One of my biggest health vices are cheeseburgers. I know I shouldn’t love them but I do so very much. It’s as if I turn into Wimpy from Popeye at times and can’t help myself or my beef addiction. Especially late at night. It’s not very helpful that there is a In And Out just one exit away from me on Interstate 5 either.
Anyways, this blog post isn’t about my desire for burgers but rather the way in which In And Out structures their business and drive thru for maximum profits. Every time you drive by a In And Out there is always a line of cars waiting to get their orders. Most of the time, that line is about 10 to 15 cars deep too. However, people seem to have no problem waiting in line to get their Double Double.
Here’s why I think they go through the trouble to wait for their orders and why I think In And Out is so successful at what they do….
1. The burgers are damn good. I mean really good. They are by far the best fast food burgers you’ll ever have. The fries suck though, which I find weird. How can you make such great burgers but botch the fries so badly? I will often order a burger from In And Out and go across the street and get fries from McDonalds because they are so much better.
2. The employees are always super polite and nice. If you go to a Burger King, Wendy’s, McDonalds, etc. you often get a disgruntled minimum wage employee who could care less about you or your order. Every time I’ve been to a In And Out they are exceptionally nice.
3. The main reason why I think In And Out is so successful though is because of the simplicity of their menu and ordering process. There is really only 3 main choices and this really helps to speed things
Of course In And Out veterans can customize their order by making their burger animal style or substituting lettuce instead of buns but everything is super easy and basic. I’ve heard rumors that you can order grilled cheese sandwiches there too but I’ve never seen them on the menu. Personally, I stick to the drive thru menu and so do most of people that visit there. That menu is so simple and to the point.
The simplicity of the menu really does make the line go much faster. Customer always know what they want, and the employees have little troubles making it because it’s the same things over and over again.
Simplicity often gets lost by people with thoughts too grand or those who want to be ultra unique. I have nothing against being unique and separating yourself from the crowd but in business doing so can be often be to your own detriment. Especially in a business like fast food and burgers. Keep it simple stupid. And In And Out does just that.
Have you ever been to McDonalds or Wendy’s and looked at their drive thru menu and been mind boggled about the dozens of options in front of your face? Maybe there is a reason there is 2 cars in the McDonalds drive thru and 16 across the street at In And Out?
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci
“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” ~ Albert Einstein
Peace,
Jason
PS: Sorry people who don’t live in California, Utah, Nevada or Arizona. You have to drive a long ass way to get your hands on these late night munchies. I’m puzzled why In And Out has not spread across the United States like wildfire. Maybe they are running some scarcity marketing as well?
PPS: So I’m curious, do you think In And Out is the best fast food burger joint? I’m not talking about comparing them to Ted’s Steak House and Burgers, but rather other fast food places. Can anyone beat In And Out? What’s your opinion?
I’m in trouble. They’re coming to Texas. Dallas first, but it wont be long till we have them in the Austin/SA area…
http://www.cheese-burger.net/stories/in-n-out-burger-coming-to-texas.html
Thanks for reminding me!
Shecky
Oh man, everything is bigger in Texas and that is going to now include the people!
Quality control is easier when you keep things relatively local. Once you spread across the country that dynamic may change a bit.
Yeah, I can totally imagine. They probably don’t hand out franchise licenses in bundles like the other establishments do and can therefore keep a closer eye on the existing amount of businesses they do have.
In-N-Out doesn’t franchise at all. All restaurants are owned by the original family. They also grind their own meat, have their own trucks, etc.
I think the main reason they haven’t expanded is that it’s hard to get meat across the country without freezing it. They probably had to get a new processing plant.
-Erica
Yes, they are the best… and I like the fries… Mcdonalds puts “sugar” on there fries… which makes sense American’s are as addicted to sugar as they are OIL… Best, Brian-
I think they sprinkle crack on them fries. I can give up sugar. Crack not so easily.
In-N-Out–absolutely the best fast food burgers and best business name! The fries may not be the best (they’re still good), but they are made fresh on site.
I think the reason they haven’t expanded, too far, is because they use fresh, local sources for their food. Might not be so easy, to do, in the off-season in the eastern part of the country. I’m old enough to remember, as a kid in the ’60s, when McDonalds had a similar, basic, menu and used freshly made food. That’s what happens when you go “mega-corporate”.
King’s Burgers in Sanger, TX (the one and only). Hands down the BEST burgers. Ever. Next time you and Lana are down this way, come visit Marlon and I and we’ll take y’all there. (and they have good fries. double bonus.)
I agree with all of your points.. Everytime on on the west coast IE Vegas I go to In and Out..and you are right on the money..always a long ass line, always. They do have the absolute best fast food burgers but the fries arent anything special. I’ve too always wondered why the hell they dont expand to other places…maybe if they did it wouldent be as exclusive I guess like you said..scarcity. Thanks alot J, you got me thinking about one of them burgers now..Guess i’ll have to settle for Five Guys 🙂
Great burger, but you hit on the keys: A limited menu and friendly employees. I haven’t stepped foot in any other fast food burger joint in years.
5 Guys Burgers burgers aren’t anywhere near as good as In n Out’s. However, their fries are a zillion times better than In n Out’s. It’s hilarious when you go into 5 Guys in other parts of the country and they have all their awards up on the walls for best burger, etc… but none of them come from states where In n Out exist. =)
And yeah JMo, you can get grilled cheese sandwich… and they are oodles of goodness.
Tragically, there are no In and Outs here in Wisconsin. At least we still have some old-fashions A&W drive-ins here, with the carhops and glass mugs of root beer.
I think McDonald’s french fries have gone downhill since the good old days when they used to cook them in beef fat. Now I have to get my french fries from Wendy’s.
O boy, I used to love A & W as a kid. Don’t see too many of those anymore. It would be extra cool to see a bunch of them with roller skating chics bringing your order to your car.
Jason, no In and Outs in New Zealand either… Thank goodness, because they do the best burgers!
I’m vegetarian, but In and Out is my one “meat meal” – and look out, I’ll be in LA next month!
As someone previously stated, In-N-Out hasn’t expanded far because they use local produce and meat brought in daily. This was a fact that I read in I believe Inc. Also, when I go to the west coast, of course, as with most of the Texans I know, we all have to stop at an In-N-Out. However, here in Texas, I am a big fan of the Whataburger. Also, the damn ketchup is amazing.