THE owner of In-N-Out has broken her silence about the closure of the beloved burger chain’s Oakland location early this year.
In January, there was significant national attention on In-N-Out when it revealed that, for the first time in its 75 years in business, one of its outlets would be permanently closing down.
The closure of the Oakland branch was initially connected by Denny Warnick, the company’s operating officer, to persisting problems related to criminal activities in the vicinity.
The site, near Oakland International Airport, permanently shut its doors on March 24, officially marking the company’s departure from the city.
The location was operational for nearly two decades.
After almost a year post the shutdown, Lynsi Snyder, the CEO of In-N-Out, has shed light on the challenges faced by the troubled branch and the rationale behind the company opting to cease operations in Oakland.
Snyder, 42, called the site “absolutely dangerous.”
The CEO said In-N-Out’s Oakland location was plagued by car burglaries, fights, and theft.
“I mean, there was a lot,” Snyder told Marissa Streit on a recent episode of PragerU’s Real Talk show.
“There was actually – gunshots went through the store, there was a stabbing, there was a lot.
“For the safety of our associates, we just felt like this was not OK.”
In-N-Out did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The burger company said it sought different alternatives to try and salvage the location and ensure safety for its customers and employees.
“Despite taking repeated steps to create safer conditions, our customers and associates are regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies,” Warnick, the company’s operating officer, said in January.
“We feel the frequency and severity of the crimes being encountered by our customers and associates leave us no alternative.”
Warnick described the since-shuttered location as being “busy and profitable.”
However, the company said it could not ask its customers or employees to “visit or work in an unsafe environment.”
Snyder added on the podcast that the amount of time it took police to respond to 911 calls at the Oakland restaurant was “alarming.”
The employees, which amounted to nearly 100, who were affected by the shutdown were either transferred to a nearby In-N-Out location in San Francisco or received severance.
In-N-Out’s full statement
In-N-Out’s full statement on their decision to permanently close its final Oakland location in March.
“We have made the decision to close our In-N-Out Burger location in Oakland, California, due to ongoing issues with crime. Despite taking repeated steps to create safer conditions, our Customers and Associates are regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies. Our last day of business in Oakland will be Sunday, March 24, 2024.
“We are grateful for the local community, which has supported us for over 18 years, and we recognize that this closure negatively impacts our Associates and their families. Additionally, this location remains a busy and profitable one for the company, but our top priority must be the safety and well-being of our Customers and Associates – we cannot ask them to visit or work in an unsafe environment.
“All affected Associates will have the opportunity to transfer to a nearby In-N-Out location or, alternatively, receive a severance package.
“In-N-Out Burger has a history of supporting the Oakland community through charitable giving that predates the opening of our location there. Although we will no longer do business there, we will continue to support local charitable organizations in Oakland through our In-N-Out Burger Foundation and Slave 2 Nothing Foundation.”
Denny Warnick
Chief Operating Office.
