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In-N-Out to Maryland Copycat: Nice Try, We're Suing
Photo by TooMuchFire via LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
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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.
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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.”
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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.
Nice try. But...no.
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