In-N-Out’s Lynsi Snyder Relocates to Tennessee
Lynsi Snyder, the heir to the In-N-Out Burger fortune, has decided to move her family from California to Tennessee. This change comes just a few months after the renowned burger chain kicked off its expansion eastward.
“California has so much to offer, but raising a family isn’t exactly easy here,” Snyder mentioned during a podcast with Ally Beth Stucky. She also expressed that conducting business in California poses challenges.
“We’re constructing an office in Franklin, so we made the move,” Snyder noted.
Since taking on the role of president in 2010, Snyder has acknowledged that, even though the new office is in Franklin—just south of Nashville—the majority of their stores are still located in California.
“It’s wonderful to have an office there and to connect with family and friends in the area,” she added.
The company was founded in 1948 by Snyder’s grandparents, Harry and Esther Snyder, with plans to close its headquarters in Irvine by 2030.
“In the ’90s, my uncle set up an office in Irvine,” Snyder recalled. “When my dad stepped in to run the business, he had previously moved to Northern California, so he wanted to bring everyone back to their roots in Baldwin Park.” A mix between the two locations occurred, but the Irvine office continued to grow, even after her father’s unexpected passing a few years later.
Snyder explained that corporate employees are being transitioned either to the Baldwin Park office near Los Angeles or the new headquarters in Tennessee.
The burgers chain, known for being California’s first “drive-thru” restaurant, broke ground in Franklin for a new 100,000-square-foot office in September 2024. They aim to open their first Tennessee restaurant by 2026.
Interestingly, Snyder has turned down invitations to open locations in Florida and other states on the East Coast, although there’s a possibility of future expansion.
“We can easily supply Tennessee from our Texas warehouse,” Snyder elaborated. “While we lack a meat facility in Tennessee, we can deliver from Texas, enabling us to serve other nearby states as well.”
Although she refrained from naming specific states for future growth, Snyder expressed her concerns about California’s environment.
She cited various challenges, including crime and pandemic-related health requirements, which made operating restaurants particularly stressful.
“The pressure was overwhelming, with all these mandates,” Snyder mentioned. “It was hard to adapt with all the restrictions and legal issues that followed.” Despite these obstacles, she felt it was worth it in the end.
Moreover, Snyder revealed that the Auckland location was closed due to safety concerns in the area, stating, “There were instances of gunfire and stabbings nearby, which prompted the closure.”
