Latest Cookout Menu with Updated Prices | October 2026

The first outlet opened in 1989 in Randleman Road, Greensboro, North Carolina, by Morris Reaves. The restaurant chain is owned by the Reaves family, whose current CEO is Jeremy Reaves, son of Morris. It has a total number of 380 outlets spread across 11 states. North Carolina, alone, has 150 outlets, making up approximately 40% of all outlets. The outlets generally open at 10:30 a.m. and operate their drive-thru services till 3 p.m. at night, and till later hours during weekends.

Cook Out menu with red gradient background, food items, prices, and calories at cookoutsmenus.us.

It’s all about low prices here. A Regular Tray is usually $7.39 and a Jr. Tray $6.39, with most places charging somewhere between $6.29 and $7.49 for a full tray. WRAL calculated that there were about 152,000 combinations available in the menu, which means that value doesn’t mean lack of options.

Replacing the drink in the tray with a milkshake will add you $1.00, or $1.60 for an extra fancy flavor. Milkshakes cost $3.99 by themselves, burgers usually cost around $3, and many sides cost less than $3. Prices are slightly different in different stores, so consider prices listed on this page as just an estimate. Every price, including the cheapest ones and a monthly price history, can be found on our Cookout price tracker.

One of the advantages of Cookout Trays is that it gives you a chance to create your meal according to your preferences. You choose one main, two sides, and a drink, so you can combine a burger with onion rings, chicken strips with fries, or anything else. The Regular Tray is priced at approximately $7.39. However, there may be slight differences in prices, ranging between $6.29 and $7.49.

The variety of mains available is also impressive: you are free to choose a Big Double Burger, three chicken strips, BBQ Sandwich, two quesadillas, or two hot dogs. Sides allow you to experiment even more, making the trays’ menu one of its best features.

If you don’t want a full-sized meal, the smaller option is the Jr. Tray, which normally costs about $6.39. The total number of calories in the menu depends on your choice. For instance, a small burger, two orders of onion rings, and a Diet Coke will provide you with a relatively light meal when compared to the larger fast food portion.

Cookout Tray Pricing

DISHES

PRICES

Junior Cookout Tray

$6.39

Upgrade drink to Regular Milkshake

Upgrade drink to Fancy Milkshake

+$1.60

Two sides included

No extra cost

CookOut Menu offers a wide range of milkshake flavors, making it easy to find something for every taste. The CookOut milkshake menu includes classic choices like Vanilla and Strawberry, fruity options like Peach and Pineapple, and dessert-inspired flavors such as Oreo, Reese’s Cup, and Banana Pudding.

Most milkshakes are priced at around $3.99, although prices may vary by location. Some flavors are also available only during certain seasons. For example, Watermelon is usually a summer option, while Eggnog and Peppermint are popular winter choices.

Each shake is prepared fresh when ordered and has a thick, creamy texture. You can also combine two flavors to create your own blend without paying an extra flavor-mixing fee. Popular combinations include Banana Pineapple and other fruit or dessert pairings.

Strawberry
Blueberry
Red Cherry
Peach in cookout menu
Walnut in cookout menu
Fresh Eggnog
Hi-C Punch in cook out menu
Caramel Fudge
Caramel
 in cook out menu
Banana Fudge
Peanut Butter Fudge
Peanut Butter Fudge
Fudge found in cookout menu
Double Chocolate
Reese's® Cup
Oreo® Mint
Strawberry
Chocolate Chip Min
Butterfinger cookout menu
Chocolate Cobbler
Chocolate Nut
Cherry Cobbler
cookout menu Mocha
cookout menu Mint
Cookout menu Vanilla
Cappuccino
cookout menu Fresh Banana
Cheesecake
Philadelphia® Cheesecake
Cherry Cheesecake
Fresh Peanut Butter
Orange Push Up
Banana Nut
Banana Pineapple
Nilla® Wafers

Whether you enjoy crispy fries, crunchy onion rings, or cheesy bites, there is something to match almost every meal. Since every Cook Out tray comes with two sides, you can mix and match your favorites for a more filling meal.

