, El Pollo Loco, Del Taco, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, and more
• Riverside: McDonald's, Subway, Yoshinoya Beef Bowl #2152, Del Taco, Denny's #7156, and more
• San Diego: Pizza Hut, Burger King, Denny's, Jack in the Box, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Wendy's, and more

Colorado

Does not participate in RMP

Connecticut

Does not participate in RMP

Delaware

Does not participate in RMP

Florida

Does not participate in RMP

Georgia

Does not participate in RMP

Hawaii

Does not participate in RMP

Idaho

Does not participate in RMP

Illinois

• Chicago: BJ's Market & Bakery, Caribbean Jerk's Palace III, Doughboy's Chicago, Firehouse Bakery & Grill, JJ Fish and Chicken, Ocean Wave Soul & Seafood, S2 Express Grill, and more
• Franklin County: Bonnie's Care, Joe's Pizza

Indiana

Does not participate in RMP

Iowa

Does not participate in RMP

Kansas

Does not participate in RMP

Kentucky

Does not participate in RMP

Louisiana

Does not participate in RMP

Maine

Does not participate in RMP

Maryland

• Anne Arundel County: KFC
• Baltimore: Burger King
• Calvert County: 2 Soul Sisters Restaurant, KFC
• Carroll County: Burger King
• Charles County: KFC
• Frederick County: KFC
• Hartford County: CR Wings
• Montgomery County: Burger King
• Prince George's County: KFC

Massachusetts

• Boston: Fresh Food Generation, Merengue Express, Vejigantes Restaurant, Stokes BBQ, La Parada Dominican Kitchen, Merengue Restaurant
• Worcester: New Wine Pizza, Sabrosa Venezuela

Michigan

• Detroit: A Eagles Coney Island, Embassy Coney Island, ERR'Thang Smoked, Heavenly Chicken and Waffles, Market Fresh Deli, Sheeba Express, Subway, The Congregation Detroit, YumVillage
• Dearborn: Toarmina's Pizza, Bionde's Subs, Westpoint Bar-B-Que, Del Taco
• Grand Rapids: Burton Village BBQ Company, Popeye's, Wing Heaven Moo Gobble Burger
• Lansing: Crack Chicken, Eastside Fish Fry, Just Munchies, Siraj Cuisine

Minnesota

Does not participate in RMP

Mississippi

Does not participate in RMP

Missouri

Does not participate in RMP

Montana

Does not participate in RMP

Nebraska

Does not participate in RMP

Nevada

Does not participate in RMP

New Hampshire

Does not participate in RMP

New JerseyDoes not participate in RMP

New Mexico

Does not participate in RMP

New York

• Bronx: Leche Y Miel Restaurant, Pa' Comer, Lins Home Chinese, Kaieteur Restaurant
• Brooklyn: Jam It Bistro, Brain Food Deli & Smart Kitchen, Roseli Chinese Restaurant, Memphis Seoul, IHOP, Ocean Eats, Lady Chow Kitchen
• Manhattan: Justino's Pizzeria, Ray's Pizza, BarIL, SoleSapoara Restaurant, The Chubby Crab
• Queens: Blaze 718
• Rochester: Lakeside Haven Family Restaurant, Pomodoro Pizza, Wings & Pasta, Gregorio's Pizza, Nin's Restaurant

North Carolina

Does not participate in RMP

North Dakota

Does not participate in RMP

Ohio

Does not participate in RMP

Oklahoma

Does not participate in RMP

Oregon

Does not participate in RMP

Pennsylvania

Does not participate in RMP

Rhode Island

• Cranston, Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Westerly: Subway restaurants

South Carolina

Does not participate in RMP

South Dakota

Does not participate in RMP

Tennessee

Does not participate in RMP

Texas

Does not participate in RMP

Utah

Does not participate in RMP

Vermont

Does not participate in RMP

Virginia

• Ararat: Red Rooster Cafe
• Newport News, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth: Subway restaurants
• Lynchburg: Asian Fusion, Bistro Bros Q Deli
• Richmond: Kokonut Grill
• Statewide: KFC, Taco Bell (participating locations)

Washington

Does not participate in RMP

West Virginia

Does not participate in RMP

Wisconsin

Does not participate in RMP

Wyoming

Does not participate in RMP

Which fast food restaurants take EBT?

If you are one of the nine states that offer the RMP, eligible individuals may use their EBT cards to purchase meals at select fast food restaurants.

However, while many fast food restaurants accept EBT, the specific level of participation may vary by state. Here's a closer look at popular fast food restaurants and their EBT participation.

