After 76 Years, In-N-Out Burger Finally Heads South

California's beloved burger chain is finally making its way to the South. In-N-Out Burger opened its first restaurants east of the Mississippi River - a historic expansion for the 76-year-old company.

The chain launched two locations on Dec. 10 in Lebanon and Antioch, Tennessee, both suburbs near Nashville, with a third opening following on Dec. 12 in Murfreesboro. Each restaurant will employ about 75 associates at a starting wage of $17.50 per hour. The new locations feature one drive-thru lane, indoor seating for 74 guests, and covered patios accommodating roughly 30 more diners.

Owner and president Lynsi Snyder, who greeted customers at the openings, said the expansion is a response to fan requests. "For many years, we've heard requests from our customers in Tennessee to consider opening locations near them, further east than we've ever been," she stated when the plan was announced in 2023.

For decades, In-N-Out maintained strict distribution limits, only opening restaurants within a day's drive of its warehouses to ensure fresh, never-frozen beef. That strategy kept the brand California-exclusive until 2011, when it expanded to Texas.

So how does In-N-Out maintains its freshness standards over 600 miles from its Texas distribution center? "We're able to reach Tennessee from our Texas warehouse," Snyder explained on the "Relatable" podcast. "We'll have a warehouse, but not do our own meat there, so we'll be able to deliver from Texas."

In-N-Out announced plans in July to establish a second headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, expected to open in early 2026. The company will keep its California presence, relocating its Irvine headquarters to Baldwin Park - where founders Harry and Esther Snyder opened the first 10-foot-by-10-foot drive-thru stand in 1948.

Snyder herself is moving to Tennessee with her family. "There's a lot of great things about California, but raising a family is not easy here. Doing business is not easy here," she said, comments that sparked mixed reactions from loyal Californians.

In-N-Out plans to open 35 locations in Tennessee over time, making it one of the chain's largest markets outside California. For comparison, Texas and Arizona each have about 40 units, while California boasts nearly 300.

Managing the new restaurants are Jordan McDermott in Lebanon, Chase Daniels in Antioch, and Shawn Cosper in Murfreesboro - three leaders with nearly 60 years of combined In-N-Out experience.

The company ended 2024 with 415 locations across nine Western states and about $2.35 billion in sales. While Florida and other East Coast states continue requesting locations, Snyder remains cautious. "Florida has begged us, and we're still saying no," she said. "The East Coast states, we're still saying no."

For now, Tennessee fans can finally enjoy those Double-Doubles without booking a flight west.

by Alex Bailey | December 17, 2025 | SHARE