Cook Out opening near USF Tampa Bay

Cook Out is moving closer to opening its first Tampa Bay restaurant at 5501 E. Fowler Ave. near the University of South Florida, according to local reports published July 8 and July 9. New signage is up at the former Boston Market site in Temple Terrace, and a newly built drive-thru is now visible at the property. Cook Out has not announced an opening date. Construction appeared to still be underway as of July 9. ### Where exactly is the new Cook Out going? The Temple Terrace site sits at 5501 E. Fowler Ave., near USF, in a building that previously housed Boston Market. Tampa Latest reported July 9 that the stand-alone building is on just over half an acre and now carries Cook Out signage. WFLA reported in May 2024 that the Fowler Avenue property was one of two former Boston Market locations in the Tampa area acquired by Cook Out, with the other at 16215 N. (tampalatest.com) Dale Mabry Highway in Carrollwood. ### What changed at the site this week? Fresh signage and the completed drive-thru are the clearest visible signs that the Temple Terrace location is nearing an opening. (tampalatest.com) Tampa Latest said those additions were in place by July 9. Tampa Bay Business Journal also reported July 8 that Tampa Bay’s first Cook Out was nearing an opening in the USF area. (wfla.com) The July 9 report did not give a public opening date, and it said work on the site was still continuing. That leaves the project in a late-stage construction phase rather than an announced launch. ### How long has Cook Out been working on this location? May 2024 was when Cook Out bought the Temple Terrace property, according to Hillsborough County property records cited by WFLA. (tampalatest.com) The deed for the Fowler Avenue site was signed over on May 2, 2024, WFLA reported. Tampa Latest reported that Cook Out acquired the property for $3.5 million and later invested about $1.2 million in converting the building. (tampalatest.com) That report cited Hillsborough County property records for the purchase price. ### Is this Cook Out’s first Florida location or first Tampa Bay location? (wfla.com) The Temple Terrace restaurant is being described in current local coverage as Cook Out’s first Tampa Bay location. Tampa Latest used that wording in its July 9 report, and Tampa Bay Business Journal reported the site as Tampa Bay’s first Cook Out nearing opening. (tampalatest.com) Older coverage from 2024 described the Tampa sites as possible first Florida locations, but later reporting indicates Cook Out has already entered Florida elsewhere. Burger Beast reported that the chain’s first Florida store opened in Pensacola, with more locations planned in Tampa Bay. (tampalatest.com) ### Are more Cook Out restaurants planned around Tampa Bay? April 12 reporting from Tampa Latest said Cook Out was planning three Tampa Bay locations: Temple Terrace, Carrollwood and St. Petersburg. The Temple Terrace site near USF appears to be the furthest along based on the newest visible construction updates. The Carrollwood site at 16215 N. (wfla.com) Dale Mabry Highway was also identified in 2024 property-record reporting, and local coverage has tied a St. Petersburg former Boston Market site to the same expansion push. ### What should people watch for next? An opening date is the main missing detail. (tampalatest.com) Tampa Latest said July 9 that no opening announcement had been made, even as signage and the drive-thru were already in place. The next public markers are likely to be final exterior work, staffing activity, or a formal opening notice from Cook Out or local city and county filings tied to the Temple Terrace site. (wfla.com) As of July 9, the named location to watch remains 5501 E. Fowler Ave. near USF. (tampalatest.com)