The 15 Best Chain Restaurants For Breakfast In America

It is said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It can kick start your metabolism which in turn leads to more calories being burned throughout the day.

Eating breakfast will also give you the energy you need to get going in the morning and can even aid your focus and performance at work and school.

However, if you’re traveling, short on time, or just short on ingredients, it can be difficult to eat that perfect breakfast (see also ‘28 Delicious And Quick Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes‘).

We don’t all have the time or opportunity to cook a healthy and hearty breakfast every morning and this is where chain restaurants can be of help.

Every major city and most towns across America have a chain restaurant or two.

Whether you’re just passing through or a hungry local, breakfast in a chain restaurant can get you ready for the day ahead.

Knowing which chain restaurant to choose, however, can be a tricky decision.

Some have great lunch and dinner options but poor breakfast choices whereas other restaurants can have disappointing dinner offerings and the best breakfasts.

In this article, we will look at the best chain restaurants for breakfast in America. Some of these restaurants are nationwide whereas others are more regional.

We will give you a variety of options so no matter what your budget is or what kind of breakfast you’re looking for, there will be something for everyone. 

The following restaurants are listed in alphabetical order.

1. Another Broken Egg Cafe

Another Broken Egg Cafe began in Louisiana in 1996 and was rapidly expanded to have over 100 locations across the country.

Most of them are still in and around the south, but the chain has stretched as far as California and Ohio.

The menu specializes in breakfast and brunch options and offers a wide variety of old favorites and specials.

If you like your breakfasts to be sweet, then you have a large range of pancakes, waffles, and French toast to choose from. 

As the name of the cafe suggests, eggs are the main feature of the menu and the different variations of omelets available are sure to tempt anyone. 

If you have dietary restrictions, then Another Broken Egg Cafe has your back. There are both gluten-free and vegetarian options.

Vegans have fewer options but there are a couple of dishes that can be made vegan if requested.

Everything served by Another Broken Egg Cafe looks amazing and if you want a breakfast that will look great on your Instagram, this is the restaurant for you.

The prices are a little high compared to many other options on this list, however, so it’s not the best option if you’re eating on a budget.

2. Biscuitville

Biscuitville has over 70 locations spread across North Carolina and Virginia, so if you’re in either of those states and are looking for breakfast, keep your eyes peeled.

There’s no need to look at the menu to see what the main ingredient is as Biscuitville is all about biscuits.

If you love biscuits you’ll love Biscuitville as the restaurants also have a “biscuit window” which allows patrons to watch as a fresh batch of biscuits is made every 15 minutes.

For those who are concerned about the provenance of ingredients, Biscuitville is also a great choice as it details the source of all of its ingredients. 

Of course, Biscuitville offers a wide range of dishes with biscuits but also has a great range of pancakes and muffins, too.

Southern favorites such as grits and biscuits and gravy are also present and accounted for.

3. Bob Evans

Bob Evans was first established over 70 years ago in Ohio and has since spread across the country to have a presence in 18 different states.

If you opt for a Bob Evans breakfast then you can be certain of a large and hearty breakfast as the servings are enough to sate even the largest appetite.

Bob Evans offers a lot more than just breakfast but if you’re only looking at the breakfast menu, you will still have plenty to choose from.

If you’re especially hungry, you can choose The Whole Hog breakfast which includes bacon, egg, sausages, hotcakes, French toast, and hash browns.

For those with smaller appetites, you can choose from a variety of smaller dishes such as biscuits, hotcakes, and even steak.

We weren’t really sold on the Bob Evans hotcakes, but for solid and calorie-laden breakfasts you can’t do much better than Bob Evans.

4. Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel has locations in 45 states across America so the likelihood of there being a Cracker Barrel nearby when you need a breakfast fix is very high.

The Cracker Barrel menu includes much more than just breakfast fare and the breakfast menu is available all day.

The breakfast menu doesn’t have the largest variety of options, especially compared to some options on this list, but it includes staples such as pancakes, French toast, biscuits, and fried breakfasts. 

Our favorite breakfast at Cracker Barrel is the buttermilk pancakes.

These are available with different toppings and can be combined with several breakfast sides such as eggs, bacon, sausage patties, or gravy and biscuits.

If you like your breakfast to be less sweet and more on the savory side, you can opt for the Old Timer’s Breakfast or Grandpa’s Country Fried Breakfast.

5. Denny’s

There are Denny’s in 49 states and Washington D.C., so unless you’re in Delaware, Denny’s is a great option for breakfast if you’re traveling.

The Denny’s breakfast menu is probably best known for the Grand Slam.

This is a highly customizable order where you can pick your favorite items to make your own breakfast.

It includes your typical breakfast foods such as pancakes, bacon, toast, and buttermilk biscuits.

You can also opt for a ham slice or bowl of seasonal fruit, however.

If this sounds like too much, you can instead choose a breakfast platter with pancakes, crepes, or Eggs Benedict so there’s sure to be something for everyone. 

The breakfast at Denny’s isn’t the best breakfast on this list and there are more tasty options available.

However, the convenience and availability of Denny’s make it worth consideration.

6. First Watch

Established in 1983, First Watch is one of the newer restaurant chains on this list.

It began as a breakfast and brunch-only restaurant but many of the locations have since expanded past the regular brunch hours.

The chain has now expanded to 26 states but you will find variations in the menu across the country.

Regardless of where you are, First Watch offers many of the dishes you’d expect for breakfast.

It also specializes in some healthier options such as avocado toast, granola bowls, and oatmeal so if you want to eat healthily, you should consider First Watch.

You can even order kale juice or other healthy fruit drinks.

