CookOut

What CookOut does

CookOut is a privately held fast-food restaurant chain headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, founded in 1989 in Greensboro, NC. The company operates 290–300+ locations concentrated across the Southern United States — North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia — and serves value-conscious consumers, families, college students, and shift workers through dine-in, drive-thru, takeout, and third-party delivery. Its core proposition is a made-to-order, made-to-taste menu built on fresh, never-frozen ingredients, with extended late-night hours (until 3–4 AM) that differentiate it from peers in the value-QSR tier.

The product platform centers on the Cook Out Tray — a customizable combo pairing a main dish (char-grilled burger, BBQ, chicken, or chicken strips) with two sides and a drink — supplemented by 40+ milkshake flavors (including seasonal SKUs such as Fresh Eggnog and Fresh Watermelon), char-grilled hot dogs, wraps, quesadillas, sandwiches, sides, floats, and cheesecakes. The underlying technology stack comprises a mobile app ordering platform with integrated NFC payment acceptance (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Cash App, credit/debit cards), third-party delivery integrations with Uber Eats and DoorDash, and a gift card program distributed through in-store, retail (Walmart, Target), and digital (Giftly, GiftRocket) channels. No public API, SDK, or AI/ML capability is disclosed.

The business model is transactional retail: revenue is generated through one-time per-unit menu sales across physical and digital channels, with supplemental revenue from gift cards and mobile app transactions. Pricing is uniformly budget-friendly, with menu items ranging from $0.99 (basic hot dogs, hushpuppies) to $12.49 (Regular Trays), supported by promotional codes (APP15, COOKOUT, COOKOUT5). Geographic concentration in the Southern US is the company's defining distribution characteristic, and brand loyalty in this footprint — including a described 'cult following' — is its primary intangible asset.

Name

CookOut

Legal name

Cook Out

Website

https://thecookoutmenus.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CookOut is a privately held Southern US fast-food chain operating 290+ locations across NC, SC, GA, TN, KY, and VA, serving value-conscious consumers, families, and college-town late-night diners with made-to-order burgers, BBQ, chicken, 40+ milkshake flavors, and combo trays via dine-in, drive-thru, and delivery.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fast Food Restaurants

NAICS

Limited-Service Restaurants (722513)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Burger Fast Casual (THAFABAA)

Keywords

• Fast food restaurant
• Char grilled burgers
• Combo meal trays
• Milkshake flavors
• Drive thru service

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Dine-in and Drive-thru Sales: Primary revenue stream from walk-in dine-in customers and drive-thru service at 300+ locations across the Southern US. Customers order at the counter or drive-thru window and pay with cash, card, or digital payment methods.
2. Third-party Delivery: Revenue from delivery orders through Uber Eats, DoorDash, and other third-party platforms. Delivery fees and service charges apply.
3. Mobile App Ordering: Direct online ordering through the CookOut mobile application for pickup or delivery, featuring mobile-exclusive discount codes (APP15 for 15% off).
4. Gift Cards: CookOut gift cards available in fixed denominations ($10, $25, $50, $100, up to $1000) sold in-store and at retail locations (Walmart, Target) and through digital platforms (Giftly, GiftRocket).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CookOut operates a fast-food restaurant chain serving made-to-order char-grilled burgers, chicken, BBQ, hot dogs, wraps, quesadillas, sides, and over 40 milkshake flavors through 290+ company-owned dine-in, drive-thru, and takeout locations across the Southern United States. The signature Cook Out Tray combo (main dish, two sides, and a drink) anchors a value-priced menu ranging from $0.99 to $12.49. The chain emphasizes fresh, never-frozen preparation, late-night hours (until 3–4 AM), and extensive customization via sauces and toppings.

