Best Cookout Apex NC: Menu Prices, Hours & Opening Date (2026)

If you are looking for the new Cookout Apex NC or wondering about its official opening date, the wait is finally over!

Cook Out has officially opened its doors to a brand-new location in Apex, North Carolina, expanding the popular fast-food chain’s footprint in the Triangle area. The high-efficiency kitchen is now fully operational, serving up its trademark charbroiled burgers, iconic value trays, and the famous 40+ premium milkshake menu.

Interest in this branch has been building for months across local social media groups. Now that the “Now Open” sign is glowing, the lanes are already buzzing with drive-thru traffic. Below is the complete guide to the newly launched Apex location, including the exact address, hours, menu highlights, and active hiring details.

Check out the complete Cookout Menu With Prices to plan your first visit.

Cookout Apex NC

The new Cook Out Apex NC location officially opened in 2026 and is now serving customers through drive-thru and walk-up ordering windows on 1001 E Williams St near Hwy 55.

Cookout Apex NC Location — Hwy 55 Address & Drive-Thru

The new spot takes over a highly familiar commercial venue in town, making it incredibly accessible for local residents, high school students, and late-night commuters.

While many locals were tracking the Hwy 55 burgers shakes & fries expansion and alternative openings nearby, Cook Out took everyone by surprise by launching this massive spot on the Hwy 55 strip.

Exact Street Address:

1001 E Williams St, Apex, NC 27502 (Located right on the busy Hwy 55 strip, at the former Skipper’s Seafood building).

Following Cook Out’s high-velocity service model, this location is designed with a modern, drive-thru-focused layout optimized to handle large customer rushes smoothly. The setup features:

Double Drive-Thru Lanes:

Prepped to minimize wait times during peak hours.

Outdoor Walk-Up Ordering Windows:

Ideal for quick walk-up orders without joining the car queue.

No Indoor Dining Lobby:

Focused strictly on on-the-go and drive-thru convenience.

Cookout Apex NC Hours — Open Late Night 2026

True to Cook Out’s reputation as North Carolina’s ultimate late-night dining sanctuary, the Apex branch runs deep into the AM hours. The confirmed operating schedule is formatted below:

Day

Drive-Thru & Walk-Up Hours

Service Style

Monday – Thursday

10:30 AM – 3:30 AM

Standard Late-Night

Friday – Saturday

10:30 AM – 4:30 AM

Extended Weekend Late-Night

Sunday

10:30 AM – 3:30 AM

Standard Late-Night

Tip: While the drive-thru window stays open until the final minute, lines tend to peak heavily between 11:00 PM and 1:30 AM on Friday and Saturday nights.

Cookout Apex NC Jobs & Hiring — How to Apply 2026

Even though the restaurant is officially open, management is actively building and expanding its permanent local crew. Because the branch runs for nearly 18 hours a day, they are keeping an active hiring pipeline open for multiple shifts.
They are currently looking for:
Cashiers & Front-Window Staff
Kitchen Crew & Grill Specialists
Shift Team Leaders
Late-Night Drive-Thru Staff

If you are wondering how much does Cook Out pay or does Cook Out pay weekly or biweekly, standard team members typically start around $11–$15 per hour (depending on the shift/experience), and Cook Out is known for its reliable weekly pay cycle.

How to Apply:

Interested local candidates can apply directly through the official Cook Out Careers portal. Select “North Carolina” and look for active openings at the Apex (E Williams St) location. Restaurant experience is a great asset, but hiring managers heavily prioritize reliability, speed, and open availability for late-night weekend shifts.

Cookout Apex NC Menu With Prices (2026)

The new kitchen comes fully stocked with the classic southern menu that earned the brand its loyal customer base. Everything is grilled over open flames to maintain that signature backyard-barbecue flavor.

[Official & 100% Confirmed Menu Prices for Apex, NC Below]

Menu Item

Price

Calories & Macro Highlights

The Iconic Cook Out Tray

$7.99 – $8.49

Best value combo. Customize with low-cal sides to manage macros.

Charbroiled Chicken Sandwich

$4.89

380 kcal / 28g Protein (Best high-protein, clean choice)

Big Ol’ Burger (Single)

$3.69

420 kcal / 24g Protein (Great for muscle building)

Chicken Quesadilla (Side item)

$2.89

310 kcal (Perfect low-calorie snack hack)

Fancy Milkshake (40+ Flavors)

$3.89

~700–900 kcal (Keep as a weekend cheat meal treat)

Why the Apex Cook Out Tray is the Ultimate Value Meal

The primary crowd-puller is the legendary Cookout Tray, celebrated as one of the best value meals in America. It allows you to build a massive custom combo by combining:

One Main Entrée:

Big Double Burger, Grilled Chicken Breast Sandwich, or Pit-Cooked BBQ Sandwich.

Big Double Burger
Original Style Chicken
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Large Fries

Two Side Items:

You can mix and match golden French fries, southern hushpuppies, onion rings, corn dogs, or even a Chicken Quesadilla as a side.

One Drink:

A large soda, sweet tea, or a premium milkshake upgrade.

Famous Premium Milkshakes

If you’re visiting the E Williams St location, you can choose from over 40 milkshake flavors. Locals in the Triangle area are already loving the Oreo Mint and Peanut Butter Fudge

Bana Pudding
Peanut Butter Banana
Oreo Sahke
Fresh Watermelon

Banana Pudding:

Made with real vanilla wafers and fresh banana bits.

Oreo Mint:

A refreshing blend of crushed mint cookies and soft serve.

Peanut Butter Fudge:

Heavy, rich, and loaded with fudge ribbons.

Fresh Watermelon (Seasonal):

A legendary summer exclusive handcrafted strictly during July and August with real watermelon chunks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes! The new location at 1001 E Williams St is officially open, fully operational, and serving drive-thru and walk-up customers.

The restaurant completed its final construction phases, finalized city inspections, and officially opened to the public in May 2026.

No. Following the brand’s modern footprint for new builds in Wake County, this location focuses strictly on double drive-thru lanes and outdoor walk-up windows. There is no indoor dining lobby available.

The custom Cook Out Tray is the most popular item because it offers huge portions and endless combinations at an incredibly low price point compared to standard fast-food combos.

The Cook Out on E Williams St in Apex closes at 3:30 AM from Sunday to Thursday, and extends its late-night drive-thru hours until 4:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Final Thoughts

With the new location now open in Apex on Hwy 55, residents have a dedicated spot for affordable late-night food and quick service. Whether you are grabbing a post-game Cheerwine float or a late-night combo tray, the new restaurant is ready to serve.

User Links

🏛️
Head Office
2212 S. Main St., Winston-Salem, NC 27107, USA

📞
Phone Number
336-724-7970

🌐
Official Website
cookout.com