📍 Garner, North Carolina • 2 Stores • Southern Wake County • 2026
Cook Out Garner NC — 2 Locations, Addresses & Hours (2026)
Cook Out has 2 restaurants with a Garner address: 4001 Jones Sausage Rd on the north side of town near I-40, and 102 Bratton Dr south of town in the Cleveland area of Johnston County. Two more south and east Raleigh stores sit within 5 miles of Garner.
Most Cook Outs open 10:30 AM and close about 3 AM (4 AM Fri–Sat); hours vary by store. Cookout Tray about $7.39–$7.99. Zebulon is listed as coming soon.
This guide lists both Cook Out restaurants with a Garner mailing address, the two south and east Raleigh stores that are only minutes away, and the rest of the Cook Outs within about 20 miles, each with Google Maps directions. It also covers which store is closest to your part of Garner, how to reach them from I-40, I-42, US-401 and NC-50, typical late-night hours, and what to order.
Last verified: October 2026 | Sources: Cook Out store locator (October 2026), Johnston County visitor listings, NCDOT, U.S. Census Bureau
How Many Cook Out Locations Are in Garner, NC?
Garner has 2 open Cook Out restaurants as of October 2026, according to Cook Out’s store locator: 4001 Jones Sausage Rd, Garner, NC 27529, and 102 Bratton Dr, Garner, NC 27529. The Jones Sausage Rd store is the one most Garner residents mean, about 2 miles from downtown on the north side of town. The Bratton Dr store is about 7.5 miles south, in the Cleveland area just across the line in Johnston County.
Because Garner sits right against Raleigh’s southern edge, two Raleigh Cook Outs are also part of everyday Garner life: 3222 S Wilmington St (about 3 miles from downtown Garner) and 1201 New Bern Ave (about 5 miles). Counting those, there are 4 Cook Outs within roughly 5 miles of Garner’s Main Street.
- Closest for most of Garner: 4001 Jones Sausage Rd, near the I-40 Jones Sausage Rd interchange.
- Closest for Cleveland, Willow Spring side and NC-42: 102 Bratton Dr.
- Closest for the US-401 / Fayetteville Rd side toward Raleigh: 3222 S Wilmington St.
- Coming soon nearby: 1206 N Arendell Ave in Zebulon, listed as coming soon on Cook Out’s locator.
Older versions of this page listed stores on Fayetteville Rd, US-70 Business and Timber Dr. None of those addresses appears on Cook Out’s current locator, so they have been removed. The two addresses above are the only Garner stores Cook Out lists.
Every Cook Out in and Around Garner: Addresses & Directions
Below are the 2 Garner stores, the 2 Raleigh stores just north of town, and 12 more Cook Outs within about 21 miles. Addresses come from Cook Out’s store locator (October 2026); each card opens Google Maps directions. Distances are approximate straight-line miles from downtown Garner.
| Area | Stores | Cities | Main roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook Out in Garner | 2 | Garner | I-40 • Jones Sausage Rd • NC-42 • US-70 |
| South & East Raleigh (under 5 miles) | 2 | Raleigh | S Wilmington St • US-70/401 • New Bern Ave |
| Clayton, Knightdale & North Raleigh | 6 | Clayton, Knightdale, Raleigh, Wake Forest | I-42/US-70 • I-540 • US-64 • Capital Blvd |
| West Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Fuquay & Durham | 6 | Raleigh, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Apex, Durham | Western Blvd • US-401 • US-1/64 • I-40 West |
1. Cook Out in Garner — 2 Cook Out locations
Garner’s two stores bracket the town. Jones Sausage Rd runs north-south along Garner’s northern edge and crosses I-40 at its own interchange, so that store is quick to reach from the beltline and from neighborhoods off Rock Quarry Rd and Auburn-Knightdale Rd. The Bratton Dr store carries a Garner mailing address but sits in Johnston County, in the fast-growing Cleveland area south of town.
