History
1948
First In-N-Out Burger Opens
Harry Snyder introduces California's first drive-thru hamburger stand in a space barely 100 square feet at Francisquito and Garvey in Baldwin Park. Every day before dawn, Harry visits the meat and produce markets to pick out fresh ingredients, which he prepares by hand. Meanwhile, his wife Esther diligently takes care of all the accounting for the new restaurant at their home right around the corner.
1948
Two-Way Speaker Box Introduced
Working in his garage at night after long days of cooking burgers, Harry pursues his vision of enabling guests to order and receive their meals without leaving their cars. The introduction of his unique two-way speaker box lets In-N-Out offer true drive-thru service worthy of its name.
1954
Updated Logo
The iconic In-N-Out arrow makes its first appearance, replacing the original "No Delay" sign. Inspired by their new logo, In-N-Out Associates adopt the sayings, "The arrow points to pride" and "We all work under the same arrow."
1958
10th Anniversary
In-N-Out celebrates a decade of growth with five Southern California restaurants in the
San Gabriel Valley.
1958
Bottle Drinks Become Fountain
Fountain service replaces bottles! In-N-Out now offers a choice of Pepsi Cola®, Nesbitt Orange and Hires Root Beer. A 12 oz. cup (without lid) costs a mere ten cents.
1961
Animal Style® Burgers Prepared
The first Animal Style burger is created in response to customer requests. To prepare your burger Animal Style, we mustard-cook the beef patty and add your choice of hand-leafed lettuce and tomato, plus we add pickle, extra spread and grilled onions.
1961
Used Plain Paper as Lap Mats
At first, Harry takes the brown wax paper used to package his bakery buns and creates hand-cut lap mats for guests who choose to eat in their cars. Then he has an even better idea. Switching to pink butcher paper makes dining even more appealing on the bench seats common to cars of the time.
1963
Double-Double® on Store Sign
Always committed to giving customers what they ask for, In-N-Out hangs a store banner early in 1963 inviting guests to "Try a Double-Double." Later, the popular new offering becomes an official part of the menu.
1963
Patty-Making Facility Opens
A new facility dedicated to providing increasing numbers of guests with traditional In-N-Out quality begins operations using the freshest ingredients available. Up till now, each chuck personally selected and ground under Harry's supervision has been hand formed into patties by Esther, using a manual press.
1970
Character Glasses Introduced
A collectible glass becomes the first in a long-running assortment of promotional glasses featuring character, movie and holiday themes. The cost in 1970 was $0.29 with a Pepsi. All are collector's items today, but only the Christmas and Indiana Jones™ Temple of Doom glasses display the In-N-Out name.
1971
Irwindale Drag Strip Thrives
The longtime association of In-N-Out with drag racing and classic cars builds on Harry's initial 1965 investment in the development of Irwindale Drag Strip. In-N-Out burgers were sold in the concession stands to racers and fans who spread their enthusiasm across the country. Harry's son, Guy, also begins developing a lifelong interest in cars and drag racing.
1971
Lap Mats Used for Customer Service
A suggestion from a printing company inspires Harry to replace butcher paper lap mats with printed mats that offer helpful information to customers. Early mats featuring local maps with In-N-Out locations would often wind up in glove boxes to help drivers find their way around town.
1972
First Crossed Palm Trees Planted
One of founder Harry Snyder's favorite movies, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, features characters racing to find treasure buried under four palm trees planted to resemble the letter W. Because each In-N-Out store is Harry's treasure, a tradition of planting crossed palm trees in front of most In-N-Out locations begins.
1973
25th Anniversary
At the quarter-century mark, In-N-Out has 13 restaurants open, all in Los Angeles County. Every restaurant is a "two-lane," meaning that it has two lanes for drive-thru customers, no dining room, and often a handful of small tables outside for guests.
1974
First Cookout Event
A grill loaded onto a pickup truck and accompanied by two of In-N-Out's earliest Associates launches the Cookout Department with an event at Badillo School in Covina, California. Today, more than 10 fully self-supported cookout trucks and 125 Associates serve venues and events ranging from schools, churches, and charities, to weddings, birthdays and concerts.
