Is In-N-Out Going to Franchise Now That It Is Coming East?

In-N-Out, the West Coast burger favorite, has been notorious among loyal customers and East Coast seekers alike. Founded in 1948, the brand has grown to become a giant in the burger space, much in part thanks to its commitment to freshness and brand integrity. However, these values have created some friction for In-N-Out fans who haven’t been able to grow their relationship with the brand in the way they want.

Two compromises the brand has continually refused to make: moving to the East Coast and taking on the franchise business model.

For a long time, those two compromises seemed like the perfect combination—and solution—for wishful business people. If In-N-Out didn’t want to establish locations farther east, then passionate franchise owners would be more than happy to take on the job.

But still, there has been no such luck.

More recently, the concept has announced plans to expand further east, beyond its former farthest point in Texas. In 2026, the brand will open a corporate hub in Tennessee, which will likely serve as a solution to one of the primary objections to moving farther from the West Coast: freshness.

"At In-N-Out Burger, we make all of our hamburger patties ourselves and deliver them fresh to all of our restaurants with our own delivery vehicles," In-N-Out vice president of planning and development Carl Van Fleet told Business Insider. "Nothing is ever frozen. Our new restaurant locations are limited by the distance we can travel from our patty-making facilities and distribution centers."

As the brand grows, however, the wishes of hopeful, could-be franchisees will likely remain unanswered as the brand’s president, Lynsi Snyder, has made it abundantly clear that the company intends to remain privately owned.

"The only reason we would [franchise] is for money, and I wouldn't do it," said Snyder, the only grandchild of In-N-Out founders Harry and Esther Snyder, in an interview with CBS.

Snyder went on to explain that, especially since her family members have passed away, she feels especially motivated to maintain the company operations in a way that would make them proud. 

Rather than changing the business model to cater to the demands of states seeking In-N-Out’s business, the company’s leadership is sticking to its plan, maintaining a smaller ownership structure that will ensure the brand stays consistent with the identity and quality expectations developed for the name so long ago.