Cook Out Garner – Jones Sausage Rd
4001 Jones Sausage Rd, Garner, NC 27529
North Garner on Jones Sausage Rd, near its I-40 interchange
Cook Out Garner – Bratton Dr
102 Bratton Dr, Garner, NC 27529
Cleveland area of Johnston County, about 7.5 miles south of downtown Garner
2. South & East Raleigh (under 5 miles) — 2 Cook Out locations
These two Raleigh stores are often closer than Bratton Dr for people on Garner’s north and west sides. South Wilmington Street is the US-70/US-401 route that runs from the Garner line straight into downtown Raleigh, and New Bern Avenue is the main road east from downtown toward WakeMed’s Raleigh campus.
Cook Out Raleigh – S Wilmington St
3222 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
South Raleigh on the US-70/401 corridor, about 3 miles from Garner
Cook Out Raleigh – New Bern Ave
1201 New Bern Ave, Raleigh, NC 27610
East of downtown Raleigh on New Bern Ave, toward WakeMed
3. Clayton, Knightdale & North Raleigh — 6 Cook Out locations
Heading east on I-42 toward Johnston County or north on I-440 and I-540, these are the next stores out, between about 8 and 18 miles from Garner.
Cook Out Clayton
11637 US 70 Business Hwy W, Clayton, NC 27520
On US-70 Business on the west side of Clayton, about 8.5 miles
Cook Out Knightdale
1151 North Smithfield Rd, Knightdale, NC 27545
On North Smithfield Rd in Knightdale, about 9 miles
Cook Out Raleigh – Capital Blvd
3244 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27604
North Raleigh on Capital Blvd (US-1), about 8 miles
Cook Out Raleigh – Falls of Neuse Rd
6505 Falls Of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
North Raleigh on Falls of Neuse Rd, about 11 miles
Cook Out Raleigh – Strickland Rd
9500 Strickland Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615
Far north Raleigh on Strickland Rd, about 13.5 miles
Cook Out Wake Forest
11690 Northpark Dr, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Wake Forest on Northpark Dr, about 18 miles
4. West Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Fuquay & Durham — 6 Cook Out locations
West of Garner, I-40 and US-401 lead to these stores between about 7 and 21 miles away. The two Durham stores are at the far edge of a reasonable drive, near Research Triangle Park.
Cook Out Raleigh – Western Blvd
3930 Western Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27606
West Raleigh on Western Blvd, west of NC State’s main campus, about 7 miles
Cook Out Cary – Walnut St
1607 Walnut St., Cary, NC 27511
Cary on Walnut St, about 8.6 miles
Cook Out Fuquay-Varina
1433 N. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
On North Main St in Fuquay-Varina, about 12 miles via US-401
Cook Out Apex
1001 E Williams St., Apex, NC 27502
On East Williams St in Apex, about 13 miles
Cook Out Durham – Allendown Dr (RTP)
2103 Allendown Drive, Durham, NC 27713
Southeast Durham near Research Triangle Park, about 21 miles
Cook Out Durham – S Miami Blvd
1540 S. Miami Blvd, Durham, NC 27703
East Durham on South Miami Blvd, about 21 miles
Which Cook Out Is Closest to Me in Garner?
For most of Garner, the closest Cook Out is 4001 Jones Sausage Rd; south of Timber Dr and toward Cleveland, it is 102 Bratton Dr. On the west side near US-401, the Raleigh store on S Wilmington St is often just as quick. Use the table as a starting point; traffic on I-40 at rush hour can change the answer.
