Is California Staple In-N-Out Coming to Nashville?

A West Coast classic burger chain is making its way to Tennessee. In-N-Out Burger, the beloved California-based, fast-food restaurant known for its signature burgers, announced plans to open a corporate hub in the Volunteer State back in January. It also shared its intentions to add restaurants in the state in the near future. 

However, it seems like Tennessee’s first In-N-Out is coming sooner than anticipated. 

The Timeline and Location

In-N-Out’s corporate hub will open in Franklin, a city located just south of Nashville. This hub will serve as a vital base of operations for the company's expansion into the eastern half of the United States. 

The company is expected to finalize the purchase of a 28-acre property near Interstate 65 in the Berry Farms area, specifically on Goose Creek Bypass, this summer. Construction on the corporate office and restaurant is slated to begin in late 2024. By 2025, residents can reportedly anticipate the opening of an In-N-Out Burger restaurant on the same property. 

“We are going to have a restaurant nearby on the same property,” said Mike Abbate, vice president of real estate for In-N-Out, The Tennessean reported. “That was important to us because the people that are working there are allowed to come and eat at our restaurant free of charge everyday. It’s part of our company values.” 

This timeline is earlier than originally projected, as the company previously announced that restaurants in the Middle Tennessee area would start appearing in 2026, coinciding with the completion of the office space.

Where In-N-Out Operates

In-N-Out Burger has become renowned for its exceptional burgers, fries and milkshakes. Originating in California, the family-owned chain has steadily expanded its presence over the years. 

Currently, In-N-Out operates 385 locations primarily in the following states: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, Colorado and Texas. Its arrival in Tennessee marks In-N-Out's first venture into the eastern half of the United States, fulfilling the requests of fans who have long awaited its expansion beyond the West Coast. 

Despite pleas from eager customers on the East Coast and other regions, In-N-Out has maintained strict control over its operations and limited its geographical reach. However, the company's decision to establish a corporate hub in Franklin shows its commitment to expanding its footprint further east.

Is In-N-Out a Franchise?

While many fast food chains operate through a franchise model, In-N-Out Burger remains a privately owned company. It has remained family-owned since its inception in 1948 and is currently operated by the Snyder family. In fact, In-N-Out will "never" go public or franchise its restaurants, president Lynsi Snyder told CBS in an interview in 2015.

Despite the brand’s hesitancy to franchise, its move into Tennessee adds to the hope that the brand will expand to more locations around the country soon.