Cook Out • Complete FAQ • 2026
Cook Out FAQ 2026: Every Question Answered
Prices, hours, milkshakes, Cheerwine, locations, ordering tips — every common Cook Out question answered in one place. Updated September 2026.
Cook Out — Key Facts 2026
🍔
$7.99
Regular Tray (entree+2 sides+drink)
🥧
40+
Milkshake flavors at $3.99
⏰
3–4 AM
Close time every night
🗺️
11 States
346+ company-owned locations
✅ What You’ll Find Here
The Complete Cook Out FAQ — Prices, Hours, Milkshakes, Locations & More
Every common Cook Out question answered. Jump to any section using the table of contents, or scroll through. For the complete Cook Out full menu guide or specific pages, use the links throughout.
$7.99Regular Tray
40+Milkshake flavors
11States with Cook Out
4 AMWeekend close
Menu & Prices FAQ
Cook Out Prices & Menu
| Item | Price 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Tray | $7.39–$7.99 | Entree + 2 sides + large drink |
| Jr. Tray | from $5.29 | Smaller entree + 2 sides + drink |
| Milkshake (standalone) | $3.99 | Any of 40+ flavors |
| Regular Shake Upgrade | +$1.00 | Replace tray drink |
| Fancy Shake Upgrade | +$1.60 | Premium mix-in flavors |
How much is a Cook Out tray in 2026?▼
A Cook Out Regular Tray is $7.39–$7.99. It includes one entree, two sides, and a large drink. Jr. Tray from $5.29. Add a milkshake for +$1.00 (regular) or +$1.60 (fancy). See the full Cook Out tray menu.
What comes in a Cook Out tray?▼
1 Entree (burger, chicken, BBQ, hot dog, etc.) + 2 Sides (Cajun Fries, Hushpuppies, Onion Rings, Cheese Bites, Coleslaw, Cheerwine Float, and more) + 1 Large Drink (any fountain soda including Cheerwine, sweet tea, lemonade, water — or upgrade to any shake for +$1.00–$1.60).
How much is a Cook Out milkshake?▼
All Cook Out milkshakes are $3.99 standalone for any of the 40+ flavors. As a tray upgrade: regular +$1.00, fancy +$1.60. See the Cook Out milkshake menu for every flavor.
Regular vs fancy shake — what’s the difference?▼
Regular: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, peach, banana, lemon, mint choc chip, cheesecake, mocha. Fancy: PB Fudge, Cherry Cheesecake, Banana Pudding, Oreo® Mint, Caramel Fudge, Reese’s® PB Cup, Snickers®, Cookie Dough, and more. Both $3.99 standalone. Fancy +$1.60 tray upgrade vs +$1.00 regular.
How many calories in a Cook Out tray?▼
Approximately 700–1,400+ calories depending on your choices. Big Double + Cajun Fries + Hushpuppies + soda: ~950–1,000 cal. Lowest: Chicken Breast + coleslaw + hushpuppies + water: ~620–650 cal. Full breakdown: Cook Out calories guide.
What is Cookout Style?▼
“Cookout Style” adds chili and coleslaw to any burger or hot dog. The Cookout Style Hot Dog is one of Cook Out’s most iconic items. Order any burger or hot dog “Cookout Style” at no extra charge.
Hours FAQ
Cook Out Hours
🌅
Opens Daily
10:30 AM
Every day of the week at all locations.
🌙
Sun–Thu Close
3:00 AM
Weeknight closing at most locations.
🎉
Fri–Sat Close
4:00 AM
Weekend close — 2 hrs past bar close in most states.
Is Cook Out open 24 hours?▼
No. Cook Out is not open 24 hours. Standard hours: 10:30 AM to 3:00 AM (Sun–Thu) and 10:30 AM to 4:00 AM (Fri–Sat). No Cook Out operates 24/7.
What time does Cook Out close?▼
3:00 AM Sun–Thu. 4:00 AM Fri–Sat at most locations. One of the latest-closing fast food chains in the South. Full guide: Cook Out hours guide.
