In-N-Out Burger
452982
225320895
2008-07-13T02:11:15Z
67.160.229.229
/* Advertising */ fixed a small grammatical error
{{Infobox_Company |
company_name = In-N-Out Burger |
company_logo = [[Image:InNOut.svg|In-N-Out logo]] |
company_type = [[Private company|Private]] |
slogan = Quality You Can Taste |
foundation = [[Baldwin Park, California|Baldwin Park]], [[California]], [[United States|USA]] (1948) |
location = [[Irvine, California]] |
area_served = [[California]], [[Arizona]], [[Nevada]], [[Utah]] |
key_people = [[Lynsi Martinez]], Owner<br />[[Mark Taylor (executive)|Mark Taylor]], President<br />[[Roger Kotch (executive)|Roger Kotch]], CFO<br />[[Ken Iriart (executive)|Ken Iriart]], VP of Human Resources<br />[[Carl Van Fleet (executive)|Carl Van Fleet]], VP of Planning<br />[[Keith Brazeau (executive)|Keith Brazeau]], VP of Quality Control |
revenue=estimated [[United States dollar|US$]] 360 million (2006)<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6288944
|date=2006-10-20
|title=Pay Helps Keep Workers at Western Burger Chain
|last=Horsley
|first=Scott
|format=audio}}</ref>
| homepage = [http://www.in-n-out.com/ www.in-n-out.com]}}
[[Image:Ucirvineuniversitytower.jpg|thumb|right|In-N-Out headquarters at University Tower in Irvine]]
'''In-N-Out Burger''', usually called '''In-N-Out''', is a [[private company|privately owned]] [[fast-food restaurant|fast-food]] [[chain store|chain]] restaurant, located in the [[Western United States]]. Founded in [[Southern California]] in 1948 by [[Harry Snyder]] and his wife [[Esther Snyder]], and headquartered in [[Irvine, California|Irvine, CA]], In-N-Out Burger has since expanded to the rest of the state, and to [[Arizona]], [[Nevada]], and southern [[Utah]] as well.<ref name=NYT1>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= The Secret Behind A Burger Cult |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=9E02E4D7113AF937A2575BC0A9649C8B63|publisher=[[New York Times]]|date=2002-08-14 |accessdate=2007-07-21}}</ref> In-N-Out has never franchised, and plans to remain privately owned.[http://www.in-n-out.com/history.asp]
Known for its dedication to quality and freshness, the restaurant chain has developed a loyal customer base<ref name="postlawsuit">{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/29/AR2006012901026.html|date=2006-08-06|title=In Calif., Internal Lawsuits Served Up at Burger Chain
|first=John|last=Pomfret}}</ref><ref name="burned">{{cite web|date=2006-08-06 |url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m5072/is_51_27/ai_n15998868/pg_2| title=In-n-out burned by exec's lawsuit Los Angeles Business Journal - Find Articles}}</ref><ref name="sfgate">{{cite web|date=2006-08-06|title=In-N-Out Burger Beefs Up the Wharf Chain's followers now have S.F. site| url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/03/03/BU202442.DTL}}</ref> and is one of the few [[fast food]] chains in the United States to pay its [[employee]]s significantly more than state and federal mandated [[minimum wage]]– starting at [[United States dollar|$]]10 per hour in California, as of January 2008.<ref>{{cite web|date=2006-08-07| last=Rubenstein| first=Steve |url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2001/08/15/BU207274.DTL
|title=Chain reaction / San Francisco job applicants come by the dozen to interview for jobs at a new In-N-Out restaurant / $9.25 per hour plus meal}}</ref> The In-N-Out logo has become an iconic image and symbol of Southern California culture.[http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,53002,00.html] The chain has many vocal celebrity fans, and has also been featured in movies.
==History==
===Founding===
[[Image:In-N-Out drink with palm trees.JPG|right|thumb|In-N-Out [[drink]] in front of [[Southern California]] [[palm tree]]s. In-N-Out's packaging features [[coconut palm]]s.]]
