1851

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.

sorry-you-cant-franchise-with-in-n-out-and-bring-it-to-the-east-coast-heres-why

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Good Day Columbus: Home Insurance Expert Reveals Why Central Ohio Premiums Are Rising and How to Combat Costs

rising-home-insurance-costs-ohio

CapitalSpring

Primetime Fitness Expands Crunch Portfolio With CapitalSpring’s Backing

primetime-fitness-expands-crunch-portfolio-with-capitalsprings-backing

Children's Lighthouse

How Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees Scale to Multiple Locations

how-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees-scale-to-multiple-locations

Express Employment Professionals

Betting on Himself: How Chris Brown Built an Express Employment Professionals Franchise From the Ground Up

betting-on-himself-how-chris-brown-built-an-express-employment-professionals-franchise-from-the-ground-up

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers® Named One of America’s Best Home-Care Providers

comfort-keepers-named-one-of-americas-best-home-care-providers

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Mega Franchisee Sizzling Platter Acquired by Bain Capital

mega-franchisee-sizzling-platter-acquired-by-bain-capital

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Design with school-aged child standing on pencil with text "Education Franchises" and "<$500K"

Top Education Franchises Under $500K To Explore in 2025

top-education-franchises-under-500k

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

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

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS