Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
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.
K.I.S.S.: Simplicity the Secret of In-N-Out's Success?
Don't mess with genius, people. Photo by kelwal☮ via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
For many of us on the West Coast, we take our In-N-Out seriously. We know we love it, we know how to order off the (not-so-secret?) secret menu, we know our own favorite order. You don't have to have a reservation, or be a celeb to get the best of the best from them (although not too long ago actor Tom Hanks told the newly (re)arrived Conan O'Brien he thinks their catering truck beats the Batmobile). But--besides their sauce--what's their actual secret?A new book about the burger chain, Stacy Perman's In-N-Out Burger: A Behind-the-Counter Look at the Fast-Food Chain That Breaks all the Rules, "chronicles the history of the chain starting with the company's founding in 1948 by Harry Snyder," explains NPR. The national radio organization shared a story yesterday about the book and the restaurant, focusing on the subtleties of running one of Southern California's most beloved food offerings:
"Harry had a motto: Keep it simple; do one thing, and do it the best you can," Perman tells Madeleine Brand. "And they've pretty much hued pretty closely to that formula, and it's worked for them."
Another quiet success: The Bible citations that are printed discreetly on the cups and wrappers, put there at the behest of Snyder's son Rich, "who is the company's second president and a born-again Christian." Author Perman notes, however, that for many, devotion to In-N-Out's burgers supersede the restaurateurs' spiritual devotion:
"Friends of mine who've lived in California forever, some of them didn't even know they were there. And some of them, who I think would be offended in any other setting ... sort of gave it a pass because they love In-N-Out Burger so much."
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
