McDonald’s breakfast is hugely popular, with items like the Egg McMuffin, Hash Browns, and Hotcakes drawing in customers morning after morning. But the fast food giant doesn’t serve breakfast all day. So what time does McDonald’s stop serving breakfast menu items?
When Does McDonald’s Stop Serving Breakfast?
Most McDonald’s restaurants stop serving breakfast at 10:30 AM on weekdays and 11:00 AM on weekends. This can vary a bit by location, but 10:30 AM is the most common breakfast cut-off time.
Some exceptions are:
- Some locations serve breakfast until 11 AM even on weekdays
- Select locations to offer all day breakfast
- Hours may differ on holidays
So if you want McDonald’s breakfast, it’s best to go early in the morning to make sure you don’t miss the breakfast menu. Getting there after 10:30 AM on weekdays is likely to mean you’ll have to order lunch/dinner instead.
Why Does McDonald’s Stop Serving Breakfast?
McDonald’s stops serving breakfast for a few key reasons:
- High demand for lunch/dinner menu – More customers tend to come in for lunch and dinner than for breakfast. So McDonald’s shifts focus to have the most popular items ready for the busiest times of the day.
- Time needed to change over – It takes time to switch over kitchen equipment and prep stations from breakfast to lunch. Crews need to change settings, swap out cooking oil, reload ingredients, and more. Stopping breakfast gives them the bandwidth to fully transition.
- Streamlining operations – Limiting breakfast hours allows each location to concentrate on mastering either the breakfast or lunch/dinner menu. It’s more efficient than trying to excel at both simultaneously.
- Profitability – Lunch and dinner tend to be more profitable. McDonald’s sells more high-margin items like Big Macs, McNuggets, fries and sodas during these times.
So in summary, McDonald’s stops breakfast service around 10:30 or 11:00 AM to focus on its more profitable lunch and dinner rushes. The more limited breakfast hours maximize efficiency and profits.
Does McDonald’s Ever Serve Breakfast Late?
There are a few scenarios where you may still be able to get McDonald’s breakfast food after 10:30 AM:
All Day Breakfast
A few select McDonald’s locations offer all day breakfast on their menus. These restaurants sell breakfast items right through till closing, rather than switching to lunch.
All day breakfast is currently only available at limited test locations. McDonald’s has experimented with wider all day breakfast rollouts in the past but pulled back due to complexity and delays at pickup windows.
Still, if you’re lucky, you may have an all day breakfast McDonald’s in your area. It’s worth checking their menu closely to see if they serve breakfast through the afternoon and evening.
Mobile Orders and Delivery
Many McDonald’s now allow online ordering for takeout, curbside pickup or delivery.
When ordering breakfast for delivery, you can sometimes place an order for McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches, hash browns or pancakes even after 10:30 AM. Delivery services like Uber Eats may allow breakfast orders until 11 AM or so.
The same often applies if you order breakfast for takeout/pickup through the McDonald’s app or website. You may be able to customize and submit a breakfast order for pickup well after 10:30 AM.
So if you missed the breakfast window, ordering takeout delivery is one way you might still be able to get your Egg McMuffin or Sausage Biscuit fix. Availability can vary by location.
Special Circumstances
Sometimes McDonald’s will extend their breakfast hours or bring the menu back later in the day for special situations:
- Holidays – On some holidays like Christmas or New Year’s, McDonald’s may serve breakfast later or all day since demand is harder to predict.
- Weekends – Many McDonald’s roll breakfast service until 11 AM rather than 10:30 AM on Saturdays and Sundays when breakfast demand is higher.
- Test Markets – As mentioned above, some locations run all day breakfast trials. And when testing new breakfast menu items, McDonald’s may extend hours.
- High demand – If a particular restaurant gets large orders or has a lot of dine-in breakfast demand, the manager may opt to continue serving breakfast.
So while 10:30 AM is the norm on weekdays, there are certainly situations where you can find breakfast after standard hours. It’s not a guarantee, but may be worth checking just in case.
