College kids are poor.

Because college kids are poor, they've also developed a great sense of value. They know what they can do, and where they can go to get the best out of the least amount of money and time.

Finding value is especially important when buying food. Unfortunately, all meal plans have their limits, and sometimes your appetite doesn't line up with mealtimes anyway. . We've all been there, that late night studying or that trip back from a concert or game, where we need something fast, cheap, and decidedly off-campus.

Maybe ten years ago, the go-to eatery was McDonalds. After all, it's got such a reputation for being fast, cheap, and generally good food. But lately, Cookout, a burger chain of comparable price and speed, has been growing in the American southeast and is soon to reach up the East coast. McDonalds has expanded its menu to include things like fish sandwiches, salads, and intricate ice cream. Now it looks more like a specialty restaurant than a fast food place. It's only a matter of time before Cookout steals the title from McDonald's as the go to place for tired, hungry, busy people on a budget. Here's why:

1. Better menu options, comparable quality & price

In my state, a cookout tray (two sides, drink/milkshake) costs around $4.99. A McDonald's two cheeseburger combo by comparison is $5.09. But here's the kicker; in terms of fast food, Cook Out offers way more menu options with its trays. Quesadillas, BBQ, even Hot Dogs are all things that McDonald’s usually doesn't offer, and if it does, only offers for a limited time. Plus, many people think Cookout's charbroiled burgers taste better and more "real" than a McDonald's equivalent.

2. Milkshakes for days

McDonald's has around five milkshake flavors. Cookout has 40. Enough said.

3. Cookout is better at drive-thrus

A lot of Cookouts are built solely for drive-thru customers, while every McDonald's balances Drive-Thru with sit down dining (which makes things slower for them in the kitchen).

4. McDonald's has a bad image

When a lot of people think of McDonalds, bad PR situations come to mind, like lawsuits over coffee, chicken nugget goop, and the "Supersize me" guy. A lot of these things may have been trivial, ridiculous, or even hoaxes, but they did their damage. McDonalds may use "100% beef," but people seriously regard McDonalds as sketchy in the quality department. Cookout, by comparison, has burgers that look and taste like they were grilled outside.

5. No creepy clowns

Am I the only one here who thinks Ronald is absolutely terrifying?

So there you have it. It may seem unlikely, since McDonald's has so many menu options and is worldwide, while Cookout is only in the southeast. But Cookout is more purely "fast food," while McDonalds every day is looking more like a specialty restaurant. I guess we'll find out in time; but until then, I'll be thankful I can drive down the road and drop less than $5 for a great burger, a mountain of fries, and an Oreo shake.