• McDonald's: McDonald's participates at select locations. Its level of participation varies by state.
• Subway: Subway participates in the RMP. However, acceptance of EBT may vary by restaurant.
• Jack in the Box: Jack in the Box participates in the RMP at select locations. Check your local RMP directory.
• KFC: KFC locations in certain states accept EBT.
• Wendy's: Wendy's participates in the RMP. However, its participation is limited to locations in California.
• Taco Bell: Taco Bell participates in the RMP in limited locations.
• Popeyes: Popeyes participates in the RMP in limited locations.

What can you get at a restaurant with EBT?

If you're using an EBT card to buy a meal at a participating restaurant, you can order whatever food you want from the menu.

"Any meal offered at that restaurant [can be purchased]," says Andrew Cheyne, managing director of public policy for the California-based non-profit GRACE/End Child Poverty CA. "Not necessarily the discounted meal, if that’s not what the customer wants."

In addition, it's important to note that while RMP allows participants to purchase hot meals, that does not mean this benefit can be used to purchase hot foods from any store that accepts EBT payment. The program is specifically approved for restaurant purchases, says Propel policy specialist Julianna Lai.

How to use your EBT card at restaurants

If you qualify for the RMP, paying for a restaurant meal using an EBT card is a simple and straightforward process. EBT cards can be used as a form of payment the same way you'd use a debit or credit card.

"If you are eligible for the RMP, your EBT card will be specifically coded by the state to be accepted at participating restaurants," says Lai.

To pay for a meal, you provide your EBT card to the restaurant and it will be processed with a point of sale device that's been programmed to accept this form of payment. You will need your PIN number and enough money in your EBT account to cover the purchase.

EBT cards belonging to SNAP beneficiaries who are not eligible for the RMP will be declined when processed by the restaurant.

Who qualifies for the Restaurant Meals Program?

The Restaurant Meals Program doesn't replace SNAP, it offers a different way for some people to use their SNAP benefits.

"The RMP is an additional option that some states offer as part of SNAP," explains Lai.

"It gives SNAP recipients that are at a high risk for chronic hunger the option to use their benefits to buy prepared meals at approved participating restaurant vendors. This is really helpful for folks who might have trouble cooking for themselves, like older adults (60 and up), people with disabilities, and unhoused individuals."

People who may qualify for the Restaurant Meals Program include:

• Seniors (60 years of age or older)
• People with disabilities (those who are the recipients of disability or blindness payments, or receives disability retirement benefits from a governmental agency due to a disability that has been deemed permanent)
• Unhoused individuals
• Spouses of SNAP recipients in one of the above groups

The Restaurant Meals Program provides critical nutrition access for these vulnerable populations, supporting eligible households that may find it difficult to otherwise utilize their SNAP benefits, adds Cheyne.

"If you cannot leave your home to purchase groceries, or do not have a home, these are just a few of the scenarios in which the RMP is a lifeline to ensure people experiencing poverty-related hunger can utilize their federally entitled food benefits to eat," says Cheyne.

The Restaurant Meals Program can also be helpful for SNAP beneficiaries who live in areas that are underserved by traditional grocery stores, providing them with another way to access food, says Cheyne.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. Can you buy hot food with EBT?

In most cases, no. "Hot foods are [things like] rotisserie chicken, ready to eat soups, but also cold foods like salad bars that are ready to eat," explains Cheyne. "Normally, SNAP customers cannot purchase hot foods, unless there is an approved waiver following a disaster when it is assumed that you cannot cook groceries at home."

2. Can you use EBT on DoorDash?

EBT cards can be used to make purchases at specific stores through DoorDash. But EBT cards may not be used to cover the cost of hot meals.

"While individuals can use their SNAP benefits on DoorDash at grocery stores that accept EBT, SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase meals from restaurants on DoorDash," explains Irene Lewis, senior policy and research analyst for the national Food Research & Action Center (FRAC).

SNAP/EBT benefits can cover the cost of purchases made through DoorDash at some 7-Eleven locations, as well as at a variety of grocery stores, including Costco, ALDI, FoodLion, Hannaford, Safeway, Sam's Club, Stater Brothers, Star Market, Vons and Target.

Summary

The SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) provides a critical path to access nutritious meals for those who would otherwise have limited options to use their SNAP benefits. The program makes it possible to use EBT cards to pay for hot meals at participating restaurants.

If you have questions about managing your SNAP benefits, the Propel app can help you. It's the #1 rated EBT balance checking app and we also work hard to compile the most useful benefits information to keep you up to date.