Classic favorites include regular fries, large fries, onion rings, and hushpuppies. If you want something different, try cheese curds, fried okra, Cookout Rounds, corn dogs, or chicken nuggets. You can also add chili or coleslaw to your meal for extra flavor.

Loaded Fries and Other Popular Sides

Want more flavor than plain fries? The Cookout Menu also offers seasoned and loaded fry options, including Cajun fries, cheese fries, chili cheese fries, and jalapeño cheese fries. These choices are great if you enjoy a little spice or extra cheese with your meal.

Here is a quick look at some side options:

  • Regular or Large Fries: A classic choice for almost any tray.
  • Onion Rings: Crispy, golden rings with a crunchy coating.
  • Hushpuppies: Small, fried cornmeal bites with a savory taste.
  • Cookout Menu Rounds: A potato side for anyone who wants something different from regular fries.
  • Cheese Curds and Fried Okra: Great options when you want to try something new.
  • Chili and Coleslaw: Simple extras that add a different flavor to your tray.

Prices and availability may vary by location. If you are checking calories or nutrition, review the latest information from Cook Out, especially for loaded sides and larger portions.

cookout menu fries contain Okra
cookout menu has ries like Rounds
Hushpuppies
Cheese Curds
Onion Rings
White Cheddar Cheese Bites
Jalapeno Cheese Fries
Side of Chili
Cheese Fries
Cajun Fries in cookout menu
Chili Cheese Fries
Large Fries
Chili Fries
Walking Taco
Chicken Nuggets
Chili Cheese Fries
Cook Out Rounds
Corn Dog
Hushpuppies
Side of Chili

Want a burger with a smoky grilled taste and your favorite toppings? Cookout menu offers several hamburger sizes, from the smaller patty to the half-pound Huge burger. You can keep your burger simple or choose CookOut Style, which combines chili, coleslaw, mustard, and onions for a mix of rich and tangy flavors.

The best part is making your burger your way. Choose from sauces like BBQ, ranch, honey mustard, and Cook Out Sauce, then explore extras such as cheese, bacon, jalapeños, or chili. Whether you prefer a classic hamburger or a burger loaded with flavor, the available styles give you plenty to explore. Check the menu details below to compare burger options, prices, and calories before placing your order.

Small Burger in cookout menu
Regular Burger
Cookout Style Hamburger (Regular)
Simple Style Hamburger (Regular)
Cheddar Style Hamburger (Regular)
Small Burger in cookout menu
Big Double Burger
Chicken Strip Club
Chicken Strip Sandwich
Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Nacho Chili Style Hamburger (Regular)
Out West Style Hamburger (Regular)
Steak Style Hamburger (Regular)
Cajun Seasoning
Homemade Chili
Chili Sauce
Ranch
Mayo
Homemade Slaw
Quesadilla Sauce
Honey Mustard
Hot Sauce
Chili Sauce
Cheese Sauce
Fresh Jalapeno
Cheese Sauce
Ketchup in cookout menu Burger
BBQ Sauce
Grilled Onions
Lettuce
Pickles
Tomato Slice
Fresh Jalapeno
Cheese Slice
Grilled Bacon
Grilled Onions

Looking for the perfect drink to go with your Cookout tray menu? The Cookout drinks menu offers refreshing choices, from sweet tea and unsweet tea to popular fountain sodas and bottled water. You can enjoy a classic Coca Cola, choose a lemon-lime soda like Sprite, or try Cheerwine if you want a fruity cherry flavor.

Whether you prefer a fizzy drink with your burger or a simple glass of iced tea with your fries, there are options to suit different tastes. Cook Out trays typically include a drink, giving you an easy way to complete your meal. You may also be able to swap your regular drink for a milkshake for an additional charge. Check the latest menu at your local restaurant for available drinks and current prices.

Cheerwine (Regular)
Cheerwine (Large)
Coca Cola (Large)
Dasani

Beverages
cherry-flavored Cheerwine

Fresh Brewed Tea
Fresh Brewed Tea
Hi-C Fruit Punch
Hi-C Poppin’ Pink Lemonade
Diet Coke
Dr Pepper
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar
Diet Coke
Powerade Mountain Blast
Dr Pepper

The Cookout chicken menu offers a mix of grilled, crispy, and breaded options, making it easy to choose between a simple chicken sandwich and a more filling meal. Char-grilled chicken breast comes in six varieties: Original, Cajun, Barbecue, Cheddar, Homemade, and Club. Prices start at approximately $4.85, while reported calorie counts for several grilled versions range from 375 to 395 before extra cheese or bacon. For a crunchier alternative, you can choose the crispy spicy chicken fillet or hand-breaded chicken strips.