In-N-Out's first location was opened on [[October 22]], [[1948]] by [[Harry Snyder]] and his wife [[Esther Snyder]] at the northwest corner of what is now the intersection of [[Interstate 10 (California)|Interstate 10]] and Francisquito Avenue in the [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] [[suburb]] of [[Baldwin Park, California]]. According to the company website, the Snyders had a simple plan which is still in use today:
{{cquote|Give customers the freshest, highest quality foods you can buy and provide them with friendly service in a sparkling clean environment.}}
A second In-n-Out was opened in the [[San Gabriel Valley]] three years later, and the company remained a relatively small [[Southern California]] chain until the 1970s. After Harry Snyder's death in 1976, only 18 stores were in existence. Harry was 86 years old. <ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Esther Snyder, In-N-Out Burger Founder, Dies at 86 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/13/business/13snyder.html|publisher=[[New York Times]] |date=2006-08-13 |accessdate=2008-04-04 }}</ref>
===Second generation and expansion===
In 1976, [[Rich Snyder]] became the company president after his father's death. The young president was 26 years old. Along with his brother Guy, Rich had reportedly begun working in his father's In-N-Outs "from the ground floor" at an early age. Over the next twenty years, the chain experienced a period of rapid growth under Rich's leadership, expanding to over 90 stores.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.in-n-out.com/history.asp
|title=IN-N-OUT Burger: History|date=2006-09-07}}</ref> Then, on [[December 15]], [[1993]], Rich Snyder and four other passengers died in a plane crash on approach to [[John Wayne Airport]] in [[Santa Ana, California]] after opening store #93 in [[Fresno, California]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2006-08-06| url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/InNOut-Burger-Company-History.html| title=In-N-Out Burger -- Company History}}</ref> Snyder was aboard a charter plane. The charter aircraft had followed a [[Boeing 757]] in for landing, became caught in its [[wake turbulence]], and crashed. The crash investigation led to the [[FAA]] requirement for an adequate distance between heavy aircraft and following light aircraft, in order to allow wake turbulence to diminish.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}
Upon his death, Rich's brother Guy Snyder assumed the presidency and continued the company's expansion into the 1990s. In 1992, In-N-Out opened its first non-Southern California restaurants in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]. Expansion then began into [[Northern California]], including the San Francisco Bay Area, while additional Las Vegas-area restaurants continued to open.
Then, in 1999, Guy also passed away at a young age. The third president died from an overdose of the pain-killer [[Vicodin]].<ref name="burned"/> He was only president for 6 years, but in this time In-N-Out had expanded from 93 to 140 locations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.in-n-out.com/history.asp
|title=IN-N-OUT Burger: History|date=2006-09-07}}</ref> Esther Snyder, Guy's mother and one of In-N-Out's original two founders, subsequently took the presidency.
