The Christian Burger Joint of the South: Cook-Out

Many Christians wonder how they can partake in redemptive entrepreneurship to serve the Lord with their businesses while at the same time making a profit. There are many ways to engage in redemptive entrepreneurship with any business. A simple example of a business engaging in redemptive entrepreneurship is Cook-Out.

Cook-Out is a burger joint in the southern states. The restaurant was founded in 1989 by Morris Reaves in North Carolina.  Today they have around 90 locations and they are well known for their hamburgers and barbecue. One might think, what could Cook-Out possibly do that is considered redemptive entrepreneurship?

One way that Cook-Out shows their redemptive entrepreneurship is by sticking to their roots and displaying Bible verses on their cups, bags, and wrappers that their food comes in. This allows their customers to have the opportunity to take notice of scripture and read some truth. This might seem like a minimal thing to do, and arguably it is. However, in today’s day and age, it takes a lot of courage to boldly display a profession of faith packaging. It is also important to keep in mind, that God is able to use the smallest of things to further His kingdom.

On top of displaying Bible verses, Cook-Out plays Christian music for their customers within their establishments. This too might seem like a minimal action. This is not so, to provide an atmosphere where Christians feel comfortable and at home outside of their church and immediate community is extremely important. It emboldens Christians to leave their immediate communities and still feel comfortable enough to share the gospel.

Cook-Out, although not raking in millions of dollars to donate to various charities or solving the world hunger problem, is still wonderfully involved in redemptive entrepreneurship. Their business shows that even just in small ways it is easy to point your business toward redemption and be influential to the kingdom of God.