Every day, there’s a shift at McDonald’s where the breakfast menu transitions to the regular menu, swapping out Egg McMuffins for Big Macs. For breakfast lovers, knowing the exact time of this switch is crucial. So, when does McDonald’s stop serving breakfast? Let’s dive into the details of McDonald’s breakfast hours and what to expect.
Is McDonald’s All Day Breakfast Still a Thing?
Many customers fondly remember a time when McDonald’s offered breakfast all day. Indeed, for a while, enjoying a McMuffin at any hour was possible. The all-day breakfast menu was introduced in 2015 and quickly became a hit. However, this changed in early 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began.
McDonald’s decided to streamline their operations during the pandemic. According to Bill Garrett, Senior Vice President of McDonald’s U.S. Operations, the decision to temporarily suspend all-day breakfast was made to “simplify operations in our kitchens and for our crew” and to ensure “the best possible experience” by focusing on the most popular menu items. While it simplified things for the staff and kitchen, it meant the end of all-day breakfast for fans, at least for now.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ar-breakfastsandwich-TT-McDonalds-SaraHaas-4×3-695fe416cff14f43955be951319f3af6.jpg)
McDonald’s Breakfast Cut-Off Time: What to Know
Typically, McDonald’s breakfast service runs from the restaurant’s opening time until mid-morning. While specific hours can vary by location, most McDonald’s restaurants adhere to a general schedule.
McDonald’s Corporate states that breakfast hours are determined by “Co-ops and franchisees at their discretion.” However, they also provide a common timeframe: “you can often get your favorite breakfast item from the time your local restaurant opens until 10:30 or 11 a.m. local time.”
It’s worth noting that weekend breakfast hours might extend slightly later than weekday hours. You might find breakfast served until 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, even if it stops at 10:30 a.m. during the week. For the most accurate information, especially for your local spot, it’s always best to check directly with your nearest McDonald’s restaurant to confirm their exact breakfast hours.
The Origin of McDonald’s Breakfast
The McDonald’s breakfast menu has a rich history, and it all began with a breakfast icon: the Egg McMuffin. Back in 1971, Herb Peterson, a McDonald’s franchise operator in Santa Barbara, had the idea to create a fast-food version of Eggs Benedict.
His initial attempt with Hollandaise sauce didn’t quite work out. Undeterred, Peterson innovated, replacing the sauce with a slice of cheese. He also developed a Teflon ring to give eggs that perfect round shape for sandwiches. And just like that, the Egg McMuffin was born, revolutionizing fast-food breakfast and becoming a McDonald’s staple.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/here-s-how-to-make-mcdonald-s-hash-browns-at-home-7e6060c8229647159121c61203f3e2a2)
Missed Breakfast Hours? Here’s What You Can Do
If you’ve missed the McDonald’s breakfast window, you’re not entirely out of luck. While you can’t get the official menu items after breakfast hours, you can still enjoy those flavors at home. There are numerous copycat McDonald’s breakfast recipes available online that can help you recreate your favorite McMuffins or hash browns in your own kitchen. These recipes are a great way to satisfy your McDonald’s breakfast cravings any time of day.
