What Time Does McDonald's Stop Serving Breakfast?

There comes a time every day when McDonald’s trades Egg McMuffins for Big Macs. Depending on your cravings, that change over might be far too early or way too late. But when, exactly, does McDonald’s stop serving breakfast? Here’s what you need to know. 

Does McDonald’s Serve Breakfast All Day?

Unfortunately, the McDonald’s breakfast menu isn’t available all day at most locations. You’re not crazy, though—you actually could get your favorite breakfast offerings around the clock until somewhat recently. 

The all-day breakfast menu launched in late 2015 and was extremely popular among McDonald’s fans until it was suspended at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“To simplify operations in our kitchens and for our crew, and ensure the best possible experience for our customers, we are working with our franchisees and local restaurants to focus on serving our most popular choices and will begin temporarily removing some items from the menu over the next few weeks,” Bill Garrett, the senior vice president of McDonald’s U.S. operations, said in a March 2020 statement.

What Time Does McDonald's Stop Serving Breakfast? 

Most McDonald’s locations serve breakfast from the time the restaurant opens until mid-morning. 

Co-Ops and franchisees decide hours at their discretion, according to McDonald’s Corporate, “but you can often get your favorite breakfast item from the time your local restaurant opens until 10:30 or 11 a.m. local time.”

Even if your local McDonald’s stops serving breakfast at 10:30 a.m. on weekdays, the menu might be available until 11 a.m. on weekends. Call your nearest restaurant for exact hours. 

McDonald’s Breakfast History

McDonald’s devotees won’t be surprised to learn that it all started with a breakfast menu icon: the Egg McMuffin. 

In 1971, a Santa Barbara franchise operator named Herb Peterson concocted a fast food version of eggs Benedict—but quickly learned that packaged Hollandaise sauce doesn’t compare to the homemade stuff. He replaced the sauce with a slice of cheese, developed a Teflon ring to give the eggs their circular (and structured) shape, and the Egg McMuffin was born! 

What If I Overslept? 

We’ve got you covered. If you missed your chance at the real thing, try one of these copycat McDonald’s breakfast recipes: 

• Ham, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches
• Copycat McGriddles
• Homemade Crispy Hash Browns
• Good Old-Fashioned Pancakes
• Southwest Breakfast Burritos