Does Carl’s Jr. Accept EBT? Full Tips For You

Does Carl’s Jr. Accept EBT? Complete Guide & Tips to know eligibility, participating locations, and how to use your benefits.

When I first heard someone ask, “Does Carl’s Jr. Accept EBT?”, I remember thinking: surely yes, fast-food chains must accept that, right? But the answer turned out to be far more layered and nuanced than the simple “yes or no” I expected. After digging into the rules, talking to folks, and getting a little lost in government web pages, I uncovered what I’m about to share with you…so you don’t have to.

If you’re here, likely as part of managing your day-to-day choices in the realm of Personal Growth & Lifestyle, you probably want a clear answer: Does Carl’s Jr. Accept EBT? And if yes, under what conditions? Because if you’re planning to use your benefits that way, you’ll want to avoid the embarrassment or frustration of showing up and finding your card doesn’t work.

So grab a coffee (or burger), and let’s walk through it together.

The Quick Answer – and Why It’s Not Simple

In the simplest form: Yes, Carl’s Jr. can accept EBT…but only in very specific situations.
And the “yes” comes with so many caveats that for most people, the realistic answer is often “No, at least not for your location / not under your benefit circumstances.”

Here’s what’s going on:

• The usual rule for the federal SNAP program (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is that EBT benefits are used for groceries / unprepared foods, not hot meals at restaurants.
  
• There is a special program: the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP). Under RMP, certain eligible SNAP recipients (elderly 60+, disabled, or homeless) in participating states can use EBT at approved restaurants.
  
• So for a Carl’s Jr. location to accept EBT, three things must align:
  
  1. You must live in a state that offers RMP (and your county participates).
     
  2. You personally must qualify for RMP (age/disability/homelessness).
     
  3. That specific Carl’s Jr. location must be authorized and listed as a participating venue.
     

If all three are met, yes: you can use your EBT card at a Carl’s Jr. If any one of them is missing … then likely not.

My Personal Journey: Why This Mattered to Me

I’ll pull back the curtain a bit. A few years ago, a friend of mine…let’s call her Maria…was using her SNAP benefits, and she told me she’d seen a list online that Carl’s Jr. in her county did take EBT. We went together, hopeful. We ordered, swiped the card… and it declined. Embarrassing. Awkward.

Later she discovered that her household did not qualify for the RMP because although she received SNAP, none of her household members were over 60 or disabled. The Carl’s Jr. in question was on the list of approved restaurants, but her EBT card wasn’t coded for RMP transactions. That “small detail” made all the difference.

From that moment I realized: this is not just “find your chain, use your card.” There are systemic layers. And that’s why I wrote this for you.

Understanding the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) and How It Relates to Carl’s Jr. EBT Acceptance

Many people ask, “Does Carl’s Jr. accept EBT?” are unaware that it depends on the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) in their state and eligibility criteria.

What is the RMP?

• The RMP is a state‑option program under SNAP that allows certain beneficiaries to buy prepared meals at approved restaurants, not just groceries. (fns.usda.gov)
  
• According to the federal government (USDA’s Food & Nutrition Service), the RMP is only for SNAP clients who are:
  
  • Elderly (60+ years old), or
    
  • Disabled (receiving disability/blindness payments or disability retirement), or
    
  • Homeless, or
    
  • A spouse of someone in one of those eligible categories.
    
• Restaurants must apply and be approved to participate. They must adopt a POS system that accepts EBT under the RMP.
  
• Not all states have adopted RMP. Some states allow it, many do not.
  

Why does this matter?

Because it means using EBT at a fast-food chain like Carl’s Jr. is not a given. You can’t just walk up and assume it will work. The prerequisites matter. I mention this because when I shared my story with Maria, we both overlooked the eligibility clause and assumed “Well she has SNAP, so it must work.” Spoiler: it didn’t.

Where is RMP available?

As of the latest aggregated information, states that currently have RMP include: California, Arizona, Illinois (some counties), Maryland, Michigan, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia and a few others. (fns.usda.gov)
But…and this is important…participation within states varies: which counties, which restaurants, etc. Just because your state offers RMP doesn’t guarantee your county or chain location participates.

