.webp&w=128&q=75)
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. 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.
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 |
| 1999 | Cook Out sets up its own meat commissary to supply its stores |
| 2010 | First restaurant outside North Carolina: Spartanburg, South Carolina (July) |
| 2020 | Cook Out becomes title sponsor of NASCAR's Southern 500 at Darlington |
| 2025 | First Florida store opens in Pensacola (July), then Tallahassee (October) |
| 2026 | About 380 restaurants in 11 states; a first Cincinnati store announced |
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. After Spartanburg in 2010 it spread into South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia, then Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, West Virginia, Maryland and, in 2025, Florida.
Growth stays close to home. New stores tend to open near existing ones, in college towns and along busy roads. 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, and is known for keeping a low public profile: its leadership rarely gives interviews.
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, the Cook Out name has been on the Southern 500 since 2020 and on races at Richmond and Martinsville since.
What's next for Cook Out?
More of the same, a little further out. News reports in 2026 covered new stores planned for Tampa Bay and Jacksonville in Florida and a first Cincinnati location in Ohio, which would make it the 12th state once open. Track current stores on our Cookout locations page.
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.