Latest Cookout Menu with Prices | June 2026
Get the complete Cookout Menu for June 2026 with current Prices on Burgers, Trays, Sides, and 40+ Milkshake flavors. Nutrition Info, the Allergen Menu, and Vegan and Vegetarian options for every Cookout Location are all covered here.
If you have ever found yourself driving past every other fast food chain on the strip just to get to Cook Out, you already know what the Cookout Menu is capable of. The iconic Cookout Tray alone tells the whole story, one entree, two sides, and a large drink starting at just $6.29, making it one of the most unbeatable value meals in American fast food. With over 40 hand-spun Milkshake flavors, char-grilled Burgers, smoky BBQ, crispy Sides, Wraps, and Quesadillas, this is a menu built for every craving and every budget.
Cook Out did not build this kind of loyalty overnight. Morris Reaves started it all in 1989 with a single burger trailer in Greensboro, North Carolina, driven by one belief that honest food at honest prices should be available to everyone. That belief turned one trailer into 352 restaurants across 10 Southeastern states, with North Carolina alone claiming nearly 40% of all Cookout Locations. Still privately owned after 35 years, still running most locations until 2 AM or 3 AM, and still serving the same bold flavors that made that first Greensboro grill legendary, Cook Out is not just a fast food chain. It is a Southern institution built one tray at a time.
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Cookout Menu Prices in 2026
Cook Out has always done one thing better than almost every other fast food chain in the Southeast and that is keeping prices low without cutting corners on quality. A Cookout Tray with one main, two sides, and a large drink runs between $6.29 and $7.49, unlocking over 152,000 possible meal combinations depending on your choices.
Upgrade your drink to a milkshake for just $1.00 extra, a deal that makes the Cookout Tray genuinely the best dollar-per-bite meal at any drive-thru in 2026. Individual Milkshakes start at $3.99, Burgers from $3.99, and Sides from under $2, making every Cookout Location one of the most wallet-friendly stops across the entire Southeast.
Cookout Milkshake Menu 2026: Flavors & Prices
Cook Out runs one of the biggest milkshake menus in fast food, with more than 45 flavors and a debate at every location about which one tops the list. From everyday classics like Vanilla, Strawberry, and Pineapple to rich crowd favorites like Oreo, Peach Cobbler, Reese’s Cup, and Peanut Butter Fudge, every shake is priced at $3.99. Three seasonal flavors keep things exciting year round, Fresh Watermelon in July and August, and both Eggnog and Peppermint Chip arriving exclusively in December.
Every shake is hand spun to order and comes in at 30 to 35 oz, so thick that most people make a sport out of trying to get them through the straw. Mix any two flavors at no extra cost, with popular pairings like Fresh Banana with Pineapple, Peanut Butter Fudge with Strawberry, and Fresh Banana with Strawberry and Fudge. Add one to your Tray for just $1.00 extra and browse the full list below to pick your flavor before you order.
$3.99 | 32.6 oz
Cheesecake
$3.99 | 35 oz
Fresh Eggnog
$3.99 | 35 oz
Peppermint
$3.99 | 32.3 oz
Cherry
Char-Grilled Hamburgers, Sauces and Toppings
Cook Out serves fresh, never frozen beef char-grilled to order on an open flame, in four sizes from an eighth pound all the way up to a half pound. Four sizes and seven styles create a core lineup of eleven hamburger choices, with the Small starting near $3.00 and the Huge Burger reaching up to $5.98 depending on style and location. The Cook Out Style burger, topped with homemade chili, fresh coleslaw, mustard, and chopped onions, remains the signature order and the one flavor combination that defines the chain.
Where it gets interesting is the customization. Thirteen sauce options run from standard condiments to signature blends, covering everything from house Cook Out Sauce, BBQ, Ranch, and Honey Mustard to bold picks like Fresh Jalapeño, Cheese Sauce, and A1. Layer on toppings like Grilled Bacon, Homemade Chili, Cheese Slice, Homemade Slaw, and Cajun Seasoning and the number of ways to build a Cook Out burger becomes nearly endless without ever breaking the bank.
