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Curb a New Year’s Day hangover with popular fast-food places that are open

By Brad Cramer

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 7: The In-N-Out fast food hamburger restaurant in Westwood Village is viewed on August 7, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Millions of tourists flock to the Los Angeles area to visit dozens of top attractions including, the beach communities, Hollywood Boulevard, and Rodeo Drive in nearby Beverly Hills. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 7: The In-N-Out fast food hamburger restaurant in Westwood Village is viewed on August 7, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Millions of tourists flock to the Los Angeles area to visit dozens of top attractions including, the beach communities, Hollywood Boulevard, and Rodeo Drive in nearby Beverly Hills. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /
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You’ve given 2020 the appropriate send-off and are feeling it, so what popular fast-food places await you and your appetite on New Year’s Day?

Rarely, if ever, has the turning of a calendar page been as eagerly awaited as it is this week. 2020 has made few friends, and the sight of it in the rear-view mirror will undoubtedly be a welcome one. With those sentiments could come an unprecedented intensity of occasion-specific imbibing on New Year’s Eve. The result on New Year’s Day will inevitably be throngs of people setting out in search of easy, fast, familiar eating. So which popular fast-food establishments will be open?

For the early risers among you, how about we shine the spotlight on fast-food places that serve breakfast?

Chick-fil-A

Since New Year’s Day doesn’t fall on a Sunday in 2021, early hunger can be satisfied with a Chick-fil-A Chicken Biscuit or the always-popular Chick-n-Minis.

McDonald’s

Like other brands that are largely-franchised, the New Year’s Day status of McDonald’s locations could vary, but you should expect to find a good number of them open. So if you’re craving an Egg McMuffin after waking for the first time in 2021, you’re in luck. The entire Mickey D’s menu is at your disposal, except of course, a McFlurry because the machine’s either broken or being cleaned.

Wendy’s

Now that Wendy’s has decided to actively engage in the fast-food breakfast wars, the opportunity exists for you to mark the new year by finally trying the Breakfast Baconator. Packed chock-full of bacon-duh-and accompanied by eggs & cheese, the pride of Wendy’s breakfast menu awaits you. But a bun?! Really?!

Krispy Kreme

I’m not entirely sure that Krispy Kreme qualifies as a fast-food restaurant, but it’s fast, and it’s food, and you’re hungover, so find the nearest “Hot Now” sign, plant yourself at the end of the conveyor belt from heaven, and dig in!

https://twitter.com/krispykreme/status/1312464763662680064?s=20

Not interested in New Year’s Day breakfast? Can’t wake up early enough to partake of breakfast? Fret not!

KFC

If you’re gonna be licking your post-New Year’s Even wounds, why not also lick your fingers? Most KFC locations are open on New Year’s Day, so if fried chicken is your hangover thing, you’re good to go. Thankfully, there are real fries, too, with the brand finally retiring their mediocre potato wedges.

Taco Bell

Staying in-family (KFC and Taco Bell join Pizza Hut under the Yum Brands umbrella), you can head to the nearest Taco Bell and satisfy your desire for a Chalupa or an order of Nachos BellGrande.

Domino’s

As we continue to work our way through the pyramid of fast-food, of course, we’ll include pizza. If conveyor belt, mass-produced, inexpensive pizza is what your New Year’s Day calls for, most Domino’s will be open.

Starbucks

Like Krispy Kreme above, it’s a stretch to call Starbucks a fast-food place, but it only seemed fitting for inclusion, especially since we’re doing a public service by helping alleviate your hangover. Besides, the chain also offers food, so you can caffeinate and eat with one-stop.

Regional brands are fast-food people too! Let’s see which popular ones will be open on New Year’s Day.

In-N-Out Burger

Okay, I’ll never get the whole In-N-Out fervor, but it’s real, and there are legions of loyalists who will likely seek out their nearest storefront on New Year’s Day. So don’t worry, the Double-Double or not-so-secret Animal Style burger is calling your name.

Whataburger

Are you jonesing for some awesome fries on New Year’s Day? Then head to Whataburger, if you’re lucky enough to be near one, and have at it. We have a personal affinity for the chain, so it would definitely be near the top of our fast-food stops that day.

Jack in the Box

Talk about satisfying the munchies? Where else can you find one-stop fast-food dining for everything ranging from a Sourdough Jack to a teriyaki bowl to tacos to egg rolls?! That’s right, uh-huh, it’s at Jack in the Box, and they’ll be open on New Year’s Day.

Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s

I’ll be honest; I’ve long been perplexed by the disconnect between these two sister brands. Long a fan of Carl’s Jr.’s fare, especially the Charbroiled Santa Fe Chicken Sandwich, I have never been wowed by Hardee’s. Despite having the same ownership, I heartily recommend Carl’s Jr. for a New Year’s Day fast-food meal while shrugging my shoulders at Hardee’s. But both are open that day, which is the objective here.

Sure, there are also some recognizable full-serve restaurants that will be open on New Year’s Day too. Still, we’ve opted to maintain our laser-focus on some popular fast-food brands that can help you ring in 2021 once you’ve done your best to blur the sh!tshow that has been 2020 the night before.

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What’s your favorite national fast-food chain? Do you have a local favorite that deserves a wider audience?

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