Cookout Hours | What Time Does Cook Out Open & Close?
What time does Cook Out open? Most Cook Out restaurants open at 10:30 AM every day of the week. Cook Out is famous for its exceptionally late closing times — a major reason why it has become a go-to late-night destination for college students, night-shift workers, and anyone craving a flame-grilled burger well past midnight.
What time does Cook Out close? On Sunday through Thursday, most locations close at 3:30 AM. On Friday and Saturday nights, many locations stay open until 4:30 AM — giving you a full 18-hour operating window during the week and nearly 19 hours on weekends.
Cook Out hours may vary by specific location, city, and state. Always confirm with your local restaurant using the Cook Out website or by calling ahead. This guide covers the standard Cook Out hours used across the majority of their 300+ Southeastern US locations.
Cookout Daily Hours — Full Week Schedule
Weekly Cook Out Hours
| 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 |
| SaturdayToday | 10:30 AM – 4:30 AM |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM |
⚠ Hours may vary by location. Friday & Saturday close 1 hour later than weekdays.
Quick Hours Facts
| Opens Every Day | 10:30 AM |
| Closes Mon–Thu & Sun | 3:30 AM |
| Closes Fri & Sat | 4:30 AM |
| Open Days Per Week | 7 Days |
⚠ Location Reminder: Cook Out hours listed here reflect the standard schedule used by most locations. Hours at specific Cook Out restaurants — especially those near universities, in smaller towns, or in certain states — may differ. Always check directly with your local location or visit cookout.com to find exact hours for your nearest Cook Out.
Cookout Late Night Hours
One of the defining features of Cook Out is its late night hours. Unlike most fast-food restaurants that close at 11 PM or midnight, Cook Out remains open well into the early morning hours — making it one of the few drive-through options available after 2 AM, 3 AM, or even 4 AM in many cities across the Southeast.
Cook Out Late Night — Open Until 3:30–4:30 AM
Cook Out’s legendary late-night service is one of the biggest reasons it has earned a cult following among college students, late-night workers, concert-goers, and anyone who needs a great meal well after midnight. Most locations serve the full cookout menu — burgers, trays, shakes, hot dogs, and all sides — throughout all operating hours, including the late-night window.
| Sun – Thu | Fri – Sat | Full Menu |
| Until 3:30 AM | Until 4:30 AM | All Night ✓ |
Full Menu Late Night
Cook Out serves its entire menu — including burgers, cookout trays, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, milkshakes, sides, and drinks — during all operating hours. There is no separate limited late-night menu.
Drive-Thru All Night
Most Cook Out locations are drive-thru only during late-night hours. The dual drive-thru lanes keep wait times down even during peak late-night rushes on Friday and Saturday nights.
Popular With College Towns
Locations near college campuses — such as Chapel Hill NC, Knoxville TN, and Columbia SC — are often the busiest during late-night hours, particularly on weekends when students head to Cook Out after events.
Last Order Times
Last orders are typically accepted right up to closing time. However, during extremely busy late-night periods, the drive-thru line may close a few minutes early. Arriving 10–15 minutes before closing is recommended.
Cookout Late Night Hours
Cook Out is open on the majority of holidays throughout the year, maintaining regular hours in most cases. There are only a small number of days when most locations close. Below is the complete Cookout holiday hours schedule for 2025.
| Holiday | Date (2025) | Status | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Jan 1 | Open | 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM | Regular hours; may be busy from New Year’s Eve night |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Jan 20 | Open | 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM | Standard weekday hours |
| Valentine’s Day | Feb 14 | Open | 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM | Regular hours; no special Valentine’s menu |
| Presidents’ Day | Feb 17 | Open | 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM | Standard weekday hours |
| St. Patrick’s Day | Mar 17 | Open | 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM | Regular hours |
| Good Friday | Apr 18 | Open | 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM | Regular hours |
| Easter Sunday | Apr 20 | Closed | Closed | Most locations closed; confirm locally |
| Easter Monday | Apr 21 | Open | 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM | Regular hours resume |
| Mother’s Day | May 11 | Open | 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM | Regular Sunday hours |
| Memorial Day | May 26 | Open | 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM | Great cookout day — may be busier than usual |
| Father’s Day | Jun 15 | Open | 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM | Regular Sunday hours |
| Independence Day (4th of July) | Jul 4 | Open | 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM | Open all day; popular post-fireworks stop |
| Labor Day | Sep 1 | Open | 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM | Regular hours |
| Columbus Day | Oct 13 | Open | 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM | Standard weekday hours |
| Halloween | Oct 31 | Open | 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM / 4:30 AM | Fri–Sat extended hours if applicable |
| Veterans Day | Nov 11 | Open | 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM | Regular hours; some locations may offer veteran discounts |
| Thanksgiving Day | Nov 27 | Closed | Closed | Most locations closed; confirm with your local Cook Out |
| Black Friday | Nov 28 | Open | 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM | Regular hours resume after Thanksgiving |
| Christmas Eve | Dec 24 | Reduced Hours | 10:30 AM – varies | Many locations close earlier than usual; confirm locally |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25 | Closed | Closed | Most locations closed for Christmas |
| New Year’s Eve | Dec 31 | Open | 10:30 AM – 3:30/4:30 AM | Open all day; great late-night New Year’s stop |
⚠ Holiday Hours Notice: Holiday hours vary by individual location. The schedule above reflects the majority Cook Out policy, but local management may choose different hours. Always call ahead or check online before visiting on a major holiday.