$0.2 | 19 Cal
Ketchup
$0.5 | 25 Cal
CookOut Sauce
$0.1 | 10 Cal
Tomato Slice
$0.65 | 70 Cal
Homemade Chili
$0.5 | 70 Cal
Cheese Slice
$0.95 | 60 Cal
Grilled Bacon
$0.1 | 10 Cal
Grilled Onions
$0.1 | 1 Cal
Pickles
$0.1 | 1 Cal
Lettuce
$0.5 | 40 Cal
Homemade Slaw
$0.1 | 10 Cal
Cajun Seasoning
Chicken Breast, Strips and Sandwiches
Cook Out approaches chicken the same way it does everything else, fresh, made to order, and priced below what anyone else charges for the same quality. Chicken comes in four formats at Cook Out, char-grilled breast, crispy filet, hand battered strips, and nuggets, giving you more ways to order chicken here than at most chains in this price range. Char-grilled breast options run across six styles including Original, Cajun, Barbecue, Cheddar, Homemade, and Club, each starting at $4.85. Three Chicken Strips clock in at 660 calories and 36 grams of protein, available with six sauce choices including Cook Out Sauce, BBQ, Honey Mustard, Polynesian, Ranch, and Buffalo. Chicken Nuggets come in at just 240 calories for a full order, making them one of the lightest and most affordable options on the entire menu.
On the sandwich side, the Grilled Chicken Sandwich sits at just 262 calories making it one of the lightest items on the menu, while the Chicken Strip Sandwich delivers 670 calories and 28 grams of protein per serving. The fully loaded Chicken Strip Club adds bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo for a more filling build. Every chicken item works as a standalone order or as the main entree inside a Cookout Tray starting at $6.29.
BLT and Fish Sandwich
Two of the most underrated items on the Cook Out menu sit quietly between the chicken and BBQ sections. The BLT comes in at $3.49 and 400 calories, built with bacon strips, lettuce, tomato, and mayo on toasted bread, making it the lowest calorie sandwich on the entire menu. The Fish Fillet Sandwich steps it up to $4.39 and 500 calories, built with a crispy fried fish fillet, lettuce, and tartar sauce on a toasted bun, and remains one of the few fish sandwiches available at a Southern fast food chain at this price point. Both work as standalone orders or as the main entree inside a Cookout Tray starting at $6.29.
Refreshing Drinks
Sweet tea is the most ordered drink at Cook Out, and it comes brewed fresh in both sweetened and unsweetened versions. Beyond that, the lineup covers Coca-Cola fountain sodas including Coke, Sprite, and Fanta, plus lemonade, fruit punch, and bottled water. Diet Coke is also available for anyone watching sugar intake. All drinks come in four sizes: small, regular, large, and huge. Every Cook Out Tray already includes a drink, and you can swap it for a milkshake for just $1 more.
$2.19 | 150 Cal | 16 oz
Cheerwine (Regular)
$2.39 | 0 Cal | 20 oz
Dasani
$2.39 | 240 Cal | 32 oz
Coca Cola (Large)
$2.39 | 390 Cal | 32.9 oz
Fresh Brewed Tea (Huge)
$2.39 | 220 Cal | 32 oz
Cheerwine (Large)
$2.19 | 150 Cal | 16 oz
Coca Cola (Regular)
$2.39 | 149 Cal | 32 oz
Powerade Mountain Blast
$2.39 | 280 Cal | 32 oz
Dr Pepper
$2.39 | 317 Cal | 32 oz
Hi-C Fruit Punch
$2.59 | 280 Cal | 32 oz
Hi-C Poppin’ Pink Lemonade
$2.59 | 302 Cal | 32 oz
Fanta Orange
$2.59 | 288 Cal | 32 oz
Mellow Yellow
$2.59 | 289 Cal | 32 oz
Sprite
$2.59 | 290 Cal | 32 oz
Pibb Xtra
$2.59 | 0 Cal | 32 oz
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
$2.59 | 0 Cal | 32 oz
Diet Coke
Tasty Wraps
Cook Out offers three wraps: the Cajun Wrap, the Ranch Wrap, and the Honey Mustard Wrap. All three share the same base of chicken, lettuce, and a soft flour tortilla. The Cajun Wrap is seasoned with a dry Cajun spice blend, giving it a bold, peppery heat at 501 calories. The Ranch Wrap uses creamy ranch dressing for a cooler, milder finish at 522 calories. The Honey Mustard Wrap pairs chicken with honey mustard dressing at 517 calories with a sweet and tangy bite. Each wrap runs just over six ounces and can be ordered standalone or added as a side on a Cook Out Tray.
