PORTLAND, Ore. — December 24, 2025. On a day when millions of Americans are asking the same practical question — “What’s open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?” — Portland is also buzzing about a very different kind of food-and-hours headline: Chick-fil-A is preparing to return to Portland proper for the first time in roughly two decades, with an early 2026 opening now being touted for a high-profile site in Southeast Portland. KGW
The new restaurant is slated for the former Venue Gentleman’s Club property on Southeast Stark Street, just north of Mall 205 — a location that has already sparked intense local interest, partly because of its past life and partly because of what it signals about the city’s shifting retail and dining landscape.
At the same time, the calendar has flipped to Christmas Eve (Wednesday), with Christmas Day falling Thursday this year — and that means hours, closures, and last-minute meal plans are driving a surge of searches for which chains will serve food (and for how long).
Below is what’s known right now — both about Chick-fil-A’s Portland comeback and about where you can still grab a meal during the holiday rush.
Chick-fil-A’s Portland comeback: what’s happening, where, and when
The headline: an “early 2026” opening at a site with a past
Local reporting circulating on December 24 says a Chick-fil-A is expected to open “in early 2026, pending any delays,” in the building formerly occupied by the Venue Gentleman’s Club, near Southeast Stark Street and Mall 205. KGW
The address tied to the long-running redevelopment plan is 9950 SE Stark Street, near the Stark/Washington couplet and Interstate 205 access.
Why Portland is paying special attention
For many locals, the story isn’t simply “another fast-food opening.” It’s the symbolism of Chick-fil-A returning to Portland city limits — something that hasn’t been true for years.
A neighborhood-focused report tracking the project notes that this would be Portland’s first Chick-fil-A within city limits since the Lloyd Center food court location closed in 2003.
Why this Chick-fil-A won’t look like a typical Chick-fil-A
No drive-thru — and that’s not an accident
One of the most unusual parts of the plan is that the SE Stark location is expected to operate without a drive-thru, a notable departure for a chain famous for high-throughput drive-thru service.
The redevelopment has been shaped by local zoning and “nonconforming use” realities: the project has pursued a renovation strategy that reuses the existing structure, rather than a full teardown and rebuild, to maintain certain land-use allowances at the site. Montavilla News
A major renovation, not a simple flip
Reporting on the construction describes a transformation that goes well beyond new signage. Plans have included reworking the façade and roof, improving sidewalks and accessibility, and rebuilding the interior to fit Chick-fil-A’s operational needs — including a sit-down dining area, a play area, restrooms, and a reconfigured kitchen layout.
A property with a long, evolving history
The building itself is from the 1980s era, and the site has hosted multiple concepts over decades — including mainstream restaurant tenants — before becoming an adult entertainment venue in later years.
A separate update tied to the address also notes that Chick-fil-A completed the purchase of the property in November 2024, after the adult entertainment operator ceased operations in late October 2024.
What the opening could mean for the neighborhood
“Destination” fast food meets a complicated traffic reality
Even before opening day, one question keeps coming up: traffic.
Project coverage has warned residents to expect sidewalk and lane disruptions during construction, and it also flags a longer-term reality — a brand that draws heavy demand arriving in a corridor where space, turns, and parking already create pinch points.
And because the location is expected to lack a drive-thru, parking and pickup behavior may look different from what people associate with Chick-fil-A elsewhere — potentially shifting more “queuing” pressure onto nearby streets and lots depending on how busy the restaurant becomes. Montavilla News
Chick-fil-A’s broader Oregon expansion adds context
Portland’s planned restaurant is also part of a bigger Oregon push.
In an October 2025 announcement, Chick-fil-A said it is investing in six new locally owned and operated restaurants across Oregon by early 2027, a move it says would create 600+ jobs statewide. The company also said Oregon residents can anticipate new restaurants in Cornelius, Portland, Tigard and Wood Village by that timeframe.
That helps explain why a Portland opening is being framed not as a one-off, but as part of a wider regional growth strategy.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining: what’s open, and what to double-check
While Portland watches a major chain prepare a return, the more immediate reality today is timing: December 24 is Christmas Eve, and many households are balancing travel, family plans, last-minute shopping — and meal logistics.
National consumer coverage published today emphasizes a key point: businesses adjust holiday hours heavily, and local variation is common, so checking official store locators or apps can prevent wasted trips.
Fast-food and casual chains commonly open on Christmas Eve
A CBS News rundown for December 24, 2025 includes major brands that are typically open on Christmas Eve (often with modified hours). The list includes:
- Burger King
- Dunkin’
- IHOP
- McDonald’s
- Starbucks (some locations; hours vary)
- Taco Bell
- Domino’s (not required to open; check locally)
- Select Applebee’s locations
Even if your go-to chain is “on the list,” holiday staffing and franchise decisions can still change the outcome at the neighborhood level.
Christmas Day is tougher — and several big names close entirely
If you’re planning for December 25, the field narrows. Across national guides, the most consistent takeaway is: some chains remain open, but many reduce hours or close outright.
One closure that trips people up every year: Chick-fil-A.
- Chick-fil-A states that U.S. restaurants are closed on Christmas Day, while they are open on Christmas Eve (unless Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday), often with limited hours.
- News roundups similarly note Chick-fil-A is closed on Dec. 25 and recommend confirming Christmas Eve hours in the app or online.
Other closures commonly highlighted in national guides include Chipotle (closed Christmas Day, with varying Christmas Eve hours) and Taco Bell (closed Christmas Day, with Christmas Eve hours varying).
Chains often open on Christmas Day (but with location-by-location rules)
National reporting also points to several brands that are frequently open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, though hours can differ widely.
Examples repeatedly cited include McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Arby’s, IHOP, and Red Lobster, along with a mix of coffee and breakfast options depending on location.
And one standout for reliability: Waffle House, which has been cited as keeping doors open year-round, including Christmas.
How to avoid closed doors today and tomorrow
Holiday hours advice from multiple national outlets boils down to a few steps that consistently work:
- Use the official store locator or mobile app before you leave (especially for franchises).
- Expect reduced hours even at “open” locations — Christmas Eve is commonly an early-close day. CBS News
- Call ahead if it’s a long drive or if you’re picking up food for a group.
- If you’re relying on delivery, confirm the restaurant is actually operating, not just listed on the platform.
The bottom line for Portland diners
On December 24, 2025, Portland’s food conversation is running on two tracks:
- Long-term: A highly anticipated Chick-fil-A return to Portland city limits, with an early 2026 target at 9950 SE Stark Street — a redevelopment that’s already distinctive because of its location, history, and likely no–drive-thru setup.
- Right now: A nationwide scramble to map Christmas Eve and Christmas Day hours, where the safest rule is still to verify your specific location — and to remember that Chick-fil-A is closed on Christmas Day even as it expands across Oregon.