A three-piece serving of strips contains around 660 calories and 36 grams of protein, and sauces such as Cookout Menu Sauce, barbecue, honey mustard, Polynesian, ranch, and buffalo let you customize each bite. Sandwich fans can compare the Chicken Strip Sandwich at roughly 674 calories with the more loaded Chicken Strip Club at about 846 calories. Prefer a smaller chicken option? A full order of nuggets is listed at around 240 calories. Chicken can also be selected as the main item in a Cook Out tray, making it easy to combine your choice with sides and a drink.

Barbecue Style
Club Style
Original Style
Cheddar Style
Homemade Style
Cajun Style
Chicken Nuggets (5 pc)
Cheese Style Filet
Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Chicken Strip Sandwich
Regular Spicy Style Filet
Chicken Strip Snack
Chicken Strip Club

Looking for something different from the usual chicken burger? Cook Out’s BLT and fish sandwich offer two choices. The BLT combines crispy bacon with fresh lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise, with an estimated 400 calories and a price of around $3.49. Its smaller size also makes it a practical option for the Jr. Tray. If you prefer seafood, the fish sandwich features a fried fish fillet topped with tartar sauce and contains approximately 500 calories. Both sandwiches can be ordered individually or selected as the main item in a tray, depending on local menu availability. Check your nearest location for current prices and menu options before ordering.

BLT Sandwich
Fish Sandwich
BLT Sandwich
Chicken Strip Sandwich
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Ranch Wrap
Cajun Wrap

Cookout’s dessert menu includes creamy soda floats and cheesecake for anyone craving something sweet after a meal. A float combines vanilla soft serve with soda in a 16-ounce cup, creating a fizzy drink with a smooth, creamy texture. Coke and Cheerwine are classic choices, containing approximately 399 and 401 calories, respectively. Depending on the location, you may also find flavors such as Fanta and root beer.

If you’d rather enjoy dessert with a spoon or fork, cheesecake offers a rich, chilled alternative. Floats can also replace the regular drink in a Cookout tray, making them a convenient option when you want to turn your meal into a sweet treat. Menu availability and nutrition figures may vary by location.

Root Beer Float
Fanta Float
Cheerwine Float
Diet Coke
Root Beer Float
Strawberry Cheesecake
Classic Cheesecake
Cheesecake
Chocolate Cheesecake

Cook Out’s hot dogs are grilled over an open flame, giving them a smoky flavor with several topping combinations to choose from. The plain hot dog contains approximately 260 calories, while the Cookout Menu Style version combines chili, coleslaw, mustard and onion for a more flavorful bite at around 383 calories. Other options include the Mexi dog at roughly 385 calories and the Mustard Relish dog at about 394 calories.

If you prefer a richer combination, the Bacon Cheddar dog reaches approximately 523 calories. The Cheese Dog is another option, with a listed calorie count of around 146. Hot dogs can also fit into different tray sizes: two dogs can serve as the main item for a Regular Tray, while one is an option for a Jr. Tray. Toppings, nutrition figures and availability may vary, so check the current menu at your local restaurant.

Mexi Hot Dog
Bacon Cheddar Hot Dog
Cookout Style Hot Dog
Mustard Relish Hot Dog
Cheese Dog
Plain Hot Dog
Cookout Style Hot Dog

Cookout quesadillas offer a simple combination of toasted tortillas and melted cheese, with three varieties to choose from: cheese, chicken and beef. The cheese quesadilla contains approximately 355 calories, making it a meat-free option, while the chicken version has around 449 calories and the beef option about 514.

Each quesadilla is cooked on a flat-top grill, giving the tortilla a lightly crisp finish and keeping the melted filling warm inside. With prices often reported below $2, they can be an affordable choice for a quick bite or a budget-friendly addition to a meal. You can order two quesadillas as the main item in a Regular Tray or choose one as a side, depending on the current Cookout Menu. Quesadilla sauce is also available at participating locations for extra flavor and a little heat. Prices and availability may vary by restaurant.