Product overview

Cook Out is a fast-food restaurant chain offering a diverse menu centered around char-grilled burgers, chicken, hot dogs, BBQ, and over 40 milkshake flavors. The core product is the customizable Cook Out Tray, which combines a main dish (burgers, BBQ, chicken, or chicken strips) with two sides and a drink. The menu also features wraps, quesadillas, sandwiches, sides (fries, onion rings, hushpuppies), floats, and cheesecakes. The chain emphasizes 'Made to Order, Made to Taste, Fresh Never Frozen' meals. Additional offerings include gift cards and mobile app ordering for pickup and delivery through third-party services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cook Out Tray Combo Signature combo meal consisting of a main dish (burger, BBQ, chicken sandwich, or chicken strips), two sides, and a drink, available in Junior and Regular sizes, targeting value-conscious quick-service diners.
• Char-Grilled Hamburgers Char-grilled hamburgers available in Small, Regular, Big Double, and Huge sizes plus seven preparation styles (House, Steak, Out West, Nacho Chili, Cheddar, Simple, Cookout Style) for dine-in, drive-thru, takeout, and delivery customers.
• Milkshakes Hand-spun milkshakes available in over 40 flavors including Banana Berry, Cappuccino, Cheesecake, Oreo, Reese's Cup, Snickers, and seasonal options such as Fresh Eggnog (December) and Fresh Watermelon (July–August), sold by the cup in Regular to Huge sizes.
• Char-Grilled Hot Dogs Char-grilled hot dogs available in eight varieties including Bacon Cheddar, Cookout Style, Mexi Hot Dog, Mustard Relish, Chili Dog, Bacon Wrap, Cheese Dog, and Plain, sold as standalone items or part of combo trays.
• Quesadillas Grilled tortilla filled with melted cheese and either chicken or beef, available as Chicken Quesadilla, Beef Quesadilla, Cheese Quesadilla, or Cheeseburger Quesadilla, served with optional quesadilla sauce.
• Chicken Wraps Flour tortilla wraps filled with various proteins and sauces in five varieties: Bacon Ranch Wrap, Cajun Wrap, Cajun Ranch Wrap, Honey Mustard Wrap, and Ranch Wrap.
• Chicken Strips Breaded and fried chicken strips sold as Chicken Strip Club, Chicken Strip Snack, or as part of combo trays, offered for dine-in, takeout, and delivery.
• BBQ Sandwiches and Plates Chopped pork BBQ sandwiches and plates, including location-specific specialties at the Atlanta location, sold as standalone items or as part of combo trays.
• CookOut Chicken Breast Sandwiches Char-grilled chicken breast sandwiches available in Cajun, Cheddar, Homemade, Club, Original, and Barbecue styles, sold as standalone items or as part of combo trays.
• Sandwiches Sandwich options including BBQ Sandwich, Chicken Sandwich, BLT Sandwich, Fish Sandwich, Chicken Strip Sandwich, and Spicy Chicken Sandwich, sold as standalone items or as part of combo trays.
• Fries and Sides Side dishes including Cajun Fries, Cheese Fries, Chili Cheese Fries, Regular and Large Fries, Onion Rings, Hushpuppies, Okra, Corn Dog, Cheese Dog, Walking Taco, White Cheddar Cheese Bites, and Chicken Nuggets, sold à la carte or as tray sides.
• Floats and Cheesecakes Dessert items including Cheerwine Float, Coke Float, Fanta Float, Root Beer Float, and cheesecakes (Classic, Chocolate, Strawberry), sold as standalone items.
• Beverages Beverage options including Dasani water, Coca-Cola products, Cheerwine, and Fresh Brewed Tea in Regular, Large, and Huge sizes, sold à la carte or as the drink component of combo trays.
• Vegetarian Menu Options Plant-based and vegetarian-friendly items including Onion Rings, Cheese Quesadilla, Cheese Fries, Cajun Fries, Hushpuppies, and Corn Dog, addressing dietary accommodation needs at value pricing.
• CookOut Gift Cards CookOut gift cards available in physical form (in-store and at Walmart and Target) and as digital e-gift cards (via Giftly and GiftRocket), sold in denominations of $10, $25, $50, $100, and up to $1,000 with no expiration date.
• CookOut Mobile App Ordering CookOut mobile application for iOS and Android devices enabling direct ordering for pickup or delivery, mobile-exclusive discount codes (APP15 for 15% off), menu browsing, and order customization.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Uber EatscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUber Eats is a primary third-party delivery partner for CookOut, enabling customers to order CookOut menu items for delivery through the Uber Eats platform. Delivery fees and service times vary by location.
• DoorDashcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDoorDash serves as a major third-party delivery partner for CookOut, providing delivery service for menu items to customers who prefer delivery over dine-in or takeout. Partnership extends CookOut's reach beyond its physical location footprint.
• GiftlyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGiftly provides digital e-gift card platform for CookOut, enabling instant digital gift card delivery via email. Serves as an online distribution channel for CookOut gift cards.
• GiftRocketminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGiftRocket offers digital gift card services for CookOut, providing another online platform for instant e-gift card purchases and delivery.
• WalmartminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWalmart carries CookOut restaurant gift cards in their gift card sections, providing physical retail distribution for gift card sales alongside in-store purchases.
• TargetminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTarget serves as a retail distribution partner for CookOut gift cards, available in gift card sections of Target stores alongside groceries and other necessities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Whataburger: Regional burger chain with strong Southern US presence, similar value-tier pricing ($0.99-$7 range), made-to-order positioning, and late-night operating hours. Most direct competitor given geographic and menu overlap.
• Sonic Drive-In: Drive-in burger chain known for extensive drink/shake customization (similar to CookOut's 40+ milkshake flavors) and value pricing. Now owned by Inspire Brands; serves similar late-night and value-conscious segments.
• Steak 'n Shake: Regional burger chain with comparable value-tier menu pricing and made-to-order preparation. Operates company-owned and franchised locations across the Midwest and Southeast with similar demographic targeting.
• Checkers/Rally's: Drive-thru-focused burger chain with value-tier pricing and limited dine-in. Similar late-night hours and value-conscious customer targeting in overlapping Southern US markets.
• Hardee's: Regional burger chain owned by CKE Restaurants with char-broiled burgers and Southern US concentration. Competes directly in value-tier and made-to-order positioning across overlapping markets.

Regional players

• Zaxby's: Regional fast-casual chicken chain with strong Southeastern US concentration, similar geographic footprint, late-night operating model, and value-tier pricing strategy. Adjacent menu category but directly comparable operations.
• Bojangles': Southern US-focused fast food chain with strong regional brand loyalty, drive-thru operations, and value-tier pricing. Competes for similar Southern customer base and late-night dining occasions.

Broad incumbents

• Five Guys: Premium-positioned burger chain with made-to-order preparation and fresh-ingredient positioning. Competes for the same fresh, made-to-order customer value proposition but at a higher price point.
• Shake Shack: Premium burger chain with strong milkshake program and made-to-order positioning. While at higher price points, competes for the same fresh, customization-driven customer segment in markets where both operate.
• Culver's: Midwest-rooted fast-casual burger chain known for frozen custard (analogous to CookOut's milkshake focus) and made-to-order preparation. Regional chain with strong brand loyalty similar to CookOut's cult following.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CookOut
• Facebookfacebook.com/cookout
• Instagraminstagram.com/cookout
• Pinterestpinterest.com/thecookoutmenu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CookOut