Cookout Locations 2026 | Find Cook Out Near Me

Your complete guide to finding every Cook Out restaurant near you in 2026

Cookout locations are spread across the Southeastern United States, with over 300+ Cook Out restaurants operating in 10+ states. Whether you are searching for cookout near me, a cookout drive-thru near me, or the exact address of a specific location, this guide is your most detailed and up-to-date resource for finding every Cook Out location in 2026.

Founded in 1989 in Greensboro, North Carolina, Cookout has expanded from a single drive-thru window to one of the most beloved fast food chains in the South. The cookout restaurant menu — featuring char-grilled burgers, NC-style BBQ, hot dogs, chicken, hand-spun milkshakes, and the famous Cookout Tray — is available at every location, making each visit a consistent, high-value experience.

  • Cook Out operates 300+ locations across 10+ Southeastern states
  • Most locations offer dual drive-thru lanes for fast service
  • Many Cookout locations are open until 3:30 AM–4:30 AM daily
  • Every Cook Out location serves the same full Cookout menu with prices
  • Cookout is especially popular near college campuses and university towns
  • New Cook Out locations opened in 2025–2026 continue expanding the footprint

How to Find Cook Out Near Me

1

Use the Official Store Locator

2

Google “Cookout Near Me”

3

Use Google Maps

4

Browse This Page by State

💡 Pro Tip: Check Hours Before You Go

Cookout hours vary slightly by location. Most Cook Out restaurants open at 10:30 AM and close at 3:30 AM (Sun–Thu) or 4:30 AM (Fri–Sat). Some locations may have different timings — always verify on the official site or Google before visiting. See the full Cookout Hours guide.

Cookout Locations by State

Browse Cook Out restaurant locations in every state — updated for 2026

Cookout Locations in North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina is Cookout’s home state and has the highest concentration of Cookout locations nationwide. With the original restaurant opened in Greensboro in 1989, NC remains the heart of the Cookout brand. NC locations include popular college-town spots like Chapel Hill (near UNC), Durham, Raleigh, Charlotte, and dozens more cities across the state.

Battleground Ave – Original Area
High-traffic, classic Cook Out vibe | near original Greensboro HQ
Open Until 3:30 AM
W. Wendover Ave
Dual drive-thru | highly rated by locals
Open Until 3:30 AM
Summit Ave
Near Guilford College | busy late-night spot
Open Until 4:30 AM Fri–Sat
Franklin St, Chapel Hill
UNC’s go-to late-night Cookout | extremely popular
Open Until 4:30 AM Fri–Sat
Allendown Dr, Durham
Top-rated Durham location with great service
Open Until 3:30 AM
N. Roxboro St, Durham
Busy drive-thru near Duke area
Open Until 3:30 AM
Capital Blvd, Raleigh
Fast service, full cookout menu | near NC State
Open Until 3:30 AM
Western Blvd, Raleigh
Popular with students | cookout tray menu available
Open Until 4:30 AM Fri–Sat
Walnut St, Cary
Family-friendly location in Cary
Open Until 3:30 AM
N. Tryon St, Charlotte
Near UNCC campus | cookout milkshakes fan favorite
Open Until 3:30 AM
Freedom Dr, Charlotte
High traffic drive-thru | full cookout menu
Open Until 3:30 AM
Monroe Rd, Charlotte
Southeast Charlotte location | known for BBQ menu
Open Until 4:30 AM Fri–Sat
Fayetteville, NC
Near Fort Liberty | open very late
Wilmington, NC
Coastal NC location | popular with locals
Asheboro, NC
Praised by locals for consistent quality
High Point, NC
Strong community following
Randleman, NC
Fan favorite with great service
Burlington, NC
Cookout drive-thru near me for Burlington area

Cookout Locations in South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina was Cookout’s first out-of-state expansion in 2010. SC now has dozens of Cook Out locations, especially near Columbia (home of the University of South Carolina), Greenville, Myrtle Beach, and Florence.

Garners Ferry Rd, Columbia
Near USC campus | enormous late-night popularity
Open Until 4:30 AM Fri–Sat
Two Notch Rd, Columbia
High-volume drive-thru | full Cookout menu
Open Until 3:30 AM
Harbison Blvd, Columbia
West side Columbia | Cookout tray near me hotspot
Open Until 3:30 AM
Wade Hampton Blvd, Greenville
Top-rated SC location | cookout milkshakes must-try
Open Until 3:30 AM
Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville
Near Furman University | college crowd favorite
Open Until 4:30 AM Fri–Sat
E. Main St, Spartanburg
Cookout Spartanburg location with strong reviews
Open Until 3:30 AM
David McLeod Blvd, Florence SC
Cookout Florence SC | well-rated | near I-95
Open Until 3:30 AM
Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach
Tourist and local favorite | Cookout near Myrtle Beach
Open Until 4:30 AM Fri–Sat

Cookout Locations in Virginia (VA)

Virginia has a growing number of Cookout restaurant locations, especially in college towns like Charlottesville (UVA) and Blacksburg (Virginia Tech), plus major markets like Richmond and Roanoke. The Cook Out Charlottesville and Cook Out Blacksburg locations are among the highest-volume in the state.