===A new age===
By 2000, locations in [[Arizona]] were established. In-N-Out opened other Nevada restaurants in [[Reno, Nevada|Reno]], [[Sparks, Nevada|Sparks]], and [[Carson City, Nevada|Carson City]] in fall of 2004. In-N-Out became a huge success in these new locations. In 2007, the opening of the first store in [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson]] broke company records for most burgers sold in a day and in a week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azbiz.com/articles/2007/06/15/front/news01.txt|date=2007-06-15|title=In-N-Out Burger's all-stars set record with Tucson opening}}</ref>
While the company grew, it struggled to maintain its family roots. Esther Snyder died in [[2006]], and at the age of 86, passed the presidency to Mark Taylor, former Vice President of Operations. Taylor became the company's fifth president and first outsider to hold the position, although he does have ties to the family. The company's current heiress is Lynsi Martinez, daughter of Guy and only grandchild of Harry and Esther Snyder. Martinez, who was 23 years old at her grandmother's death, will gain control of the company in stages over the following 12 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print_article.jsp?article=4139249|date=2006-08-06|title=In-N-Out matriarch Snyder dies at age 86}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print_article.jsp?article=4139802| date=2006-08-06 |title=Esther Snyder, matriarch of In-N-Out Burger, dies}}</ref>
In [[2006]], a lawsuit exposed a possible family feud over the chain's corporate leadership. Richard Boyd, one of In-N-Out's vice presidents and co-trustee of two-thirds of the company stock, accused Lynsi Martinez and allied corporate executives of trying to force out Esther Snyder and attempting to fire Boyd unreasonably. Pre-empting the suit, Martinez, Snyder, and Taylor appeared in a special December video message to employees, telling them not to believe everything they hear.<ref name="postlawsuit"/> The company then responded with a lawsuit of its own, alleging that Boyd had construction work done on his property and charged it to the company, as well as favoring contractors with uncompetitive bids.<ref name="burned"/> Boyd was then suspended from his role as co-trustee and Northern Trust Bank of California took his place (as co-trustee) until a hearing set for [[May 10]], [[2006]]. However, in April, the judge dismissed two of In-N-Out's claims against Boyd. A trial date of [[October 17]], [[2006]] was set but never occurred.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/money/homepage/article_1088180.php|date=2006-08-06|title=Article: Money - In-N-Out ordered to alter some claims in lawsuit}}</ref>, and a settlement was reached out of court. Ultimately, Boyd was permanently removed from his role as an employee and co-trustee.<ref>{{cite web|date=2006-08-06|url=http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/05/12/1648468.htm|title=n-N-Out, former VP reach secretive settlement}}</ref>
In-N-Out soon became involved in yet another lawsuit. In June, 2007, the company filed suit against an [[American Fork, Utah]] restaurant named "Chadders" for trademark infringement, claiming that the "look and feel" of the restaurant too closely mimicked In-N-Out, and that the restaurant violated trademarked menu items, such as "Animal Fries."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,680195270,00.html|date=2007-06-30|title=In-N-Out wins one over Chadders}}</ref> A judge issued a temporary restraining order against the look-alike, but the issue has yet to be definitively resolved. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,284334,00.html|date=2007-06-19|title=In-N-Out Burger Suing American Fork Burger Joint}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,680195270,00.html|date=2007-06-30|title=In-N-Out wins one over Chadders}}</ref>
==Operations==
In-N-Out advertises the quality of their food, and most of the store designs use large windows and an open layout that allow customers to watch as it is prepared. For example, customers witness the fries starting as whole potatoes only minutes before consumption. However, much of the unique preparation process may go unnoticed — In-N-Out is unique amongst fast food chains because it does not use freezers, the lettuce is hand-leafed rather than sliced, the burgers and buns are grilled together, and everything comes together to be served without the use of heatlamps or microwaves.
In-N-Out's operations are unique in several other ways. While the restaurants advertise a traditional menu with limited options, all In-N-Out's also accept orders from a "secret" but well-known unpublished menu. When [[drive-through]] lines are particularly long, employees are sent into the parking lot to accept orders with a hand-held portable device. In addition, ''Cookout trailers'' can be hired for private or corporate events, and are occasionally also used at grand openings to lessen a store's load.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} The trailers offer hamburgers, cheeseburgers, Double-Doubles, the "grilled cheese,"(see below), 21 oz. fountain drinks, and potato chips. Fries are not cooked on the trailer due to safety concerns. {{Fact|date=July 2008}}
