Cookout Nears Completion of Second East Alabama Location; Can Columbus Be Next?

OPELIKA, AL:Thomasville, North Carolina-based Cookout has been on a rapid expansion through various states including Alabama and Georgia. The chain is nearing completion of construction of its second location in the Auburn-Opelika area and as the store nears completion many are asking if Columbus or Phenix City could be the next on the radar for the growing chain.

The fast food burger chain which started in Greensboro, NC in 1989 has grown to more than 230 restaurants after opening its first out-of-state location in Spartanburg, SC in the summer of 2010. Today the chain has stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and West Virginia. The chain is known for its iconic milkshake flavors, delicious burgers, and wide-array of side items.

Cookout began to expand into Alabama in 2016 when the chain opened up stores in Tuscaloosa and Jacksonville. Last December Cookout opened its first store in the area on Opelika Road in Auburn. The store is located in front of the Auburn Mall. Today the chain is now completing construction of its second regional restaurant located at 2168 Interstate Drive in Opelika, located near the Tigertown shopping center.

There are presently four locations in Alabama with two additional ones under construction in Opelika and Troy. In Georgia there are a total of 36 locations in Georgia. Two of those locations opened in southwest Georgia last year in the city of Americus and also the city of Cordele. The rapid expansion of Cookout has many wondering if Columbus could be on the radar for the chain in the near future.

Company officials have not made any announcements about locating to Columbus, but rapid expansion across the state into smaller markets such as Macon, Rome, and Statesboro does show that the demographics of Columbus may fit the company's desired fit. In addition, the growing number of locations in east Alabama could also signify that the company is looking to grow in the Chattahoochee Valley at this time.

There has been no official date for the opening of the new Opelika location on Interstate Drive, but crews do confirm they are on the finishing touches of the building and it should be opening soon. Applications are now being accepted for the new Opelika location at the location near the Auburn Mall. There are also plans for a third location in the area already in the works on South College Street in Auburn. We will keep you updated on any announcement of the chain expanding into Columbus.