Where You Can Use Your EBT Card to Buy Food

Wingstop does not accept EBT cards for food purchases

Wingstop is a restaurant chain that serves prepared chicken wings and sides. Because it is a restaurant — not a grocery store or authorized food retailer — it does not accept EBT cards, even though it sells food. EBT cards only work at stores and vendors authorized by your state's SNAP program, and restaurants are not part of that list in most states.

The only exception is the Restaurant Meals Program, which exists in a small number of states and allows certain people (elderly, disabled, or homeless) to use EBT at participating restaurants. Even in those states, Wingstop would have to be enrolled in the program separately, and most are not. You would need to check your state's SNAP website to see if your state has this program and which restaurants participate.

Key Takeaways

• Wingstop is a restaurant and does not accept EBT cards under the standard SNAP rules in any state.
• EBT cards work only at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other food retailers that are authorized by your state's SNAP program.
• A few states run a Restaurant Meals Program for elderly, disabled, or homeless people, but Wingstop does not participate in these programs.
• If you want to use EBT to buy food, you must shop at authorized retailers like supermarkets, convenience stores, or farmers markets that display the SNAP logo.

Which types of stores do accept EBT

EBT cards work at any store that displays the SNAP logo at the register or entrance. This includes supermarkets, grocery stores, farmers markets, and some convenience stores and pharmacies. The store must be authorized by your state's SNAP program to accept EBT.

You can search for authorized retailers on the SNAP Retailer Locator at fns.usda.gov, or you can call your state's SNAP office to ask which stores near you accept EBT. Many people find it faster to straightforward look for the SNAP logo when they enter a store.

What you can and cannot buy with EBT at authorized stores

At authorized retailers, EBT covers fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy, breads, cereals, snack foods, and non-alcoholic beverages. It does not cover prepared or hot foods, even if they are sold in a grocery store deli. It also does not cover alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, pet food, or household items like soap or paper towels.

The rule is straightforward: if the food is ready to eat or has been heated, EBT will not pay for it. If it is a raw or shelf-stable ingredient you cook at home, EBT will. Some grocery store delis sell rotisserie chicken or hot pizza; those are not covered. But a raw chicken breast or frozen pizza that you cook yourself is covered.

How to find restaurants that might accept EBT in your state

If your state runs a Restaurant Meals Program, your state's SNAP office website will list which restaurants participate. You can also call your state SNAP office directly and ask whether the program exists in your state and which restaurants are enrolled.

As of now, only a handful of states have this program: California, Arizona, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New York, and Rhode Island. Even in those states, the program is limited to people who are elderly (60 or older), disabled, or homeless. If you think you might be in one of those groups, contact your state SNAP office to learn whether you can use the program and which restaurants near you are part of it.

Why restaurants are not part of standard EBT

SNAP is designed to help people buy groceries and cook food at home, not to pay for meals prepared by someone else. The program assumes that buying raw ingredients is cheaper than buying prepared food, and that cooking at home stretches the benefit further. Restaurants, fast food chains, and food delivery services fall outside this purpose.

The Restaurant Meals Program exists as a narrow exception for people who cannot cook — those who are homeless, elderly, or disabled — but it is not available everywhere and does not include most restaurant chains.

What to do if you need to eat but cannot cook

If you cannot prepare food at home, look for community meal programs, food banks, or soup kitchens in your area. Many cities and towns run free meal programs for people in need, and food banks often distribute prepared meals or ready-to-eat items alongside groceries. You can search for these programs through your local 211 service (dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org) or your city or county health department.

If you are elderly, disabled, or homeless and live in a state with a Restaurant Meals Program, contact your state SNAP office to see whether you can use that program instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my EBT card at fast food restaurants like McDonald's or Burger King?

No, fast food restaurants do not accept EBT cards under the standard SNAP rules. Only a few states have a Restaurant Meals Program that allows certain people to use EBT at participating restaurants, and most fast food chains are not part of those programs.

What if a restaurant says it accepts EBT?

If a restaurant claims to accept EBT, it is either part of your state's Restaurant Meals Program (if your state has one) or the staff member is mistaken. You can verify by calling your state SNAP office or checking your state's SNAP website for the list of participating restaurants.

Can I use EBT to order food delivery from a grocery store?

Some grocery stores that accept EBT also offer delivery or pickup services, and you may be able to use your EBT card for those orders. However, this varies by store and by state. Contact the grocery store directly to ask whether they accept EBT for online orders.

What stores near me accept EBT?

You can search for authorized SNAP retailers on the SNAP Retailer Locator at fns.usda.gov by entering your zip code. You can also call your state SNAP office or look for the SNAP logo when you enter a store.