Their expansion strategy just seems odd, why not start with the states around you and branch out from there? It's like they're intentionally passing us over lol

It’s not odd. California began it. Then Las Vegas. Then austin. Then Dallas area. Now the Nashville are. Until Oklahoma has a demographic that matches these cities then we aren’t going to be eating at In-n-out. Unless we drive down to university drive in Denton. Do you see the common denominator?

It's a burger. It's a good burger but I can get a good burger at a lot of other places also. Their fries stink.

Oklahoma and Texas are also Whataburger country.

I know the DFW locations have done well but the times I've been, those locations aren't half as busy as the ones in California.

It should be noted that Nashville is the crossroads of burger chains.

Whataburger recently expanded there as well as having Culver's there. Culver's is also in Texas without any Oklahoma stores. Nashville is the only metro that has both Krystals and White Castle restaurants. There is more than 1 burger chain that is multi state that does not do business here.

While not a burger place the much speculated Bucees also has a location between Knoxville and Nashville.

It's a burger. It's a good burger but I can get a good burger at a lot of other places also. Their fries stink.

Yeah, I tend to agree. I've said it before, but In N Out wasn't my favorite burger when I lived in California, and it won't surpass any of my newfound favorites here, anytime soon. I even prefer Whataburger over INO, but there's probably 4-5 burger joints around here I'd visit before in N out.

Yeah, I tend to agree. I've said it before, but In N Out wasn't my favorite burger when I lived in California, and it won't surpass any of my newfound favorites here, anytime soon. I even prefer Whataburger over INO, but there's probably 4-5 burger joints around here I'd visit before in N out.

exactly the way i feel as well. Whataburger is a better burger than anything i've had at In N Out... heck (now it depends upon location, because some seem to be way better than others) i have gotten a few burgers at Braums that were better.

I don't really ever eat fast food anymore but I may honestly prefer to have a Culver's than In-N-Out if somehow given the choice.

I don't really ever eat fast food anymore but I may honestly prefer to have a Culver's than In-N-Out if somehow given the choice.

Of course, because butter.

I used to be a huge Whataburger fan, by far my favorite. But the past couple of years IMO Whataburger has gone downhill. Every once in awhile I give them another try and always leave disappointed. Also I always thought Whataburger fries were the worst of any fast food restaurant, so between the lower quality of burger now coupled with the low quality fries, I avoid them completely now.

I used to be a huge Whataburger fan, by far my favorite. But the past couple of years IMO Whataburger has gone downhill. Every once in awhile I give them another try and always leave disappointed. Also I always thought Whataburger fries were the worst of any fast food restaurant, so between the lower quality of burger now coupled with the low quality fries, I avoid them completely now.
They have, sadly, gone downhill since the sale.

Good to know it's not just us imagining it, we stopped going there about a couple of years ago too due to quality lowering, and just plain sloppiness (like those pics of bad fast food that you see).

It’s not odd. California began it. Then Las Vegas. Then austin. Then Dallas area. Now the Nashville are. Until Oklahoma has a demographic that matches these cities then we aren’t going to be eating at In-n-out. Unless we drive down to university drive in Denton. Do you see the common denominator?

What is the common denominator / demographic among their current locations that is lacking in Oklahoma?

What is the common denominator / demographic among their current locations that is lacking in Oklahoma?

In-N-Out follows cities with a lot of California transplants.

Their expansion strategy just seems odd, why not start with the states around you and branch out from there? It's like they're intentionally passing us over lol

they continue to expand in texas using that distro center ... OKC will be on the list after those expansions ..

this Tennessee new venture gives them another base to expand from but doesn't really have anything to do with Oklahoma

They have, sadly, gone downhill since the sale.

Did not know they sold, explains a lot.

Good to know it's not just us imagining it, we stopped going there about a couple of years ago too due to quality lowering, and just plain sloppiness (like those pics of bad fast food that you see).

Ditto. I've said this to a friend of mine and you'd have thought someone insulted their child.

In-N-Out follows cities with a lot of California transplants.

Interesting. That does seem to be the case. Never thought of that.

Someone should tell them that California is the #4 top state for inbound migration to Oklahoma.

(but don't tell them OK is the 25th destination for Californians overall. lol)

States sending the most people to Oklahoma (https://stacker.com/oklahoma/states-sending-most-people-oklahoma#:~:text=States%20are%20ranked%20by%20the, the%20most%20people%20to%20Oklahoma.)

Don't know if it's purely just because of California transplants, but it just so happens that a lot of rapidly growing cities/metros in the US have a ton of people from California moving there. Super fast-growing cities are attractive markets for most things.

Whataburger has changed over the last few years. Their patties always seem fresh to me like right off the grill. They would always have meat cooking for their orders. Now it seem I get meat that has been in a holding cabinet for a good half hour.