Hack: Order Breakfast Items at Lunch/Dinner
Here’s a handy trick if you really have a breakfast craving after 10:30 AM: Order breakfast-style items off the regular menu!
Many McDonald’s lunch/dinner items use the same ingredients as breakfast favorites. You can essentially “build your own” breakfast sandwich:
- Egg McMuffin – Order a Sausage McMuffin without sausage. Add an egg.
- Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit – Order a Sausage Biscuit without sausage. Add bacon and an egg.
- Hash Browns – Order side potatoes or fries.
- Sausage or Bacon – Order Sausage Burrito without egg, or strips of bacon from a salad.
- Pancakes/Syrup – Order hotcakes from the dessert menu. Get syrup on the side.
It takes a little customization, but you can replicate popular breakfast items. Just be flexible on timing and menu options.
Can You Still Get Coffee After Breakfast Hours?
McDonald’s shifts its menu from breakfast to lunch around 10:30 AM, but what about McCafe coffee? Here are the typical rules:
- Coffee drinks – McCafe specialty coffees like lattes, mochas, etc. are available all day.
- Drip coffee – Regular drip coffee can usually still be ordered after breakfast hours. Availability may depend on demand.
- Iced coffee – Iced and frozen coffee drinks are often limited to lunch/dinner menus only.
- Cappuccinos – Cappuccinos are commonly unavailable after breakfast since they use breakfast espresso shots.
So coffee is still an option after 10:30 AM, but the menu becomes more limited. Drinks like iced coffee and cappuccinos often disappear.
Pro Tip: If you want a cappuccino later in the day, order an iced latte and request it extra hot. It makes a decent substitute!
Why People Want McDonald’s to Serve All Day Breakfast
McDonald’s short breakfast window has some downsides. Here are the main criticisms:
- Inconvenient – Having to eat breakfast so early is limiting for those with later schedules. Many people aren’t hungry first thing in the morning.
- Inconsistency – Other fast food chains like Burger King, Wendy’s and Taco Bell serve breakfast all day. McDonald’s loses customers to competitors after 10:30 AM.
- High demand – Surveys show all-day breakfast is highly desired by McDonald’s customers. Many people want Egg McMuffins and hash browns later in the day.
- Lost sales – McDonald’s misses out on a lot of potential breakfast sandwich and coffee sales by closing at 10:30 AM. More all-day options could drive revenue.
- Complexity – Customers get confused when McDonald’s serves partial breakfast menus during lunch (e.g. pancakes). Consistency would improve satisfaction.
McDonald’s tested all-day breakfast in 2015 and saw a significant sales bump. However, franchisees found it difficult operationally. For now, standard breakfast hours remain limited.
What Items Are on the McDonald’s Breakfast Menu?
McDonald’s has a huge selection of popular breakfast items. Here are some of the main offerings and customer favorites:
Breakfast Sandwiches
- Egg McMuffin – English muffin, Canadian bacon, cheese, and a fresh-cracked egg
- Sausage McMuffin – English muffin, sausage patty, cheese
- Sausage McMuffin with Egg – English muffin, sausage, egg, cheese
- Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit – Flaky biscuit, bacon, cheese, folded egg
- Sausage Biscuit – Flaky biscuit sandwich with sausage patty
- Sausage Biscuit with Egg – Biscuit sandwich with sausage and egg
Breakfast Platters
- Big Breakfast – Scrambled eggs, sausage patty, biscuit, hash brown
- Hotcakes Breakfast – 3 syrupy hotcakes with butter
- Sausage Burrito – Eggs, cheese, and sausage in a tortilla
A La Carte Breakfast Items
- Hash Browns – Golden, pan-fried potatoes
- Sausage Patties – Grilled hot sausage rounds
- Bacon Strips – Crispy smoked bacon
- Cinnamon Melts – Sweet cinnamon pull-apart dough bites
- Yogurt Parfait – Creamy low-fat yogurt with berries
- Fruit & Maple Oatmeal – Apples, cranberries, and maple syrup
Breakfast Beverages
- McCafe Coffees – Lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, etc.