| If you are in or near… | Closest Cook Out | Typical route |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Garner / Main St / Garner Performing Arts Center | 4001 Jones Sausage Rd | North on local roads to Jones Sausage Rd |
| North Garner, Rock Quarry Rd, Auburn area | 4001 Jones Sausage Rd | Jones Sausage Rd south of I-40 |
| White Oak / Timber Dr / US-70 shopping area | 4001 Jones Sausage Rd or 102 Bratton Dr | I-40 one exit north, or south toward NC-42 |
| Cleveland, NC-42 corridor, Johnston County line | 102 Bratton Dr | NC-42 / Cleveland Rd area |
| US-401 / Fayetteville Rd, Wake Tech Southern Wake campus | 3222 S Wilmington St, Raleigh | North on US-401 / S Wilmington St |
| Lake Benson Park / Buffaloe Rd side | 4001 Jones Sausage Rd | NC-50 north, then local roads |
| Southeast Raleigh / Poole Rd / WakeMed | 1201 New Bern Ave, Raleigh | New Bern Ave west of WakeMed |
| Clayton-bound on I-42 | 11637 US-70 Business Hwy W, Clayton | I-42 east, then US-70 Business |
If you live in the newer subdivisions between Garner and Clayton, compare Bratton Dr and the Clayton store on US-70 Business; both are reasonable depending on which side of I-40 you start from.
Why Does a Town Garner’s Size Have Two Cook Outs?
Garner sits where I-40, I-42, US-70, US-401 and NC-50 meet on the south side of Raleigh, so its Cook Outs serve commuters and through traffic as much as residents. The town had about 31,000 people at the 2020 census, but the stores also draw from southeast Raleigh, Cleveland, Willow Spring and western Johnston County.
Interstate crossroads: I-40 runs along Garner’s northern and eastern edge, and I-42 begins at I-40 in Garner and heads east along US-70 toward Clayton, Smithfield and Goldsboro. Anyone driving from the Triangle to the coast on I-42 passes within a few minutes of both Garner stores.
Growth south of town: the Cleveland area along NC-42 and Cleveland Rd, where the Bratton Dr store sits, is one of the fastest-growing parts of Johnston County, with new subdivisions, schools and shopping filling in between Garner and Clayton.
Industrial and distribution jobs: the I-40 and US-70 corridors around Garner include warehouses and distribution sites that run evening and overnight shifts, the kind of workforce that keeps a 3 AM drive-thru busy.
Cook Out’s home state: Cook Out was founded in 1989 in Greensboro by Morris Reaves and lists 144 open North Carolina stores in October 2026, more than any other state. Wake County alone has about a dozen.
We have not found a reliable public record of the exact opening dates for either Garner store, so this guide does not list them.
How Do I Get to Cook Out From I-40 or I-42 in Garner?
From I-40, the Jones Sausage Rd store is the quickest stop: take the Jones Sausage Rd exit and head south a short distance. From I-42 or US-70, Bratton Dr in the Cleveland area or the Clayton store on US-70 Business are the easier stops, depending on your direction.
| Road | Best Cook Out | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| I-40 (Raleigh beltline to Clayton) | 4001 Jones Sausage Rd | Jones Sausage Rd has its own I-40 interchange on Garner’s north side |
| I-42 / US-70 East | Clayton (US-70 Business) or Bratton Dr | Good stop heading to Smithfield, Goldsboro or the coast |
| US-401 / Fayetteville Rd | 3222 S Wilmington St, Raleigh | US-401 becomes S Wilmington St heading into Raleigh |
| NC-50 / Benson Rd | 4001 Jones Sausage Rd | Through central Garner past Lake Benson |
| NC-42 | 102 Bratton Dr | Cleveland area, Johnston County |
| I-440 / New Bern Ave | 1201 New Bern Ave, Raleigh | East Raleigh near WakeMed |
Tip for road-trippers: the drive from Raleigh to Wilmington on I-40 or to the Crystal Coast on I-42 has long stretches with few late-night choices. Filling up at a Garner Cook Out before leaving the Triangle is a common move. Check the Goldsboro guide for the next stop east on I-42.
Is There a Late-Night Cook Out Near WakeMed or Wake Tech?
Yes. The New Bern Ave Cook Out in Raleigh is the closest to WakeMed’s Raleigh campus, and the S Wilmington St store is the nearest to Wake Tech’s Southern Wake campus on Fayetteville Rd. Both typically stay open until about 3 AM, later than most fast food in the area.
