You’ll usually find lunch on Hardee’s menu starting around mid-morning, with most locations switching to lunch at about 10:30 AM. If you want burgers or sandwiches instead of breakfast, plan to visit after 10:30 AM, but check your local store for small variations. We (the site team) work with Emma Reed to bring accurate, local-friendly info so you won’t waste time guessing.
If you use drive-thru or dine in, some spots may flip menus a bit earlier or later, and holiday hours can change the schedule. Keep your plans flexible and confirm with the nearest Hardee’s when timing is critical.
Key Takeaways
- Most Hardee’s start serving lunch near 10:30 AM.
- Local stores and holidays can change the exact start time.
- Call or check the store for the most reliable lunch start info.
Contents
Hardee’s Standard Lunch Hours
Hardee’s usually switches from breakfast to lunch in the late morning. You can expect lunch items to be available most days well before noon, and breakfast items to end at a consistent cutoff.
Typical Lunch Start Time
Most Hardee’s locations begin serving lunch at 10:30 AM. Some restaurants may start at 11:00 AM, depending on local franchise hours or store-level decisions. If you need lunch earlier, call your local Hardee’s or check their store page; corporate site and Google listings often show exact times for each restaurant.
Starting lunch at 10:30 AM means popular sandwiches and burgers appear while many customers are still on mid-morning schedules. Peak lunch traffic usually runs from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, so arrive earlier or use mobile ordering to avoid a long line.
End Time for Breakfast Menu
Hardee’s typically ends breakfast service at 10:30 AM, coinciding with the start of lunch. In a few locations breakfast may run until 11:00 AM, but that is less common. Franchise owners set exact cutoffs, so variations exist.
If you want breakfast items after 10:30 AM, call ahead or check the restaurant’s profile on the Hardee’s site or Google Maps. Those sources provide the most reliable, real-time hours for both breakfast and lunch at a specific location.
Variations by Location
Hardee’s lunch start times usually hover around 10:30 AM, but exact times change by city and store type. You should check the local restaurant for the most reliable hours.
Regional Differences
In larger metro areas, Hardee’s often begins lunch at 10:30 AM. High-traffic stores near offices or shopping centers may switch to lunch that early to serve the midday crowd.
In smaller towns or rural areas, some locations delay lunch until 11:00 AM. Those stores typically have lower morning demand and keep a longer breakfast window.
If you need a specific item, note that urban locations are more likely to offer the full lunch menu right at 10:30 AM. Rural or franchise-run stores may still limit menu items until 11:00 AM or until breakfast supplies run out.
State-Specific Schedules
State rules and local franchise policies can affect start times. For example, stores in states with strict labor or food service regulations might keep consistent hours across all units. Other states leave scheduling to franchisees, which creates variation you can expect between neighboring cities.
To confirm, use the Hardee’s store locator or call the restaurant directly. Checking the menu online for your specific location also shows whether lunch items are available at 10:30 AM or later.
Drive-Thru Vs. Dine-In Lunch Start Times
Expect lunch to start earlier at many locations and for service style to affect exact timing. Drive-thru and dine-in often switch from breakfast to lunch at slightly different times and speeds.
Drive-Thru Hours
Drive-thru lanes typically begin serving lunch at the moment the store stops breakfast service. Many Hardee’s locations flip to lunch around 10:30 AM, though some start at 11:00 AM. If your local restaurant posts a 10:30 AM lunch start, the drive-thru menu will usually reflect that instantly.
Drive-thru service aims to be fast. You should plan for a short wait, but peak lunch traffic between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM can add a few minutes. Use the drive-thru if you want lunch right when the menu changes, since cooks may prioritize drive-thru orders first to keep the line moving.
Dine-In Service Hours
Dine-in often follows the same official start time as drive-thru, but switching over can be slower inside. Crew may finish clearing breakfast items and reset the dining area, which can delay full lunch menu availability by a few minutes after the posted start time.
If you arrive just after the lunch start, ask staff whether specific lunch items are ready. You’ll usually find full lunch service inside by 10:35–10:45 AM at locations that list 10:30 AM starts, though times can vary by restaurant and staff routines.
Hardee’s Menu Transition Process
Hardee’s usually switches from breakfast to lunch around 10:30 AM at most locations. This change swaps breakfast sandwiches and biscuits for burgers, fries, and other lunch items, and can vary slightly by restaurant.
Switch from Breakfast to Lunch
You’ll notice staff begin changing prep stations close to the lunch start time. Fryers and grills shift focus from breakfast proteins and hash browns to burger patties and chicken. Staff may remove breakfast signage and load burger buns and condiments so orders flow faster.