- McCafe Frappe – Iced coffee frappe blended with milk
- Orange Juice – Chilled fresh-squeezed orange juice
- Apple Juice – Juice made from crisp apples
- Milk – Cold white or chocolate milk
- Hot Chocolate – Smooth hot cocoa topped with whipped cream
This is just a sample. Check your local McDonald’s for their exact breakfast selections.
How Much Does McDonald’s Breakfast Cost?
McDonald’s breakfast prices are very reasonable, especially considering the large portions. Here are average prices for some of the most popular breakfast menu items:
- Egg McMuffin – $3.39
- Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit – $3.79
- Sausage Biscuit – $2.19
- Hash Browns – $1.19
- Hotcakes (3) – $2.59
- Sausage Burrito – $2.59
- Small McCafe Coffee – $1.49
- Small Orange Juice – $1.69
As you can see, prices range from around $1.50 for basic items up to $3.50 to $4 for larger sandwiches. Combo Meals that pair breakfast entrees with hash browns and a drink start at around $5.
McDonald’s also has printable coupons and mobile app deals to help you save money on popular breakfast purchases.
How Does McDonald’s Breakfast Compare Nutritionally?
Like most fast food, McDonald’s breakfast offerings are fairly high in calories, sodium, fat, and sugar.
A standard Egg McMuffin provides 300 calories, 810mg sodium, 12g fat, and 2g sugar. Adding cheese and meat like bacon makes sandwiches even more caloric.
Hash browns and pancakes are also high in calories with 190 calories and 270 calories respectively.
For a lighter option, cereal and fruit parfaits have fewer than 300 calories. Veggie breakfast sandwiches are also available for a lower-fat alternative.
Overall, the healthiest way to eat McDonald’s breakfast is to:
- Customize sandwiches to drop cheese, bacon, or sausage
- Choose lighter items like yogurt parfaits or egg whites
- Limit high-carb options like pancakes and hash browns
- Avoid sugary McCafe drinks in favor of juice or coffee
While not incredibly nutritious, McDonald’s breakfast can be a “better-for-you” option in moderation and with customization.
Tips for Enjoying McDonald’s Breakfast
Here are some tips to make the most of your McDonald’s breakfast experience:
- Get there before 10:30 AM – Arrive well before the breakfast cutoff to ensure you can order your favorites. Weekends get busiest.
- Download the app – The McDonald’s app provides deals and lets you order ahead to skip the line.
- Try hotcakes – McDonald’s hotcakes are famous for their sweet flavor and fluffy texture. Pair them with syrup.
- Customize sandwiches – Swap cheese for egg whites, drop bacon, or add veggies to make it healthier.
- Order sausage patties – Sausage gives a savory boost to sandwiches and breakfast platters.
- Grab a specialty coffee – McCafe lattes, cappuccinos, and frappes make breakfast complete.
- Request fresh eggs – You can ask for freshly cracked eggs on egg sandwiches if you want the best taste.
Enjoy the most important meal of the day with McDonald’s popular breakfast menu. Just be sure to set your alarm if you want those classic Egg McMuffins and hash browns!
Frequently Asked Questions About McDonald’s Breakfast
Does McDonald’s serve breakfast all day?
No, almost all McDonald’s locations stop serving breakfast around 10:30 AM on weekdays and 11:00 AM on weekends. Only some pilot and test restaurants offer all day breakfast.
Can you still get coffee after breakfast hours?
Yes, most McCafe coffee drinks remain available after breakfast is over. Options become more limited, but you can still get specialty coffees, drip coffee, etc.
What are McDonald’s breakfast hours on weekends?
Breakfast is usually served from around 6 AM until 11 AM on Saturdays and Sundays at most McDonald’s. Weekend breakfast lasts a little later than weekday.
