Talk about using EBT at fast food restaurants in California, and it’s only a matter of time before questions about where you can actually use those benefits come up. What fast food accepts EBT in California? Knowing this gives you so many more options for meals.
Not every restaurant participates, and eligibility often depends on location and specific programs like the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). Here’s a detailed look at fast food chains in California that accept EBT to help you plan your next meal.
1. Overview of the Restaurant Meals Program in California
The Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is a special component of SNAP, also known as CalFresh in California. This program allows certain SNAP recipients to use their EBT cards to purchase hot, prepared meals at participating restaurants.
1.1. How the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) Works in California
California currently participates in the RMP. To qualify for the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), an individual must:
- Be approved for CalFresh benefits
- Belong to one of the following categories:
- Age 60 or older
- Disabled (as defined by state disability standards)
- Homeless (lacking a fixed and regular nighttime residence)
- The spouse of a qualifying individual
Currently, any CalFresh household that includes at least one member who is elderly, disabled, or homeless is eligible to use RMP benefits, even if other household members do not meet the same criteria.
In the future, once updates are made to California’s statewide welfare system (CalSAWS), only households where all members qualify will be able to participate in the CalFresh RMP. (These changes are not yet in effect.)
1.2. Where You Can Use Your CalFresh RMP Benefits in California
The CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is available statewide in California.
Eligible individuals can use their CalFresh EBT card at any RMP-approved restaurant statewide, even if that restaurant is not in their home county. However, not every restaurant participates, and not every location of a chain restaurant may be included.
Check directly with the restaurant to confirm whether a particular restaurant accepts EBT under this program; contact your local CalFresh office, or use official online tools for up-to-date information to find what fast food accepts EBT in California.
As of the latest update, there are 48 counties in California where you can find certain approved restaurants that accept EBT cards:
- Alameda
- Butte
- Calaveras
- Contra Costa
- Del Norte
- El Dorado
- Fresno
- Glenn
- Humboldt
- Imperial
- Inyo
- Kern
- Kings
- Lake
- Los Angeles
- Madera
- Marin
- Mariposa
- Mendocino
- Merced
- Monterey
- Napa
- Nevada
- Orange
- Placer
- Riverside
- Sacramento
- San Bernardino
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Joaquin
- San Luis Obispo
- San Mateo
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Clara
- Santa Cruz
- Shasta
- Siskiyou
- Solano
- Sonoma
- Stanislaus
- Sutter
- Tehama
- Tulare
- Tuolumne
- Ventura
- Yolo
- Yuba
2. Types of Restaurants That May Accept EBT in California
Generally, participating restaurants that may accept EBT include fast food chains, casual dining establishments, and local diners that serve ready-to-eat meals. Common examples of restaurants that participate in California’s RMP:
Fast food chains
Fast-food chains are one of the most common restaurants that accept EBT under the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). Known for standardized menus and multiple locations, fast-food chains provide easy access to hot, ready-to-eat food for eligible CalFresh recipients.
What fast food accepts EBT in California? You can find many locations of famous chains like Subway, Jack in the Box, Carl’s Jr., and El Pollo Loco that accept EBT payments:
- Subway (Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, Solano, Shasta, and more)
- Jack in the Box (Imperial, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Clara, and more)
- Carl’s Jr. (Alameda, Stanislaus, Kern, Riverside, Fresno, and more)
- El Pollo Loco (San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Solano, Orange, and more)
- and more.
Pizza restaurants
Pizza restaurants are places where customers can enjoy hot, freshly made pizzas. Many offer dine-in, takeout, and delivery options.
For example:
- Pizza Hut (Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Clara, Ventura, and more)
- Domino’s Pizza (Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Tulare, and more)
- Papa John’s (Tulare, Kern, Los Angeles, and more)
- Giant Pizza King (San Diego)
- Bambino’s Pizza (San Diego)
- and more.
Local diners and cafes
They are often found along main streets in towns or small cities. These cozy spots are usually located within the central business district and serve as gathering places where people can eat, socialize, and connect with their community. Some local diners and cafes participating in the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program you can find:
- Emos Cafe and Deli (San Francisco)
- Cafe Corner Bistro (Los Angeles)
- Incredible Cafe Express (Los Angeles)
- and more.
Ethnic restaurants
There’s a lot that goes into choosing the right restaurant to enjoy a meal. If you’re looking for something familiar or want to explore new flavors, ethnic restaurants can be a great choice. These spots bring authentic dishes from around the world right to your neighborhood.
- Yoshinoya (Los Angeles, Orange, and more)
- Ackee Tree the real Jamaican Cuisine (San Diego)
- Pho Tho Restaurant (Orange)
- New Hong Kong Chinese Express (Los Angeles)
- and more.
3. What Fast Food Accepts EBT in California
Here’s a quick look at major fast food chains participating in the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) currently. Please note that not every location of these fast food chains accepts EBT. If you are eligible, check with the restaurant or local resources to make sure they take EBT payments before you go. What fast food accepts EBT in California is:
- Burger King (Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Fresno, Orange, Merced, and more)
- KFC (Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Ventura, and more)
- El Pollo Loco (San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Solano, Orange, and more)
- Jack in the Box (Imperial, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Clara, and more)
- Pizza Hut (Tulare, San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, and more)
- McDonald’s (Stanislaus, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Joaquin, and more)
- Wingstop (Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Ventura, and more)
- Rallys (Los Angeles, San Diego, Imperial, and more)
- Fatburger (Los Angeles)
- Domino’s Pizza (San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles)
- Popeyes (Riverside, Solano, Sacramento, and more)
- Del Taco (Los Angeles, Kern, Orange, and more)
- Wendy’s (San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, and more)
- Taco Bell (San Diego, Contra Costa, Alameda, and more)
- Carl’s Jr. (Alameda, Stanislaus, Kern, Riverside, Fresno, and more)
- Subway (Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, Solano, Shasta, and more)
- Arby’s (Riverside, San Bernardino)
- Papa John’s (San Diego, Kern, Los Angeles, and more)
- And more.
>>> Also read: 5 Steps To Get Free Phone Service With Food Stamps
FAQs
Can you buy fast food with EBT in California?
Yes. The CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) is available to eligible CalFresh recipients, and only approved restaurants in the state accept EBT for hot, prepared meals.
Does Domino’s take EBT in California?
Some Domino’s Pizza locations in California accept EBT through the Restaurant Meals Program. You can find them in counties like Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Tulare, and others.
Can you use EBT at Burger King in California?
Currently, you can use EBT at some Burger King locations in Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Fresno, Orange, Merced, etc.
Does EBT work at restaurants in other states?
As of 2025, nine states are participating in the Restaurant Meals Program, including Arizona, California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia.
Conclusion
Take advantage of the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program and participating locations to enjoy convenient, tasty meals while using your benefits. This guide makes your dining options more accessible across California.