In-N-Out Owner Clarifies Move to Tennessee

In-N-Out Burger CEO Clarifies Misunderstandings About Company's Future

Lynsi Snyder, the CEO of In-N-Out Burger, has taken to social media to address widespread confusion following recent headlines and online posts that suggested the company is relocating from California to Tennessee. This misinformation sparked a wave of speculation among customers and media outlets alike.

Snyder, who is 43 years old and the granddaughter of the burger chain’s founders, Harry and Ester Snyder, recently appeared on the "Relatable" podcast. During the interview, she mentioned her personal decision to move her family from California to Tennessee. This statement, however, was part of a broader conversation about the challenges of raising a family in California and the difficulties of conducting business there.

“I’m not moving In-N-Out Burger’s corporate headquarters,” Snyder emphasized in a video she posted on social media. “We’re not leaving California or our roots behind. Each one of our locations is here to stay.”

The confusion stemmed from a brief segment of the longer interview, which generated national headlines. Many social media users misinterpreted her comments as an indication that the entire company would be relocating. However, it's important to note that In-N-Out Burger has been expanding into Tennessee for some time.

In January 2023, the company announced its expansion plans, including a regional office in Franklin, a suburb of Nashville, set to open next year. Additionally, in February of this year, In-N-Out revealed plans to gradually move its corporate headquarters from Irvine, Orange County, to Baldwin Park, a suburb east of Los Angeles.

While Snyder has occasionally criticized the political and business environment in California, she clarified that her personal decision to move to Tennessee is unrelated to the company’s operations. “Where I raise my family has nothing to do with my love and appreciation for our customers in California,” she said in her video. “I’m very proud of where In-N-Out started, and anyone who knows me knows how often I talk about our beginnings and how our customers here in California brought us to where we are today.”

Despite her clear stance on the matter, Snyder also acknowledged that the high cost of living in California, particularly housing, has influenced the company’s decision to expand into Tennessee. “Moving into Tennessee provides our In-N-Out Associates wonderful opportunities to buy a home, raise a family, and be part of our expansion in a different part of the U.S.,” she explained. “It’s tough here in California, and this doesn’t have to do with my love or loyalty to the state and our customers. But I love our associates and I want to offer them this.”

Snyder’s message was clear: while the company is exploring new markets, its commitment to California remains strong. The move to Tennessee is not a sign of abandonment but rather an opportunity for growth and support for employees. As In-N-Out continues to expand, the focus remains on maintaining its roots while adapting to the changing landscape of the restaurant industry.