1974
First Rose Parade Cookout
In-N-Out fires up the grills on New Year's Eve of 1974 at its first Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Today, In-N-Out still feeds all the Tournament bands at Band Fest every December 29 and 30, and at the end of the Rose Parade every January 1, plus both football teams in the Rose Bowl at the Team Feed.
1974
Changed to Red Aprons
The traditional colors of In-N-Out become part of each Associate's uniform as red aprons replace white. Until now, uniforms have been all white except for black shoes and belt.
1975
Milkshakes Added to the Menu
Real ice cream milk shakes officially join the
In-N-Out menu. Malts had previously been available at select locations for nearly a decade. Earlier, shakes had been mixed for customers right in their paper cups, requiring Associates to have plenty of skill at avoiding ripping those cups during preparation.
1975
First T-shirt Designed
A cartoon fryman designed by In-N-Out founder Harry Snyder becomes the first in a continuing series of popular T-Shirts. After several years, Guy Snyder begins introducing new designs inspired by his love of cars and racing. Around 1984, announcing a new design from a top artist becomes an annual tradition. Today's In-N-Out customers can purchase shirts at all our locations, including company stores in Baldwin Park and Las Vegas, and through our website.
1913-1976
In Memory of Harry Snyder
In-N-Out's founder, Harry Snyder, passes away in December of 1976. His sons Rich and Guy Snyder take over as President and Vice President respectively. Harry's commitment to providing his customers with the freshest, highest quality foods and a spotless, sparkling environment has given the company's 18 restaurants a reputation for excellence. Harry's devotion to his Associates, who are treated as family, is as important as his core values of cleanliness, quality and service. The innovative spirit that inspired Harry to develop the Two-Way Speaker for drive-thru customers, and the commitment to quality he demonstrated by thoroughly inspecting and selecting meat and produce every morning in the early days, have contributed to a legacy that will carry In-N-Out toward the next century guided by an unwavering dedication to its customers.
1979
First Dining Room Restaurant
A new era begins when restaurant #21 in Ontario becomes In-N-Out's first single drive-lane location. After this only 13 more restaurants were built without a dining room. Future restaurants now will also offer large, open and comfortable dining areas where customers can sit down to enjoy their burgers.
1984
In-N-Out University Building Opens
Situated on the site where the Snyders' home stood in 1948, In-N-Out University gets its own building after operating just around the corner from store #1 in 1977. Rich Snyder launches the new facility in December, ensuring that entry level managers from all In-N-Out restaurants receive the training that lets our guests look forward to the highest quality food, cleanliness and customer service.
1984
First Restaurant Without a Drive Thru
In-N-Out opens store #32 in Placentia, California which is the first of a handful without a drive-thru lane. As of 2012, five In-N-Out restaurants, all in California, are in this style: Laguna Hills, Mill Valley, Glendale and San Francisco - Fisherman's Wharf, as well as the original Placentia location.
1984
INO Foundation Started
Esther Snyder and her son Rich establish the Child Abuse Fund, which later grows to become the In-N-Out Burger Foundation. Driven by Esther's belief that every child deserves a chance and a future, the foundation's year-round fundraising efforts provide residential treatment, emergency shelter, foster care and early intervention for children in need. With In-N-Out consistently paying 100 percent of the foundation's administrative costs, every cent raised goes directly to centers providing help to abused children. This includes millions of dollars over the last several years.
1988
Opened 50th Restaurant
On June 17th, In-N-Out's 50th location opens in Thousand Palms, CA. At this time, In-N-Out is serving customers across Southern California at stores in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties.
1989
Company Store Opens
A Company Store at In-N-Out's original Baldwin Park location provides a new source for the popular line of products that began with the first In-N-Out T-shirt in 1975, and grew with the introduction of annual T-shirt designs beginning around 1984. The In-N-Out Company Store now has three locations in addition to the online store; the original in Baldwin Park, California and two in Las Vegas, Nevada (one on Dean Martin Dr. and one near the Linq Hotel). Today, In-N-Out fans can purchase everything from beach towels and board shorts to the over-sized safety pins that secure our Associates' aprons.