Cookout Floats & Cheesecakes
Cook Out serves four floats: the Coke Float, the Root Beer Float, the Fanta Float, and the Cheerwine Float. Each one is made with vanilla soft serve and a carbonated soda. The Coke Float has 399 calories and the Cheerwine Float has 401, both served in a 16 oz cup. Cheerwine is a black cherry soda that has been made in Salisbury, North Carolina since 1917. Cheesecake is also on the dessert menu as a cold, ready-to-eat option. It sits separate from the floats and gives the dessert section two distinct choices: something to drink and something to eat.
Crispy Fries & Signature Sides
Cook Out’s sides menu is one of the broadest in fast food, running from straight fries to hushpuppies, coleslaw, chili, cheese curds, corn dogs, chicken nuggets, okra, and Cook Out Rounds. Fries come in regular at 347 calories or large at 694. For something lighter, onion rings clock in at 128 calories for a side order and 256 for a full order. Hushpuppies run 300 calories as a side and 600 for the full order.
Every Cook Out Tray comes with two sides included, which makes the depth of this list matter more than it would at most chains. A side of chili adds 160 calories and 5 grams of protein. Cheese curds, okra, and corn dogs sit on the same list as coleslaw and Cook Out Rounds, giving the menu a range that covers both Southern staples and drive-thru classics in the same order.
Bold Mexican-Style Quesadillas
Cook Out officially offers three quesadillas: Cheese at 355 calories, Chicken at 449 calories, and Beef at 514 calories. The tortilla goes straight onto a flat grill, which gives it a toasted, slightly crispy shell while the cheese melts completely through the inside. The Beef is the heaviest of the three, built with seasoned ground beef and cheddar. The Chicken uses mildly seasoned grilled meat that picks up a light smoky flavor from the grill. The Cheese version is the lightest option and the only one that works as a vegetarian choice on the menu.
What makes these stand out at Cook Out is the value. All three land under $2 at most locations, which is rare for any grilled item at a fast food chain today. They are available all day, can be paired with any two sides and a drink as part of a Cook Out Tray, and come with an optional signature quesadilla sauce for an extra 90 calories. For the price and portion, very few fast food menus can match what Cook Out puts on the table here.
BBQ Delights
Cook Out has been serving North Carolina-style pork barbecue since it first opened in Greensboro in 1989, and the BBQ menu has stayed true to that identity ever since. There are exactly two items in this category: the BBQ Sandwich and the BBQ Plate. The sandwich weighs in at 8.8 oz and 368 calories with a solid 29 grams of protein, making it one of the leanest and most protein-dense options on the entire menu. The BBQ Plate nearly doubles that at 17.3 oz and 976 calories, built for anyone who wants a proper sit-down-style meal from a drive-thru window.
Both are centered on chopped pork in the Carolina tradition, served simply and without the heavy tomato-based sauces common at other fast food chains. Either one slots neatly into a Cook Out Tray with two sides and a large drink, which is where the value really shows. For the price, very few fast food menus come close to matching this combination of portion size, protein, and regional authenticity.
Char-Grilled Hot Dogs
Cook Out serves six char-grilled hot dog styles, ranging from 146 to 523 calories. The plain Hot Dog is the starting point at 260 calories and 2.9 oz, simple and straightforward on a soft bun. The Cook Out Style Hot Dog is the signature build at 383 calories, piled with homemade chili, slaw, mustard, and onion, which is the full Southern treatment in a single handheld item. The Mexi Hot Dog sits right alongside it at 385 calories, the Mustard Relish at 394 calories, and the Bacon Cheddar at the top of the range at 523 calories. The Cheese Dog at just 146 calories is the lightest option of the six.
