In-N-Out Owner Lindsey Snyder Says Company Will Always Keep California Presence

In-N-Out burger chain owner Lindsey Snyder said the company "will always" have a presence in California, even though her family has already moved to Tennessee. According to her, a complete exit from the state would be "the dumbest business decision in history." The statement came amid an ongoing debate about why major employers are leaving California.

The company was founded in Southern California in 1948 by Snyder's grandparents. The entrepreneur herself is estimated to have a fortune of about $7.3 billion. A year ago she announced the move, explaining the decision by the difficulties of raising children and running a business in the state. Snyder emphasizes that the move was a family decision: the family initially leaned toward Colorado, but ultimately chose Tennessee. Thus, personal reasons and business conditions coincided in one decision, while the company, in the owner's words, remains tied to California.

The In-N-Out chain currently operates in several states: Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Oregon, Colorado, Idaho, Washington, and Tennessee. Expansion into Mississippi, Arkansas, and Oklahoma is under consideration, and a project in New Mexico is in development. Expansion is proceeding along several fronts, and California remains the base region of the brand, from which it grew over more than seven decades.

The company is also known for its decisions during the pandemic: it refused to require customers to show proof of vaccination, which set it apart from many food service establishments at the time. After California raised the minimum wage in the fast-food sector in 2024, In-N-Out raised its product prices. These steps reflect the management's approach, which puts its own business principles first, even when they conflict with the decisions of state authorities.

The combination of family and business motives makes the In-N-Out story indicative of the discussion about how regulatory and economic conditions influence the decisions of company owners. Snyder does not disavow her connection to California, but at the same time openly speaks about its costs, and this is, in essence, the main message of her statements: the state remains the brand's home, even when its owner lives elsewhere.

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Derek Weston

Sports Writer

Derek Weston covers public affairs, politics, business, culture and daily news for Core Memo. The role focuses on verification, context, and clear explanations for readers.

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