How Many Cook Out Locations Are There in 2025?
Cook Out is a well-known fast-food restaurant in the United States. It’s famous for tasty burgers, BBQ, hot dogs and over 40 kinds of milkshakes. Many people love Cookout for its big portions and affordable prices. If you’ve ever eaten there, you know why it’s so popular.
In 2025, Cookout has grown a lot. More people are asking, How many Cook Out locations are there now? In this article, we’ll give you the full list of Cook Out Menu, how many restaurants are open, and which states you can find them in. Whether you’re a fan or just curious, we’ve got all the info you need.
What Is Cook Out?
Cook Out is a fast food restaurant chain known for its grilled burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, BBQ plates and more than 40 flavors of milkshakes. The brand is especially popular in the southeastern United States and it’s loved for its low prices, big portions, and fast service.
Many customers go to Cookout for its Cook Out Tray, which includes a main item, two sides, and a drink all at an affordable price. Cookout is also known for staying open late, with most locations open until 2:00 AM or later, making it a favorite for late-night food runs.
How Many Cook Out Locations Are There?
As of 2025, there are over 325 Cook Out locations across the United States.
Cookout started in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1989. Since then, it has expanded into multiple states across the Southeast and beyond. While most locations are still concentrated in states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, Cookout continues to open new restaurants every year.
Here is a breakdown of Cookout’s presence by state:
- North Carolina: 125+ locations
- South Carolina: 50+ locations
- Tennessee: 40+ locations
- Georgia: 30+ locations
- Virginia: 25+ locations
- Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and others: 55+ combined
Why Is Cook Out Expanding?
Cook Out’s growth is due to a few key reasons:
1. Affordable Prices
Cook Out is famous for offering full meals like the Cookout Tray for under $6. You can get a cheeseburger, two corn dogs, and a huge sweet tea, all for one low price.
2. Menu Variety
From BBQ sandwiches to quesadillas and from cheese curds to banana pudding milkshakes, Cookout offers a wide variety of items. Their shake menu alone includes over 40 flavors, like Oreo, Peach Cobbler and Reese’s Cup.
3. Late-Night Service
Many Cook Out locations stay open until 2:00 AM or even later. This makes it one of the top choices for college students, night-shift workers and anyone who needs a late-night bite.
4. Drive-Thru Focus
Most Cook Out locations are drive-thru only, which helps with quick service and low overhead. This model helped the brand stay strong even during the pandemic.
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How to Find a Cookout Near You
If you want to visit Cookout, the easiest way is to use the CookOut store locator on their official website. You can search by:
- City
- State
- ZIP code
You can also find Cookout on Google Maps by typing Cook Out near me. This will show you the nearest locations, hours of operation and customer reviews.
Popular Cook Out Locations
While all Cook Out restaurants serve the same core menu, some locations have become especially popular. Here are a few fan-favorite Cookout locations:
- Cook Out Chapel Hill, NC: Popular with UNC students, open late, and always busy.
- Cook Out Knoxville, TN: A hotspot for students from the University of Tennessee.
- Cook Out Columbia, SC: Great location near the University of South Carolina campus.
Will Cook Out Open More Locations?
Yes, Cook Out is planning to expand into more states in the near future. While they haven’t confirmed exact opening dates, new locations are expected in:
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Texas
Fans are hopeful that the company will continue spreading beyond the Southeast, possibly reaching the Midwest and beyond. While Cookout doesn’t franchise in the traditional sense, it continues to open corporate-owned locations at a steady pace.
Cook Out Locations in 2025
There are over 325 Cook Out restaurants across more than 10 USA. states. And that number is growing every year as more people discover the brand’s unbeatable combination of value, taste, and variety.
If you haven’t tried Cookout yet, now is the perfect time to find your nearest location and grab a tray and milkshake. With their signature Southern food, fast drive-thrus, and late-night hours, it’s easy to see why Cookout has such a loyal fan base.