Olive Garden has officially confirmed that all 900 of its restaurants will close completely on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day this year. This decision means diners will have to wait until the next day to enjoy their favorite Italian-inspired meals during the holiday season.
While restaurants will reopen the day after Thanksgiving, the company’s website cautions that holiday-eve hours may differ across locations. According to an updated note on the Olive Garden website, each outlet’s management team will decide whether to close early based on business volume before the holidays.
“Please contact your local Olive Garden directly for its schedule before Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve,” the company advised.
The primary reason for this closure, the company stated, is to allow employees to spend time with their families and friends during the holidays. Additionally, Olive Garden clarified that locations in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and international markets may follow different holiday schedules.
Regular Operations Resume After the Holidays
Normal operations will resume the following days, with regular business hours continuing through the rest of the holiday season. This year, Thanksgiving falls on November 27, marking a busy shopping period that follows with Black Friday events across the nation.
Other Retailers Follow the Same Trend
Olive Garden is not alone in this move. Many major U.S. retailers have chosen to close on Thanksgiving to provide employees with a day of rest and celebration. TJ Maxx, for instance, will shut down all 1,340 stores on Thanksgiving Day, joined by other brands under the same parent company, including Marshalls, HomeGoods, Sierra, and Homesense. These stores will reopen on Friday, November 28, as confirmed by a company representative.
“We are pleased to give our associates time to enjoy Thanksgiving with family and friends,” said the spokesperson, highlighting the brand’s associate-friendly approach.
Hobby Lobby, Best Buy, and Others Join the Closure List
Hobby Lobby also announced the closure of all 1,000 stores on both Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The stores will reopen the following day with extended Black Friday hours, operating from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. to accommodate shoppers.
Here’s a list of major retailers that will also remain closed on Thanksgiving 2025:
Stores Closed for ThanksgivingJCPenneyAmerican GirlBest BuyHomeGoodsMarshall’sPatagoniaSam’s ClubTJ Maxx
This growing list reflects a national retail trend of giving employees Thanksgiving Day off, a practice that contrasts with past years of early Black Friday openings.
Holiday Schedule Details
Hobby Lobby will maintain its Monday to Saturday hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., staying closed every Sunday, which remains a company tradition. On Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, the stores will operate with regular hours (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.), allowing customers ample time to finish holiday shopping.
Best Buy, another major retailer, confirmed the closure of all 1,000 stores for 24 hours on Thanksgiving. The electronics chain will reopen the next day, joining others in offering Black Friday deals without compromising staff rest.
A Shift in Holiday Shopping Culture
The wave of Thanksgiving closures represents a significant cultural shift in retail. After years of early Black Friday chaos and overnight sales, companies are now prioritizing employee well-being and work-life balance. The growing acceptance of post-Thanksgiving shopping indicates that both businesses and consumers are adapting to a more family-oriented holiday approach.
This year’s decision by Olive Garden, Hobby Lobby, Best Buy, and dozens of other retailers underscores a new standard in the American retail landscape—valuing family time over profits during the holidays. While customers may have to wait an extra day to shop or dine, the move has been widely praised for promoting employee happiness and holiday balance.
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