Restaurants That Accept EBT in California
Yes — California is one of nine states where SNAP can buy a hot restaurant meal, at 6,365 approved locations. It’s open to SNAP households where everyone is 60 or older, disabled, or homeless. Statewide since September 1, 2021.
Run by: California Department of Social Services (CDSS) · Official list: see approved restaurants · Started: September 1, 2021
Where It Works in California
Assembly Bill 942 required the state to run the Restaurant Meals Program everywhere, and CDSS confirms it is now available statewide. It is by far the largest RMP in the country.
As of August 14, 2026 · Source: California Department of Social Services (CDSS), California Restaurant Meals Program
Do You Qualify?
Every person in your SNAP household has to meet one of these:
- Age 60 or older
- Disabled — receiving disability or blindness payments, or government disability retirement benefits for a permanent disability
- Homeless
- The spouse of a SNAP client who qualifies under one of the rules above
You also have to be certified for SNAP in California itself. There’s no separate application — if you qualify, the state codes your EBT card for the program and it just works at the register.
As of August 14, 2026 · Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (page updated August 7, 2026)
Chains on California’s Approved List
These restaurant chains appear on California Department of Social Services (CDSS)’s own list of approved locations. The number is how many locations in the state are approved — not how many restaurants the chain has here.
| Chain | Approved locations |
|---|---|
| Jack in the Box | 737 |
| Subway | 680 |
| McDonald's | 649 |
| Carl's Jr. | 527 |
| Taco Bell | 467 |
| Pizza Hut | 280 |
| El Pollo Loco | 262 |
| Burger King | 219 |
| Del Taco | 198 |
| Wendy's | 182 |
| KFC | 150 |
| Denny's | 147 |
| Popeyes | 144 |
| Domino's | 140 |
| Wingstop | 93 |
| Yoshinoya | 84 |
| Papa John's | 74 |
| Jamba Juice | 72 |
| Waba Grill | 40 |
| Baker's Drive Thru | 36 |
| Miguel's Jr | 23 |
| Fatburger | 22 |
| Church's Chicken | 21 |
| Wienerschnitzel | 20 |
| Rally's Hamburgers | 20 |
| Tam's Burgers | 15 |
| Arby's | 13 |
| Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken | 13 |
| The Habit Burger Grill | 11 |
| Mountain Mike's Pizza | 11 |
| Giant Pizza King | 7 |
| Pizza Guys | 6 |
As of August 14, 2026 · Source: California Department of Social Services (CDSS), official approved-restaurant list
Approval is per restaurant, not per chain. One Jack in the Box being approved tells you nothing about the next one down the road. Check the state list for the exact address before you go.
About this data: CDSS publishes a spreadsheet of every approved location. Counts below come from that file. If your whole household doesn't meet the RMP rules, CDSS treats the household as ineligible.
Using Your Card at the Restaurant
Swipe your EBT card, pick EBT, enter your PIN. If your card isn’t coded for the program the machine declines it — the restaurant doesn’t decide and can’t check your case. Staff see an EBT card, nothing more.
Your regular SNAP balance pays for the meal, so a $12 lunch is $12 off your monthly benefit. Nothing about the program adds money to your card.
What Else Your EBT Card Buys in California
The Restaurant Meals Program is a narrow add-on. Your everyday grocery shopping is unchanged:
- Stores that accept EBT in California
- Find EBT stores near you
- Gas stations that accept EBT
- What you can buy with EBT
Questions About California’s Program
California Department of Social Services (CDSS) handles the Restaurant Meals Program here. Email [email protected]. Phone 916-651-8047. We’re not a government agency and can’t look up your case — the state can.
Other States With a Restaurant Meals Program
Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, SNAP Restaurant Meals Program (state list and eligibility, page updated August 7, 2026), and California Department of Social Services (CDSS), California Restaurant Meals Program. Approved restaurant data from the state’s own published list. Last reviewed: August 14, 2026.