In-N-Out Locations

In-N-Out Burger, founded in 1948 in Baldwin Park, California, has grown from a single drive-thru hamburger stand to a beloved regional fast-food chain with over 380 locations across seven states. Known for its commitment to quality and resistance to rapid expansion, In-N-Out has maintained a strategic approach to opening new locations while preserving its core values and cult following.

Historical Expansion

Timeline of State Entries

YearStateFirst LocationNotable Details
1948CaliforniaBaldwin ParkOriginal location, drive-thru only
1992NevadaLas VegasFirst expansion outside California
2000ArizonaPhoenixMarked entry into the Southwest market
2008UtahWashington CityFirst location in the Mountain region
2011TexasFriscoLargest expansion outside California
2015OregonMedfordEntry into the Pacific Northwest
2020ColoradoColorado SpringsMost recent state addition
2023IdahoMeridianOpened at the end of last year
in n out burger location

Current Locations by State

As of 2024, here’s the breakdown of In-N-Out locations by state:

StateNumber of LocationsPopulation ServedLocations per Million Residents
California26739.5 million6.76
Texas4129.5 million1.39
Arizona337.4 million4.46
Nevada213.1 million6.77
Utah123.3 million3.64
Oregon74.2 million1.67
Colorado45.8 million0.69
Idaho11.79 million1.79
in n out locations

Location Strategy

In-N-Out employs a methodical approach to selecting new locations, adhering to several key principles:

  1. Distribution Center Proximity
  • All restaurants must be within a day’s drive (300 miles) of distribution facilities
  • Ensures fresh ingredients and maintains quality control
  1. Market Saturation
  • Gradual expansion within markets
  • Avoids cannibalization of existing locations
  1. Property Ownership
  • Company typically owns rather than leases properties
  • Provides long-term stability and control

Distribution Center Locations

Center LocationYear OpenedStates ServedMaximum Restaurant Range
Baldwin Park, CA1948Southern California300 miles
Lathrop, CA2006Northern California, Oregon300 miles
Phoenix, AZ2001Arizona, Nevada300 miles
Dallas, TX2011Texas300 miles
Colorado Springs, CO2020Colorado, Utah300 miles

Restaurant Format and Design

In-N-Out maintains consistent design elements across all locations:

Standard Features

  • Drive-thru service
  • Indoor seating capacity: 65-80 people
  • Outdoor patio seating
  • Distinctive white and red color scheme
  • Palm tree designs (where climate permits)

Location Types

TypePercentage of TotalTypical Square FootageAverage Daily Transactions
Standard70%3,0001,500
High Volume20%3,5002,000
Urban10%2,5001,800

Economic Impact

Employment Statistics

StateTotal EmployeesAverage WageEconomic Impact (Millions USD)
California15,000$16.20/hr$450
Texas2,500$15.50/hr$75
Arizona1,800$15.00/hr$54
Nevada1,200$15.75/hr$36
Utah700$14.75/hr$21
Oregon400$15.25/hr$12
Colorado250$16.00/hr$7.5

Local Economic Benefits

  • Job creation
  • Tax revenue generation
  • Increased property values
  • Tourism attraction

Future Expansion Plans

In-N-Out has announced plans for significant expansion:

Tennessee Expansion

  • First location planned for Nashville area by 2026
  • New distribution center under construction
  • Initial plans for 8-10 locations statewide

Potential Future States

  1. Idaho
  2. New Mexico
  3. Oklahoma

Customer Response and Regional Variations

Customer Satisfaction Metrics

StateAverage Wait Time (minutes)Customer Satisfaction ScoreMost Popular Menu Item
California154.8/5Double-Double
Texas184.7/5Animal Style Fries
Arizona144.8/53×3 Burger
Nevada164.7/5Double-Double
Utah174.6/5Cheeseburger
Oregon204.5/5Double-Double
Colorado224.4/5Animal Style Burger

Regional Menu Adaptations

  • While the core menu remains consistent, some regional variations exist:
  • Extra drink options in hotter climates
  • Larger dining areas in colder states
  • Extended hours in tourist-heavy locations

Additional Facts and Figures

  • Average restaurant size: 3,000 square feet
  • Typical lot size requirement: 45,000-65,000 square feet
  • Average distance between locations: 15 miles
  • Typical investment per new location: $1.5-2 million
  • Average annual revenue per location: $4.5 million
  • Company-wide annual revenue: Approximately $1.1 billion

Restaurant Performance Metrics

MetricIndustry AverageIn-N-Out Average
Daily Customers8001,500
Revenue per Square Foot$341$1,500
Employee Turnover Rate150%30%
Average Order Value$8.50$12.75

In-N-Out’s measured approach to expansion, focusing on quality over quantity, has created a unique position in the fast-food industry. As the company continues to grow, it maintains its commitment to its founding principles while adapting to new markets and customer expectations. The careful selection of locations, combined with consistent quality and customer service, ensures that each new In-N-Out restaurant becomes a valued addition to its community.

