In-N-Out Is Eyeing 4 New States For Its Eastward Push And Its Owner Vows The Chain Will Never Leave California

In a conversation with actor Terry Crews marking the companys 78th anniversary, Snyder outlined a vision that balances growth with tradition, a contrast to the aggressive expansion and tech-driven strategies favored by many national fast-food brands, as reported by The New York Post. The 44-year-old executive, granddaughter of founders Esther and Harry Snyder, spoke as the company reflected on its first stand in Baldwin Park, California, which opened on October 22, 1948.

Snyder, who moved her family to Tennessee in 2025, made clear that the relocation is part of a broader plan to guide the chains eastward development personally. She indicated that four Southern states are at the top of her list, saying, If you look at the map, youve got Texas. Theres Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma. There are some states that are possibilities.

November 01, 2026

She also confirmed that New Mexico is firmly in the companys sights, pointing to a previously announced project. New Mexico has been waiting for us, and that will be soon, she said, referencing a November 2023 Instagram announcement that In-N-Out will open an Albuquerque restaurant by 2027.

The burger chain, which has remained private and family-owned since its inception and has refused to franchise, currently operates 445 restaurants across 10 states. Snyder noted that demand from other regions is intense, with many communities lobbying for locations, but she remains wary of diluting the brands identity through unchecked expansion.

Though I think theres a lot of states that really want us there, its not really in the works and not planned, she said. I feel like theres a special piece knowing that In-N-Out isnt everywhere.

That sense of restraint stands in stark contrast to the corporate mentality that often prizes scale over substance. Snyder emphasized that while expansion beyond California is underway, it is far from her primary objective, stressing that she wants to, make sure that everything is right before each new restaurant opens.

Her priority, she explained, is preserving the chains character and consistency even as it moves into new markets with different climates and cultures. The goal is that the surroundings and the landscape and the weather and all of those things might be different, but we hope that In-N-Out stays the same, she said.

Snyder pushed back on any suggestion that the company is racing to grow at all costs, rejecting the narrative of runaway expansion. She stated bluntly that In-N-Out is not, growing like crazy, adding, We have a very steady growth rate, and its not really going up. In fact, sometimes we dont hit that.

For Snyder, California remains non-negotiable, both as a business base and as a cultural anchor for the brand. She dismissed any notion of a full-scale exit from the state as unthinkable, saying that pulling out of California would be, the dumbest business decision ever.

This is where we started, where we are and where we will always be, Snyder said. We continue to grow in California and we have lots of stores slotted for future cities in California.

Her resistance to following industry fads extends beyond geography and into technology, where she has drawn a firm line against mobile ordering. We have for sure had that put in front of us, and the answer is no, Snyder-Ellingson said during an April talk at Pepperdine University in Malibu, rejecting the app-based model that has become standard among competitors.

She argued that digital ordering would erode the human connection and quality that define the chains appeal, underscoring a philosophy that values personal interaction over convenience. The main reason is part of what makes In-N-Out and the experience so special is the interaction and the customer service that were able to give, the smile, the greeting.

Just that warmth and feeling the culture. And so, the mobile ordering will definitely take a piece of that away and theres also the freshness factor.