Two new Cook Out restaurants appear to be coming soon to Fayetteville and Hope Mills.
A subsidy of the Thomasville-based fast-food chain purchased the former KFC at 3002 Raeford Road on July 23 for $750,000, according to Cumberland County property records.
Paris & Potter operated the Raeford Road restaurant, as well as 27 other KFC locations across the Carolinas. Co-founder Steve Paris said the company received a “tremendous offer” for the property. While the company closed the Raeford Road location, Paris said Paris & Potter is about to begin construction on a new KFC restaurant in Myrtle Beach.
Cook Out also appears poised to open in the recently closed Country Fish Fry location in Hope Mills. Cook Out-Hope Mills, Inc. purchased the property at 3416 N. Main St., as well as a neighboring vacant lot, on July 27, according to county property records.
Country Fish Fry’s location on Fort Bragg Road in Fayetteville remains open.
“We did very well there, but it was time,” said Yiotta Hasty, who runs the Fort Bragg Road restaurant.
The Hope Mills location opened in 2002.
“We have a lot of respect for the Hope Mills community,” Hasty said. “They opened their arms to us when we arrived.
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Cook Out has not returned requests for comment on the new locations.
The new restaurants would be the fourth Cook Out for Fayetteville and first for Hope Mills. Cook Out currently operates locations on Ramsey Street, Owen Drive and Cliffdale Road in Fayetteville, as well as Spring Lake.
Known for its burgers, chicken sandwiches and fried foods, typically served by the tray and washed down with a huge tea, Cheerwine or one of the more than 40 customizable milkshakes, Cook Out got its start in Greensboro in 1989. It now operates nearly 300 locations across 10 states.
Jacob Pucci writes on food, restaurants and business. Contact him by email at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @jacobpucci or on Facebook. Like talking food? Join our Fayetteville Foodies Facebook group.
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