In-N-Out pays its employees significantly more than the federally mandated [[minimum wage]] of $5.85 per hour, and California's minimum wage of $8.00 per hour — currently the starting pay is a minimum of $10.00 per hour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6288944|title=Pay Helps Keep Workers at Western Burger Chain|date=2006-10-18}}</ref> Accordingly, employment opportunities at the chain are relatively competitive, and In-N-Out is known for requiring a high level of academic performance from student workers.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}
For full-time employees, the company offers complete [[employee benefit]]s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.in-n-out.com/employment_restaurant.asp|
title=IN-N-OUT Burger (Employment)|date=2006-08-15}}</ref> and provides [[Employee benefit|"fringe benefits"]] in the form of annual company picnics and other company-sponsored activities, holiday gifts, as well as paid holidays and paid vacations.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} According to the company's website, on average, store managers earn just under $100,000 annually, and have been with the company for 13 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.in-n-out.com/employment_mgmt.asp|
title=IN-N-OUT Burger (Employment)|date=2006-08-15}}</ref>
The restaurants are closed on Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. In-N-Out is active in the communities it serves. Every year the company provides free burgers to participants marching in the [[Rose Parade]], provides cans for donations, matches customer donations 3-to-1 (up to $200,000) in April for [[National Child Abuse Prevention Month]], and underwrites various fund raisers to support local charities and non-profit organizations.<ref>{{cite web|date=2006-08-06|url=http://www.funtrivia.com/en/Hobbies/In-N-Out-Burger-14899.html| title=In-N-Out Burger - Encyclopedia FunTrivia}}</ref>
==Menu==
[[Image:2008-0614-In-N-Out-burgsfries.jpg|thumb|right|A selection of menu items, clockwise from the top-right: A plain cheeseburger with onions, a plain Double-Double, two orders of regular fries, and an order of fries made "Animal Style".]]
In-N-Out has a limited menu consisting of only three different sandwiches: the hamburger, cheeseburger, and "Double-Double" (double meat/double cheese). French fries and fountain drinks are available, as well as three flavors of milkshakes. The hamburgers come with lettuce, tomato, with or without onions (the customer is asked upon ordering, and may have them fresh or grilled), and a sauce, which is called "spread."
There are, however, additional named items that are not on the menu, but are available at every In-N-Out. These variations reside on the chain's "secret menu," which is not really a secret, and is accessible on the company's web site.[http://www.in-n-out.com/secretmenu.asp]
The items on the "secret menu" include:
* '''''Animal Style''''' (Burger or Fries): The fries are topped with 2 slices of melted cheese, spread, and grilled onions. The burgers are cooked using mustard, and are then topped with pickles, extra spread, and grilled onions.
* '''''Grilled Cheese''''': Everything that the cheeseburger includes, minus the meat patty. Can be ordered with or without onions as well as "animal style" or "protein style".
* '''''Protein Style''''': Any burger that is offered on the menu will be wrapped in lettuce rather than using a bun.
[[Image:Innout20x20.jpg|thumb|right|A "20x20" (twenty meat patties and twenty slices of cheese)]]
* '''''M x C''''' (3x3, 4x4): "M" meaning number of meat patties and "C" meaning number of cheese slices. Therefore, the 3x3 is three meat patties and three slices of cheese. The 4x4 is four meat patties and four slices of cheese. There is a recorded serving of a 100 x 100.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foodfacts.info/blog/2006/03/in-n-out-100-x-100.html|title=http://www.foodfacts.info/blog/2006/03/in-n-out-100-x-100.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->}}</ref> This giant burger was eaten by a team of eight people and cost $97.66. However, a relatively new corporate policy dictates the maximum size an In-N-Out location is to prepare is 4x4. The stated reason for this new restriction is simply that burgers larger than 4 patties and 4 slices of cheese are not "visually appealing."
* '''''Double Meat''''': Simply the Double Double without cheese.
* '''''Veggie Burger''''': A burger without meat or cheese- only vegetables are used.
* '''''The Flying Dutchman''''': Two meat patties and two slices of cheese. No bun, vegetables, or spread are included.
* '''''Well Done Fries''''': Fries are cooked longer than others, resulting in a crispy fry.
* '''''Light Fries''''': Fries are not cooked as long, resulting in a softer fry.
* '''''Neapolitan Milkshake''''': Combination of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry shakes.
{{Seealso|In-N-Out Burger menu items}}
==Store design and layout==
[[Image:In-N-Out.jpg|thumb|In-N-Out restaurant in [[Pinole, California]] with one drive-through lane and an indoor dining area.]]
