In-N-Out Burger is not leaving California, according to the company's owner and president, Lynsi Snyder, who spoke as the chain marked its 78th anniversary.
Snyder made the remarks in a 49-minute interview with athlete and TV personality Terry Crews, posted on the chain's website. "This is where we started, where we are and where we will always be," she said. She noted that she had heard rumors the company would close all of its restaurants in its home state, and called that idea "the dumbest business decision ever."
The company is, however, building what it calls an "eastern headquarters" in Tennessee, where it has already opened several restaurants. Snyder told Crews she plans to relocate there herself, and that the move would come fairly soon.
Crews asked what she could say to reassure loyal California customers that the brand would hold on to its California identity. Snyder said losing it would be impossible. "We continue to grow in California and we have lots of stores slotted for future cities in California. I'm also excited to go to other states. There's definitely some earmarked."
She described the out-of-state openings as a source of opportunity for staff, including "all stars" who travel to new locations to help with launches and sometimes transfer permanently. "We have our California people who are going to be here, and that's obviously the majority … and we have a great team that's going out there. And there's a little more opportunity for people to buy houses out there," she said.
In-N-Out was founded in Baldwin Park by Snyder's grandparents, Harry and Esther Snyder, and opened on Oct. 22, 1948. Its headquarters are currently in Irvine, but the company has announced plans to leave and return to the San Gabriel Valley. It has leased an office building in San Dimas. Representatives said the interview with Crews was taped in Baldwin Park and was previewed on the chain's Instagram page.
Snyder said her business decisions are rooted in family and in a wish to keep the company run the way it was by her grandparents, her late uncle Rich Snyder and her late father Guy Snyder. She also spoke about her In-N-Out family.
The chain now operates 445 restaurants across 10 states. Its most recent opening was on Oct. 9 in Stockton.
Crews and Snyder also discussed how her Christian faith guides her decisions, a theme that echoed an interview she gave last April at Pepperdine University. Asked how a brand can grow without losing its soul, Snyder answered: "If I ever felt we were slipping or losing our way, growth would look a lot different."