1990
Mark Taylor Opens Restaurant in West Covina
In-N-Out Burger #64 opens in West Covina, California on I-10. The new restaurant has a prominent location that is highly visible from the freeway and features a large one-of-a kind split level dining area. The Manager for this leading edge location is Mark Taylor. This restaurant served as an R&D launching ground for new equipment and customer service innovations. Mark led these many endeavors while also providing manager leadership for one of the busiest locations in the company.
Mark started his In-N-Out career as an hourly Associate, worked his way up to store manager and then earned the opportunity to open this important restaurant. In the coming years, Mark Taylor will become Division Manager, General Manager, Vice President of Operations, President and Chief Operating Officer of In-N-Out Burger.
1990
Feed the Homeless Program
Missions around Baldwin Park welcome In-N-Out cookout trailers, where Associates prepare meals for the less fortunate. The program evolves to provide three mission cookouts a month, currently serving missions such as the Los Angeles Mission, Ventura Rescue Mission and Long Beach Mission.
1991
Customer Service Line
As part of Rich Snyder's commitment to make every guest's visit to In-N-Out a great one, a new direct toll-free line becomes available every day from the time the first door opens until the last door closes. Still staffed by Associates with first-hand experience working in our stores, they are fully empowered to take care of customers. The customer service line makes ensuring the quality of the In-N-Out experience as easy as a call to 1-800-786-1000.
1992
First Store Opens in Nevada
In-N-Out's newest restaurant, store #80, opens in November at 2900 W. Sahara Blvd. in Las Vegas, Nevada. Guests can now enjoy the quality and freshness of an In-N-Out burger outside California.
1952-1993
In Memory of Rich Snyder
Rich Snyder tragically passed away on December 15. His dedication toward training In-N-Out managers to provide our guests with the highest quality service helped drive the establishment of In-N-Out University. Under his guidance, In-N-Out has grown to 93 locations. Guy Snyder assumes the position of Chairman of the Board and Esther Snyder becomes President.
1994
100th Restaurant Opens
On November 10, Gilroy, California becomes home to the 100th In-N-Out restaurant when the doors open at 641 Leavesley Road.
1997
Westwood Architect Designs
Acclaimed architect Stephen Kanner completes a landmark In-N-Out restaurant in Westwood, adjacent to the UCLA campus in Southern California. Located on Gayley Avenue, the building's angular design is a tribute to 1950s
jet-age architecture.
1998
50th Anniversary
In-N-Out reaches the half-century mark with 134 restaurants and 5,498 Associates. A commemorative T-shirt bears an image by artist Mark Davidson of a classic 1950s-era Woodie station wagon in front of an In-N-Out drive-thru. After 50 years, the company remains a family business, maintaining the dedication to quality and customer service that Harry Snyder established with his very first store.
1951-1999
In Memory of Guy Snyder
Guy Snyder tragically passes away on December 4. During his tenure as Chief Executive Officer, In-N-Out adds new locations and grows to a family of 140 restaurants. Guy is remembered for his commitment to quality and taste, as well as his passion for drag racing as a car owner and driver. He also created the not-so-secret-menu item called the "Flying Dutchman" (two patties and two cheese slices without buns or condiments). Most of all, his legacy includes his relentless concentration on improving processes, procedures and equipment throughout the company to achieve ever-higher levels of quality and service for In-N-Out guests.
2000
First Restaurant in Arizona
On May 3, store #143 opens in Lake Havasu City at 81-101 London Bridge Road. In-N-Out now serves guests at locations in California, Nevada and Arizona.
2005
200th Restaurant Opens
The grand opening of a second In-N-Out location in Temecula, California marks the 200th restaurant in the family. Welcoming guests on December 30, the store adds to a presence that extends from California to Nevada and Arizona. In keeping with the local spirit of each In-N-Out location, four of the first customers to try the drive-thru arrive on horseback.
