In-N-Out Leaving CA? Owner Finally Addresses The Rumors

LOS ANGELES, CA — In-N-Out Burger may be expanding eastward, but abandoning California would be "the dumbest business decision ever," according to the fast-food chain's owner.

Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, the company's president and owner, dismissed rumors that In-N-Out plans to close its California restaurants during a recent interview with actor Terry Crews marking the chain's 78th anniversary.

"This is where we started. It's where we are now, and it's where we will always be," Snyder said when asked what she would tell loyal California customers concerned about the chain losing its roots.

Snyder said she was baffled by rumors that In-N-Out might abandon the state.

"There were rumors about 'they're going to close all their California stores.' I'm like, what? Where did this even come from?" she said, calling such a move "the dumbest business decision ever."

"We continue to grow in California," Snyder added, saying the company has numerous additional restaurants planned in cities across the state.

The speculation followed Snyder's announcement last year that she planned to relocate her family to Tennessee, where In-N-Out has been expanding its operations and establishing an Eastern territory office.

The company subsequently clarified that its corporate headquarters would remain in California. In-N-Out plans to consolidate its California offices in Baldwin Park, where the chain was founded, while closing its Irvine office by 2030.

And the burger chain is continuing to open restaurants in its home state: Its newest Los Angeles County location opened Thursday in Commerce.

That comes after a location in Stockton opened in October and one in Irvine opened in September.

The chain lists planned locations Chino and South El Monte as "opening soon" on its website.

Snyder's grandparents, Harry and Esther Snyder, founded In-N-Out in Baldwin Park in 1948, opening a tiny hamburger stand that became one of California's most recognizable brands.

In the interview with Crews, Snyder emphasized the company's connection to California's car culture, beaches and surf music, saying its identity remains inseparable from the state.

She also credited California customers with making the chain's expansion possible, describing the relationship between In-N-Out and its customers as a "love story."

In-N-Out now operates in 10 states, with Tennessee becoming its newest market in 2025. The company is also preparing to expand into New Mexico, while Snyder identified Arkansas, Mississippi and Oklahoma as possible future markets.

• SEE ALSO: In-N-Out Owner Names 3 States That Could Be Next As Burger Chain Expands

But she emphasized that the chain's growth will remain deliberate, with an emphasis on preserving the quality and company culture established by her grandparents.

"We have a very steady growth rate," Snyder said, explaining that she would rather expand cautiously than compromise the company's standards.

And while In-N-Out's geographic footprint continues to grow, Snyder said its California identity isn't going anywhere.

For the family-owned company, she said, maintaining the traditions established in Baldwin Park nearly eight decades ago remains a priority.