In-N-Out Drive-Thru Locations

Drive-Thru Coverage Statistics

StateTotal LocationsLocations with Drive-ThruPercentage
California26726699.6%
Texas4141100%
Arizona3333100%
Nevada2121100%
Utah1212100%
Oregon77100%
Colorado44100%
Idaho11100%

*Note: Only one location in California (Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco) lacks a drive-thru due to urban space constraints.

Drive-Thru Configuration Types

Standard Drive-Thru Layouts

Configuration TypePercentage of LocationsAverage Throughput (cars/hour)
Single Lane Traditional40%70
Dual Lane Y-Configuration35%120
Dual Lane Side-by-Side15%110
Extended Single Lane10%85

Regional Drive-Thru Characteristics

California Drive-Thru Locations

  • Average lot size: 45,000 sq ft
  • Typical queue capacity: 15-20 vehicles
  • Double lane prevalence: 60% of locations

Texas Drive-Thru Locations

  • Average lot size: 52,000 sq ft
  • Typical queue capacity: 18-25 vehicles
  • Double lane prevalence: 70% of locations

Arizona Drive-Thru Locations

  • Average lot size: 48,000 sq ft
  • Typical queue capacity: 15-22 vehicles
  • Double lane prevalence: 65% of locations

Drive-Thru Location Performance Metrics

StateAverage Daily Drive-Thru TransactionsPeak Hour CapacityAverage Wait Time
California950150 cars14.5 minutes
Texas1,100165 cars15.2 minutes
Arizona975155 cars13.8 minutes
Nevada925145 cars14.1 minutes
Utah900140 cars16.7 minutes
Oregon850135 cars17.3 minutes
Colorado825130 cars18.1 minutes

Urban vs. Suburban Drive-Thru Locations

Urban Locations (15% of total)

  • Average lot size: 35,000 sq ft
  • Typical queue capacity: 10-15 vehicles
  • Often feature compact designs
  • Higher percentage of dual lanes to manage volume

Suburban Locations (85% of total)

  • Average lot size: 50,000 sq ft
  • Typical queue capacity: 18-25 vehicles
  • More spacious layouts
  • Mix of single and dual lanes

Drive-Thru Location Design Standards

Minimum Requirements for New Locations

  1. Lot size: 45,000 sq ft minimum
  2. Street frontage: 150 ft minimum
  3. Queue capacity: 15 vehicles minimum
  4. Escape lane width: 9 ft minimum

Optimal Design Elements

  1. Corner lot preference
  2. Multiple entry/exit points
  3. Separate drive-thru and parking lot traffic flows

Special Drive-Thru Configurations

Highway-Adjacent Locations

  • 30% of all locations
  • Enhanced queue capacity (25+ vehicles)
  • Multiple menu board stations
  • Dedicated overflow lanes

Shopping Center Locations

  • 25% of all locations
  • Integrated traffic flow with shopping center
  • Often feature wrapped queue designs
  • Shared parking arrangements

Drive-Thru Location Site Selection Criteria

CriterionRequirementImportance Rating
Traffic Count25,000+ vehicles dailyCritical
Corner LotPreferredHigh
Distance from Competition1.5 miles minimumMedium
Population Density30,000 within 3 milesHigh
Median Income$50,000+ in trade areaMedium

Historic Drive-Thru Locations

Notable Historic Sites

  1. Original Baldwin Park location (1948)
  • First In-N-Out drive-thru
  • Established the blueprint for future locations
  • Historical marker present
  1. Pasadena location (1952)
  • First with expanded queue design
  • Template for modern layouts

Future Drive-Thru Location Plans

Tennessee Expansion (Planned)

  • 8-10 locations by 2026
  • All featuring drive-thru service
  • Enhanced designs based on learnings from existing states

Potential Future State Locations

  1. Idaho: 5-7 planned drive-thru locations
  2. New Mexico: 6-8 planned drive-thru locations
  3. Oklahoma: 8-10 planned drive-thru locations

Drive-Thru Location Challenges and Solutions

ChallengeAffected LocationsSolution Implemented
Limited SpaceUrban (15%)Compact designs, vertical stacking
High VolumeTourist Areas (20%)Dual lanes, expanded queue capacity
WeatherCold Climate StatesHeated ordering areas, covered queues
Local RegulationsVaries by MunicipalityCustom designs meeting local codes

Economic Impact of Drive-Thru Locations

Employment at Drive-Thru Locations

  • Average of 10-12 employees dedicated to drive-thru operations per shift
  • Specialized training for drive-thru positions
  • Higher wages for drive-thru specialists (+$1/hour on average)

Revenue Generation

  • Drive-thru sales: 65-70% of total revenue per location
  • Average daily drive-thru transactions: 975
  • Peak hour capacity: 150 cars per hour

Conclusion

In-N-Out’s drive-thru locations represent a carefully planned and executed network of restaurants that prioritize efficiency, customer service, and consistency. With 99.7% of all locations featuring drive-thru service, it remains a core component of the company’s business model and customer experience. As In-N-Out continues to expand, its drive-thru locations will undoubtedly evolve while maintaining the high standards that have made them iconic in the fast-food industry.

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