Vegetarian-Friendly Options
Cook Out does not have a dedicated vegetarian menu but eating meat-free here is easier than most people think. The Cheese Quesadilla at 355 calories is the most filling meat-free main on the menu. On the sides, Regular Fries come in at 347 calories, Onion Rings at 256 calories, and Okra at 228 calories for lighter picks. If you want something more filling, Hushpuppies clock in at 600 calories and Cheese Curds at 299 calories. One thing to watch out for, any item with homemade chili contains meat, so always check before ordering.
Still the Best Value Drive-Thru in the South
At a time when food away from home is up roughly 4% year over year and fast food dollar menus are nearly extinct across the market, Cook Out has not flinched. A full Cookout Tray with one main, two sides, and a large drink still starts at $6.29, a price point that most competing chains abandoned years ago. Cook Out is now widely recognized as one of the best value fast food stops in 2026, with customers consistently praising the portion sizes, ingredient quality, and affordable prices across everything from burgers to milkshakes. For context, a basic combo meal at McDonald’s, Wendy’s, or Chick-fil-A runs between $10 and $13 in 2026, making the Cookout Tray genuinely half the price for more food.
The individual items tell the same story. A Small Burger starts at around $3.00, a Corn Dog comes in at under $2.00, Regular Fries at 347 calories cost under $2.00, and a full order of Onion Rings sits at 256 calories for a similar price. A hand-spun Milkshake in any of 45 plus flavors starts at $3.99, and upgrading your Tray drink to a shake costs just $1.00 extra. In a fast food landscape where value has become increasingly hard to find, Cook Out remains the rare exception where a complete, satisfying meal stays well under $10.00 every single time.
Cookout Trays
The Cookout Tray is the single best reason to visit Cook Out. One main entree, two sides, and a large drink starting at just $7.39, with over 20 entree options, 15 plus mix and match sides, and 45 plus milkshake flavors as a drink upgrade for just $1.00 extra. That combination works out to over 152,000 unique Tray builds according to a verified analysis by WRAL, which means no two visits ever have to look the same. Popular mains include the Big Double Burger, Chicken Strips, BBQ Sandwich, Cheese Quesadilla, and Char-Grilled Hot Dog, each sitting well under $5.00 on their own.
The Jr. Tray gives lighter eaters a smaller, lower calorie version of the same format at a reduced price. A Jr. Tray built around a Small Burger or Hot Dog with Slaw and Onion Rings, washed down with water or Diet Coke, can come in at under 500 calories, making it one of the most practical low calorie fast food meals in the Southeast. Whether you are building a full Tray or keeping it light with a Jr., the Cookout Tray remains the most flexible and affordable meal format at any drive-thru in the South.
Cookout Tray Pricing
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Regular Cookout Tray | $7.39 |
| Junior Cookout Tray | $6.39 |
| Upgrade drink to Regular Milkshake | +$1.00 |
| Upgrade drink to Fancy Milkshake | +$1.60 |
| Two sides included | No extra cost |
| Large drink included | No extra cost |
Regular Cookout Tray Options
| Category | Item | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of these Main Items | Big Double Burger | 330 Cal. |
| Reg. ¼ Burger | 330 Cal. | |
| Reg. Barbecue | 370 Cal. | |
| 2 Hot Dogs | 520 Cal. | |
| 2 Quesadillas (Chicken/Beef) | 440-520 Cal. | |
| Reg. Chicken | 380 Cal. | |
| Cajun Chicken | 380 Cal. | |
| Spicy Chicken | 450 Cal. | |
| BBQ Char-Grilled Chicken | 380 Cal. | |
| 3 Chicken Strips (or Sandwich) | 660 Cal. | |
