In-N-Out remains commited to California as it embarks on a major expansion in Tennessee, according to Lynsi Snyder, owner and president.
“We’re not moving In-N-Out’s headquarters,” she said in a three-minute audio message on Instagram and Facebook, referring to the chain’s offices in Baldwin Park, where it was founded in 1948.
The audio was uploaded on Monday, three days after a podcast aired in which Snyder said her family plans to move to Tennessee. Synder’s comments were picked up by news media and stories published over the weekend created a backlash from some customers.
Some social media users have called it “In-N-Outta California.”
“There’s a lot of really great things about California, but raising a family is not easy here. Doing business is not easy here,” Snyder said in the podcast.
“Moving? Good Riddance!,” one Facebook user commented on an unrelated post about In-N-Out’s summer merchandise.
Snyder’s quote was taken from a from Allie Beth Stuckey’s “Relatable” podcast. The episode was called, “After 77 Years, In-N-Out Is Moving to Tennessee. Here’s Why.”
“We’re not leaving California or leaving our roots behind,” Snyder said on the later audio message. “Each one of our locations is here to stay. Moving into Tennessee provides our In-N-Out associates wonderful opportunities to buy a home and raise a family and be a part of our expansion in a different part of the U.S.”
In-N-Out is in the midst of building what it calls an Eastern Territory office in Franklin, Tenn., a suburb of Nashville. The chain announced in February that it will be shutting down its headquarters in Irvine but maintaining its presence in Baldwin Park as well as establishing one in Tennessee.
In-N-Out said at the time that it planned to be out of Irvine by 2029, but in the podcast Snyder said 2030. She said she wanted to give staff members ample time to makes decisions about relocation.
In the podcast, Snyder said that In-N-Out is pursuing targeted growth that will honor the company’s heritage while giving valued employees the opportunity to grow their careers.
“It’s tough here in California, and it doesn’t have to do with my love or loyalty to the state and our customers. But I love our associates and I would love to offer them this, just like we’ve offered other states that provide different things to them. The dream of a home and a family is more feasible there, for sure.”
In addition to the audio, Snyder also issued a written statement, beginning with four bullet points. It reads as follows.
• “We’re not moving In-N-Out Burger’s corporate headquarters. In addition to our Baldwin Park office, we’re expanding with an Eastern Territory office in Tennessee to support our growth.”• “We’re not leaving California, or leaving our roots behind. Each one of our locations is here to stay.”• “Moving into TN provides our In-N-Out Associates wonderful opportunities to buy a home and raise a family and be a part of our expansion in a different part of the U.S.”• “Where I raise my family has nothing to do with my love and appreciation for our customers in California.”
“I’m very proud of where In-N-Out started. Anyone who knows me knows how often I talk about our beginnings and how our Customers here in California helped bring us to where we are today. We’ve been expanding into new states since 1992, and we’ve stayed consistent with our standards for growth. Opening an office far from our roots is something new and exciting. It brings incredible opportunities for the people we love and the customers we serve.”