Is breakfast cheaper than lunch/dinner at McDonald’s?
Breakfast and lunch/dinner have similar price points. Sandwiches, platters, and sides cost $2-$4 for breakfast versus $3-$5 for lunch. Value meals are around $5 for both.
Does McDonald’s serve breakfast all day anywhere?
A handful of select test locations offer all day breakfast. But it’s extremely limited. Your odds of finding all day breakfast are highest in markets where McDonald’s pilots new menu options.
Can you order breakfast for delivery on Uber Eats after 10:30 AM?
Sometimes! Many McDonald’s extend breakfast ordering for delivery until around 11 AM. Availability varies by location though.
What is the most popular McDonald’s breakfast item?
The Egg McMuffin is by far McDonald’s most iconic and best-selling breakfast sandwich. This classic is beloved for its eggs, cheese and Canadian bacon on an English muffin.
Do all McDonald’s serve breakfast till 11?
No, most McDonald’s end breakfast service at 10:30 AM on weekdays. Only some locations, such as those in malls or travel centers, may serve breakfast until 11 AM daily. Weekend hours extend till 11 AM at most restaurants.
Did McDonald’s get rid of 24/7 breakfast?
McDonald’s tested all day breakfast nationally in 2015, but discontinued 24/7 breakfast in 2018. Constant breakfast was deemed too complex and slowed down service. Now only select locations offer all day breakfast.
Is McDonald’s stopping all day breakfast?
As of 2023, McDonald’s hasn’t announced plans to bring back nationwide all day breakfast. The limited test locations still serving breakfast all day will likely remain. But most restaurants stick to breakfast ending between 10:30-11 AM.
What time does McDonald’s stop serving breakfast in Florida?
Most Florida McDonald’s locations stop breakfast service at 10:30 AM on weekdays and 11:00 AM on weekends. Some tourist-centered restaurants may go until 11 AM. Check your nearest McDonald’s for exact hours.
What time does McDonald’s stop serving breakfast today?
McDonald’s breakfast hours end today at 10:30 AM on weekdays and 11:00 AM on Saturdays and Sundays. In some locations, weekday breakfast may continue until 11 AM. Check your McDonald’s to confirm their specific breakfast end time for today.
What time does McDonald’s stop serving breakfast on Sunday?
On Sundays, McDonald’s breakfast is served until 11:00 AM at most locations. Some restaurants may end breakfast closer to 10:30 AM if demand drops off. 11 AM is more common for Sunday breakfast service nationwide.
What time does McDonald’s stop serving breakfast near me?
The breakfast cutoff time at your nearest McDonald’s depends on your location and region. Most stop at 10:30 AM on weekdays but some go until 11 AM. Check your local restaurant for their specific breakfast hours.
What time does McDonald’s start serving lunch?
Most McDonald’s begin serving their full lunch menu right at 10:30 AM on weekdays once breakfast service ends. That’s when you can start ordering Big Macs, McNuggets, fries and other signature lunch items.
What time does McDonald’s stop serving breakfast on Saturday?
On Saturdays, breakfast usually lasts until 11:00 AM at McDonald’s locations nationwide. 11 AM is the standard end time before they switch to lunch on weekends when breakfast demand is higher.
McDonald’s breakfast start time?
McDonald’s starts serving breakfast every day around 4 or 5 AM. Some locations open as early as midnight to serve breakfast through the night. Opening hours vary, but expect breakfast by at least 5 AM daily.
What time does McDonald’s stop serving breakfast in 2023?
In 2023, McDonald’s breakfast hours remain ending between 10:30-11 AM systemwide. Most restaurants stop at 10:30 AM on weekdays and 11 AM weekends. All day breakfast is still limited to just select locations.
What time does McDonald’s stop serving breakfast in California?
Most McDonald’s in California end breakfast service at 10:30 AM on weekdays and 11:00 AM on weekends. Some locations go until 11 AM even on weekdays. Check your nearest CA McDonald’s to confirm their breakfast hours.
