For some reason, there isn\u2019t the same fervor for Southern California\u2019s own McDonald\u2019s, one of the top 10 brands in the world<\/a>, or for Santa Barbara\u2019s The Habit, which beat In-N-Out in July 2024<\/a> for USA Today\u2019s best fast food burger accolade.<\/p>\n Times readers even lambasted former food columnist Lucas Kwan Peterson<\/a> when he placed L.A.\u2019s Fatburger atop his fast food burger rankings<\/a> in 2022.<\/p>\n Maybe that\u2019s what made the news that Lynsi Snyder, billionaire owner and chief executive of the iconic Baldwin Park brand, was leaving the Golden State last week all the more jarring.<\/p>\n Colleague Piper Heath<\/a> broke down the announcement Monday<\/a>, while columnist Lorraine Ali<\/a> opined on what the decision meant<\/a>.<\/p>\n What in the Flying Dutchman is going on?<\/p>\n Snyder made an appearance on the podcast \u201cRelatable\u201d<\/a> on July 18, hosted by conservative commentator Allie Beth Stuckey.<\/p>\n During the interview, Snyder uttered a statement that created shockwaves locally.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of great things about California, but raising a family is not easy here. Doing business is not easy here,\u201d she said as part of her announcement that her business was continuing its eastward expansion.<\/p>\n The move to Tennessee represents a seismic shift for the leader of the brand. Currently operating more than 400 locations across eight states \u2014 California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, Colorado, Texas and Idaho \u2014 In-N-Out has long thrived on being the burger chain you couldn\u2019t find everywhere.<\/p>\n How has the move been interpreted<\/p>\n Snyder\u2019s comments set off a disinformation blitz, launching the Double-Double into the middle of a red-state\/blue-state culture war where, clearly, nothing is sacred, Ali wrote.<\/p>\n Anti-Cali factions incorrectly crowed about<\/a> yet another business fleeing the West Coast. More proof that Gov. Gavin Newsom\u2019s \u201cfailing\u201d state sucks!<\/p>\n It appeared that In-N-Out was following Tesla and Charles Schwab, companies that cited regulatory challenges and operational costs among their reasons for relocating. Chevron also fled.<\/p>\n Many in SoCal felt abandoned and disrespected. They, after all, propped up the chain for 76 years, only to be told by its owner that the place that made her family\u2019s business \u2014 their home \u2014 is no longer to her liking.<\/p>\n On X, Oracle Park Seagull<\/a> posted \u201c\u2018Not easy for In N Out to do business in California\u2026\u2019 Said the person who became a billionaire doing business almost exclusively in California. So much so, it was a point of pride for the chain. Gotcha.\u201d<\/p>\n What\u2019s really going on?<\/p>\n During the podcast, Snyder discussed elements of California policy that make the state hard to operate in, referencing pandemic-era restrictions as particularly challenging.<\/p>\n She told Stuckey \u201cthe bulk of our stores are still going to be here in California.\u201d The relocation of both corporate operations and the CEO signals a fundamental change in the company\u2019s center of gravity.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will be wonderful having an office out there, growing out there, and being able to have the family and other people\u2019s families out there,\u201d Snyder said, though she maintains limits on expansion.<\/p>\n Final thoughts<\/p>\n Newsom even chimed in, starting his X post<\/a> with, \u201cFor those interested in the facts, rather than fiction, In-N-Out is expanding East \u2014 creating a second HQ in Tennessee.\u201d<\/p>\n Snyder responded Monday in an Instagram post<\/a>: \u201cWhere I raise my family has nothing to do with my love and appreciation for our customers in California.\u201d<\/p>\n The week\u2019s biggest stories Immigration and ICE raids<\/b><\/p>\n Trump Administration policy, actions and pushback<\/b><\/p>\n Crime, courts and policing<\/b><\/p>\n Health and medicine<\/b><\/p>\n More big storiesThis week\u2019s must readsMore great readsFor your weekend (Illustrations by Lindsey Made This; photograph by Joy Malone \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n Going outStaying inL.A. Affairs<\/p>\n Get wrapped up in tantalizing stories about dating, relationships and marriage.<\/p>\n Have a great weekend, from the Essential California team<\/b><\/p>\n Jim Rainey, staff writer How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@latimes.com<\/a>. Check our top stories<\/a>, topics<\/a> and the latest articles<\/a> on latimes.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n
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