One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
In-N-Out to Maryland Copycat: Nice Try, We're Suing
Photo by TooMuchFire via LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
Whenever a fast food joint anywhere in the U.S. tries to mimic the wildly successful look or menu of SoCal's In-N-Out Burger, In-N-Out doesn't sit pretty--they sue. And so it goes with Grab-N-Go Burger of Aberdeen, Maryland, whose red and yellow logo has In-N-Out execs a little uncomfy with its proximity to their own, says the OC Register. In-N-Out has filed a lawsuit, claiming Grab-N-Go is violating the In-N-Out trademark look.
Grab-N-Go of Aberdeen, Maryland (image via Yelp)
In-N-Out issued a statement about their stance on the subject in general, though they or Grab-N-Go did not discuss the suit:
“Since our inception in 1948, we have worked hard to develop the unique look and feel of our restaurants. Consumers have come to associate our ‘In-N-Out’ name, yellow arrow, long-standing colors, restaurant decor, menu design, and unique menu items, such as ‘Animal Style’ burgers, with the highest in food quality and freshness. We will always vigorously defend our trademarks and trade-dress against any and all copycats and imitators but, as in every case, we also look for friendly resolutions with all parties.”
In the past, In-N-Out has sued--and won--burger joints in Texas, Utah, and Illinois.
The Register says when it comes to the food, Grab-N-Go's menu is more like that of national In-N-Out rival Five Guys, however it's not all about the logo. The Baltimore Fishbowl explains:
In-N-Out has a beef with Grab-N-Go’s [...] “Wild Style Burger,” which features two beef patties, lettuce, tomato, pickle, grilled onions and “wild” sauce; In-N-Out has long featured the “Animal Style Burger,” which features all of the same and “special” sauce.
Sponsored message
Nice try. But...no.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
