Cook Out Locations Near Me 2026

Cook Out locations near me: with 350+ restaurants across 10 Southern states, odds are good there’s one within driving distance. Most spots open at 10:30 AM daily and stay open until 3 AM or later. The fastest way to find yours is the official store locator on cookout.com or Google Maps. Planning a visit? Check the full Cook Out menu with prices first.

Cook Out is one of those chains people get weirdly obsessed with, and honestly, I get it. Char-grilled burgers, a tray with two sides and a drink for pocket change, 40-plus milkshake flavors, and a drive-thru that’s open when nothing else is. The catch? It’s still a Southern regional chain. If you don’t live in the Southeast, finding one takes a little homework. Here’s everything I found about where Cook Out has restaurants, how to find the nearest one, and what to expect when you roll through the drive-thru.

How Many Cook Out Locations Are There in 2026?

There are 350+ Cook Out locations across the Southeastern United States, and the number keeps creeping up. Founded by Morris Reaves in Greensboro, North Carolina back in 1989, the chain spent decades building a loyal following before expanding beyond its home state. It is still privately owned, no franchising, which is one reason growth has been steady rather than explosive.

Those numbers shift every few months, so treat them as a ballpark. The pattern is clear though: North Carolina is the heartland, and everything radiates out from there.

Which States Have Cook Out Restaurants?

All ten states are in the Southeast: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, West Virginia and Maryland. That is it. If you are in Texas, Florida or anywhere north of Maryland, you are out of luck for now.

Here’s the thing though, expansion is happening. Cook Out announced 19 new locations across six states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Florida is the big one to watch: a Jacksonville location is in the works, and Tampa has been mentioned for future expansion too. For a chain that stayed regional for 35 years, this is a pretty aggressive growth spurt.

How Do I Find Cook Out Locations Near Me?

Want the actual fastest way to find cook out locations near you? Start with the official source, then cross-check.

One thing to know: many Cook Out locations are drive-thru first. A lot of buildings have two drive-thru lanes plus a walk-up window and outdoor seating, with little or no indoor dining room. It is built for speed. The food is cooked to order on a char grill, so the drive-thru line can look long and still move fast.

Are Cook Out Locations Open Late?

Yes, and this is honestly one of the best reasons to find one. Cook Out is a late-night institution in the South. Typical hours run from 10:30 AM to around 3:00 or 3:30 AM daily, with Friday and Saturday nights stretching to 4:00 or 4:30 AM at many spots.

The big caveat: hours vary by location. Some smaller-town spots close earlier, and hours can shift around holidays. No breakfast is served, so the full menu runs from open to close. If you are planning a 2 AM milkshake run, check your specific location on Google Maps first. Late-night drive-thru is a Cook Out specialty, but it is not guaranteed everywhere.

Can I Open a Cook Out Location?

Nope. Cook Out is privately owned and does not offer franchise opportunities. The Reaves family still runs the company, and every restaurant is company-owned. So if you live outside the Southeast, your only option is to road-trip it or wait for expansion. People in New Jersey have been begging for one for years. For now, the closest location to the Northeast is in Maryland.

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