Chicken Quesadilla
Cheese Quesadilla
Beef Quesadilla
Cheeseburger Quesadilla

Tangy, slow-cooked pork is the highlight of this barbecue option, bringing the vinegar-forward flavor associated with North Carolina’s traditional BBQ. You can enjoy it in two ways: as a sandwich for a simpler meal or as a BBQ Plate when you’re looking for something more substantial.

The BBQ Sandwich contains approximately 368 calories and 29 grams of protein, making it a useful option for anyone comparing portion sizes and nutrition information. By contrast, the BBQ Plate comes in at around 976 calories, offering a much larger meal. The regional flavor profile is a key difference here, with tangy vinegar notes taking priority over the thick, sweet tomato-based sauces common in other barbecue styles.

BBQ Plate

Getting a complete fast-food meal without spending too much has become harder as restaurant prices rise. Cookout Menu remains popular with budget-conscious diners because its tray format combines a main item, two sides and a drink in one order. Reported tray prices range from approximately $6.29 to $7.49, although the total depends on the restaurant and current pricing.

Individual menu items can also work well when you want a smaller meal. A Small Burger is listed at around $2.99, while a corn dog costs approximately $1.99. Regular fries and onion rings are generally priced in the $2 range, making them convenient side options. For dessert, the hand-spun milkshake menu features more than 40 flavors, with many shakes reported at about $3.99 when ordered separately. Adding a shake to a tray may cost extra, so check the current price before ordering.

Corn Dog
Onion Rings

Cookout Menu has three main chicken wrap flavors: Cajun, Ranch, and Honey Mustard. The filling stays pretty simple with chicken, lettuce, and a flour tortilla. What changes is the seasoning or sauce. Cajun has a more seasoned taste, Ranch brings in the creamy flavor, and Honey Mustard is a little sweet with a tangy finish.

A Cajun Chicken Wrap has around 501 calories. The Ranch wrap comes in at about 522, while Honey Mustard has roughly 517. There is also a Bacon Ranch Wrap on the menu.

Honey Mustard Wrap
Ranch Wrap
Cajun Wrap
Cajun Ranch Wrap
Regular Cookout Tray Options
CategoryItemCaloriesPrice
Choose one of these Main ItemsBig Double Burger330 Cal.$6.99
Reg. ¼ Burger330 Cal.$5.49
Reg. Barbecue370 Cal.$5.99
2 Hot Dogs520 Cal.$4.99
2 Quesadillas (Chicken/Beef)440-520 Cal.$6.49
Reg. Chicken380 Cal.$5.99
Cajun Chicken380 Cal.$6.29
Spicy Chicken450 Cal.$6.29
BBQ Char-Grilled Chicken380 Cal.$6.79
3 Chicken Strips (or Sandwich)660 Cal.$6.49
Choose 2 Sides or Double upBacon Wrap420 Cal.$2.99
White Cheddar Cheese Bites190 Cal.$2.49
Chicken Nuggets150 Cal.$2.49
Chicken Wrap520 Cal.$3.49
Corn Dog220 Cal.$1.99
Fries350 Cal.$1.99
Hush Puppies300 Cal.$1.79
Onion Rings130 Cal.$2.29
Quesadilla260 Cal.$2.99
Slaw / Chili405 / 164 Cal.$1.79
Choose a BeverageLarge Drink290 Cal.$1.99
Huge Sweet Tea330 Cal.$2.29
Dasani 20 oz. Water Bottle0 Cal.$1.79
Cheerwine/Coke Float380 Cal.$3.49
Regular Shake510-900 Cal.$3.99
Choose a DessertBanana Pudding350 Cal.$2.49
Chocolate Chip Cookie220 Cal.$1.49
Soft Serve Cone200 Cal.$1.99
Apple Pie290 Cal.$2.29
Junior Cookout Tray Options
CategoryItemCaloriesPrice
Choose one of these Main ItemsSmall Burger340 Cal.$4.49
2 Chicken Strips440 Cal.$4.99
2 Corn Dogs440 Cal.$3.99
BLT Sandwich430 Cal.$4.79
1 Hot Dog260 Cal.$2.99
1 Chicken/Beef Quesadilla220-260 Cal.$3.99
Choose 2 Sides or Double upBacon Wrap420 Cal.$2.99
White Cheddar Cheese Bites190 Cal.$2.49
Chicken Nuggets150 Cal.$2.49
Chicken Wrap520 Cal.$3.49
Corn Dog220 Cal.$1.99
Fries350 Cal.$1.99
Hush Puppies300 Cal.$1.79
Onion Rings130 Cal.$2.29
Quesadilla260 Cal.$2.99
Slaw / Chili405 / 164 Cal.$1.79
Choose a BeverageLarge Drink290 Cal.$1.99
Huge Sweet Tea330 Cal.$2.29
Dasani 20 oz. Water Bottle0 Cal.$1.79
Cheerwine/Coke Float380 Cal.$3.49
Regular Shake510-900 Cal.$3.99
Choose a DessertBanana Pudding350 Cal.$2.49
Chocolate Chip Cookie220 Cal.$1.49
Soft Serve Cone200 Cal.$1.99
Apple Pie290 Cal.$2.29

