Cookout Locations 2026
Complete guide to 350+ Cook Out restaurants across 11 states. Find directions, hours, new openings, and use our interactive location finder to locate the nearest Cook Out.
Cook Out Location Finder
Search 350+ locations across 11 states. Click a result to center the map.
How Many Cookout Restaurant Locations Exist in 2026?
Looking for a Cook Out near you? Cook Out, the beloved Southern fast-food chain founded in 1989 by Morris Reaves in Greensboro, North Carolina, has grown from a single drive-thru into one of America’s most talked-about regional restaurant brands. As of mid-2026, there are over 350 Cook Out restaurant locations spread across 11 states in the Southeastern United States, and the chain is still expanding.
Unlike most fast-food brands, Cook Out does not franchise. Every single location is company-owned and operated by the Reaves family business, headquartered in Thomasville, North Carolina. This model ensures consistent quality, pricing, and service across all Cook Out locations.
The chain’s dual drive-thru layout, walk-up window service, and late-night hours have made it a regional icon. Most Cook Out locations stay open from 10:30 AM until 3:00 AM or 4:00 AM daily. For detailed hour-by-hour breakdowns, check our Cookout Hours guide.
Cook Out Locations by State 2026 Data
| State | Locations | Pop. per Location | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 139 | ~75,500 | 39% |
| South Carolina | 51 | ~101,000 | 14% |
| Georgia | 47 | ~226,000 | 13% |
| Tennessee | 42 | ~162,600 | 12% |
| Virginia | 42 | ~203,300 | 12% |
| Alabama | 16 | ~306,300 | 4% |
| Kentucky | 12 | ~372,500 | 3% |
| Mississippi | 8 | ~372,500 | 2% |
| West Virginia | 4 | ~447,500 | 1% |
| Florida | 2 | ~11.12M | <1% |
| Maryland | 1 | ~6.05M | <1% |
Nearly 66% of all Cook Out locations are concentrated in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. This tight regional focus is deliberate: Cook Out prioritizes operational efficiency and brand loyalty over rapid national expansion.
State-by-State Breakdown
North Carolina
Home state with locations across 100+ cities. Charlotte leads with 13, followed by Greensboro (7), Winston-Salem (6), Raleigh (5), and Durham (5). One Cook Out for roughly every 75,500 residents.
HOME STATESouth Carolina
First out-of-state expansion (Spartanburg, July 2010). Columbia (6), Greenville (4), Spartanburg (3), Charleston (3), and Myrtle Beach (3). Heavy University of South Carolina student traffic.
Georgia
Anchored by Atlanta’s metro area with spots on Moreland Avenue, Northside Drive, and Ponce De Leon Avenue. Augusta (4), Athens (3), and Savannah (2) are other major hubs.
Tennessee
Memphis (5), Knoxville (4), Nashville (4), Chattanooga (3). The Pigeon Forge location near the Great Smoky Mountains is popular with tourists.
Virginia
Virginia Beach and Norfolk area has the densest cluster. Richmond, Charlottesville (UVA), Blacksburg (Virginia Tech), and Harrisonburg (JMU) are also well served. Manassas Park is the closest to Washington, D.C.
Alabama
Birmingham (2), Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Montgomery, Mobile, and Dothan. Strong college-town presence near the University of Alabama and Auburn University.
Florida
Cook Out’s newest and most exciting market. Pensacola (July 2025) and Temple Terrace near Tampa (July 2026). Three more Tampa Bay locations confirmed plus Jacksonville.
EXPANDINGKY, MS, WV, MD
Kentucky has 12 locations, Mississippi has 8, West Virginia has 4, and Maryland has 1 (Salisbury, the chain’s northernmost outpost).
Is Cookout in Texas?
One of the most frequently searched questions is whether Cook Out in Texas exists. As of August 2026, Cook Out does not have any confirmed open restaurants in Texas. While some sources have referenced expansion plans, no Cook Out restaurant is currently operating in the Lone Star State.
