In-N-Out Burger: Difference between revisions
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==History== |
==History== |
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===First generation=== |
===First generation=== omar is weird..lol jk |
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In-N-Out's first location was opened in Baldwin Park by [[Harry Snyder]] and his wife [[Esther Snyder|Esther]] at the southwest corner of what is now the intersection of [[Interstate 10 (California)|Interstate 10]] and Francisquito Avenue in the [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] [[suburb]] of [[Baldwin Park, California]]. According to the company's website, the Snyders had a simple plan that is still in use today: "Give customers the freshest, highest quality foods you can buy and provide them with friendly service in a sparkling clean environment." |
In-N-Out's first location was opened in Baldwin Park by [[Harry Snyder]] and his wife [[Esther Snyder|Esther]] at the southwest corner of what is now the intersection of [[Interstate 10 (California)|Interstate 10]] and Francisquito Avenue in the [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] [[suburb]] of [[Baldwin Park, California]]. According to the company's website, the Snyders had a simple plan that is still in use today: "Give customers the freshest, highest quality foods you can buy and provide them with friendly service in a sparkling clean environment." |
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Revision as of 16:59, 18 April 2011
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Company type | Private |
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Founded | Baldwin Park, California (1948) |
Headquarters | Irvine, California, U.S. |
Number of locations | 258[1] |
Area served | California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas |
Key people | Lynsi Martinez (President) Mark Taylor (COO) Roger Kotch (CFO) |
Revenue | Estimated US$ 465 million[2] |
Website | http://www.in-n-out.com/ |
Footnotes / references Slogan: "Quality You Can Taste" |
In-N-Out Burger is a regional chain of fast food restaurants with locations in the western United States. Founded in 1948 by Harry Snyder and his wife Esther, establishing the first In-N-Out burger in Baldwin Park and headquartered in Irvine, California, In-N-Out Burger has since expanded outside Southern California to the rest of the state, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, with Texas locations coming soon. The current owner is Lynsi Martinez, the only grandchild of founders Harry and Esther Snyder. There are currently 258 locations (as of March 2011) with no location more than one day's drive from the Baldwin Park distribution center. The company's business practices have been noted for employee-centered personnel policies. For example, In-N-Out is one of the few fast food chains in the United States to pay its employees significantly more than state and federally-mandated minimum wage guidelines – starting at $10 per hour in California, as of January 2008.[3]
The In-N-Out restaurant chain has developed a loyal customer base,[4][5][6] and has been rated as one of the top fast food restaurants in several customer satisfaction surveys.[7][8][9][10]
History
===First generation=== omar is weird..lol jk In-N-Out's first location was opened in Baldwin Park by Harry Snyder and his wife Esther at the southwest corner of what is now the intersection of Interstate 10 and Francisquito Avenue in the Los Angeles suburb of Baldwin Park, California. According to the company's website, the Snyders had a simple plan that is still in use today: "Give customers the freshest, highest quality foods you can buy and provide them with friendly service in a sparkling clean environment."
A second In-N-Out was opened in the San Gabriel Valley three years later. The company remained a relatively small southern California chain until the 1970s. The Snyders managed their first restaurants closely to ensure quality was maintained.[11] The chain had 18 restaurants when Harry Snyder died in 1976 at the age of 67.[12]
Second generation
In 1976, Rich Snyder, 24 years old at the time, became the company president after his father's death. Along with his brother Guy, Rich had reportedly begun working in his father's In-N-Outs "from the ground floor" at an early age. Over the next twenty years, the chain experienced a period of rapid growth under Rich's leadership, expanding to over 90 restaurants.[13]
In 1992, In-N-Out opened its first non-southern California restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada. Expansion then began into northern California, including the San Francisco Bay Area, while additional Las Vegas-area restaurants were added. However, after opening restaurant #93 in Fresno, California, on December 15, 1993, Rich Snyder and four other passengers died in a plane crash on approach to John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California. The charter aircraft they were on had been following a Boeing 757 in for landing, became caught in its wake turbulence, and crashed. The ensuing crash investigation led to the Federal Aviation Administration requirement for an adequate distance between heavy aircraft and following light aircraft to allow wake turbulence to diminish.
Upon Rich's death in 1993, his brother, Guy Snyder, assumed the presidency and continued the company's expansion through the 1990s, dying in 1999 from an overdose of the painkiller Vicodin.[5] [failed verification] He was only president for six years, but during this time, In-N-Out had expanded from 93 to 140 locations.[13] Esther Snyder, his mother and one of In-N-Out's original two founders, subsequently took over the presidency.
