Table of Contents
Cook Out opened in 1989 on Randleman Road in Greensboro, North Carolina, and has grown to about 380 restaurants in 11 states without ever selling shares or franchising to outsiders. It is still owned by the family of founder Morris Reaves, and his son Jeremy Reaves runs it as CEO.
Who founded Cook Out?
Morris Reaves. According to North Carolina Rabbit Hole, before Cook Out he and his parents owned more than a dozen Wendy's restaurants in the Piedmont Triad, which they sold back to Wendy's in 1979. Ten years later, Reaves opened the first Cook Out in Greensboro with a simple plan: char-grilled food, big portions, low prices and a fast drive-thru.
Some older newspaper accounts give 1987 for the first restaurant, but Wikipedia and most sources use 1989, which this page follows.
Cook Out timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1979 | The Reaves family sells its Wendy's franchises in the Triad |
| 1989 | First Cook Out opens on Randleman Road in Greensboro, NC |
| 2010 | First restaurant outside North Carolina opens in Spartanburg, South Carolina (July 30) |
| 2011 | Virginia: the first restaurants open in Blacksburg and Radford |
| 2013 | Georgia: the first restaurants open |
| 2016 | Alabama (Tuscaloosa) and Mississippi: the first restaurants open |
| 2020 | Cook Out becomes title sponsor of NASCAR's Southern 500 at Darlington |
| 2023 | Cook Out begins sponsoring the race at Richmond Raceway |
| 2024 | Cook Out begins sponsoring the spring race at Martinsville Speedway |
| 2025 | First Florida store opens in Pensacola (July 9), then Tallahassee (October) |
| 2026 | Temple Terrace (July 16) and Jacksonville (July 30) open, making four Florida restaurants; about 380 in 11 states |
How did Cook Out grow?
Slowly, then quickly. Cook Out spent its first two decades in North Carolina, where it still has about 150 restaurants, roughly 40% of the chain. The first restaurant outside the state opened in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on July 30, 2010. Virginia followed in late 2011 with Blacksburg and Radford, Georgia in 2013, and Alabama and Mississippi in 2016. Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia and Maryland are also on the map, and Florida's first restaurant opened in Pensacola on July 9, 2025.
Several early out-of-state restaurants were in college towns, including Clemson in South Carolina, Blacksburg and Radford in Virginia, and Tuscaloosa in Alabama. The standard building has two drive-thru lanes and a walk-up window, with indoor seating only at some newer locations.
Who owns Cook Out today?
The Reaves family. Cook Out is privately held, with no public shares, and Jeremy Reaves is CEO. The company is headquartered in Thomasville, North Carolina. North Carolina Rabbit Hole describes it as a company that rarely grants press interviews, which is why some early details are thinly documented.
Beyond burgers: Taco Roos and NASCAR
Cook Out's sister brand, Taco Roos, sells tacos, burritos and quesadillas and has opened in Wilmington and Thomasville, with a Raleigh store planned. On the racing side, Cook Out has sponsored the Southern 500 at Darlington since 2020, the race at Richmond Raceway since 2023 and the spring race at Martinsville Speedway since 2024. In January 2025 it also sponsored the Clash and the Madhouse Classic at Bowman Gray Stadium.
What's next for Cook Out?
More of the same, a little further out. Florida is the current focus: Temple Terrace, the first store in the Tampa Bay area, and Jacksonville both opened in July 2026, and Carrollwood and St. Petersburg are planned. A first Cincinnati location has also been announced, which would make Ohio the 12th state once it opens. Track current stores on our Cookout locations page.
Sources and How We Checked This Page
The company history here follows Wikipedia for the founding, first out-of-state store, states and sponsorships, North Carolina Rabbit Hole for the family's earlier Wendy's franchises and the 1987 versus 1989 question, and WRAL for Taco Roos. Restaurant counts come from ScrapeHero and Florida openings from local news. Cook Out's own site blocks automated access, so we could not read company statements directly, and a few early details come from older press coverage. Checked October 16, 2026.
FAQs
1When was Cook Out founded?
In 1989, when Morris Reaves opened the first restaurant on Randleman Road in Greensboro, North Carolina.
2Who is the CEO of Cook Out?
Jeremy Reaves, the founder's son. The Reaves family still owns the company.
3Is Cook Out a franchise?
No. Cook Out is privately owned and does not sell franchises to outside operators.
4Where is Cook Out's headquarters?
Thomasville, North Carolina.
5When did Cook Out open its first restaurant outside North Carolina?
On July 30, 2010, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Clemson and Orangeburg followed in the same state.
6Why do some sources say Cook Out opened in 1987?
Some older newspaper accounts give 1987 for the first restaurant. Wikipedia and most sources use 1989, and so does this page.
7Which NASCAR races does Cook Out sponsor?
The Southern 500 at Darlington since 2020, the race at Richmond Raceway since 2023 and the spring race at Martinsville Speedway since 2024. In January 2025 it also sponsored the Clash and the Madhouse Classic at Bowman Gray Stadium.
8When did Cook Out open in Florida?
The first Florida restaurant opened in Pensacola on July 9, 2025. Tallahassee followed in October 2025, and Temple Terrace and Jacksonville opened in July 2026.