Emmet St S, Charlottesville
UVA fan favorite | packed on game nights
Open Until 4:30 AM Fri–Sat
S. Main St, Blacksburg
Virginia Tech students’ go-to late-night stop
Open Until 3:30 AM
Hull St Rd, Richmond
South Richmond Cookout | cookout BBQ near me spot
Open Until 3:30 AM
Midlothian Tpke, Richmond
High-traffic Richmond area location
Open Until 3:30 AM
Williamson Rd, Roanoke
Cookout Roanoke VA | popular with families
Open Until 4:30 AM Fri–Sat

Cookout Locations in Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee is one of Cookout’s strongest markets outside the Carolinas. Cook Out Knoxville locations (near UT) are beloved by Volunteers fans, and Cookout Pigeon Forge draws tourists year-round. Nashville and Chattanooga also have active Cook Out restaurants.

Kingston Pike, Knoxville
UT campus favorite | cookout milkshakes crowd-puller 
Open Until 4:30 AM Fri–Sat
N. Broadway, Knoxville
North Knoxville Cookout | fast service dual drive-thru
Open Until 3:30 AM
Parkway, Pigeon Forge
Cookout Pigeon Forge | tourist hotspot, busy year-round
Open Until 4:30 AM Fri–Sat
East Pkwy, Gatlinburg
Near Smoky Mountains | full cookout menu
Open Until 3:30 AM
Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville
High-traffic Nashville Cookout | cookout tray deals
Open Until 3:30 AM
Nolensville Pike, Nashville
South Nashville Cook Out restaurant
Open Until 3:30 AM
Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga
Cookout Chattanooga | near UTC campus
Open Until 3:30 AM

Cookout Locations in Georgia (GA)

Georgia Cookout locations are concentrated in college towns and suburban Atlanta markets. The Atlanta-area Cook Out restaurants are notable for occasionally offering specialty smoked BBQ options unique to some GA locations.

Roswell Rd, Marietta, GA
Popular Atlanta suburb location | Cookout BBQ specialty
Open Until 3:30 AM
Lawrenceville Hwy, Decatur
Metro Atlanta Cookout near me hotspot 
Open Until 3:30 AM
Milledge Ave, Athens
UGA student favorite | cookout tray combos popular
Open Until 4:30 AM Fri–Sat

Cookout Locations in Alabama (AL)

Alabama’s Cookout locations include Tuscaloosa (near University of Alabama), Huntsville, and Birmingham. The Cookout Tuscaloosa location is particularly busy during football season.

McFarland Blvd E, Tuscaloosa
Near University of Alabama | rolls tide with cookout trays
Open Until 4:30 AM Fri–Sat
Montclair Rd, Birmingham
Cookout Birmingham AL | busy all-week location
Open Until 3:30 AM
University Dr, Huntsville
Cookout Huntsville | near UAH campus
Open Until 3:30 AM

Cookout Locations in Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky Cookout locations include Lexington (near UK) and Louisville, both popular with college students and locals looking for late-night cookout burger and milkshake options.

Richmond Rd, Lexington
UK Wildcats’ Cookout near campus | shakes fan favorite
Open Until 4:30 AM Fri–Sat
Nicholasville Rd, Lexington
High-traffic Lexington cookout drive-thru
Open Until 3:30 AM
Bardstown Rd, Louisville
Louisville Cook Out | popular weekend destination
Open Until 3:30 AM

Cookout Locations in Maryland (MD)

Maryland is one of Cookout’s newer markets, with locations primarily in the Baltimore metro area and college towns. As Cookout continues expanding northward, Maryland represents a growing presence for the brand in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Pulaski Hwy, Baltimore
East Baltimore Cook Out | one of the first MD locations
Open Until 3:30 AM
Baltimore Ave, College Park
Near UMD | cookout menu near me for DMV students
Open Until 4:30 AM Fri–Sat

All Cook Out Locations – State Summary Table

Quick reference for every state where Cook Out restaurant locations currently operate