| Choose 2 Sides or Double up | Bacon Wrap | 420 Cal. |
| White Cheddar Cheese Bites | 190 Cal. | |
| Chicken Nuggets | 150 Cal. | |
| Chicken Wrap | 520 Cal. | |
| Corn Dog | 220 Cal. | |
| Fries | 350 Cal. | |
| Hush Puppies | 300 Cal. | |
| Onion Rings | 130 Cal. | |
| Quesadilla | 260 Cal. | |
| Slaw or Chilli | 100-170 Cal. | |
| Choose a Beverage | Large Drink | 290 Cal. |
| Huge Tea | 390 Cal. | |
| Dasani 20 oz. Water Bottle | 0 Cal. | |
| Cheerwine/Coke Float | 380 Cal. | |
| Regular Shake | 510-900 Cal. |
Junior Cookout Tray Options
| Category | Item | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of these Main Items | Small Burger | 240 Cal. |
| 2 Chicken Strips | 440 Cal. | |
| 2 Corn Dogs | 440 Cal. | |
| BLT Sandwich | 400 Cal. | |
| 1 Hot Dog | 260 Cal. | |
| 1 Chicken/Beef Quesadilla | 220-260 Cal. | |
| Choose 2 Sides or Double up | Bacon Wrap | 420 Cal. |
| White Cheddar Cheese Bites | 190 Cal. | |
| Chicken Nuggets | 150 Cal. | |
| Chicken Wrap | 520 Cal. | |
| Corn Dog | 220 Cal. | |
| Fries | 350 Cal. | |
| Hush Puppies | 300 Cal. | |
| Onion Rings | 130 Cal. | |
| Quesadilla | 260 Cal. | |
| Slaw or Chilli | 100-170 Cal. | |
| Choose a Beverage | Large Drink | 290 Cal. |
| Huge Tea | 390 Cal. | |
| Dasani 20 oz. Water Bottle | 0 Cal. | |
| Cheerwine/Coke Float | 380 Cal. | |
| Regular Shake | 510-900 Cal. |
Top 15 Most Popular Items at Cook Out
Some menu items earn their place through decades of repeat orders, consistent reviews, and word of mouth that no marketing budget could manufacture. Cook Out regulars are fiercely loyal, with most returning specifically for the Tray format, the milkshakes, and the char-grilled flavors that have defined the chain since 1989. These 15 items represent what customers across 352 locations order most and come back for every time.
- Cookout Tray
- Char-Grilled Hamburger
- Milkshakes
- Chicken Strip Tray
- BBQ Sandwich
- Cheeseburger
- Char-Grilled Hot Dog
- Cheese Quesadilla
- Quesadilla
- Chicken Sandwich
- Hushpuppies
- Onion Rings
- French Fries
- Corn Dog
- BBQ Plate
For a complete view of available sides, see the Cookout Sides Menu for detailed options and pairings.
Gluten-Free Meal Options
Cook Out does not publish a dedicated gluten-free menu and does not guarantee a gluten-free environment due to shared kitchen equipment and possible cross-contact. That said, several items are naturally free of gluten-containing ingredients based on the official Cook Out nutrition document.
- Char-Grilled Hamburger Patty (no bun)
- Chicken Breast (no bun)
- Hot Dog Sausage (no bun)
- BBQ Plate (without bread)
- Coleslaw
- Most Milkshake flavors
- Soft Drinks
- Unsweetened Iced Tea
Anyone with celiac disease or a serious gluten sensitivity should inform staff before ordering, as cross-contact in a shared kitchen cannot be ruled out at any Cook Out location.
Nutritional Details of Cookout Meals
Most fast food chains bury their nutrition data. Cook Out publishes a full verified nutrition PDF directly on cookout.com, covering calorie counts, total fat, saturated fat, sodium, protein, and carbohydrates for every item on the menu. A few numbers worth knowing before you order: the lightest item on the entire menu is the Grilled Chicken Sandwich at 262 calories, while the heaviest build, a half pound Huge Burger with full toppings paired with two heavy sides and a Fancy Milkshake, can push a single Tray past 2,600 calories according to a verified calorie analysis by WRAL.
The BBQ Plate comes in at 976 calories and 2,445mg of sodium, making it one of the highest sodium items on the menu. For a full item by item calorie and macro breakdown, the complete Cookout Nutrition page covers everything you need before your next order.