Is Cook Out open on holidays?▼
Most locations stay open on major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve) though hours may be reduced. Christmas Day some locations close or have limited hours. Verify via the location finder.
Drinks & Shakes FAQ
Cook Out Drinks, Cheerwine & Milkshakes
Does Cook Out have Cheerwine?▼
Yes. Cook Out serves Cheerwine on fountain at virtually every location — one of the very few fast food chains to do so. Cheerwine is a cherry soda brewed in Salisbury, NC since 1917. Cook Out also offers a Cheerwine Float (Cheerwine + soft-serve ice cream, 380 cal) as a tray drink or side.
What drinks does Cook Out serve?▼
Fountain sodas (Pepsi + exclusive Cheerwine), fresh-brewed sweet tea, lemonade, Dasani water, Cheerwine Float, Coke Float, and 40+ milkshake flavors at $3.99. Every tray includes a large drink free. Full lineup: Cook Out drinks menu.
How many milkshake flavors does Cook Out have?▼
Cook Out offers 40+ milkshake flavors all at $3.99. Regular: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, peach, banana, lemon, and more. Fancy: PB Fudge, Cherry Cheesecake, Banana Pudding, Oreo® Mint, Caramel Fudge, Reese’s® PB Cup, Snickers®, Cookie Dough, etc. See the complete milkshake menu.
Locations FAQ
Cook Out Locations
States
11 States
NC, VA, SC, TN, GA, MD, WV, KY, MS, FL, AL. Founded in Greensboro, NC in 1989.
Locations
346+
All company-owned. Cook Out does not franchise any location.
What states is Cook Out in?▼
11 states: North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Maryland, West Virginia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Florida, and Alabama. Find every location: Cook Out location finder.
Does Cook Out have indoor seating?▼
No. Cook Out has no indoor dining. All restaurants are drive-thru and walk-up window only. No lobby, no indoor seating. This deliberate model keeps overhead low and prices low.
Does Cook Out have a drive-thru?▼
Yes — all locations have drive-thru. Most have double drive-thru lanes. Cook Out also has a walk-up window at every location, often faster during peak late-night hours.
Ordering Tips
Cook Out Ordering Tips
What is the best thing to order at Cook Out?▼
Consensus best order: Big Double + Cajun Fries + Hushpuppies + PB Fudge milkshake upgrade. Big Double is Cook Out’s signature burger, Cajun Fries and Hushpuppies are the classic side combo, and PB Fudge is rated the #1 shake by Cook Out fans. Total: ~$8.39–$9.59.
Does Cook Out take credit cards?▼
Yes — Cook Out accepts credit/debit cards at drive-thru and walk-up windows. Most locations accept mobile payment. Cash also accepted.
Does Cook Out have a mobile app?▼
Cook Out does not have a mobile app with ordering or loyalty rewards as of 2026. Orders placed at the drive-thru speaker or walk-up window only.
Does Cook Out deliver?▼
Cook Out has no own delivery. Some locations appear on DoorDash or Uber Eats but availability varies. See the Cook Out delivery page.
Brand & History
Cook Out Brand & History
Who owns Cook Out?▼
Cook Out is privately owned by Morris Reaves, founder in Greensboro, NC in 1989. Cook Out has never franchised — every location is company-owned. Headquarters and beef commissary both in Greensboro, NC.
Why is Cook Out so cheap?▼
Low prices come from: no indoor seating (lower real estate/overhead), company-owned commissary (fresh beef at lower cost), no franchising (direct cost control), and drive-thru/walk-up only (minimal staffing). Result: full meal for under $8.
Is Cook Out a franchise?▼
No. Cook Out does not franchise. Every location is company-owned by Cook Out Inc., Greensboro, NC. This gives Cook Out consistent quality and pricing across all 346+ locations.
Resources
More Cook Out Pages
Cook Out — Open Until 3–4 AM Every Night
Find Cook Out Near MeReady to Order? Find Your Nearest Cook Out
Trays from $7.39, 40+ milkshakes at $3.99, and Cheerwine on fountain. Use the location finder for exact addresses and hours.