The signature colors for In-N-Out are white, red, and yellow. The white is used for the buildings' exterior walls and the employees' basic uniform. Red is used for the buildings' roofs and and the employees' aprons and hats. Yellow is used for the decorative band on the roof and iconic zig-zag in the logo. However, variations in the color scheme do occur.
The first few In-N-Outs (such as those in Pasadena, Baldwin Park, Covina, and [[Azusa, California|Azusa]]) had a common design, placing the kitchen "stand" between two lanes of cars.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} The "front" lane is nearest the street, and the "back" lane away from the street. A metal awning provides shade for several tables for customers desiring to park and eat, but there is no indoor dining. A walk-up window faces the parking area. In these stores, storage of food and supplies is in a separate building, and it is not uncommon for a driver to be asked to wait a moment while employees carry replenishments to the kitchen across the rear lane.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}
This simpler design is a popular image on In-N-Out ads and artwork, which often shows classic cars such as 1965 Mustangs and 1968 Firebirds visiting the original stores. The original Covina store, located on [[Arrow Highway]] west of Grand Avenue, was forced to close in the early 1990s due to re-engineering and development of the area. A modern design, drive-up/dining room restaurant was built only a few hundred feet away. The new building is much larger (approximately half the size of the entire lot upon which the earlier restaurant sat), and is often filled to capacity.
[[Image:Gayley and Leconte.jpg|thumb|right|The In-N-Out Burger at the corner of Gayley and Le Conte in [[Westwood, Los Angeles, California|Westwood]], [[Los Angeles]], designed by Kanner Architects]]
Like many chain restaurants, newer In-N-Out stores are based on a set of templates or "cookie-cutter" blueprints, which are chosen based on available space and expected traffic levels. However, some stores are designed to be unique to fit into the surrounding architecture, or to stand out. Notable "unique" In-N-Out locations include the store on [[Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California|Fisherman's Wharf]] in [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]], the restaurant in [[Westwood, Los Angeles, California|Westwood]] in [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] and the restaurant in [[Valencia, Santa Clarita, California|Valencia]].
Today's typical location has an interior layout which includes a customer service counter with several computers and registers in front of a kitchen and food preparation area. There are separate storage areas for paper goods (napkins, bags, etc.) and "dry" food goods (potatoes, buns, etc.), as well as a walk-in refrigerator for perishable goods (lettuce, cheese, spread etc.), and a dedicated meat refrigerator for burger patties.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} The customer area includes an indoor dining room with a combination of booths, tables, and bar-style seating. Outside seating is usually available as well, with tables and benches. Most newer restaurants contain a one-lane [[drive-through]].
[[Image:Palms trees in x.JPG|thumb|right|Example of palm trees crossed in an 'X' that can be found in front of many In-N-Out Burger restaurants.]]
There are other design elements common among today's In-N-Out locations. Matching In-N-Out's California-inspired [[palm tree]] theme, palm trees are sometimes planted to form a cross shape in front of the stores. This is an allusion to founder Harry Snyder's favorite movie, [[Stanley Kramer|Stanley Kramer's]] ''[[It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World]]'' in which individuals look for a hidden treasure and find it under "the big W" made by four palm trees, with the middle two forming an 'X'.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}
==Advertising==
[[Image:Flickr mayr 326671363--In-N-Out sign and kitchen.jpg|thumb|left|A company motto of "Quality you can taste".]]
In-N-Out has a dedicated fanbase, and benefits highly from the positive [[word of mouth]] spread by its enthusiastic following. The company assists their fans in propagating its iconic label by displaying In-N-Out clothing in every store, which is readily available online, something unique for a [[fast food]] [[Chain store|chain]].[http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,53002,00.html] The chain has many celebrity fans (see below), and enjoys a variety of free endorsements from the [[Mass media|media]]. When [[Heisman Trophy]] winner and [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Ohio State quarterback]] [[Troy Smith]] went into a passionate description of the restaurant at the [[BCS National Championship Game]] podium, Executive Vice President Carl Van Fleet was quoted as saying, "It doesn't get much better than that for us, we're kind of a small company, and we don't have any celebrity endorsers. But I think we just got the best one we could have."[http://www.cleveland.com/osufootball/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/116790370573501.xml&coll=2] As another example, the [[1998]] [[cult classic]] [[The Big Lebowski|''The Big Lebowski'']] contains a scene with the main characters happily enjoying their In-N-Out burgers.