Cookout Hours: Daily and Holiday Schedule
Most Cook Out locations open at 10:30 AM daily and run well past midnight, making it one of the few fast food chains in the Southeast built for both lunch crowds and late night regulars. Cook Out stays open on almost every major holiday including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Halloween, and Christmas Eve, all at regular hours. The only three days most locations close completely are Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Hours vary by location so always confirm with your nearest store before visiting.
Daily Hours
| Day | Opening Time | Closing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10:30 AM | 3:30 AM |
| Tuesday | 10:30 AM | 3:30 AM |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM | 3:30 AM |
| Thursday | 10:30 AM | 3:30 AM |
| Friday | 10:30 AM | 4:30 AM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM | 4:30 AM |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM | 3:30 AM |
Holiday Hours
| Holiday | Status | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Valentine’s Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Presidents’ Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Good Friday | Open | Regular timings |
| Easter Sunday | Closed | None |
| Easter Monday | Open | Regular timings |
| Memorial Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Independence Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Labor Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Columbus Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Halloween | Open | Regular timings |
| Veterans Day | Open | Regular timings |
| Thanksgiving Day | Closed | None |
| Black Friday | Open | Regular timings |
| Christmas Eve | Open | Regular timings |
| Christmas Day | Closed | None |
| New Year’s Eve | Open | Regular timings |
Ordering and Dining Options
Cook Out is built around the drive-thru first and foremost, with most locations running their windows until 3:30 AM on weekdays and 4:30 AM on weekends. Most locations offer outdoor seating alongside the drive-thru, while indoor dine-in seating is rare and only available at select locations. Cook Out has no official mobile app and no in-house delivery service. Delivery is available at participating locations through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub only.
| Service | Availability |
|---|---|
| Drive-Thru | Yes |
| Takeout | Yes |
| Dine-In | Select locations only |
| Outdoor Seating | Yes, most locations |
| Late Night Service | Yes, until 3:30 AM to 4:30 AM |
| Curbside Pickup | No |
| Delivery | Yes, via DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub |
| Official Mobile App | No |
Payment Options at Cook Out
Cook Out accepts cash and major credit and debit cards at all locations. Contactless payment options including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are supported at locations where NFC enabled terminals are available, though this varies by individual store. Because payment setups differ across 352 plus locations, confirming your preferred payment method with your nearest Cook Out before visiting is always the safest move, especially for digital wallets and late night drive-thru visits.
| Payment Method | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | All locations | Always accepted |
| Credit / Debit Cards | All locations | Major cards accepted |
| Apple Pay | Select locations | Varies by terminal |
| Google Pay | Select locations | Varies by terminal |
| Samsung Pay | Select locations | Varies by terminal |
| Cash App Card | Select locations | Works as Visa debit |
Deals and Value at Cook Out
Cook Out does not run a loyalty program, publish promo codes, or offer an official mobile app with discounts. The real value here is built directly into the menu. A Cookout Tray starting at $6.29 already undercuts most fast food combo meals by $3 to $5. For additional savings, DoorDash and Uber Eats occasionally offer first order discounts or free delivery promotions on Cook Out orders at participating locations. Always check your delivery app before ordering for any active deals.
| Offer Type | Where to Find It | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday Tray Value | Regular menu | Starting at $6.29, best built-in value |
| Delivery App Promotions | DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub | First order deals and free delivery offers vary |
| In-Store Specials | Drive-thru window or menu board | Location specific and short term |
A Brief Look at Cook Out’s History
Cook Out originated in 1989 in Greensboro, North Carolina, built on one founding principle that all meat would be ground and pattied every single day, delivered to each location every single day, and cooked fresh every single day, which is where the motto “Always Fresh, Never Frozen” was born. Founded by Morris Reaves and now led by his son Jeremy Reaves as CEO, the chain has remained privately owned for over 35 years without ever taking outside investment or going public.
