*Millions of Americans rely on food stamps or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ) to help cover grocery costs. A lesser-known program, the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), allows eligible recipients to use their EBT cards at participating fast-food restaurants. However, availability differs by state, and not all chains accept these benefits.
Currently, nine states permit EBT use at fast-food establishments, including McDonald’s. According to The Washington Times, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) argues this policy should be eliminated, noting that SNAP funds totaling over half a billion dollars were spent at fast-food locations between June 2023 and May 2025.
California led the spending at more than $475 million, followed by Arizona at $41.4 million, with New York, Michigan, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Illinois, Virginia, and Maryland also reporting significant totals.
“Let’s be honest, fast food is delicious and convenient, especially when you’re hungry and in a hurry. But let’s not forget, the ’N’ in SNAP stands for ’Nutrition,’ and we all know fast food isn’t exactly nutritious,” Ernst said. She also pointed to marketing from chains that encourage customers to use EBT cards.
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The RMP began in 1978 to assist seniors and disabled individuals who could not cook, later expanding in the 1990s to include the homeless. Roughly 42 million Americans rely on the federal food assistance program. Per The Washington Post, a 2016 USDA study showed 80% of SNAP dollars go to meats, fruits, vegetables, dairy, eggs, bread, grains, rice, beans, and prepared foods, with the other 20% spent on snacks, sweets, and sugary drinks.
SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy alcohol, tobacco, or hot prepared foods sold in stores. Roughly three-quarters (74%) of all SNAP purchases are made at supermarkets, 10% at online retailers like Amazon, and 5% at convenience stores.
Ernst is introducing legislation aimed at preventing chain restaurants from accepting SNAP benefits. “While franchises like McDonald’s are making McMillions off of SNAP RMP, allowing fast food to be purchased with food stamps is an idea that is a few fries short of a Happy Meal,” she said.
SNAP recipients should check with their local SNAP office or state website to see if a restaurant participates in the Restaurant Meals Program. Participating chains, including Subway, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, KFC, Denny’s, Jack in the Box, Burger King, and McDonald’s, allow eligible recipients to use their EBT cards to buy prepared meals.
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