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In the world of burger chains, few are held in as high esteem as <a href="https://www.in-n-out.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sorry-you-cant-franchise-with-in-n-out-and-bring-it-to-the-east-coast-heres-why-2717750" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">In-N-Out</a>, the West Coast restaurant brand founded in 1948 and the home of the notorious Double Double. But whenever non-West Coast fans discuss the chain, the question always comes up: Why is In-N-Out only in one part of the country? The brand’s footprint currently includes restaurants in just seven West Coast states: California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Oregon and Colorado.&nbsp;The exclusivity has been puzzling fans and potential business owners alike for decades — the brilliant minds over at <a href="https://digital.hbs.edu/platform-rctom/submission/the-tragic-map-of-the-only-places-you-can-get-in-n-out-burger-1/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sorry-you-cant-franchise-with-in-n-out-and-bring-it-to-the-east-coast-heres-why-2717750" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Harvard Business School</a> even released a study on the topic. And rumors of In-N-Out secretly coming to major areas on the East Coast, such as New York City, have been popping up for just as long. In 2019, <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/pajjwk/i-found-nycs-in-n-out-burger-and-solved-the-mystery-of-how-it-got-there?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sorry-you-cant-franchise-with-in-n-out-and-bring-it-to-the-east-coast-heres-why-2717750" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">a stray Double Double</a> was discovered on a street in Queens, causing an uproar on social media as hopeful fans theorized that the chain was finally headed to the Big Apple. It turned out to be a fluke, and the brand says they have no plans on making it over that way anytime soon.&nbsp;But the question remains: why?For one, it comes down to logistics. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-in-n-out-burger-wont-expand-east-2017-7?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sorry-you-cant-franchise-with-in-n-out-and-bring-it-to-the-east-coast-heres-why-2717750" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Business Insider</a> notes that the brand’s commitment to freshness — the chain refuses to sell frozen patties and locations don’t have any freezers or microwaves — means that all In-N-Out restaurants are required to be located within 300 miles of an In-N-Out meat distribution center. Currently, there are only two distribution centers: one in California and one in Texas.Of course, other restaurant chains that use unfrozen beef have found ways to maintain their brand standards all over the world, including <a href="https://www.fiveguys.com/contact-us/franchisee-form?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sorry-you-cant-franchise-with-in-n-out-and-bring-it-to-the-east-coast-heres-why-2717750" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Five Guys</a>, <a href="https://smashburger.com/franchising/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sorry-you-cant-franchise-with-in-n-out-and-bring-it-to-the-east-coast-heres-why-2717750" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Smashburger</a> and even <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/03/30/where-unfrozen-beef-these-burger-chains/99820450/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sorry-you-cant-franchise-with-in-n-out-and-bring-it-to-the-east-coast-heres-why-2717750" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">McDonald’s</a>, but the key difference comes down to one factor: franchising.The In-N-Out brand is still 100% corporate-owned by the founding Snyder family, who are uninterested in offering any kind of franchising opportunities. This means In-N-Out doesn’t have the infrastructure and bandwidth that would allow for the brand to expand into Eastern territories.&nbsp;"The only reason we would [franchise] is for money, and I wouldn't do it," said Lynsi Snyder — the company president and only grandchild of In-N-Out founders Harry and Esther Snyder — explained in an interview with <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/in-n-out-president-lynsi-snyder-keeping-burger-chain-a-family-business/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sorry-you-cant-franchise-with-in-n-out-and-bring-it-to-the-east-coast-heres-why-2717750" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CBS</a>.Last, but certainly not least, In-N-Out knows not to fix something that isn’t broken. Maintaining a limited footprint gives the chain a certain exclusive mystique for consumers, which likely plays a large part in the brand’s unanimously beloved reputation.For the time being, In-N-Out’s commitment to fresh meat and it's distaste for franchising means entrepreneurs looking to satisfy legions of hungry fans by introducing the brand east of Texas are, sadly, out of luck.&nbsp;

Sorry, You Can’t Franchise with In-N-Out and Bring it to the East Coast — Here’s Why

1851 Franchise

Many burger-loving entrepreneurs have had the million-dollar idea to finally introduce the wildly popular West Coast burger chain to new parts of the country, but the company’s business model stands in the way.

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Right at Home

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From Military Chaplain to Home Care Entrepreneur: Rabbi Shalom Plotkin's Journey With Right at Home

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TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue Bridges Health Care and Home: A New Standard in Aging-in-Place Support

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Paris Baguette Canada

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Paris Baguette Ranked No. 73 on Entrepreneur’s Fastest Growing Franchises List for 2025

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Biscuit Belly Franchising

Investing in the Morning Rush: The Financial Benefits of a Biscuit Belly Franchise

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Children's Lighthouse

Legal Expertise Meets Heart: How Stephanie Russ Builds Franchisee Confidence at Children’s Lighthouse

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