What States Have Cook Out Restaurants?
From one restaurant in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1989 to a genuine Southeastern institution. This guide covers every state Cook Out currently operates in, its newest addition, and the most commonly searched “is there a Cook Out in ___” questions, answered directly.
Quick answer: Cook Out operates restaurants across the Southeastern United States. Its own official location finder lists Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Cook Out has since expanded into Florida as well, with locations reported open or opening as of 2026 making 11 states in total. The chain continues to grow, so this list can shift; the official location finder is always the most current source.
Understanding how Cook Out grew helps explain why it’s still regional rather than nationwide this is real, sourced history, not projection:
South Carolina
Virginia
Georgia
Tennessee
Alabama
Mississippi
Kentucky
West Virginia
Maryland
Florida 🆕
| State | Status |
|---|---|
| North Carolina | Home state founded here in 1989 |
| South Carolina | Established |
| Virginia | Established, still adding new locations |
| Georgia | Established |
| Tennessee | Established |
| Alabama | Established |
| Mississippi | Established |
| Kentucky | Established |
| West Virginia | Established |
| Maryland | Established |
| Florida | Newest state expanding as of 2026 |
This reflects Cook Out’s official location finder plus recent news reporting on its Florida expansion. Since the chain is actively growing, treat this as a snapshot rather than a permanently fixed list the official location finder linked below will always be more current than any static article.
Florida is Cook Out’s newest state. News reporting from 2026 confirms a location opened in Pensacola, with another preparing to open in Jacksonville as part of the same push. This follows a familiar pattern for CookOut steady, incremental growth into adjacent Southeastern markets rather than a sudden nationwide rollout. If you’re in Florida and haven’t seen a Cook Out near you yet, that’s expected; the expansion is still in its early stages as of this writing.
No. Despite being one of the most frequently searched questions about Cook Out, there are no confirmed operating Cook Out locations in Texas. Texas is well outside Cook Out’s current Southeastern footprint, and while rumors about expansion occasionally circulate, there’s no confirmed announcement of Texas locations opening. If that changes, the official Cook Out location finder will reflect it before any fan site does.
One source of confusion worth flagging: “Cook Out” is a fairly generic name, and unrelated local restaurants using the same or a similar name have existed in Texas cities in the past, with no connection to the North Carolina chain. If you come across an old review or listing for a “Cook Out” in Texas, it’s very likely a different, unrelated business rather than the fast food chain this guide covers.
Likely, over time. Cook Out’s own location finder includes a “Coming Soon” filter option, meaning the company actively teases upcoming locations before they open Florida is the clearest recent example of this playing out. If you want to check whether new locations are planned near you, the location finder’s “Coming Soon” filter is the most direct way to see what Cook Out itself is signaling, rather than relying on rumor.
📍 Finding Your Nearest Location
- Visit the official location finder at cookout.com/locations.
- Search by address or state and adjust the search radius to see how far the nearest location is.
- Check the “Coming Soon” filter if you’re outside Cook Out’s current footprint, to see if a location is planned nearby.
- Search “Cook Out near me” on Google Maps as a quick alternative that also shows current hours and directions.
What states have Cook Out restaurants?
Cook Out’s official location finder lists Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, and the chain has since expanded into Florida as well.
What state did Cook Out start in?
Cook Out was founded in Greensboro, North Carolina, in 1989 and is headquartered in Thomasville, North Carolina.
Is there a Cook Out in Texas?
No. Texas is not part of Cook Out’s current footprint, and there are no confirmed operating locations there.
Is Cook Out in Florida?
Yes, as of 2026. Florida is Cook Out’s newest state, with a location reported open in Pensacola and another preparing to open in Jacksonville.
Is Cook Out expanding to new states?
It appears to be, gradually. Cook Out’s official location finder includes a “Coming Soon” filter for upcoming locations, and its recent Florida expansion shows the pattern in action.
How many Cook Out locations are there in total?
Widely reported at more than 350 locations as of 2026, spread across its Southeastern footprint, with that number growing as new states and locations open.