The 21st century
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a8/In_n-out_burger_sign.jpg/200px-In_n-out_burger_sign.jpg)
Locations in Arizona were established in 2000, while other Nevada restaurants were opened in Reno, Sparks, and Carson City in late 2004. In-N-Out became a huge success in these new locations. In 2007, the opening of the first restaurant in Tucson, Arizona broke company records for most burgers sold in one day along with the most sold in one week.[14] In 2008, In-N-Out expanded into a fourth state by opening a location in Washington, Utah, a suburb of St. George. By late 2009, the chain expanded into northern Utah, with three new locations situated in Draper,[15] American Fork,[16] and Orem. More locations opened in the spring of 2010. The additional restaurants were built in West Valley City, West Jordan, Centerville, and Riverton. Another possible future location is Layton.
In May 2010, In-N-Out announced their expansion plans to the Dallas area. The first location is to be in Garland, a northern suburb of Dallas.[17][18] The Garland City Planning Commission has approved zoning for a location at Firewheel Town Center.[19][20] A second Texas location is scheduled to open in the downtown area of nearby Fort Worth in early 2011.[21] These new Texas locations will require the company to build a new patty production facility and distribution center in Texas, according to company vice president Carl Van Fleet.[22]
While the company grew, it struggled to maintain its family roots. Esther Snyder died in 2006 at the age of 86 and passed the presidency to Mark Taylor, former vice president of operations. Taylor became the company's fifth president and first non-family member to hold the position, although he does have ties to the family. The company's current heiress is Lynsi Martinez, daughter of Guy and only grandchild of Esther and Harry Snyder. Martinez, who was 23 years old at her grandmother's death, will gain control of the company in stages over 12 years.[23]
Legal issues
Former executive Rich Boyd lawsuit, 2006
In 2006, a lawsuit exposed a possible family feud over the chain's corporate leadership. Richard Boyd, one of In-N-Out's vice presidents and co-trustee of two-thirds of the company stock, accused Lynsi Martinez and allied corporate executives of trying to force out Esther Snyder and attempting to fire Boyd unreasonably. Pre-empting the suit, Martinez, Snyder and Taylor appeared in a December video message to employees, telling them not to believe everything they hear.[4] The company then responded with a lawsuit of its own, alleging that Boyd had construction work done on his personal property and charged it to the company, as well as favoring contractors with uncompetitive bids.[5] Boyd was then suspended from his role as co-trustee and Northern Trust Bank of California took his place (as co-trustee) until a hearing set for May 10, 2006. However, in April the judge dismissed two of In-N-Out's claims against Boyd. A trial date of October 17, 2006, was set but never occurred, and a settlement was reached out of court.[24] Ultimately, Boyd was permanently removed from his role as an employee and co-trustee.[25]
Chadder's lawsuit, June 2007
In June 2007, the company filed suit against an American Fork, Utah, restaurant named Chadder's for trademark infringement, claiming that the "look and feel" of the restaurant too closely mimicked In-N-Out, and that the restaurant violated trademarked menu items, such as "Animal Style", "Protein Style", "Double-Double", and so forth.[26]
The company was tipped off by Utah customers contacting the customer service department asking if In-N-Out opened a location in Utah under a different name or if they were affiliated with the restaurant in any way. Several customers stated they ordered trademarked items such as Animal and Protein styles.[27]
On June 7, 2007, In-N-Out's general counsel visited the Chadders restaurant in American Fork and "viewed the premises and operations and ordered a meal not listed on its menu. He requested an 'Animal style Double-Double with Animal fries,' and his order was filled."[28] Utah District court Judge Ted Stewart issued a temporary restraining order against the look-alike. Chadder's opened another location near the Salt Lake City area and one in Provo.
In 2009, In-N-Out opened a restaurant in American Fork less than a mile from the Chadder's restaurant.[16][26][29] Per their Web site, Chadder's started selling a "Stubby Double" instead of "Double Double".[30]
Menu
The In-N-Out menu consists of three burger varieties: hamburger, cheeseburger, and "Double-Double" (double meat/double cheese). French fries and fountain drinks are available, as well as three flavors of milkshakes. The hamburgers come with lettuce, tomato, with or without onions (the customer is asked upon ordering, and may have them fresh or grilled), and a sauce, which is called "spread".