1920-2006
In Memory of Esther Snyder
On August 4, Esther Snyder passes away at 86, leaving a legacy of leadership and compassion. In the years before she married Harry Snyder in 1948, Esther served her country during World War II as a surgical nurse in the Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES) program. With the creation of
In-N-Out, her role in the company's success ranged from slicing the first potatoes and hand-forming meat patties to keeping the books and ultimately guiding the business as President, all while being an incredibly loving mother. Supported by her powerful faith, Esther's commitment to others touched countless people through local schools, boys and girls clubs, medical organizations and other groups, inspiring fond memories of her huge heart and generous spirit in all who knew her.
2008
60th Anniversary
In-N-Out Burger is 60 years old with 223 restaurants in four states: California, Nevada, Arizona and a new restaurant in southern Utah. Even though In-N-Out has grown into 4 states, the company continues to adhere to the same principles that Harry and Esther Snyder established 60 years ago: take great care of our customers and take great care of our Associates while maintaining an intense focus on quality and freshness!
2008
First Restaurant in Utah
Washington City is the first community in Utah to become home to an In-N-Out with store #215. The new location at 822 W. Telegraph Street begins serving Southern Utah on April 22.
2010
Harry and Esther's Granddaughter Leads In-N-Out
As President, Lynsi leads In-N-Out into the next decade, she is always mindful of the trail that was blazed by her grandparents, father and uncle. She tells it like this:
"First and foremost I'd like to thank my grandfather and grandmother, Harry and Esther Snyder. Their vision, passion and commitment set such a firm foundation for our company, and the core values that they established for us back in 1948 still guide us today. My grandfather was an incredibly hard worker who was passionate about quality. Back in the day, he hand-selected only the highest quality meat, cheese and produce for his customers. My grandmother was always right there with her husband from the start, equally committed to quality and always making sure the In-N-Out Associates were treated like family. Additionally, she was the driving force behind In-N-Out's philanthropic efforts and today, the In-N-Out Burger Foundation still carries out her vision."
"I'd also like to thank my uncle Rich and my dad, Guy Snyder. They lost their dad at a young age but were both able to learn so much from him and ultimately, both were able to make
In-N-Out Burger much stronger. Rich was instrumental in setting us up for our future success by adding an even greater focus on our Associates. His commitment to training was unparalleled and the In-N-Out University operates today as a result of Uncle Rich's belief in the importance of training. My father, Guy, was just as passionate about quality as his dad. Dad was so fanatical about quality that he invested heavily in the company's quality assurance team. Today, our warehouse, meat department and commissary teams only accept and deliver the freshest and highest quality products resulting in the great tasting burgers, fries and drinks that our customers enjoy. Our state-of-the-art quality controls still have my dad's fingerprints all over them."
"I'm so blessed to have had such great family leaders come before me. Today, I view a big part of my job as adhering to and living up to the high standards that have been built up over the past 64 years. But there is more to my vision for In-N-Out... we don't just want to live up to our own high standards... we want to exceed them!"
2011
First Restaurants in Texas
Texans get two good reasons to celebrate on May 11, as the state's first two In-N-Out restaurants open on the same day in Allen and Frisco. A brand new warehouse and patty-making facility also opens in Dallas, ensuring that these new restaurants, and others that will follow, can guarantee the same quality and freshness as stores closer to our original Baldwin Park facilities.
2013
65th Anniversary
In-N-Out Burger celebrates its 65th anniversary and has 286 restaurants in five states: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Texas. After 65 years, Harry and Esther's philosophy of providing fresh food and friendly service continues to be the cornerstone on which the company stands.
2014
Replica of First Restaurant Opens
Step back in time at the replica of In-N-Out Burger's original drive-thru restaurant located in Baldwin Park, California.
The first restaurant served customers from a space barely 100 square feet, introducing them to a taste of some of the freshest hamburgers around. The menu today offers made-to-order burgers, fries and drinks prepared and served in the classic style guests have been enjoying since 1948.
