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The Real Reason Why In-N-Out Isn’t Expanding Nationally

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at Notre Dame chapter.

Double double with grilled onions? Animal style fries? Protein style hamburger?

Whether you’re from California and grew up on these mouthwatering combos, or you’ve simply admired them from afar like I have, you’ve most likely been wondering when the burger joint will set up close to your home.

To fully understand the company and its ways, here’s a little refresher on the basics of In-N-Out Burger:

In-N-Out

Photo by Camsdigitalcanvas.com

1. Started in California, the fast food restaurant has expanded to only six states.

2. Their menu is simple: it consists of only burgers, fries and shakes.*

3. *But a super secret menu exists, behind closed doors, essentially locked up in a super safe vault.

4. The company has resisted going public since its inception in 1948. Until, perhaps, now?

So, the question we’ve all been waiting for: Has In-N-Out finally decided to abandon its dedication to remaining local? The answer to that question is, unfortunately, one hundred percent no.

Or, as President Lynsi Snyder put it in a recent interview with CBS News, “No way, never.”

On September 9th, Snyder made a rare public appearance at the grand opening of a new In-N-Out location in Medford, Oregon. And, like her, In-N-Out remains steadfast in its decision to keep a somewhat low profile.

In-N-Out

Photo by Javier Aldana

Founded nearly 70 years ago by Snyder’s grandparents, Harry and Esther, the company has always stuck to what it does best: pumping out fresh (never frozen and never microwaved) burgers for those lucky enough to live close to one of the 304 burger joints. All In-N-Out locations are within 600 miles from their distribution centers, ensuring the highest quality possible.

In-N-Out

Photo courtesy of cbsnews.com

Unlike other fast food burger joints such as McDonald’s, Burger King and Shake Shack, In-N-Out has chosen to actively stay out of the media limelight and make as few public appearances as possible.

When asked why they have chosen not to spread the In-N-Out goodness across the country like they spread their impeccable secret sauce across their patties, Synder said, “We don’t want to be in the spotlight. We don’t want a bunch of attention. We want to do what we do best and that’s serve good burgers to our customers. It’s not about us here.”

Few people even realize that Snyder has been estimated by Forbes to be the country’s richest woman in her 30s. At 33 years old, she is just two short years away from obtaining total control of the company on her 35th birthday.

In-N-Out

Photo by Jared Atkins

For now, the California hotspot will continue to sell magical burgers, turn down offers from Wall Street, and remain close to home in Baldwin Park, California.

For those of you living outside of the In-and-Out radius, you’re best move is following the famous burger joint on Insta and lusting after their endless number of burger pics during class.

Grace Baumann

Notre Dame '16