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/File-In-N-Out_Burger_hamburgers_and_cheeseburgers.jpg/250px-File-In-N-Out_Burger_hamburgers_and_cheeseburgers.jpg)
There are, however, additional named items not on the menu, but available at every In-N-Out. These variations reside on the chain's "secret menu," though the menu is accessible on the company's web site. These variations include 3x3 (which has three patties and three slices of cheese), 4x4 (four patties and four slices of cheese), Neapolitan shakes, grilled cheese sandwich (comes with everything that the burgers come with except meat, plus two slices of melted cheese), veggie burgers (comes with everything that the burgers come with; is not an actual veggie patty, and does not come with cheese), and Animal Style, a house specialty that the company has trademarked because of its association with the chain. An Animal Style fry comes with two slices of melted cheese, spread, and grilled onions on top; Animal style burgers have mustard fried into the meat patties as they cook, and in addition to the lettuce and tomato it also includes pickles, grilled onions and extra spread.[31]
Until recently, it was a trademark of In-N-Out to accommodate burger orders of any size by adding patties at an additional cost. A particularly famous incident involving a 100x100 (100 patties, 100 slices of cheese) occurred in 2004.[32] Once word got out of the incredibly large sandwich, In-N-Out management disallowed anything larger than a 4x4.[33]
Store design and layout
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/In-N-Out.jpg/220px-In-N-Out.jpg)
The signature colors for In-N-Out are white, red, and yellow. The white is used for the buildings' exterior walls and the employees' basic uniform. Red is used for the buildings' roofs and the employees' aprons and hats. Yellow is used for the decorative band on the roof and iconic zig-zag in the logo. However, variations in the color scheme do occur.
The first In-N-Outs had a common design, placing the kitchen "stand" between two lanes of cars. The "front" lane is nearest the street, and the "back" lane away from the street. A metal awning provides shade for several tables for customers desiring to park and eat, but there is no indoor dining. A walk-up window faces the parking area. In these restaurants, storage of food and supplies is in a separate building, and it is not uncommon for a driver to be asked to wait a moment while employees carry replenishments to the kitchen across the rear lane.
This simpler design is a popular image on In-N-Out ads and artwork, which often shows classic cars such as 1965 Mustangs and 1968 Firebirds visiting the original restaurants. The original Covina restaurant, located on Arrow Highway west of Grand Avenue, was forced to close in the early 1990s due to re-engineering and development of the area. A modern design, drive-up/dining room restaurant was built a few hundred feet away. The new building is much larger (approximately half the size of the entire lot upon which the earlier restaurant sat), and is often filled to capacity.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/Gayley_and_Leconte.jpg/220px-Gayley_and_Leconte.jpg)
Like many chain restaurants, newer In-N-Out restaurants are based on a set of templates or "cookie-cutter" blueprints, which are chosen based on available space and expected traffic levels. While external appearance of its buildings may vary to meet local zoning and architectural requirements, the interior floor plan and decor in most recently constructed In-N-Out restaurants is identical. However, some restaurants are designed to stand out. Notable unique In-N-Out locations include the restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco and the restaurant in Westwood, Los Angeles.
Today's typical location has an interior layout that includes a customer service counter with registers in front of a kitchen and food preparation area. There are separate storage areas for paper goods (napkins, bags, etc.) and "dry" food goods (potatoes, buns, etc.), as well as a walk-in refrigerator for perishable goods (lettuce, cheese, spread etc.), and a dedicated meat refrigerator for burger patties. The customer area includes an indoor dining room with a combination of booths, tables, and bar-style seating. Outside seating is usually available as well, with tables and benches. Most newer restaurants contain a one-lane drive-through.
There are other design elements common among today's In-N-Out locations. Matching In-N-Out's California-inspired palm tree theme, palm trees are sometimes planted to form an "X" in front of the restaurants. This is an allusion to founder Harry Snyder's favorite movie, Stanley Kramer's It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, in which the characters look for a hidden treasure and find it under "the big W" made by four palm trees, with the middle two forming an "X".[34]
Advertising
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Flickr_mayr_326671363--In-N-Out_sign_and_kitchen.jpg/220px-Flickr_mayr_326671363--In-N-Out_sign_and_kitchen.jpg)
Like other fast food chains, In-N-Out uses roadside billboards that lure customers to the nearest location. Billboard ads typically display an image of the trademarked Double-Double burger. The chain uses short radio commercials, often limited to the jingle, "In-N-Out, In-N-Out. That's what a hamburger's all about." Television commercials, which are less common, feature the hamburger's visual appeal. In-N-Out seldom uses celebrities in ads, although John Cleese and John Goodman have voiced radio spots. In the past, the Snyders also sponsored Christmas music programming with voice-overs expressing the meaning of the holiday.