Visit this part of In-N-Out history for viewing and photos Thursday-Sunday between the hours of 11am to 2pm at 13752 Francisquito Avenue, Baldwin Park, CA 91706.
2015
300th Store Opens
On January 7th, In-N-Out celebrates the addition of its 300th restaurant and its second location in Anaheim, California. Our family of restaurants serves quality burgers, fries, and shakes across five states: CA, NV, AZ, UT, and TX.
2015
First Restaurant Opens in Oregon
On September 9, In-N-Out Burger reaches its sixth state and celebrates the opening of the restaurant in Medford, Oregon.
In-N-Out now serves quality burgers, fries, and shakes in: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas and Oregon.
2016
Slave 2 Nothing Foundation Created
The Slave 2 Nothing Foundation was established in 2016 to help improve the lives of individuals and families affected by substance abuse and/or human trafficking.
Our Foundation helps bring hope to people for a better life, and that is one of the best ways to help our communities become stronger, safer, and better places to live.
"Being able to gather as a big family and know that if we move together and do this, that we can really change, we can change the world." - Lynsi, President, In-N-Out Burger
2018
Hot Cocoa
Bringing back a favorite from its early history,
In-N-Out once again adds Hot Cocoa to the menu. First offered in the 1950s, the newly introduced version is made with quality cocoa from Ghirardelli and served with marshmallows. Kids under 12 can enjoy it for free on rainy days. This is the first menu addition since Lemonade was added 15 years earlier.
2018
70th Anniversary
In-N-Out celebrates 70 years since its first location opened its doors on October 22, 1948. In those seven decades, that single store has grown into 334 locations in six states: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas and Oregon. Still family-owned, and now guided by Harry and Esther Snyder’s granddaughter, Lynsi, the company enters its eighth decade with the same commitment to its customers and Associates, and the same dedication to serving only the highest quality burgers, fries and shakes made the old-fashioned way.
2018
Hot Rod Event
With strong ties to California's car culture, having been the first drive thru in the state,
In-N-Out and Hot Rod magazine celebrate their 70th anniversaries together at the Auto Club Raceway in Pomona. The November 17th celebration features In-N-Out Cookout Trucks, a car show, live music and a classic drag race. The powerful connection with car enthusiasts continues to be a strong part of the In-N-Out heritage today.
2020
First Restaurants Open In Colorado
Coloradoans get double the reason to celebrate on November 20, as the state’s first two In-N-Out restaurants open on the same day in Colorado Springs and Aurora. Because of a rigorous commitment to quality and freshness, a brand new warehouse and patty-making facility also are underway in Colorado Springs. This ensures that these new restaurants, and others that will follow, can guarantee the freshest, highest quality foods.
2023
In-N-Out Acquires Naming Rights to In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip
In-N-Out Burger is named the title sponsor of both the In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip and the In-N-Out NHRA Finals, as part of an exciting multi-year partnership that begins during the 2023 NHRA season. The legendary track also plays host to In-N-Out Burger’s 75th anniversary on October 22, 2023.
2023
75th Anniversary
In-N-Out celebrates three quarters of a century with 394 restaurants open throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Oregon and Colorado. In its 75th year, the In-N-Out Burger family reaches over 38,000 dedicated Associates. The family-owned company carries the founding philosophy forward with a rigorous commitment to quality and freshness.
2023
400th Store Opens
On December 12, In-N-Out Burger celebrates a milestone as it opens its 400th location in its eighth state, welcoming guests in Meridian, Idaho. Our family of Associates now serves quality burgers, fries and shakes to Customers in the states of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Oregon, Colorado and Idaho.
2023
The Ins-N-Outs of In-N-Out Burger
President and Owner, Lynsi Snyder, shares the company's official story in her first book, "The Ins-N-Outs of In-N-Out Burger." Through fun facts, historical photos and transparent insight, Lynsi uncovers everything there is to know about California's first drive-thru restaurant and how its initial tradition of serving its Customers with high quality food and service still exists today. For more information, visit: innoutbook.com