How Carl’s Jr. Fits (or Doesn’t) with RMP

Alright, so how does this apply to Carl’s Jr.? Let’s break it down.

What we know

• Multiple sources indicate that some Carl’s Jr. locations in Arizona and California are listed as participating under RMP. (propel.app)
  
• However: They do not have a chain‑wide policy that every Carl’s Jr. accepts EBT. (nationalreliefprogram.org)
  
• Some key compiled information says: “Yes, Carl’s Jr. accepts EBT in select locations in Arizona and California. 

Why it’s still tricky

Even if you’re in California or Arizona:

• Your Carl’s Jr. may not be on the approved list.
  
• Your EBT card may not be coded for RMP use (so it’ll get declined).
  
• Some menu items may not qualify (though for restaurants under RMP the rules are more flexible for prepared meals).
  
• You might expect to order via drive‑thru or delivery and find out that only in‑store pickup counts.
  
• The list of participating restaurants may not always be up to date.
  

So what’s likely?

If you’re outside California or Arizona (or a state with a widely active RMP), your chance of using EBT at Carl’s Jr. is very low. If you’re inside one of those states, you still need to check eligibility + location.

Step‑by-Step: How to Check & Use Your EBT at Carl’s Jr.

Let’s assume you’re wondering, “Can I do this?” Here’s a roadmap.

1. Check if your state has RMP

Go to your state’s SNAP website or the federal USDA page for RMP. (fns.usda.gov)
If the program doesn’t exist in your state, it’s over (for now). You’ll be using EBT only for groceries, not restaurant meals.

2. Confirm your eligibility

Do you meet the criteria (elderly 60+, disabled, or homeless)?
If yes … good. If not … the restaurant use is likely unavailable to you.

3. Check if your Carl’s Jr. location is participating

Look for a sign at the location: “Participating Restaurant: SNAP Restaurant Meals Program.”
Call ahead and ask:
Also check the state list of approved restaurants (many counties publish PDFs).

4. Make sure your EBT card is coded for RMP

Some agencies require you to request the “Restaurant Meals” code to be added to your EBT account. If not coded, the transaction will be declined.

5. Visit the restaurant and purchase

When you go:

• Use your EBT card as you would a debit card (PIN required).
  
• Ensure the items you buy are eligible (prepared meals).
  
• Don’t assume online/delivery options always work … many use “in‑store only.”
  

6. If it doesn’t work, don’t blame yourself

Sometimes the machine is not set up, the location dropped the program, or your card isn’t coded. It happens.

Real-World Example: California & Carl’s Jr.

Since California is one of the more access‑friendly states for RMP, let’s illustrate with a realistic example:

Suppose you live in Los Angeles County. You are age 62 and receive CalFresh (California’s SNAP equivalent). You want to go to Carl’s Jr.

• Step 1: California has the RMP program.
  
• Step 2: You meet the “elderly (60+)” criterion.
  
• Step 3: You call a nearby Carl’s Jr. and find out it is listed by LA County as a participating restaurant.
  
• Step 4: Your EBT card is coded for RMP.
  You order a burger and fries, use the EBT card, it goes through.
  

Now let’s switch one detail: say you’re 35 (not elderly), even though you have SNAP in the same county. Steps 1 & 3 hold, but you do not meet eligibility. The card gets declined. You’re turned away. Frustration builds.

This dichotomy is why so many people ask “Does Carl’s Jr. accept EBT?” and get conflicting answers.

Key Takings

• Carl’s Jr. can accept EBT, but only under certain conditions: eligible for RMP, in a participating state/county, and at a location that has opted into the program.
  
• The program isn’t nationwide; availability varies.
  
• Always call ahead to confirm participation and eligibility.

Additional Resources

• USDA FNS: Official USDA overview of the Restaurant Meals Program, explaining eligibility, participating states, and how certain SNAP recipients can use benefits at approved restaurants.
• California Department of Social Services: Detailed guide on California’s RMP, including eligibility rules, participating restaurants, and instructions for SNAP recipients to use their EBT benefits at selected fast-food chains.