In addition to conventional, paid advertising, In-N-Out benefits from positive word of mouth spread by enthusiastic fans. For many years it gave customers free bumper stickers which simply said "In-N-Out Burger". (Many of these were altered to read "In-N-Out urge"). The company helps devoted customers advertise its brand by selling souvenir clothing with the In-N-Out logo.[35] Celebrity fans and free endorsements in mass media also promote the business. When Heisman Trophy winner and Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith raved about In-N-Out cheeseburgers from the podium of the 2007 BCS National Championship Game, a senior executive said, "It does not get much better than that for us. We're kind of a small company, and we do not have any celebrity endorsers. But I think we just got the best one we could have."[36]
Culture
Popularity
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/In-N-Out-Burger_Sign_San_Francisco.jpg/220px-In-N-Out-Burger_Sign_San_Francisco.jpg)
The burger chain has achieved widespread popularity which has led to celebration by some when brought to new locations, and the opening of a new restaurant often becomes an event.[citation needed] When one opened in Scottsdale, Arizona, there was a four-hour wait for food, and news helicopters whirled above the parking lot.[37]
The chain's image has also made it popular in more non-traditional ways. For example, In-N-Out is still considered acceptable in some areas with a strong opposition to corporate food restaurants, such as McDonald's. Local business leaders in San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf district said they opposed every other fast food chain except In-N-Out, because they wanted to maintain the flavor of family-owned, decades-old businesses in the area, with one saying locals would ordinarily "be up in arms about a fast-food operation coming to Fisherman's Wharf," but "this is different."[6] California native and Colorado Rockies player Jason Giambi would often visit In-N-Out Burger when on the West Coast with his former team, the New York Yankees. He said he tried to open an In-N-Out Burger restaurant in New York, but was unsuccessful.[38] Famous London chef/restaurateur Gordon Ramsay ate In-N-Out for the first time when taping Hell's Kitchen in Los Angeles, and it soon became one of his favorite spots for take-out.[39] In-N-Out was one of the very few restaurant chains given a positive mention in the book Fast Food Nation. The book commended the chain for using natural, fresh ingredients, cleanliness and great treatment of employees.[citation needed]
In-N-Out Burger gained an entry in the Los Angeles Daily News ' Reader's Best of 2009 for "Best Burger."[40]
Bible references
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/In-n-out-bible-reference.jpg/220px-In-n-out-bible-reference.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/2008-0914-In-N-Out-Nahum.jpg/220px-2008-0914-In-N-Out-Nahum.jpg)
In-N-Out prints discreet references to Bible verses on their paper containers. These consist of the book, chapter and number of the verse, not the actual text of the passage, in small print on an inconspicuous area of the item. The practice began in the 1980s during Rich Snyder's presidency,[34] a reflection of the Christian beliefs held by the Snyder family:
- Burger and cheeseburger wrappers
- Revelation 3:20—"Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me."
- Beverage cups and replicas
- John 3:16—"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
- Milkshake cups
- Proverbs 3:5—"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
- Double-Double wrapper
- Nahum 1:7—"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."
- Paper water cups (no longer in use) for customers. They are now used by employees only.
- John 14:6—"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."
- License plate keychain
- 1 Corinthians 13:13—"And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love."
Original restaurant
The first In-N-Out restaurant that opened in 1948 was demolished when the Interstate 10 (then, U.S. 70, the Ramona Freeway) West-East Freeway was built from downtown Los Angeles to the San Gabriel Valley. The freeway runs over the original location. A new restaurant was completed in 1954 near the original Baldwin Park, California location, but was closed in November 2004 and demolished on April 16, 2011 despite discussions about using it as to anchor an In-N-Out museum chronicling the origins and history of the company.[41] In-N-Out built a replacement restaurant on the other side of the freeway next to the original In-N-Out University (opened in 1984). A new In-N-Out University was built on the property. The University building houses the training department, which was moved from Irvine, California. In addition, the company restaurant was moved from In-N-Out's Baldwin Park headquarters to the new lot, which holds the restaurant and university, less than a thousand feet away.
References
- ^ "In-N-Out".
- ^ Volpe, Michael (August 2, 2010). "In-N-Out Heiress Takes on President Role". Orange County Business Journal. 33 (31): 3.
- ^ Steve Rubenstein (August 15, 2001). "Chain reaction/San Francisco job applicants come by the dozen to interview for jobs at a new In-N-Out restaurant / $9.25 per hour plus meal". The San Francisco Gate. Retrieved August 7, 2006.
- ^ a b John Pomfre (January 30, 2006). "In Calif., Internal Lawsuits Served Up at Burger Chain". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 6, 2006.