The well-known "secret menu" and hidden passages on products may also function as a form of [[viral marketing]]. In some cases, In-N-Out directly uses its positive image and dedication to quality as a selling point. This is most evident in its two slogans: "Quality You Can Taste," and "Cleanliness You Can See." The company's use of references to [[the bible]] and reputation for unique employee benefits may more indirectly propagate this positive image. The references to its Southern California [[Root (disambiguation)|roots]] (such as the palm-tree [[motif]]) most likely appeal to its [[Niche market|niche]] California [[market]], and may even appeal to others outside California.
Like other chains, In-N-Out uses billboards strategically located on roads leading to individual restaurants, with relevant information such as, "2.5 miles ahead." These ads commonly feature the recognizable image of a Double-Double. In keeping with their image, commercials are usually understated and straight-forward. Radio commercials are common in some areas. The commercials are short, and are generally limited to a characteristic jingle: "In-N-Out, In-N-Out. That's what a hamburger's all about." Television commercials are less common. When the ads do appear, the visual appeal of the hamburger is generally the sole focus. In-N-Out very rarely relies on spokespersons or actors for its commercials, although at one time [[John Cleese]] and [[John Goodman]] voiced radio spots.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} In the past, the Snyders also sponsored Christmas music programming and gave voice-overs expressing the meaning of the holiday.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}
==Culture==
===Popularity===
[[Image:In-N-Out-Burger Sign San Francisco.jpg|thumb|right|The In-N-Out Burger sign at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco.]]
The burger chain has achieved widespread popularity and, due to its proximity to Hollywood, has become a favorite among celebrities. One early example is [[Bob Hope]].{{Fact|date=July 2008}} ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' has served In-N-Out burgers at its post-Oscars parties, <ref name="postlawsuit"/>. [[Angelina Jolie]] confessed that she left the 2003 [[Academy Awards]] ceremony early, and, still wearing her outfit, stopped at an In-N-Out on the way home.<ref>{{cite web|date=2006-08-06|url=http://www.thecinemasource.com/v3/spotlight.php?id=34| title=TheCinemaSource.com - Spotlight on Ethan Hawke and Angelina Jolie}}</ref> Nick Jonas has stated several times that In-N-Out Burger is his favorite resturant.[[Steve Carell]] has said that he always goes to In-N-Out after award shows and movie premieres.<ref>See interview on NPR on 10-24-2007</ref> Actor [[Tom Cruise]] reportedly loves the chain so much that his movie sets regularly utilize an In-N-Out van to feed the cast and crew.{{Fact|date=November 2007}} [[Paris Hilton]], spokesperson for [[Hardee's]] and [[Carl's Jr.]], explained after being arrested for a [[Driving under the influence|DUI]] in [[2006]], "I was just really hungry, and wanted to have an In-N-Out Burger."<ref>{{cite web|date[[2007-02-28]]|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=62afcc08-b1e0-4fec-ae17-33b345f4871d&entry=index| title=E! News - Paris Pleads No Contest - Paris Hilton}}</ref>
In 1999, after Sergeant [[Andrew Ramirez]], who had been a [[Prisoner of war|POW]] for a month in [[Serbia]] was released, his first request was for a Double-Double. (His mother got one to him.) <ref name="postlawsuit"/>
Even the famous chef [[Thomas Keller]], owner of the [[French Laundry]], is a fan of the chain. He was quoted as saying in an interview with Powell.com: "But once in a while you might see me at In and Out Burger; they make the best fast food hamburgers around."<ref>{{cite web|date=2006-04-04
|url=http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/thomas-keller
|title=Thomas Keller - Food and Wine}}</ref>
