It’s hard to believe but back in the day Backyard Burger made an absolutely outstanding burger. It truly was like a burger you’d grill in the back yard, right down to the hand patted slightly irregular patties that were pink in the center. This is probably late ‘80s when they were first starting out. Since then they’ve really changed.
People who knew Backyard Burger at it’s best say a good Cookout Burger is like that. Backyard tried and failed in Greensboro, NC a few years back. Nice store, good location but poor visibility from the main roads. Too expensive, Cookout was better at two thirds the price. Cookout does suffer from spotty quality overall. Some locations are awesome. Some only so-so. I hit one of the newer sit-down stores in Kernersville, NC. They do a fine job. Others, particularly the older double drive throughs with no dining room, are hit or miss.