StateEst. LocationsKey CitiesFirst Cookout LocationStatus
North Carolina (NC)120+Greensboro, Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham, Chapel Hill, Fayetteville, Wilmington1989 – Greensboro (Original)Active
Virginia (VA)60+Richmond, Charlottesville, Blacksburg, Roanoke, Lynchburg, Hampton Roads~2008Active
South Carolina (SC)40+Columbia, Greenville, Florence, Myrtle Beach, Spartanburg, Sumter2010Active
Tennessee (TN)35+Knoxville, Nashville, Chattanooga, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Memphis~2011Active
Georgia (GA)25+Atlanta Metro, Athens, Macon, Savannah, Albany~2012Active
Alabama (AL)20+Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery~2013Active
Kentucky (KY)15+Lexington, Louisville, Bowling Green, Richmond, Elizabethtown~2014Active
Mississippi (MS)10+Jackson, Meridian, Hattiesburg, Tupelo, Oxford~2014Active
Maryland (MD)8+Baltimore, College Park, Hagerstown, Frederick~2018Active
West Virginia (WV)5+Charleston, Morgantown, Huntington, Beckley~2016Active
Indiana (IN)3+Evansville, Columbus, Bloomington~2020Active
Florida (FL)TBDExpansion Planned2025–2026Expanding

Best Cookout Restaurant Locations

The most highly rated and most popular Cook Out locations according to fans, reviews, and local reputation

Location (City, State)Why It’s a Top SpotBest Menu Item
Chapel Hill, NC (Franklin St)UNC’s #1 late-night Cookout; consistently packed; cult following among studentsCookout Tray + Oreo Milkshake
Knoxville, TN (Kingston Pike)UT Vols favorite; beloved by locals; strong service and speedBBQ Sandwich Tray + Banana Pudding Shake
Columbia, SC (Garners Ferry)Near USC; one of the best-reviewed SC locations; late-night go-toBig Double Burger Tray + Reese’s Shake
Greensboro, NC (Battleground Blvd)Classic Cook Out vibe; close to original brand roots; strong community loyaltyCook Out Style Burger + Cheerwine Float
Durham, NC (Allendown Dr)Cited as one of the best Raleigh-Durham area locations; great qualityCheddar Style Burger + Hushpuppies
Pigeon Forge, TN (Parkway)Tourist and locals love it; Smokies traffic year-round keeps it livelyChicken Strip Tray + Peach Cobbler Shake
Charlottesville, VA (Emmet St)UVA crowd staple; packed on football Saturdays; friendly staffCookout Tray + Chocolate Malt Shake
Athens, GA (Milledge Ave)UGA Bulldogs’ late-night Cookout; vibrant college atmosphereBBQ Plate + Strawberry Shake
Tuscaloosa, AL (McFarland Blvd)Alabama football weekends = packed lines; worth the wait every timeBig Double Cheeseburger Tray + M&M Shake
Lexington, KY (Richmond Rd)UK Wildcats hub; high-volume drive-thru; great consistencyCookout Tray + Snickers Shake

Cookout Menu at Every Location

Every Cook Out restaurant location serves the same core menu — here’s what to expect when you visit

One of the best things about Cookout is that the full cookout menu with prices is consistent across nearly all locations. Whether you visit Cookout in NC, SC, VA, TN, GA, AL, KY, or MD, you’ll find the same signature items, legendary milkshakes, and value-packed trays. Here’s what the Cookout restaurant menu includes at every location:

  • Cookout Tray Menu – Choose an entrée + 2 sides + drink starting at ~$6.39
  • Cookout Burgers – Char-grilled, made-to-order with custom toppings
  • Cookout Milkshakes – 40+ hand-spun flavors including Oreo, Banana Pudding, Reese’s
  • Cookout BBQ – NC-style pulled pork sandwiches and BBQ plates
  • Cookout Hot Dogs – Multiple styles including Cook Out Style and Chili Cheese
  • Cookout Chicken – Grilled, spicy, Cajun, and crispy chicken sandwiches and strips
  • Cookout Sides – Hushpuppies, fries, onion rings, coleslaw, and more
  • Cookout Quesadillas & Wraps – Affordable, flavorful hand-held options

📋 Note on Regional Menu Variations

A small number of Cookout locations — particularly in Atlanta, GA — may offer specialty smoked BBQ or limited items not available at all locations. For specific menu availability at your nearest Cook Out, use the official website or call the location directly before visiting.

Cookout Hours by Location

Standard operating hours for most Cook Out restaurant locations across all states

DayOpening TimeClosing TimeNotes
Monday10:30 AM3:30 AMFull menu all day
Tuesday10:30 AM3:30 AMFull menu all day
Wednesday10:30 AM3:30 AMFull menu all day
Thursday10:30 AM3:30 AMFull menu all day
Friday10:30 AM4:30 AMExtended hours
Saturday10:30 AM4:30 AMExtended hours
Sunday10:30 AM3:30 AMFull menu all day

⏰ Cookout Hours Vary by Location

  • Hours above reflect standard Cook Out operating hours for most locations
  • Some college-town locations may stay open longer or adjust hours during academic breaks
  • Holiday hours differ — Cookout is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter Sunday
  • Always verify current hours on Google Maps or the official Cookout website before visiting

Cookout Drive-Thru Near Me

Almost every Cookout location features a dual drive-thru lane, which is one of Cookout’s signature features. This dual-lane design lets the restaurant serve more customers simultaneously, keeping lines moving even during peak hours like Friday and Saturday nights. If you’re searching for a Cookout drive-thru near me, virtually every location you find will have this feature.

