Thanksgiving travel keeps climbing each year, and the week has become one of the most active periods on the American travel calendar. Reports from AAA show sustained holiday demand, with millions of travelers moving through airports, highways, and hotel corridors during the holiday window.
As people continue to travel farther from home, a clear pattern has emerged. Sixty-three percent of consumers say they want to enjoy the holiday without cooking or cleaning, according to a recent survey. Fifty-eight percent of U.S. consumers plan to order from or dine at restaurants this year, a sharp rise from 42% in 2024.
This rising demand will likely boost seasonal business for national chains offering dependable Thanksgiving meals. Travelers want predictability, and chains deliver the same menu across markets. That reliability helps people who meet in large cities, stay in hotels, or visit relatives who don’t cook a full spread.
Convenience will drive the choice, as consumers want set pickup times, steady hours, and kitchens that stay open when many others close. With locations near airports, hotels, and highways, chain restaurants give travelers a dependable Thanksgiving option on the move.
Maggiano’s Little Italy
Maggiano’s offers a Thanksgiving menu that comfortably serves groups. The dine-in meal is presented family-style and includes turkey, stuffing, pasta selections, vegetables, and desserts. The chain also sells carryout holiday packages.
Maggiano’s Little Italy operates about 52 locations across the United States, with restaurants in major travel hubs such as Dallas, Atlanta, and Las Vegas.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Ruth’s Chris offers a polished Thanksgiving experience for those wanting a higher-end holiday meal. The dine-in menu includes roasted turkey, seasonal sides, salads, and desserts. Many locations also offer take-home holiday packages, advertising “let us be your secret ingredient.”
Ruth’s Chris Steak House has more than 150 locations worldwide, including many in the United States, in major cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami.
Buca di Beppo
For those who prefer a mix of Italian dishes and Thanksgiving classics, Buca di Beppo is a great choice. The chain offers a holiday dine-in feast featuring turkey, stuffing, vegetables, and pasta favorites, as well as Thanksgiving to-go.
Buca di Beppo operates about 40 locations across the United States, with restaurants in major travel hubs such as Orlando, Las Vegas, and Washington, D.C.
Boston Market
Boston Market specializes in home-style meals and offers hot Thanksgiving meals for immediate dining, as well as chilled meals that can be warmed later.
Full dinners feature turkey or ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and pies. Travelers can stop at Boston Market on the way to short-term rentals, where chilled meals can be heated in basic kitchens.
Boston Market operates 74 locations across the United States, with restaurants in major travel hubs such as Orlando, Miami, and Philadelphia.
Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel has become one of the most common Thanksgiving choices for families because of its nationwide reach and traditional comfort food.
Every year, the chain serves a complete dine-in Thanksgiving meal that includes roasted turkey, dressing, gravy, cranberry relish, sweet potato casserole, and biscuits. They also offer a “Heat n Serve” holiday meal, perfect for people staying in rentals or hotel suites with small kitchens.
Cracker Barrel operates about 657 locations across the United States, with restaurants in major travel hubs such as San Antonio, Nashville, and Jacksonville.
Bob Evans
Bob Evans is a strong Thanksgiving option for families, thanks to its popular “Farmhouse Feasts,” which come with turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, green beans, rolls, and pie and arrive fully cooked. Bob Evans restaurants are also open on Thanksgiving Day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Bob Evans operates about 421 locations across the United States, with restaurants in major travel hubs such as Columbus, Cincinnati, and Ocala.
Denny’s
Denny’s offers a Thanksgiving plate with roasted turkey, stuffing, gravy, and vegetables, and also sells a holiday turkey bundle for pickup that serves up to four people and includes carved turkey breast, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and an additional side
Denny’s keeps regular hours during the holiday and maintains a consistent menu, which makes it useful for solo travelers, late arrivals, or families who prefer a simple holiday meal without reservations.
Denny’s operates about 1,319 locations across the United States, with restaurants in major travel hubs such as Houston, Las Vegas, and Orlando.
Golden Corral
Golden Corral prepares an extensive Thanksgiving buffet each year. The spread includes roasted turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salads, and desserts.
Guests walk in, eat as much as they want, and return to their hotel. The format is practical for families who want a complete holiday meal without the structure of a traditional reservation.
Golden Corral operates about 400 locations across the United States, with restaurants in major travel hubs such as Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Raleigh.
Alexandrea Sumuel Groves is a Travel Journalist, Yahoo! Creator, MSN Partner, Society of American Travel Writers and North American Travel Journalists Association member, and the founder of Wander Worthy. She covers vacation destinations, travel news, and tourism trends.