You can still put together a good meal at Cookout if you are avoiding gluten. The restaurant has no separate gluten-free menu, so you need to choose carefully and skip anything with bread or breading.

What you can order

  • Burger patty, without the bun
  • Grilled chicken breast, without the bun
  • Hot dog, without the bun
  • Chopped BBQ pork, without the bun and without hush puppies
  • Coleslaw
  • Milkshakes in plain or fruit flavors (avoid flavors with cookie, cake or cheesecake pieces)
  • Fountain drinks and unsweet tea

Please note

Cookout cooks everything on the same grills and fryers and prepares it in the same space, so a little gluten can always end up in your food. If you have celiac disease or a serious gluten sensitivity, tell the cashier when you order. It is also a good idea to read the official nutrition and allergen guide on the Cookout Menu website before you go.

Cook Out has been serving hungry customers since 1989, and some orders keep coming back on every regular’s list. If it is your first visit and you are not sure what to get, start here.

  1. Cookout Tray: the classic, with a main item, two sides, and a drink
  2. Cook Out Style Burger: the burger most people order first
  3. Milkshakes: pick from more than 40 flavors
  4. Chicken Strips: crispy and easy to share
  5. BBQ Sandwich: chopped pork on a soft bun
  6. Big Double Burger: for when you are really hungry
  7. Cheddar Style Burger: a burger topped with melted cheddar
  8. Cook Out Style Hot Dog: a simple hot dog with all the toppings
  9. Cheese Quesadilla: warm, cheesy, and filling
  10. Chicken Quesadilla: the same quesadilla with chicken added
  11. Hushpuppies: golden, crunchy, and a Southern favorite
  12. Onion Rings: thick and crispy
  13. Cajun Fries: fries with a spicy kick
  14. Corn Dog: a hot dog in a sweet cornbread coating
  15. BBQ Plate: chopped BBQ with sides on the plate

Want to know which sides go best with these? Check out our Cookout Sides Menu for the full list.

Cookout Menu has an official nutrition guide that lists calories, fat, sodium, carbs, and protein for its menu items. The numbers on this site come from that guide.

A Regular Tray usually has somewhere between 800 and 1,500 calories, depending on what you choose. The range is wide because the sides and drinks add up quickly.

WRAL looked at both ends of the menu. Their heaviest tray came to 2,639 calories. It had a chicken strip sandwich, a double ranch chicken wrap and a cherry cheesecake shake. The lightest Jr. Tray, using Cook Out’s own figures, comes to about 500 calories.

Among single items, the BBQ Plate is one of the heaviest at about 976 calories.

Want the numbers for a specific item? Take a look at the full Cookout nutrition guide. You can also use the calories calculator to add up your own meal.

Cook Out keeps things simple, so getting a meal is quick and easy. Most locations are built around the drive-thru. It usually has two lanes, and some places also have a walk-up window, so orders move fast and you spend less time waiting.

