We all really enjoy In-N-Out, right? Whether it’s the cheeseburger or the animal fries or the milkshake, somebody enjoys something from the legendary fast food chain. So let’s go back in time to learn some history about In-N-Out.

In-N-Out was founded by Harry and Ester Snyder in 1948 in Baldwin Park, California. They found the name by concept that they wanted to offer people a way of getting food without having to park their car, so they can order what they want and get out in no time. In the same year, Harry had a vision of his concept of the two way speaker system. Fun fact, In-N-Out is the longest running burger drive-thru though it was originally Red’s Giant Hamburg but it was closed in 1984.

In 1954, the iconic In-N-Out arrow makes its first appearance, replacing the original “No Delay” sign. Inspired by their new logo, In-N-Out associates adopt the sayings, “The arrow points to pride” and “We all work under the same arrow.” 4 years later, In-N-Out replaced using glass bottles to the cup that are still used to this day which, at the time, costed only 10 more cents. In 1961, the God of all burgers, the Animal style burger, was introduced due to many requests from customers. I will now thank those customers. In the beginning, the restaurant had only done brown lap covers for those that go through the drive-thru to eat in their car but in 1961, Harry switched to pink butcher paper which made dining more appealing.

In 1963, In-N-Out puts up a sign that said “Try A Double-Double” and now the Double-Double is one of the most popular options on the official menu. In that same year, a new facility dedicated to providing increasing numbers of guests with traditional In-N-Out quality begins operations using the freshest ingredients available. Up till now, each chuck personally selected and ground under Harry’s supervision has been hand formed into patties by Esther, using a manual press. In 1971, the pink lap mats were replaced with lap mats which offered helpful information for customers. The first few mats included maps that helped customers get around town. By 1973 on In-N-Outs 25th anniversary, there were 13 restaurants open all in Los Angeles county which at the time still didn’t have a dining room. Later on in 1979, 3 years after Harry’s death, an In-N-Out in Ontario became the first location with only one drive-thru lane as all the other previous ones had two. Oddly in 1984, an In-N-Out University opens in Baldwin park and was launched by Harry and Esther’s son Rich. It is mainly to train up and coming In-N-Out managers so guests can look forward to highest quality food, cleanliness and customer service. Excuse me while I go make an application.

In the same year, an In-N-Out in Placentia is the first location without a drive-thru lane. Now there are 5 locations in California that don’t have a drive-thru; Laguna Hills, Mill Valley, Glendale and San Francisco along with the one in Placentia. Also in 1984, Esther Snyder and her son Rich began the Child Abuse Foundation, which eventually will grow to become the In-N-Out Burger Foundation. Driven by Esther’s belief that every child deserves a chance and a future, the foundation’s year-round fundraising efforts provide residential treatment, emergency shelter, foster care and early intervention for children in need. In 1989, In-N-Out opened their first company store in Baldwin Park where customers can shop for merchandise like t-shirts. In 1990, the company began food trucks to give out food for the less fortunate.

A few years go by with continued success, I’m just gonna add this fact in because I like it; in 2014, a replica of the first In-N-Out restaurant appears in Baldwin Park, same location as in 1948. The replica can be seen on Francisquito Avenue, Baldwin Park, CA 91706. In-N-Out continues on to this day to be incredibly successful and delicious.

Information Resource: In-N-Out, Money

Picture Credit: Old In-N-Out sign

Featured Picture Credit: In-N-Out sign