In-N-Out Burger facts for kids
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Headquarters at University Tower in Irvine, California
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| Private | |
| Industry | Fast food restaurant |
| Founded | October 22, 1948, in Baldwin Park, California, U.S. |
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Number of locations
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423 |
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Area served
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Key people
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| Revenue |  US$1.823 billion (FY 2022) |
| Owner | Lynsi Snyder |
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Number of employees
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27,000 (FY 2021) |
In-N-Out Burger is a popular American chain of fast food restaurants. It is mostly found in California and other states in the American Southwest. The company was started in Baldwin Park, California, in 1948 by Harry and Esther Snyder.
Today, the company's main office is in Irvine, California. In-N-Out has restaurants in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Oregon, Colorado, and Idaho. The company is also planning to open new restaurants in Washington, New Mexico, and Tennessee. The current owner is Lynsi Snyder, the only grandchild of the founders.
In-N-Out is a private company, which means it is not traded on the stock market. The owners have chosen not to sell parts of the company to the public or to other business owners. They believe this helps them keep the food quality and customer service excellent. Because of this, In-N-Out has many loyal fans and is often ranked as a top fast-food restaurant.
Contents
The Story of In-N-Out
The First Restaurant
The very first In-N-Out Burger opened in 1948 in Baldwin Park, a city near Los Angeles. It was started by Harry and Esther Snyder. Their restaurant was special because it was the first drive-thru hamburger stand in California.
Instead of having servers called carhops walk up to cars, In-N-Out used a two-way speaker system. This new idea allowed drivers to order their food without leaving their cars. By 1976, when Harry Snyder passed away, there were 18 In-N-Out restaurants.
Growing the Business
After Harry's death, his son, Rich Snyder, took over the company. He was only 24 years old. Under his leadership, In-N-Out grew very quickly. It expanded from 18 restaurants to 93. In 1992, the first restaurant outside of Southern California opened in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Sadly, in 1993, Rich Snyder died in a plane crash. His brother, Guy Snyder, then became the president. Guy continued to expand the company, opening the 100th restaurant in 1994. By the time he passed away in 1999, there were 140 locations. After Guy's death, his mother, Esther Snyder, became president.
In-N-Out in the 21st Century
When Esther Snyder passed away in 2006, the company's leadership changed again. Mark Taylor, who was not a family member, became president.
Today, the company is owned and led by Lynsi Snyder, the granddaughter of the founders. She became president in 2010. Lynsi plans to keep the company in the family and pass it on to her children. She does not want to sell it or turn it into a franchise.
In recent years, In-N-Out has sometimes been in the news for its political donations. In 2018 and 2021, the company gave money to the California Republican Party. Some of its top leaders have also donated to Donald Trump's presidential campaigns.
In 2024, In-N-Out closed its restaurant in Oakland, California, because of safety concerns in the area. This was the first time the company had ever permanently closed a location.
Expanding Across the Country
In-N-Out has continued to grow and open restaurants in new states.
- 2000: The first locations opened in Arizona.
- 2008: The first restaurant in Utah opened.
- 2011: The company expanded into Texas, opening locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
- 2015: The first restaurant in Oregon opened in the city of Medford.
- 2020: The first Colorado locations opened in Colorado Springs and Aurora.
- 2023: The first Idaho location opened in Meridian.
The company has also announced plans to expand to New Mexico by 2027 and to build a new office in Tennessee, with restaurants in the Nashville area to follow.
What's on the Menu?
The In-N-Out menu is very simple. It has three types of burgers:
- Hamburger
- Cheeseburger
- Double-Double (two beef patties and two slices of cheese)
You can also order french fries, fountain drinks, and milkshakes in three flavors. The burgers come with lettuce, tomato, and a special "spread" sauce, which is similar to Thousand Island dressing. You can also ask for fresh or grilled onions.
The Secret Menu
Even though the main menu is small, there is also a "secret menu" with more options. These items are not listed on the sign, but you can order them at any In-N-Out. Some popular secret menu items include:
- 3x3 and 4x4: A burger with three or four beef patties and slices of cheese.
- Animal Style: The beef patty is cooked with mustard, and the burger comes with pickles, grilled onions, and extra spread. You can also get Animal Style fries, which are topped with cheese, spread, and grilled onions.
- Protein Style: The burger is wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun.
- Grilled Cheese: A cheeseburger without the beef patty.
- Flying Dutchman: Just two beef patties and two slices of cheese, with no bun or vegetables.
In 2018, In-N-Out added hot chocolate to its menu, the first new item in over ten years.
Restaurant Design
In-N-Out restaurants have a signature look with the colors white, red, and yellow. The buildings are usually white with a red roof.
The first restaurants were simple drive-thrus with no indoor seating. Today, most new In-N-Outs have a dining room and a single drive-thru lane.
A special feature you might see is crossed palm trees planted in front of the restaurants. This is a nod to founder Harry Snyder's favorite movie, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, where characters search for treasure hidden under crossed palm trees.
Why is In-N-Out So Popular?
In-N-Out has become a cultural icon, especially in California. People get very excited when a new location opens, sometimes waiting in line for hours.
The chain is popular with many famous chefs, including Gordon Ramsay and the late Julia Child and Anthony Bourdain. They have praised the restaurant for its fresh ingredients and simple, delicious food.
The company does not do a lot of advertising. Instead, it relies on its loyal fans to spread the word. It gives out free bumper stickers and sells T-shirts and other items with its logo.
Bible Verses on Packaging
If you look closely at In-N-Out's cups and wrappers, you will find small references to Bible verses, like "John 3:16." This tradition was started in the 1980s by Rich Snyder to reflect the Christian faith of the Snyder family.
Charity Work
In-N-Out is also involved in charity. It has two main foundations:
- In-N-Out Burgers Foundation
- Slave 2 Nothing Foundation
Images for kids
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The simple menu at an In-N-Out drive-thru.
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One of the first In-N-Out locations that opened in Frisco, Texas.
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The first In-N-Out in Oregon is located in Medford.
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The distribution center in Lathrop, California, which supplies restaurants in Northern California and Oregon.
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The In-N-Out near Los Angeles International Airport is a popular spot for travelers.
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A uniquely designed store near the UCLA campus in Los Angeles.
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An example of the crossed palm trees found at many In-N-Out locations.
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A typical In-N-Out interior with the motto, "Quality You Can Taste."
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An In-N-Out Burger sign in Los Angeles.
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In-N-Out has catering trucks for special events in some areas.
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Workers use tablets to take orders in long drive-thru lines to speed up service.
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A painting of an In-N-Out Burger restaurant.
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A Bible verse reference on a Double-Double wrapper.
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See also
In Spanish: In-N-Out Burger para niños
- Burger wars
- Fast food
- List of hamburger restaurants
- List of restaurant chains in the United States
