You’re staring at an empty walk-in fridge. It’s Friday, the weekend rush is basically breathing down your neck, and you just realized the prep cook used the last of the heavy cream for a "special" that didn't even sell. Now you're frantically wondering what time Restaurant Depot close today because, honestly, a 6:00 AM trip tomorrow morning isn't going to save tonight's service.
Most Restaurant Depot locations typically close at 6:00 PM on Fridays.
But here’s the thing—if you’ve been in this industry long enough, you know "typical" is a dangerous word. While the 6:00 PM cutoff is the standard across a huge chunk of their 150+ warehouses, local variations are everywhere. Some spots in heavy-traffic zones like Los Angeles or New York might stay open until 7:00 PM, while smaller regional hubs might start rolling down the shutters at 5:00 PM.
Finding the actual Restaurant Depot close today time
Don't just trust a random guess when you have a line out the door and no ribeye. Today is Friday, January 16, 2026. Since it’s a Friday, most locations are operating on their standard weekday schedule. Unlike Saturdays when they often close early (usually around 4:00 PM) or Sundays when they might close as early as 2:00 PM or 3:00 PM, Fridays are generally full-service days.
If you are looking at your watch right now and it's 5:15 PM, you are cutting it incredibly close.
The most reliable way to check is through the official Restaurant Depot warehouse finder. You just pop in your zip code. It’s better than Google Maps, which sometimes lags behind on seasonal shifts or local staffing shortages that might force an early close.
Why do the hours vary so much?
It’s easy to get frustrated when the Mesa, AZ location has different hours than the one in Long Beach. It basically comes down to regional demand and labor. In a city where restaurants are popping 24/7, the warehouse stays open longer to accommodate the "emergency run" crowd. In quieter areas, they pull the plug earlier because the cost of keeping those massive LED lights on for three customers just doesn't make sense.
Understanding the Friday "Rush" and Closing Procedures
If you show up at 5:50 PM expecting to do a full month’s worth of shopping, you’re gonna have a bad time.
Restaurant Depot isn’t like a regular grocery store. They have a pretty strict checkout process. You’ve got the membership scan, the manual item count by an associate, and the final verification at the door. If you aren't at the register by 5:45 PM, the staff is likely already starting to pull the gates.
🔗 Read more: Scott and Lori Thompson: The Story of a Tech Power Couple You Probably Forgot
They also have specific "Active Warehouse" safety rules. Once it gets close to closing, they start moving pallets and operating heavy machinery to restock for the Saturday morning madness. For your own safety, they really don't want people wandering the aisles while forklifts are flying around.
Standard Friday Operating Hours (Most Locations)
- Opening Time: 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM
- Closing Time: 6:00 PM
- Peak Hours: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Avoid if possible)
Holiday and Special Event Exceptions
Today is mid-January. We just passed New Year’s, and we’re a few days out from MLK Day (Monday, Jan 19, 2026). While Restaurant Depot is notoriously open almost every day of the year, they do have a "Big Seven" list of holidays where they shut down completely.
- New Year’s Day
- Easter Sunday
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Since today isn't one of those, you’re safe from a total holiday lockout. However, some managers choose to run "inventory days" or have modified hours leading into a holiday weekend. Since Monday is a federal holiday, there’s a slight chance some locations might tweak their Sunday/Monday schedule, but your Friday closing time should remain a solid 6:00 PM in most markets.
What if you don't have your card?
We've all been there. You left the membership card in the other truck or gave it to an employee who is currently off-site.
If you get to the warehouse before they close, go straight to the reception desk. As long as you have ID and your account is active in their system, they can print you a one-day pass. Just remember that the reception desk often closes about 15-30 minutes before the main warehouse doors do. If you show up at 5:55 PM without a card, you’re probably not getting in.
Common misconceptions about Restaurant Depot hours
There's a weird myth floating around that they stay open later for "Gold" members or specific business tiers. That's just not true. Whether you’re a single-truck taco vendor or a massive catering corporation, the doors lock for everyone at the same time.
Another thing people get wrong is the "non-member" access. You can't just walk in because it's almost closing time and hope they'll let you slide. You need that business tax ID or a guest pass from a site like Instacart (if they are still partnering for local delivery) to get through the door.
Actionable steps for your supply run
Instead of racing against the clock every Friday, try these three things to keep your kitchen running without the stress:
🔗 Read more: Natco Pharma Limited share price: Why investors are glued to the screen
- Download the App: The Restaurant Depot app usually has the most up-to-date hours for your "preferred" store. It’s faster than the website.
- The 4:00 PM Rule: Make it a personal policy to never head to the Depot after 4:00 PM. It gives you a two-hour buffer for traffic, long lines, and the inevitable "where did they move the bulk spices?" hunt.
- Call Ahead for Specific Items: If you’re driving 30 minutes just for one specific brand of shortening or a particular cut of halal meat, call the floor manager. They can tell you if it's in stock and confirm exactly when they’re locking the doors today.
Check your local warehouse status now, grab your keys, and make sure you have your membership card ready before you hit the road.