Expansion beyond North Carolina began in 2010 with the opening of the 74th store in Spartanburg, South Carolina, followed by the 77th store in Johnson City, Tennessee, and the 81st store in Richmond, Virginia. Most recently Cook Out opened its first Tallahassee, Florida location in 2025 while simultaneously testing a spinoff concept called Taco Roos in Raleigh, North Carolina. Today Cook Out operates 360 plus locations across 11 Southeastern states with headquarters in Thomasville, North Carolina.
| Category | Details |
| Founded | 1989, Greensboro, North Carolina |
| Founder | Morris Reaves |
| CEO | Jeremy Reaves |
| Headquarters | Thomasville, North Carolina |
| Motto | Always Fresh, Never Frozen |
| Locations | 360+ across 11 states |
| Primary Market | Southeastern United States |
| Business Type | Privately owned |
| Known For | Late night hours, Cookout Tray, 40+ milkshake flavors |
Find a Cook Out Near You
Cook Out does not show up on every corner of the country, and that is exactly what makes finding one feel like a win. More than 360 locations are open across 11 states, most of them running until 2 AM or 3 AM on any given night. North Carolina is home base, with 139 locations packed into one state. From there, the chain spreads across South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, West Virginia, Maryland, and Florida, where Pensacola got the very first location in July 2025.
To find the one closest to you, go to cookout.com/locations and drop in your city, state, or ZIP code. Every listing shows the address, phone number, and hours so you know exactly what you are walking into. Most locations run a dual lane drive-thru, which means the line moves faster than it looks. Cook Out opens at 10:30 AM daily, but closing times shift by location, so always check before a late-night run.
Cookout Job Application and Career Opportunities
Cook Out operates 352 locations across 11 states, with 65.9% of all restaurants concentrated in its top three states: North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. At least 19 more locations are planned across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, making Cookout Careers one of the more active hiring pipelines in southeastern fast food right now. That kind of growth creates real, steady demand for workers at every level.
Cookout Careers lists openings across multiple roles including Crew Member, Cashier, Grill Cook, Shift Leader, Assistant Manager, and General Manager. Both part-time and full-time positions are available, and most entry-level roles require no prior experience to get started. Pay scales reflect the range of responsibility. Crew and kitchen staff typically earn between $13 and $16 per hour, Shift Leaders earn around $16 to $18 per hour, and Restaurant Managers can earn between $48,000 and $80,000 or more annually depending on location.
Applying through Cookout Careers is quick and direct. Candidates can browse open positions by location and submit their information online without needing to visit a restaurant in person. Walk-in applications are also welcomed at most locations, and same-day interviews are common. Cook Out prioritizes strong work ethic over extensive prior experience and promotes from within, giving dedicated workers a clear path toward leadership roles. Starting as a Crew Member is a genuine first step toward becoming a Shift Leader or Manager inside one of the fastest-growing privately owned restaurant chains in the American South.
| Category | Details |
| 🏢 Head Office | Thomasville, North Carolina, USA |
| 📞 Phone Number | 336-724-7970 |
| instagram.com/cookout | |
| facebook.com/CookOut | |
| 🐦 X (Twitter) | x.com/CookOut |
| 🌐 Official Website | Cookout.com |
| 📍 Locations | Cookout Locations |
| 💼 Employment | Cookout Careers |
Final Thoughts
Cook Out does not chase trends. It does not need to. For over 35 years, it has built one of the most loyal customer bases in American fast food by doing three things consistently well: keeping prices honest, food quality high, and service fast. A Cookout Tray starting at just $6.29 with an entree, two sides, and a large drink still stands as one of the best value meals you can find at any drive-thru in the country. That is not an accident. It is a deliberate choice that has kept people coming back since 1989.
The menu itself rewards anyone who takes the time to explore it. Over 40 hand-spun milkshake flavors, char-grilled burgers made from freshly ground beef, Carolina-style BBQ, crispy sides, wraps, quesadillas, and a late-night service window that runs until 2 or 3 AM at most locations. Few fast food chains offer that kind of range at that kind of price point, night after night, across 352 locations in 11 states.
This guide pulls everything together in one place so you never have to guess. Current 2026 prices, full tray breakdowns, 40-plus milkshake options, allergen details, nutrition data, vegan and vegetarian choices, store hours, delivery options, location finder, and Cookout Careers for anyone ready to join the team. Every section is written to save you time and give you the information you actually need before you order, plan, or apply.
Cook Out is not simply a fast food stop. For millions of people across the American South, it is the default answer to the question of where to eat, and this guide exists to make that choice even easier.