More News

Cookout looks to open at old KFC location on Raeford Road

By Scott Nunn, posted 3 years ago
Cookout recently purchased the land and building at 3002 Raeford Road from KFC of Raeford Road, LLC. Photo by Jenna Shackelford

It appears burgers on the grill will be replacing chicken in the deep fryer on Raeford Road, a longtime location of a Fayetteville KFC.

According to county records, a subsidiary of fast-food chain Cookout recently purchased the land and building at 3002 Raeford Road from KFC of Raeford Road, LLC, a firm associated with Fayetteville-based KFC franchisee Paris and Potter Management Corporation. 

Cookout-Fayetteville, Inc., which is associated with Thomasville, N.C.-based Cookout, paid $750,000 for the 4,000 square foot building, half-acre site near Tallywood Shopping Center. The transaction was completed July 23. According to Cumberland County tax records, the property has an assessed value of $817,909. The current building was erected in 2002.

Although all signs point to a fifth Cookout for Fayetteville, a person reached Friday at Cookout’s corporate office would not confirm it. Such a move would be typical of Cookout. The chain’s focus on drive-thru and walk-up service has helped it thrive during the pandemic and, according to Triangle Business Journal, it has recently bought two Applebee's locations in the Triad. 

(While Cookout has been adding locations, Applebee’s has closed 130 of its restaurants in recent years.)

Paris and Potter has a long history with what once was popularly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken. Steve Paris opened North Carolina’s first KFC in Fayetteville in 1961 and there has been a KFC on Raeford Road since 1968. Today Paris and Potter operate 29 KFCs across North and South Carolina. The company also owns Cici’s Pizza and Taco Bell franchises.

The Greater Fayetteville Business Journal reached out to Paris and Potter officials Friday for more details on why the Raeford Road location was sold but there had been no response as of 4 p.m.

Cookout, which is privately owned and does not offer franchises, was founded in Greensboro in 1989 by Morris Reaves. Reaves remains the owner of the chain, which operates nearly 300 locations in 100 cities, mainly in the Southeast.

The menu primarily features burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and North Carolina-style barbecue.

 

Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT

In The Current Issue

Building on the basics: Advanced Contractors Academy equips local firms to compete for government projects

The Advanced Contractors Academy, a free six-week program, is designed for established contractors ready to pursue larger-scale public contracts with agencies such as Fayetteville State University (FSU), Cumberland County and Cape Fear Valley Health.


Hungry for success: Local entrepreneur Kelton Battle is changing the vending machine game in North Carolina

Hungry Snacks Vending LLC is owned and operated by Kelton Battle, a young entrepreneur born and raised in Fayetteville. With 140 vending machines across the state, Battle is excited to continue expanding his business and to eventually manufacture and


Too bright to dim: My Future So Bright program sees exponential growth during third year

 A total of 84 interns participated in this year’s My Future So Bright program. At the graduation ceremony held on Aug. 1, each student was able to receive their graduation certificates from Mid-Carolina Regional Council Executive Director Saman