Of course, In-N-Out is not only popular with celebrities. Its popularity has lead to celebration by some when brought to new locations, and the opening of a new restaurant often becomes an event. When one opened in [[Scottsdale, Arizona]], there was a four-hour wait for food, and news helicopters whirled above the parking lot.<ref>{{cite web|date=2006-08-08
|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=9E02E4D7113AF937A2575BC0A9649C8B63
|title=The Secret Behind A Burger Cult - New York Times
|first=Tom
|last=McNichol}}</ref>
The chain's image has also made it popular in more non-traditional ways. For example, In-N-Out is still considered acceptable in some areas with a strong opposition to corporate food restaurants, such as [[McDonald's]]. When the location at [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco's]] [[Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California|Fisherman's Wharf]] opened, local business leaders said that they opposed every other fast food chain except In-N-Out because they wanted to maintain the flavor of family owned, decades-old businesses in the area.<ref name="sfgate"/>
The restaurant is characterized as "Inside-Out" burger on the TV series [[Drake And Josh]].
Custom orders on the Krabby Patties at [[The Krusty Krab]] restaurant on the TV series [[SpongeBob SquarePants]] has a slight resemblence to those served at In-N-Out Burger or any other fast food burger shop.
===Bible references===
[[Image:In-n-out-bible-reference.jpg|thumb|right|Bible reference on the bottom of an In-N-Out drink cup]]
In-N-Out prints discreet references to [[Bible]] verses on their paper utensils. The print is small and out of the way, and only contains the book, chapter and verse numbers, not the actual text of the passages. The practice began in the 1980s during Rich Snyder's presidency,<ref>{{cite web|date=2006-08-09
|url=http://www.gilroydispatch.com/printer/article.asp?c=180266
|title=The Ins and Outs of In-N-Out - Gilroy Dispatch
|first= Kelly
|last= Savio}}</ref> a reflection of the beliefs held by the Snyder family.
*Burger and cheeseburger wrappers
::[[Book of Revelation|Revelation]] 3:20—''"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me."''<ref>[[wikisource:Bible (King James)/Revelation#Chapter 3]]</ref>
*Beverage cups and antenna toppers
::[[John 3:16]]—''"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."''<ref>[[wikisource:Bible (King James)/John#Chapter 3]]</ref>
*Milkshake cups
::[[Book of Proverbs|Proverbs]] 3:5—''"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."''<ref>[[wikisource:Bible (King James)/Proverbs#Chapter 3]]</ref>
*Double-Double wrapper
::[[Book of Nahum|Nahum]] 1:7—''"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."''<ref>[[wikisource:Bible (King James)/Nahum]]</ref>
* Paper water cups, or "R-9's"
::[[Book of John|John]] 14:6—''"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."''<ref>[[wikisource:Bible (King James)/John#Chapter 14]]</ref>
==See also==
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*[[Fast food]]
*[[Drive-through]]
*[[Drive-in]]
*[[A&W Restaurants]]
*[[McDonald's]]
*[[Sonic Drive-In]]
*[[Zip's Drive In]]
*[[Arctic Circle Restaurants]]
*[[White Spot]]
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
==Further reading==
*{{cite web|date=2006-08-07|first=Carleen|last=Hawn
|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/74/burgers.html
|title=In-N-Out Burger is giving McDonald's a run for its money}}
==External links==
* [http://www.in-n-out.com/ In-N-Out Burger]
* [http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/105/105009.html Yahoo! - In-N-Out Burgers, Inc. Company Profile]
[[Category:Companies established in 1948]]
[[Category:Fast-food hamburger restaurants]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of the United States]]
[[Category:Regional restaurant chains]]
[[Category:Companies based in Irvine, California]]
[[Category:Restaurants in Los Angeles, California]]
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