If the chain does expand to Texas, it would mark a major leap beyond its Southeastern footprint. For now, the closest Cook Out locations for Texans are in Mississippi or Alabama.
New Cookout Locations and Recent Openings
Cook Out has been actively expanding throughout 2025 and 2026, focusing on suburban markets around Charlotte, Nashville, and Atlanta.
| City | State | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Temple Terrace (Tampa Bay) | Florida | Opened July 2026 |
| Pensacola | Florida | Opened July 2025 |
| Conway | South Carolina | Recently Opened |
| Mt Pleasant | South Carolina | Recently Opened |
| Cookeville | Tennessee | Recently Opened |
| Pigeon Forge | Tennessee | Recently Opened |
| Clayton | North Carolina | Recently Opened |
| Waynesboro | Virginia | Recently Opened |
| Carrollwood (Tampa) | Florida | Under Construction |
| Jacksonville | Florida | Under Construction |
Cookout Closing Time and Operating Hours
| Day | Opening | Closing |
|---|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 10:30 AM | 3:00 AM |
| Friday to Saturday | 10:30 AM | 4:00 AM |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM | 3:00 AM |
These hours make Cook Out one of the few fast-food chains open well past midnight every night. The Cook Out closing time varies slightly by location; some close at 2:00 AM, others stay open until 4:00 AM. For holiday hours and seasonal changes, visit Cookout Hours.
What Makes Cookout Restaurants Unique?
Cook Out restaurants stand apart from typical fast-food chains. Most use a dual drive-thru lane system for faster service, with walk-up windows rather than traditional indoor dining. The Cookout menu is built around value: the signature Cook Out Tray lets you choose an entree, two sides, and a drink for roughly $5 to $7.
Popular sides include fries, hushpuppies, onion rings, corn dogs, and quesadillas. The milkshake menu alone features 40+ flavors. All Cook Out meat is fresh and never frozen, ground at the company’s own commissary in Greensboro and delivered daily. For full nutritional details, check our Cookout Nutrition guide.
A Brief History of Cook Out’s Growth
Morris Reaves, a former Wendy’s franchise operator in North Carolina’s Triad region, opened the first Cook Out on Randleman Road in Greensboro in 1989. The concept was simple: char-grilled burgers, hot dogs, and milkshakes served through a drive-thru window. By 1998, the chain had reached 10 locations, all in North Carolina. A dedicated meat commissary was established in Greensboro in 1999.
Cook Out remained exclusively a North Carolina brand until July 30, 2010, when the 74th location opened in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Jeremy Reaves, Morris’s son, now serves as CEO and has overseen growth from fewer than 100 locations to over 350. The company remains privately owned, does not franchise, and relies almost entirely on word-of-mouth. Revenue is estimated at around $125 million annually.
Interested in joining the team? Entry-level pay typically ranges from $13 to $16 per hour, with management roles earning $48,000 to $80,000+. Visit our Cookout Careers page for current openings.
Quick Reference: Key Cook Out Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
There are between 350 and 377 Cookout locations in the USA across 11 states as of mid-2026.
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, West Virginia, Maryland, and Florida.
No confirmed Cookout Texas locations exist as of August 2026. The closest locations for Texans are in Mississippi or Alabama.
Most locations have a Cookout closing time of 3:00 AM on weeknights and 4:00 AM on weekends. Some close at 2:00 AM.
Some locations offer delivery through third-party apps. Check our Cookout Delivery guide for details.
Explore the Full Cook Out Menu
Check prices, nutrition facts, milkshake flavors, and tray options for every Cook Out location.
About This Guide
Location counts are compiled from the official Cook Out store locator and publicly available sources. Counts may vary slightly as new locations open. Always verify hours and availability directly with your local Cook Out.
This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cook Out® restaurants. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Last updated: 2026.