Cookout Hours by State & Location
North Carolina
| Opens | 10:30 AM |
| Closes (Mon–Thu, Sun) | 3:30 AM |
| Closes (Fri–Sat) | 4:30 AM |
| Key Cities | Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh |
NC is Cook Out’s home state. Greensboro HQ location and Chapel Hill near UNC are flagship spots.
Virginia
| Opens | 10:30 AM |
| Closes (Mon–Thu, Sun) | 3:30 AM |
| Closes (Fri–Sat) | 4:30 AM |
| Key Cities | Richmond, Roanoke, Lynchburg, Charlottesville |
Virginia locations follow standard hours. College town locations near VCU and UVA tend to stay busy late.
Tennessee
| Opens | 10:30 AM |
| Closes (Mon–Thu, Sun) | 3:30 AM |
| Closes (Fri–Sat) | 4:30 AM |
| Key Cities | Knoxville, Nashville, Cookeville, Johnson City |
Knoxville near UT is one of the busiest Cook Out locations in Tennessee, especially on game days.
South Carolina
| Opens | 10:30 AM |
| Closes (Mon–Thu, Sun) | 3:30 AM |
| Closes (Fri–Sat) | 4:30 AM |
| Key Cities | Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, Florence |
SC was Cook Out’s first out-of-state expansion (2010). Columbia near USC campus is a top performer.
Georgia
| Opens | 10:30 AM |
| Closes (Mon–Thu, Sun) | 3:30 AM |
| Closes (Fri–Sat) | 4:30 AM |
| Key Cities | Athens, Gainesville, Dalton, Carrollton |
Georgia locations maintain standard hours. Athens near UGA is a strong late-night draw.
Maryland
| Opens | 10:30 AM |
| Closes (Mon–Thu, Sun) | 3:30 AM |
| Closes (Fri–Sat) | 4:30 AM |
| Key Cities | Hagerstown, Cumberland, Martinsburg area |
Maryland is one of Cook Out’s more recent expansion markets. Hours typically match the standard schedule.
Kentucky
| Opens | 10:30 AM |
| Closes (Mon–Thu, Sun) | 3:30 AM |
| Closes (Fri–Sat) | 4:30 AM |
| Key Cities | Lexington, Bowling Green, Elizabethtown |
Lexington near UK campus is one of the most active Kentucky locations during late-night hours.
Alabama
| Opens | 10:30 AM |
| Closes (Mon–Thu, Sun) | 3:30 AM |
| Closes (Fri–Sat) | 4:30 AM |
| Key Cities | Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, Gadsden, Anniston |
Tuscaloosa near the University of Alabama is an especially popular late-night destination on football weekends.
ℹ Find Your Nearest Cook Out: For exact hours at any specific Cook Out restaurant, visit cookout.com and use the location finder. You can search by zip code, city, or state to find your nearest location along with its current hours.
Cookout Services & Drive-Thru Hours
Drive-Thru 🚗
✓ Available All Hours
Walk-Up Window 🪟
✓ Most Locations
Dine-In 🪑
Varies by Location
Delivery 🛵
✓ Select Locations
Mobile Ordering 📱
✓ App Available
Outdoor Seating 🅿️
Some Locations
Curbside Pickup 🚶
✗ Not Available
Late Night Service 🌙
✓ Until 3:30–4:30 AM
Tips for Visiting Cook Out
Best Time to Visit ⏱️
For the shortest wait times, visit Cook Out during mid-morning (10:30 AM–12 PM) or early afternoon (2–4 PM). Lunch rush (12–1:30 PM) and the late-night rush (11 PM–2 AM on weekends) are the busiest periods.
Late Night Wait Times 🌃
Most Cook Out locations are drive-thru only during late-night hours. The dual drive-thru lanes keep wait times down even during peak late-night rushes on Friday and Saturday nights.
Call Ahead for Holiday Hours 📞
On major holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, individual Cook Out locations may vary from the standard schedule. Calling your local Cook Out or checking cookout.com before you visit is the best way to confirm holiday hours.
Use the Cook Out App 📱
The Cook Out mobile app allows you to find the nearest location, view current hours, and place orders directly. This is especially useful for confirming hours before a late-night visit and can sometimes offer app-exclusive discounts.
Dual Drive-Thru Lanes 🚪
Most Cook Out locations feature dual drive-thru lanes that merge at the ordering point. Both lanes move at the same pace, so don’t worry about which one you choose — just pull in and enjoy the efficient Cook Out service.
Special Event Hours 🎉
During major events like university football games, local festivals, or New Year’s Eve, some Cook Out locations may extend hours beyond their standard closing time or experience unusually high demand. Plan accordingly.
Conclusion
Cook Out is one of the most accessible and convenient fast-food restaurants in the Southeast, thanks to its long daily hours and legendary late-night service. Most locations are open 10:30 AM to 3:30 AM on weekdays and Sundays, and 10:30 AM to 4:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays — giving you more than 17 hours every day to enjoy the full Cook Out menu with prices.
Whether you’re stopping in for a quick lunch, a cookout tray dinner, or a late-night milkshake run after midnight, Cook Out’s hours make it one of the most reliable dining options across North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland, and beyond.
Pair this guide with the complete Cookout Menu with Prices, the Cookout Nutrition Guide, and the Cookout Allergen Menu for the full cookout experience. And remember — always confirm hours with your local Cook Out restaurant, especially on holidays.