A town in California that previously rejected In-N-Out is now welcoming the burger chain back after more than two years.
Now, negotiations have resumed, and plans are in place to establish the restaurant on vacant land along McMurray Road.
The initial proposal in 2023 included tearing down a vacant cinema on McMurray to make way for In-N-Out, but there were significant concerns regarding traffic.
Although the City Council approved the plan in October 2023, investigations by Caltrans and other agencies raised alarms about potential traffic issues stemming from the proposed location.
Consequently, the Council decided not to proceed with the project by December 2023, which caught many off guard.
A publication pointed to the move as a substantial shift, noting that residents might feel the impact of not having the chain in town.
More recently, Buellton City Manager Scott Wolfe mentioned at a Chamber of Commerce event that a suitable location for the restaurant is being considered, which would better handle traffic flow.
This new site is also on McMurray Road, situated north of Rufus T. Buell Drive, next to Firestone Walker Brewing Company.
Wolfe commented that the location works well from a traffic standpoint, emphasizing that In-N-Out’s earlier withdrawal was understandable given the circumstances.
“They put in significant effort and resources, and it ultimately didn’t pan out,” he explained, adding that the issue was with the location rather than the restaurant itself.
There was an attempt to reach out to In-N-Out after the decision, but the response was limited.
Should these new plans materialize, it could significantly benefit local access to In-N-Out along Highway 101.
Buellton lies between the established In-N-Out locations in Santa Maria and Goleta, making it a strategic spot for the chain.
The town had previously housed the notable Pea Soup Andersen’s diner, which unexpectedly closed in January 2024 after decades of service.
While there are redevelopment plans for the old diner, they are still developing, and In-N-Out could serve as a temporary solution in the meantime.
“In-N-Out would be a fantastic addition to our community,” Wolfe remarked.
This time, In-N-Out has a fresh team negotiating, but Wolfe noted there’s still a lengthy process ahead.
The Planning Commission is set to review the new proposal during its meeting on April 2nd, and there’s cautious hope for a positive outcome.
Mike Abbate, vice president of real estate and development for In-N-Out, shared that they are eager to open a new restaurant in Buellton. However, he added that it’s premature to determine an exact opening timeline.
“We appreciate our customers in Buellton and the surrounding areas for their feedback,” he stated. “We look forward to serving them better at this proposed site.”