Depending on the location, you may also find outdoor seating, takeaway orders and a small dine-in area. Many restaurants stay open late, which is handy after a night out. You can ask for changes to your meal to suit your taste, and paying is simple with cash or a card.

SERVICES

ACCESSIBILITIES

Takeaway

Yes

Late Night Service

Yes

Curbside Pickup

No

Most Cookout locations open at 10:30 AM every day. The drive-thru stays open until about 3 AM on weeknights, and on Friday and Saturday many places serve until 4 AM or even later. That is why so many people stop by after a game, a long shift or a night out.

Holidays are mostly business as usual. The only days when most locations close are Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Timings can be different from one store to another, so it is smart to check your nearest location before you head out late. You can find more details on the hours page.

Cook Out Typical Hours
DayTypical OpeningTypical Closing
Monday10:30 AM3:00 AM
Tuesday10:30 AM3:00 AM
Wednesday10:30 AM3:00 AM
Thursday10:30 AM3:00 AM
Friday10:30 AM4:00 AM
Saturday10:30 AM4:00 AM
Sunday10:30 AM3:00 AM
Cook Out Holiday Hours
HolidayStatusHours
New Year’s DayOpenRegular timings
Martin Luther King Jr. DayOpenRegular timings
Valentine’s DayOpenRegular timings
Presidents’ DayOpenRegular timings
Good FridayOpenRegular timings
Easter SundayClosedNone
Easter MondayOpenRegular timings
Memorial DayOpenRegular timings
Independence DayOpenRegular timings
Labor DayOpenRegular timings
Columbus DayOpenRegular timings
HalloweenOpenRegular timings
Veterans DayOpenRegular timings
Thanksgiving DayClosedNone
Black FridayOpenRegular timings
Christmas EveOpenRegular timings
Christmas DayClosedNone
New Year’s EveOpenRegular timings

At Cookout Menu, you can pay with cash and major credit/debit cards, and you may also use tap-to-pay wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay with the store’s card reader based on the location. It’s better to carry a physical card just in case you intend to use your phone for payment, especially at night.

Cook Out Payment Methods
Payment MethodAvailabilityNotes
CashAll locationsAlways accepted
Credit / Debit CardsAll locationsMajor cards accepted
Apple PaySelect locationsVaries by terminal
Google PaySelect locationsVaries by terminal
Samsung PaySelect locationsVaries by terminal
Cash App CardSelect locationsWorks as Visa debit

Cook Out is a Southern chain with about 380 restaurants across 11 states. North Carolina is where it all started, and it still has the most locations, around 150, which is roughly 40% of the total. South Carolina and Georgia come next. You can also find Cook Out in Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, West Virginia and Maryland. Florida joined the list in 2025.

The quickest way to find your nearest restaurant is the store finder on cookout.com. You can also use our Cookout locations guide. Most places open at 10:30 AM, but closing times are not the same everywhere, so check your location’s listing before a late-night run.

Cookout does not have a loyalty program, an app or promo codes. It does not really need them, because the savings are already in the prices. A tray costs about $6.29 to $7.49, which is less than what most other chains charge for a combo meal.

If you want to save a bit more, check the delivery apps. They sometimes offer a discount on your first order or free delivery, but only at some locations.

Cook Out Coupon Codes
CodeDiscount TitleExpire Date
50OFFYou can get 50% off any Cook Out BurgerFeb 15, 2026
COOKOUTSave 45% on Burgers, BBQ, Hotdogs, and ShakesFeb 15, 2026
COOKOUT5Shop online and save 30%Feb 15, 2026
SHAKEFREETake 10% off with this couponFeb 15, 2026

Cook Out started in 1989, when Morris Reaves opened the first restaurant on Randleman Road in Greensboro, North Carolina. His family had run Wendy’s franchises in the Triad area before that. Cookout was their own idea of what fast food should be: fresh beef that is never frozen, cooked over a char-grill, with big portions and low prices. The Reaves family still owns the company, and Morris’s son, Jeremy Reaves, is the CEO.

For about twenty years, Cookout only grew inside North Carolina. The first restaurant outside the state opened in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in July 2010. Florida came much later. The first Florida location opened in Pensacola in July 2025, and Tallahassee followed in October. By July 2026 the chain had four restaurants in Florida, after new openings in Temple Terrace and Jacksonville.