WakeMed Raleigh CampusNight-shift nurses, residents and families visiting the hospital on New Bern Ave are a short drive from 1201 New Bern Ave. For Garner residents headed home after a hospital visit, Jones Sausage Rd is on the way south via I-440 and I-40.
Wake Tech Southern Wake CampusStudents at Wake Tech’s main campus on Fayetteville Rd (US-401) have S Wilmington St to the north and Jones Sausage Rd to the east. Both are about 10 minutes away outside rush hour.
Garner high schools and parksAfter Friday night games at Garner Magnet High or South Garner High, or a day at Lake Benson Park or White Deer Park, most families head to Jones Sausage Rd. South Garner and Cleveland families often use Bratton Dr.
NC State and downtown RaleighFrom downtown, S Wilmington St is the closest Cook Out heading south toward Garner. NC State students more often use the Western Blvd store, about 7 miles from Garner.
What Time Does Cook Out Close in Garner?
Most Cook Out restaurants, including those around Garner, open at 10:30 AM and close around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and around 4 AM on Friday and Saturday. Hours vary by store and can change for holidays, weather or staffing, so check Google Maps or call the store before a late-night run.
| Day | Typical opening | Typical closing |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday–Thursday | 10:30 AM | About 3:00 AM |
| Friday–Saturday | 10:30 AM | About 4:00 AM |
| Major holidays | Varies | Often closed or shortened (Thanksgiving, Christmas) |
Cook Out is drive-thru focused. Most stores, including those near Garner, have a drive-thru and a walk-up window but little or no indoor seating, so plan to eat in the car or take it home. Lines often peak around lunch, right after high school football games, and after midnight on weekends. For more on holiday and late-night patterns, see the Cook Out hours guide.
What Should I Order at Cook Out in Garner, and What Does It Cost?
The Cookout Tray is the value pick: one entree, two sides and a drink for about $7.39–$7.99 in the Raleigh area. Add a milkshake, about $3.99, from a list of more than 40 flavors. Prices vary slightly by store.
- Cookout Tray: about $7.39–$7.99 (entree + 2 sides + drink)
- Jr. Tray: from about $5.29
- Milkshakes: about $3.99, 40+ flavors
- Popular tray entrees: Big Double burger, BBQ sandwich, chicken strips, quesadilla, hot dogs
- Popular sides: hush puppies, onion rings, cheese bites, corn dog, fries, chicken wrap
- Payment: cash and cards accepted
Trays are what make Cook Out different from most chains: the “sides” can be a whole second entree, such as a corn dog, a quesadilla or a chicken wrap. Many Garner regulars order two sandwiches on one tray. Drinks include sweet tea, Cheerwine and Cheerwine floats; see the drinks menu and milkshake menu for the full lists, and the tray menu for every tray combination.
Ordering tips for the Garner stores: have your order ready before you reach the speaker, since lines move fast; check your bag before leaving the window; and for big group orders, consider calling ahead or splitting into two orders to keep the line moving.
How Does Cook Out Compare to Other Garner Fast Food?
Cook Out wins on price and late hours; local barbecue and chicken spots win on sit-down meals and classic Eastern North Carolina pork. Garner has the usual national chains plus North Carolina names like Bojangles and Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q.
| Option | Strength | When to choose Cook Out instead |
|---|---|---|
| Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q | NC fried chicken and Eastern-style barbecue | When it is after their closing time or you want a burger and shake |
| Bojangles | Biscuits and breakfast | Any time after breakfast, especially late night |
| National burger chains | Indoor seating, apps and rewards | When you want a full tray with two sides and a drink for under $8 |
| Sit-down barbecue restaurants | Plates, sides, table service | When you want speed and something open past midnight |
Cook Out’s barbecue sandwich is chopped North Carolina-style pork with slaw available, a solid late-night option even if it is not a pit-cooked plate. Its burgers are char-grilled, and the shake menu is far bigger than most competitors’.