Timing can vary by location, so check your local Hardee’s if you need a specific hour. If you arrive near 10:30 AM, expect a short window where some breakfast items might still be available while lunch items start appearing.
Featured Lunch Items
Hardee’s highlights charbroiled burgers like the Original Thickburger and hand-breaded chicken options once lunch begins. You’ll also find fries, onion rings, and loaded sides that pair with sandwiches and combo meals.
You can order single items or combo meals that include a drink and side. If you want specific limited-time items or regional options, call the restaurant before you go to confirm availability.
Holiday and Special Hours Impact
Holiday hours can change when Hardee’s starts serving lunch and which menu items are available. You should check local store hours and plan for earlier closures or altered service times on busy holidays.
Holiday Schedule Changes
Hardee’s hours often shift on major holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and Easter. Some locations close entirely on those days or open with reduced hours, which can delay the start of lunch until the restaurant reopens for regular service. Other holidays, such as Independence Day and Labor Day, usually keep normal or slightly reduced hours, but managers may shorten the lunch window or stop lunch earlier in the evening.
You should call your local Hardee’s or check their official store page for exact holiday times. Many franchised locations post holiday hours on Google Business Profiles and on the corporate site, which helps avoid surprises. If you plan a group order or pickup, confirm hours ahead of time to ensure kitchen availability and mobile order pickup slots.
Promotions Affecting Lunch Hours
Promotions and limited-time menu launches can change lunch start times or extend lunch service. For example, a nationwide sandwich promotion might prompt some stores to begin lunch at 10:30 AM instead of 11:00 AM to handle demand. Similarly, franchisees sometimes adjust hours during special offers to run lunch earlier or keep popular items available longer.
You should watch Hardee’s official social media and the company’s promotions page for announcements about time changes tied to offers. If a coupon or app deal lists specific pickup windows, follow those times exactly to avoid order issues. For national holiday promotions, also check third-party sites like Google Maps or the USDA holiday guidelines for business closures to verify local operations.
Tips for Confirming Lunch Start Time
You can check official store hours online or call the restaurant directly to confirm when lunch begins. Focus on the specific location you plan to visit, since times can vary by store.
Using the Hardee’s Store Locator
Open the Hardee’s website and use the store locator tool. Enter your city, ZIP code, or address and pick the exact location from the list. The locator shows store hours and often flags holiday schedules or temporary closures.
Look for the listed “Lunch” or general open hours. If the page shows a daily open time of 10:30 AM, lunch usually starts then. Note the time zone and whether the location follows local variations—some franchisees change hours for events or staffing.
Save the store page or snapshot the hours on your phone. That gives you a quick reference when you plan your visit and helps avoid surprises if the restaurant adjusts hours.
Contacting Your Local Restaurant
Call the restaurant’s direct phone number for the fastest confirmation. Ask specifically, “What time do you switch from breakfast to lunch today?” This yields a clear answer for that day and helps catch short-term changes.
If you prefer text, many locations respond via social media or the chain’s app chat. Provide the exact location name or address so staff give the correct hours. For special days like holidays, confirm both the opening time and whether the lunch menu is available.
Keep a note of the staff member’s name and the time you called. That helps if you need to reference the conversation later or report conflicting information from other sources.
FAQs
Most Hardee’s locations begin serving lunch around 10:30 AM. Some restaurants switch at 11:00 AM, so check your local store if you need exact timing.
Will the lunch menu run all day?
Yes. Once lunch starts, you can usually order lunch items until closing. Hours may vary by franchise and location.
How can you confirm a specific location’s lunch start time?
Call the restaurant, check the official Hardee’s app, or look at the store’s Google listing. Those sources give the most current hours.
Do breakfast items disappear when lunch starts?
Many locations stop breakfast when the lunch menu begins, but some items may remain available. Ask the staff if you want a specific breakfast dish after the switch.
Does lunch start time change on weekends or holidays?
Some locations adjust hours for weekends or holidays. Verify with the local restaurant before planning your visit.
What if you arrive just before the lunch start time?
Be ready for staff to begin the menu changeover. You can usually place an order as soon as the lunch menu is active.
Are there regional menu differences at lunch?
Yes. Some stores offer different sandwiches or limited-time items. Use the app or call to see local menu options.
Conclusion
You can usually get Hardee’s lunch starting at about 10:30 AM, though some locations shift to 11:00 AM. Check your local restaurant if you need exact times.
Lunch menus often run through the afternoon and may extend until closing. That gives you flexibility for an early or late lunch.
If you want to be sure, call the store or check its website or app before you go. This avoids surprises from local variations or special holiday hours.
Use the Hardee’s app or rewards program to find deals and confirm menu availability. Those tools also show hours for the specific location you plan to visit.