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In-N-Out is ‘doubling down’ on plans to expand its business.
Officials at the California-based fast food chain announced plans Tuesday to open a corporate office in Tennessee as well as several restaurants by 2026.
The move to the state is the most easterly expansion yet for the company, whose current easternmost state is Texas.
It’s a change of tone for In-N-Out, whose president once said he didn’t plan to expand further to the East Coast during his lifetime.
The fast food chain announced that it will expand to Tennessee by 2026
This map shows where In-N-Out currently has locations
The company’s owner, Lynsi Snyder, said in a 2018 interview with Forbes that she believed putting restaurants in every state would take “some of its shine off.”
‘I don’t see us spread all over the United States. I don’t see us in every state. Take Texas – draw a line up and stay to the left. That’s in my life,’ Snyder said.
Despite Snyder’s earlier statements, the company has now solidified plans to bring a corporate office and multiple locations to the state by 2026, he said.
“We are very excited to offer Tennesseans our quality burgers, fries and shakes,” said Snyder, the only granddaughter of Harry and Esther Snyder, the company’s founders.
‘In every decision I make, I always consider what my family would want. I have no doubt that my grandparents, father, and uncle would be proud of this decision to grow our family of Associates and serve even more incredible Customers beginning in Nashville and surrounding areas,” the president continued.
In-N-Out currently has 385 US locations in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, Colorado and Texas.
The California-based company is located in just seven states.
There are currently 385 locations across the country.
Snyder said in a statement Tuesday that the company expects to break ground on a corporate office in Franklin, Tennessee, late next year.
The office will oversee the ‘eastern territory’ according to the owner.
Snyder told the Tennessee Nashville is at least one location possibility, but it’s too early to announce anything.
“When we open in new states, we get overwhelmed with customers, so we generally try to open two in one day when we first enter a state,” he said.
“We’ll start with two and probably have a third soon after,” Snyder continued.
Lynsi Snyder is the owner and president of In-N-Out and is the only granddaughter of the company’s founders.
Snyder told the Associated Press that the company could also expand across the region as deliveries from the Texas warehouse cross states.
It’s a far cry from the burger joint’s origin in 1948 when it opened as a 10′ x 10′ stand in Baldwin Park, California.
“This expansion is significant for our Company,” said Snyder.
“For many years, we’ve heard requests from our Customers in Tennessee to consider opening locations closer to them, further east than we’ve ever been,” he said, calling customers the company’s “most important asset.”
“This expansion is important to our company,” Snyder said.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee welcomed In-N-Out to the state on Twitter Tuesday in a video sharing the news.
“I am proud to welcome In-N-Out Burger, an iconic American brand, to voluntary status,” Governor Lee said in a statement.
State officials said In-N-Out’s Tennessee office is expected to be a $125.5 million investment.
An estimated 277 jobs will be created in Williamson County, where the office is scheduled to open.
“Tennessee’s unmatched business climate, skilled workforce and central location make our state the ideal place for this family-owned business to establish its first facility in the eastern United States,” said Lee.
Tennesseans responded enthusiastically to the governor’s news, with dozens weighing in on the imminent arrival of the ‘double double.’
“I approve of this message,” replied one person who attached a photo of himself on In-N-Out.
“Tennessee is about to level up,” another person wrote.
“OH MY GOD this is one of the few things I’ve missed about Southern California,” another person tweeted.
It’s a big year for the company, which also plans to celebrate its 75th anniversary in the fall.
Snyder announced last year that In-N-Out is hosting an anniversary party at the Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California on October 22.
The party will include drag racing, musical performances, drinks and an In-N-Out Burger food truck offering menu staples.
Snyder also announced that the race track will be called the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip for the foreseeable future.
In a video on the In-N-Out website, Snyder said the burger joint would be throwing a “party” for the massive celebration.
“We’re going to have a big party at Pomona Raceway,” he said. ‘We are going to have drag races. We’re having a car show. We are going to have concerts. Let’s have food, fun. You won’t want to miss it.
The owner explained that the place has sentimental value as it is where her grandfather, Harry Snyder, would take her as a child.
“Pomona Race Track is very nostalgic to me because I came here as a kid to watch my dad race,” Snyder explained. “It’s one of those things that fits right into the In-N-Out culture.”