Don’t worry if healthy eating isn’t a priority, however, as First Watch also has staples such as Eggs Benedict, omelets, pancakes, and waffles.

We were very impressed with the bacon offered by First Watch as we’re firm believers that bacon is one of the most important parts of any breakfast.

7. The Flying Biscuit Cafe

The first Flying Biscuit Cafe opened in 1993 and it has since grown to 25 locations across Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, and Texas. 

Breakfast is the focus of this restaurant so no matter what you’re looking for in the morning, The Flying Biscuit Cafe probably has it.

Whether you want waffles, hash browns, breakfast tacos, or a beef brisket, it’s on the menu.

There are also several southern staples such as grits that can be ordered on their own or are part of a larger platter.

Unlike most breakfast restaurants, The Flying Biscuit Cafe also offers several vegetarian and vegan options, including a beyond burger.

Most of the dishes are gluten-free also, making the menu suitable for many different diets.

The restaurant also offers a good selection of drinks, ranging from bottomless coffee to a variety of teas and juices.

8. Hash House A Go Go

Hash House A Go Go is one of the smaller chains on this list so it may not be one that you are aware of.

The chain has restaurants in six different states stretching from California to Florida and if there is one near you, it’s definitely worth a visit. 

The focus of the menu is midwestern food but they’re given a modern twist that will look great on Instagram.

The restaurant has become known for its huge pancakes that are the size of a tractor’s steering wheel.

The pancakes are available in several flavors including banana brown sugar, red velvet, and buttermilk, and they’re sure to fill any empty stomach. 

If pancakes aren’t your thing, then you can opt for several other options such as hashes, scrambled eggs, French toast, and Benedict’s.

We’re big fans of the sage fried chicken and waffle tower that also has bacon, maple, and eggs.

Of course, the menu also offers more traditional fare such as biscuits and gravy and a platter of fried breakfast foods.

9. Huddle House

Established over 50 years ago, Huddle House is available in 22 different states that are largely located in the south of the country.

Huddle House offers a wide variety of dishes throughout the day but the breakfast menu covers all of the basics and then some.

There are pancakes, waffles, and omelets to choose from as well as stuffed hashbrowns and breakfast platters.

Our favorite is the MVP, or the Most Valuable Platter.

You have a few choices to make to get the perfect platter for you and can choose from grits or biscuits and sausage gravy as a side.

We recommend the buttermilk pancakes for this platter, too.

10. IHOP

Most people know the International House of Pancakes and they’re one of the more common restaurant chains across the country.

If you’re looking for pancakes to break your fast, then IHOP will have your back.

There may be chains that have better pancakes, but IHOP’s pancakes are perfectly fine, too. 

Of course, there are more than pancakes to choose from.

There are also a wide variety of waffles, omelets, and breakfast platters available and IHOP even offers some gluten-free options (see also ‘29 Delicious Gluten-Free Breakfast Recipes‘). 

IHOP is one of the more budget-friendly options on this list so if you’re on a budget and are looking for breakfast in an unknown city, IHOP is a great choice.

11. Mimi’s Cafe

Mimi’s Cafe can be found in 12 different states and its French-themed menu covers all of the meals of the day.

The breakfast menu is pretty varied and can be split into waffles and French toasts, quiche and crepes, two-egg platters, eggs Benedict, three-egg platters, and classic breakfast dishes.

We love the ham and swiss crepes as the melted swiss cheese that tops the crepes is delicious.

If you want something that is both savory and sweet, we recommend it. The breakfast burrito is also a favorite as is the cinnamon roll French toast.

12. The Original Pancake House

Available in 28 different states including Hawaii, the Original Pancake House is another restaurant chain to search for if you’re looking for a pancake breakfast.

They have a great variety of both sweet and savory pancakes and toppings, but they can taste a little floury for some palates. 

If you decide to skip the pancakes, then you will also have many crepes, waffles, omelets, and other egg-based dishes to choose from.

We prefer the crepes to the pancakes and especially love the cherry kijafa crepes for their combination of cherries and sauce. 

13. Perkins

We love the breakfast options at Perkins because everything tastes great and is made fresh.

Like many other restaurant chains, Perkins offers omelets and breakfast platters, but it’s really their bakery-inspired breakfast options that are the greatest.

Their waffles are some of the best you’ll find on this list and that is also the case with their French toast and crepes.

If you fancy something a little different for breakfast, you can opt for a freshly baked slice of pie instead.

There are worse ways to start your day than with a slice of caramel apple pie!

14. Village Inn

Village Inn is available in 18 states and although it serves a wide range of dishes throughout the day, it’s arguably most well known for its breakfast offerings.

Breakfast is served all day at Village Inn so no matter when you start your day, you can start it with breakfast.

Most of Village Inn’s breakfast menu is standard breakfast foods but they do offer a comprehensive kids menu that is fun and perfectly sized for smaller stomachs.

Of the adult meals, we found the signature skillets to be the standout.

If you want a little spice with your breakfast, why not try the Rio Grande skillet which includes a little pepper and chili.

15. Waffle House

Our final restaurant chain is also one of the most well-known.

You can never go wrong with breakfast from Waffle House, regardless of whether you opt for one of their signature waffles or something else from the menu.

The food is affordable and filling and if you do decide to skip the waffles, we recommend the T-bone and eggs platter.

Final Thoughts

In this article, we listed the best 15 chain restaurants for breakfast in America.

Some of them are available in all 50 states whereas others are only available in certain markets, but no matter where you are, there is bound to be a restaurant around.

Whether you’re looking for waffles, pancakes, biscuits, or eggs, you’re sure to find a delicious breakfast. 

We hope that whatever restaurant you choose, your breakfast is delicious and sets you up for the day ahead.