This week, In-N-Out’s plans to expand to Tennessee grabbed some headlines, mainly because CEO Lynsi Snyder has moved her family there from California. She shared her thoughts on a recent podcast where the announcement was made.
Despite the excitement, there was a rather disappointing revelation for fans longing for the fast food chain in other parts of the country. Snyder mentioned, quite candidly, “Florida begged us, and we’re still saying no,” during a conversation with podcast host Ally Beth Stucky. She added that similar requests from the East Coast were also met with a firm “no.”
The well-known California-based chain had previously announced its Tennessee expansion in January 2023, planning to set up a regional office in Franklin, a suburb near Nashville, with hopes of opening in the upcoming year. Reports indicate that the company is looking at around 35 potential spots in Tennessee, ensuring they’re supported by a distribution center located in Lancaster, Texas.
In-N-Out prides itself on fresh ingredients. Everything they use, including ground beef, is never frozen, which is why they typically limit their locations to a 500-mile radius of their distribution hub.
Snyder did clarify that while there is a warehouse in Tennessee, it’s not processing the meat yet. Instead, it seems they’re hoping to bring In-N-Out to other nearby states, such as Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Mississippi, and Missouri, to satisfy those craving their double-double burgers and animal-style fries in the future.
As Lynsi, the granddaughter of the company’s founders, emphasized, their growth strategy prioritizes quality over quantity. She stated, “We have to grow some, but we don’t want to be everywhere. Our values and standards, the cornerstones laid by our grandparents, must remain intact.”
Currently, In-N-Out operates more than 400 locations across eight states: California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, and Idaho. Excitingly, they are also preparing for their very first location in Washington, which is set to open in just a few weeks.