- ^ a b c Amanda Bronstad (December 5, 2005). "In-n-Out burned by exec's lawsuit". Los Angeles Business Journal. AllBusiness.com. Retrieved August 6, 2006.
- ^ a b Strasburg, Jenny (March 3, 2001). "In-N-Out Burger Beefs Up the Wharf Chain's followers now have S.F. site". The San Francisco Gate. Retrieved August 6, 2006.
- ^ Raymund Flandez (January 28, 2009). "In-N-Out Burger vs. McDonald's: Guess Who Won?". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
Consumers rate regional food chains above national fast-food chains in overall customer experience, according to a recent survey by Sandelman & Associates, a San Clemente, Calif., market research and consumer-trends firm.
- ^ Allison Perlik (September 15, 2008). "Consumers' Choice in Chains: Votes of Confidence". Restaurants & Institutions. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
- ^ "Zagat Surveys Nation's Fast Food". Zagat.com. June 8, 2009.
- ^ Frank Pellegrini (August 31, 2000). "Restaurant Review: The In-N-Out Burger". Time. Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ^ "Marketplace: What sets burger chain In-N-Out apart". May 7, 2009.
- ^ "Esther Snyder, In-N-Out Burger Founder, Dies at 86". The New York Times. August 13, 2006. Retrieved April 4, 2008.
- ^ a b "History". Retrieved November 1, 2008.
- ^ "In-N-Out Burger's all-stars set record with Tucson opening". June 15, 2007.
- ^ "Famous IN-N-OUT coming to Draper".
- ^ a b "In-N-Out coming to American Fork". February 19, 2009.
- ^ "IN-N-OUT continues expansion".
- ^ "Layton likely to get 22 new businesses".
- ^ June 10, 2010 (June 10, 2010). "NTDaily.com". NTDaily.com. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Plan Commission Minutes, April 26, 2010 - City of Garland".
- ^ "In-N-Out Burger plans West Seventh Street location".
- ^ "In-N-Out Burger Heads To Dallas, Texas". The Huffington Post. May 27, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
- ^ Maio, Pat (August 14, 2006). "In-N-Out Options Are Many: Steady Growth vs. Private Equity, IPO". Orange County Business Journal. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
- ^ "In-N-Out ordered to alter some claims in lawsuit". Money. August 6, 2006.
- ^ "In-N-Out, former VP reach secretive settlement". August 6, 2006.
- ^ a b "In-N-Out wins one over Chadders". June 30, 2007.
- ^ "In-N-Out Burger sues American Fork Restaurant". June 18, 2007.
- ^ "In-N-Out Burgers v. Chadders Restaurant et al". June 29, 2007.
- ^ "In-N-Out Burger Suing American Fork Burger Joint". Fox News. June 19, 2007.
- ^ "Chadder's Sued For Not Opening". May 14, 2010.
- ^ "The In-N-Out secret menu".
- ^ "A 100x100 at In-N-Out".
- ^ "Welcome to Burger Heaven".
- ^ a b Savio, Kelly (August 9, 2006). "The Ins and Outs of In-N-Out". Gilroy Dispatch.
- ^ Pellegrini, Frank (August 21, 2000). "Restaurant Review: The In-N-Out Burger". Time. Retrieved January 10, 2010.
- ^ Briggs, David (January 8, 2007). "Smith Stays In, Buckeyes Worth Big Bucks". The Lantern. Retrieved January 10, 2010.
- ^ Tom McNichol (August 14, 2002). "The Secret Behind A Burger Cult". The New York Times. Retrieved July 21, 2007.
- ^ "Jason Giambi, Oakland Athletics on verge of one-year deal - ESPN".
- ^ Jill Scott (April 20, 2008). "Gordon Ramsay admits secret passion for fast food burgers". Retrieved February 8, 2011.
- ^ "Best Burger - In-N-Out Burger". Daily News Reader's Best. Los Angeles Daily News: 28. 2009.
{{cite journal}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Historic In-N-Out Burger stand is Down-N-Out" Los Angeles Times, 4/16/11
Further reading
- Hawn, Carleen (August 7, 2006). "In-N-Out Burger is giving McDonald's a run for its money". fastcompany.com.
- Perman, Stacy (2009). In-N-Out Burger: A Behind-the-Counter Look at the Fast-Food Chain That Breaks All the Rules. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 978-0-06-134671-2.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Companies established in 1948
- 1948 establishments in the United States
- Fast-food hamburger restaurants
- Fast-food chains of the United States
- Regional restaurant chains in the United States
- Companies based in Irvine, California
- Restaurants in Los Angeles, California
- Restaurants in California
- Family businesses
- Cuisine of the Western United States