Dual Drive-Thru Lanes

Most Cook Out locations use two simultaneous drive-thru lanes to speed up service and reduce wait times during peak hours.

Late-Night Drive-Thru

Cook Out drive-thru is open until 3:30–4:30 AM, making it one of the only late-night burger options available in many cities.

Full Menu at Drive-Thru

Every cookout menu item — including trays, milkshakes, BBQ, and burgers — is available through the drive-thru window.

Cookout Delivery – Order From Any Location

Many Cookout restaurant locations now offer delivery through third-party platforms. If you can’t make it to your nearest Cook Out, you may be able to get the full Cookout menu with prices — including the famous tray combos and milkshakes — delivered right to your door.

📦 Cookout Delivery Options

  • DoorDash – Available at most Cookout locations; search “Cook Out” in the app
  • Uber Eats – Check your local Cookout on Uber Eats for delivery availability
  • Grubhub – Select Cook Out markets available; delivery fees vary
  • Pickup – Order ahead online and pick up at your nearest drive-thru
  • Note: Milkshake delivery quality may vary — best enjoyed fresh at the location

New Cookout Locations 2025–2026

Cook Out continues to expand its footprint in 2025 and 2026, with new locations opening in existing states and potential expansion into new markets including Florida. Here’s what we know about new and upcoming Cook Out restaurant locations:

Region / CityStatusNotes
Florida (FL) – Multiple CitiesPlanned / ExpandingLong-anticipated Florida expansion; no confirmed open dates yet for 2026
Maryland (MD) – New SuburbsOpening / OpenSuburban Baltimore and Washington D.C. metro area expansion continuing
Indiana (IN) – Bloomington, INOpen / NewerNear Indiana University; strong college-market demand
Virginia (VA) – Northern VA / NOVAExpandingNorthern Virginia market near D.C. attracting Cook Out attention
Georgia (GA) – Savannah & AlbanyExpandingNew markets opening as Georgia footprint grows south of Atlanta
Tennessee (TN) – Memphis AreaExpandingWest Tennessee growth; Memphis market being developed
Mississippi (MS) – Oxford & HattiesburgActive / GrowingOle Miss and USM areas seeing Cookout growth

📣 Stay Updated on New Cook Out Locations

To stay informed about new Cookout restaurant locations opening near you, follow Cook Out’s official social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter), or check the official cookout.com store locator regularly. New locations are typically announced through local news and the brand’s social pages before opening.

FAQs

As of 2026, Cook Out operates 300+ locations across the Southeastern United States. The exact number continues to grow as the brand expands into new markets. North Carolina has the highest concentration with 120+ Cook Out restaurants, followed by Virginia (60+) and South Carolina (40+). Use the official Cook Out store locator for the most up-to-date count and to find specific addresses.

Cook Out restaurant locations currently operate in the following states:

  • North Carolina (NC) – most locations
  • Virginia (VA)
  • South Carolina (SC)
  • Tennessee (TN)
  • Georgia (GA)
  • Alabama (AL)
  • Kentucky (KY)
  • Mississippi (MS)
  • Maryland (MD)
  • West Virginia (WV)
  • Indiana (IN) – newer market

Most Cook Out locations are open 10:30 AM – 3:30 AM Sunday through Thursday, and 10:30 AM – 4:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. This makes Cookout one of the best late-night fast food options available. Hours can vary slightly by location, so always check Google Maps or the official site before visiting. See the full Cookout Hours guide for holiday hours and exceptions.

Yes — virtually every Cook Out location features a dual drive-thru lane. This is one of the signature design elements of the brand. Some older or campus-adjacent locations may also have a walk-up window. Cook Out does not typically offer dine-in seating in the traditional sense, though some newer locations include limited outdoor seating areas.

The core Cookout menu with prices is consistent across all locations — including burgers, cookout trays, milkshakes, hot dogs, BBQ, chicken, wraps, quesadillas, and sides. Some specialty or limited items may vary by region or specific location. For example, certain Georgia locations have been noted for specialty smoked BBQ options. Always confirm specific item availability at your local Cook Out.

Many Cookout locations now offer delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Availability varies by location. To check if your nearest Cook Out delivers to your address, search your local restaurant on DoorDash or Uber Eats. Pickup orders are also available at most locations. Note that milkshakes are best enjoyed fresh at the restaurant.