Which Nearby Cook Out Guides Should I Check?
For more Triangle locations, start with the Raleigh guide; for trips east, use Goldsboro. Each guide lists every store with addresses and directions.
Cook Out RaleighAll the Raleigh stores, including S Wilmington St, New Bern Ave, Western Blvd and Capital Blvd.
Cook Out CaryThe Walnut St store and other western Wake options.
Cook Out Fuquay-VarinaNorth Main St, about 12 miles southwest via US-401.
Cook Out ApexEast Williams St, about 13 miles west.
Cook Out Wake ForestNorthpark Dr, about 18 miles north.
Cook Out GoldsboroThe next stop east on I-42 toward the coast.
Cook Out DunnFor trips south on I-95.
Cook Out North CarolinaAll 144 open stores across the state.
Cook Out Garner FAQs
Answers to the questions people ask most.
How many Cook Out locations are in Garner, NC?
Cook Out’s store locator lists 2 open stores with a Garner address as of October 2026: 4001 Jones Sausage Rd, Garner, NC 27529, on the north side of town near I-40, and 102 Bratton Dr, Garner, NC 27529, in the Cleveland area of Johnston County. Two Raleigh stores, 3222 S Wilmington St and 1201 New Bern Ave, are also within about 5 miles.
Which Garner Cook Out is closest to I-40?
The Jones Sausage Rd store at 4001 Jones Sausage Rd is the closest to I-40. Take the Jones Sausage Rd exit on Garner’s north side and head south a short distance. It is the easiest stop for drivers on the Raleigh beltline or heading toward Clayton and Wilmington.
Is the Bratton Dr Cook Out in Garner or Clayton?
It has a Garner mailing address, 102 Bratton Dr, Garner, NC 27529, but it sits in the Cleveland area of Johnston County, about 7.5 miles south of downtown Garner. It is the closest Cook Out for many NC-42 and Cleveland Rd neighborhoods, while the separate Clayton store is at 11637 US-70 Business Hwy W.
What time does Cook Out in Garner close?
Most Cook Outs, including the Garner-area stores, close around 3 AM Sunday through Thursday and around 4 AM on Friday and Saturday, opening at 10:30 AM. Hours vary by store and can change on holidays, so check Google Maps or call before making a very late trip to Jones Sausage Rd or Bratton Dr.
Is there a Cook Out on Fayetteville Rd or Timber Dr in Garner?
No. Cook Out’s current locator does not list a store on Fayetteville Rd, Timber Dr or US-70 Business in Garner. The only Garner addresses are 4001 Jones Sausage Rd and 102 Bratton Dr. If you are on US-401 near Fayetteville Rd, the closest alternative is 3222 S Wilmington St in Raleigh.
Is a new Cook Out coming near Garner?
Cook Out’s locator lists a store as coming soon at 1206 N Arendell Ave in Zebulon, about 18 miles northeast of Garner in eastern Wake County. No new Garner store is listed as coming soon as of October 2026. Opening dates are not announced on the locator, so treat it as planned rather than open.
How much is a Cookout Tray in Garner?
A Cookout Tray, one entree with two sides and a drink, costs about $7.39 to $7.99 at Triangle-area stores, and a Jr. Tray starts around $5.29. Milkshakes run about $3.99 with more than 40 flavors. Prices vary slightly by location, so the Jones Sausage Rd and Bratton Dr stores may differ by a few cents.
Does the Garner Cook Out have indoor seating?
Cook Out stores are built around the drive-thru and walk-up window, and most have little or no indoor dining. Expect to order from your car or at the window at 4001 Jones Sausage Rd and 102 Bratton Dr. Cash and cards are accepted, and some customers order through delivery apps where available.
Find the Closest Cook Out in Garner
Jones Sausage Rd for north Garner and I-40, Bratton Dr for Cleveland and NC-42. Tap any store card for Google Maps directions.