In-N-Out CEO Moves to Tennessee for Strategic Expansion

In-N-Out CEO Lynsi Snyder is relocating from California to Tennessee as the company builds an eastern territory office, signaling a cautious expansion. While reaffirming In-N-Out’s California roots, Snyder cited family and business pressures in the state and teased future growth from Texas into nearby states—though East Coast fans will still have to wait.

Snyder, a born and bred Californian, has a deep affection for the state where her grandparents founded the cult burger empire In-N-Out. However, she revealed that she is leaving the Golden State for Tennessee, where the company is constructing a new eastern territory office. This move hints at a potential push to expand further across the U.S.

Snyder took over the West Coast chain at the age of 27, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, father, and uncle who led the business prior to her succession. Having grown up in Northern California, Snyder recounted how she worked her way up the ranks of the business, from toiling away in stores to helping her grandmother with community work, to running the business’s merchandising branch.

Now at the helm of the business with a net worth of $7.3 billion, Snyder is expanding In-N-Out into new territories and wants her family to benefit from the change too. She explained that the decision to move to Tennessee was driven by the challenges of raising a family and doing business in California. Despite the difficulties, the bulk of In-N-Out’s stores will remain in California, with the new office in Tennessee serving as a strategic expansion point.

Regarding the difficulty of doing business, In-N-Out has had conflicts with its home state over legal issues in the past. Notably, the business refused to comply with officials' requests that customers show proof of vaccination to make purchases. In-N-Out’s San Francisco restaurant was shut down for a couple of days, with Snyder saying that the pressures and hoops they were having to jump through were overwhelming. She reflected that perhaps they should have pushed harder on some of the legal backlash but held the line on not policing their customers.

Last year, the company raised its prices to comply with the state’s fast food minimum wage rules and maintain quality. This move was a departure from Snyder’s historical stance against price increases. In-N-Out’s commitment to California as its western hub remains clear, with plans to consolidate its two sites in Irvine and Baldwin Park under one roof in the next five years.

Snyder’s uncle, Rich Snyder, opened the Irvine site when he was leading the business in the 1980s and 90s. However, when he died in a plane crash in 1993, Snyder’s father, Guy, took over running the company. After her father’s death in 1999, Lynsi, at the age of 17, became the last of her family custodian of the empire. Snyder’s vision has been to have these two offices under one roof, consolidating the company’s operations in Baldwin Park.

In-N-Out has become a pillar of the West Coast lifestyle and is beloved by celebrities for a post-Oscar meal. While its geographical exclusivity has won it visiting customers, the brand has been slowly creeping East. For example, In-N-Out now has 43 stores in Texas and 13 in Colorado. It’s unlikely the chain will ever make the decision to expand coast to coast fully, but Snyder teased that Florida and other East Coast states are still on the table for future expansion.

Snyder explained that the company’s Texas warehouse can reach Tennessee, and potentially other states, without the need for a whole meat facility. This strategic move allows In-N-Out to expand its reach while maintaining the quality and freshness of its products. The company’s cautious approach to expansion reflects its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, ensuring that In-N-Out remains a beloved brand for years to come.