Today the company is based in Thomasville, NC, and runs about 380 restaurants in 11 states. It also has a taco spin-off called Taco Roos, with locations in Wilmington and Thomasville. Cook Out even has its name on NASCAR’s Southern 500 at Darlington.

Cook Out Quick Facts
FactDetails
Founded1989, Randleman Road, Greensboro, North Carolina
FounderMorris Reaves
CEOJeremy Reaves
HeadquartersThomasville, North Carolina
OwnershipPrivately owned by the Reaves family
LocationsAbout 380 restaurants in 11 states (August 2026)
First outside NCSpartanburg, South Carolina (2010)
Known forCookout Tray, 40+ milkshakes, fresh char-grilled burgers, late-night hours
Spin-off brandTaco Roos, with locations in Wilmington and Thomasville
MotorsportsName on NASCAR’s Southern 500 at Darlington

Cookout is hiring across the Southeast. It has about 380 restaurants and keeps opening new ones every year, so there are always jobs to fill. You can find roles like crew member, cashier, grill cook, shift leader, assistant manager and general manager, and both part-time and full-time positions are available. Most entry-level jobs do not ask for any experience, so it is a good place to start if this is your first job.

Pay is different from one location to another and depends on the role. Cookout is known for promoting people from within, so a crew member can work their way up to shift leader and later into management. To apply, you can fill out the form online or walk into a restaurant. Interviews are often quick.

Cook Out Contact Information
CategoryDetails
🏢 Head OfficeThomasville, North Carolina, USA
📞 Phone Number(336) 431-1094
📸 Instagraminstagram.com/cookout
👍 Facebookfacebook.com/CookOut
🐦 X (Twitter)x.com/CookOut
🌐 Official WebsiteCookoutsmenus.us
📍 Locationsa locations
💼 EmploymentCookout Careers
📅 Founded1989, Greensboro, North Carolina
👤 FounderMorris Reaves
🕒 Opening Hours10:30 AM to about 3 AM (4 AM or later on Friday and Saturday)

The “secret” recipe for Cook Out’s success has not changed since the time of its opening in 1989: the fresh charcoal grilled food invariably provided to each customer, the big portions, fair prices, and a convenient drive-thru service are the key aspects of the restaurant.

In this guide, you can check the Cookout Menu, including the prices, the tray types for 2026, 40+ kinds of milkshakes offered at the restaurant, information about nutrition and allergens, vegetarian options, working hours, delivery service, and locations, so you can make an order before driving in.

Yes, Cook Out is widely known for its generous portions, affordable tray meals, and extensive menu.

Cook Out started in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1989.

Cook Out has hundreds of locations across the southeastern United States.

Some items may not contain gluten ingredients, but cross-contact is possible. Ask the restaurant about allergens.

Check Cook Out’s official website or contact your local restaurant for available nutrition information.

Yes, the Cookout Tray is its popular combination meal.

Cook Out has popular unofficial customizations, but there is no official secret menu.

Many locations open on some holidays, but hours vary by location and holiday.

Online and app ordering options are limited and depend on the location.

Small sides, such as hushpuppies or fries, are among the most affordable options.

Yes, you can customize many burgers, sandwiches, trays, and milkshakes.

Cook Out is best known for its affordable burgers, BBQ, chicken sandwiches, trays, and more than 40 milkshake flavors.

A Cookout Tray includes one main item, two sides, and a drink.

Most Cook Out locations open around 10:30 AM, but hours vary by location.

No, Cook Out is primarily known for its lunch, dinner, and late-night menu.

Cook Out offers grilled burgers with different toppings, including cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and onions.

Yes, chicken nuggets are available at many Cook Out locations.

Popular sides include fries, hushpuppies, onion rings, chicken nuggets, and cheese bites.

Yes, corn dogs are available on the Cook Out menu.

Cook Out typically serves milkshakes in a standard size rather than multiple size options.

Yes, you can request combinations of flavors to create a custom milkshake.

Cook Out offers chicken sandwiches, but spicy options may vary by location.

Yes, Cook Out offers hot dogs with different toppings.