Whataburger has changed over the last few years. Their patties always seem fresh to me like right off the grill. They would always have meat cooking for their orders. Now it seem I get meat that has been in a holding cabinet for a good half hour.

Correct. I don't eat there any more.

I used to be a huge Whataburger fan, by far my favorite. But the past couple of years IMO Whataburger has gone downhill. Every once in awhile I give them another try and always leave disappointed. Also I always thought Whataburger fries were the worst of any fast food restaurant, so between the lower quality of burger now coupled with the low quality fries, I avoid them completely now.

Interesting. I couldn't tell if my memory was clouded by nostalgia, but it does seem the Whataburgers aren't the same as I had years ago when I was younger. I didn't realize they had changed hands. I still prefer a Braum's burger for fast food, but Whataburger is pretty close.

I'd much rather sit at Tucker's and take my time with one of their burgers, given the choice. I haven't even eaten all the good burgers in the vicinity, yet.

Interesting. I couldn't tell if my memory was clouded by nostalgia, but it does seem the Whataburgers aren't the same as I had years ago when I was younger. I didn't realize they had changed hands. I still prefer a Braum's burger for fast food, but Whataburger is pretty close.

I'd much rather sit at Tucker's and take my time with one of their burgers, given the choice. I haven't even eaten all the good burgers in the vicinity, yet.

Whataburger is still my go-to for a burger and the location on Penn, just South of Memorial is pretty consistently good. A couple of chains that used to be among my favorites that now are just flat awful, are Sonic and Braums. Heck, I'll put a good, fresh McDonald's double cheeseburger or even a cheeseburger up against Whataburger, but getting a good burger at McDonalds is almost as rare as getting one at Sonic & Braums.

Perhaps if Oklahoman's ate more fast food, In-N-Out would consider coming here.

Whataburger is still my go-to for a burger and the location on Penn, just South of Memorial is pretty consistently good. A couple of chains that used to be among my favorites that now are just flat awful, are Sonic and Braums. Heck, I'll put a good, fresh McDonald's double cheeseburger or even a cheeseburger up against Whataburger, but getting a good burger at McDonalds is almost as rare as getting one at Sonic & Braums.

The Braum's I visit is pretty consistently decent with their burgers. And the WB you mentioned is the one I usually go to. Now that I'm thinking about it, I don't really eat fast food burgers all that often, I guess. Trying to remember the last time I had one, in fact.

Goes to show you what I know about fast food, I guess.

Don't know if it's purely just because of California transplants, but it just so happens that a lot of rapidly growing cities/metros in the US have a ton of people from California moving there. Super fast-growing cities are attractive markets for most things.

Yeah, there's really no way of knowing unless we were in the meeting, but it does track. Their brand is big enough now that they certainly wouldn't need to rely on that, but it could be a factor. It's also privately held and not franchised, so it could even just be as subjective as personal preference. 30 years ago it was surprising that they decided to do anything outside of southern California.

I almost always go to one when I am in a market that has them, but I'm not sure if I'd really go that much if one came here. I don't eat fast food burgers that often and I'd probably still just end up going to Sparks or Arbolada more than In N Out, anyway.

The Braum's I visit is pretty consistently decent with their burgers. And the WB you mentioned is the one I usually go to. Now that I'm thinking about it, I don't really eat fast food burgers all that often, I guess. Trying to remember the last time I had one, in fact.

Goes to show you what I know about fast food, I guess.

I honestly think Braum's has vastly improved over the last few years, or maybe they've just stayed the same quality while most other fast-food chains have gone downhill. My theory is their level of vertical integration has helped them keep prices down post-COVID, and having all of their stores corporate-owned has probably helped them with knowledge retention in a time of higher than average employee turnover in the restaurant industry.

The problem I have with Whataburger is the one in Norman is consistently so slow that by the time I get my food it doesn't feel like it was worth the wait, even when the food is at its best.

It's bad enough that, before I worked from home, my wife wouldn't worry that something had happened to me or I was with another woman if I was an hour late coming home from work. She would just assume I had stopped by Whataburger.

I honestly think Braum's has vastly improved over the last few years, or maybe they've just stayed the same quality while most other fast-food chains have gone downhill. My theory is their level of vertical integration has helped them keep prices down post-COVID, and having all of their stores corporate-owned has probably helped them with knowledge retention in a time of higher than average employee turnover in the restaurant industry.

I’ve also found myself going to Braums more thinking it’s better but you have an interesting theory I hadn’t thought about. At the very least I like supporting local.

I honestly think Braum's has vastly improved over the last few years, or maybe they've just stayed the same quality while most other fast-food chains have gone downhill. My theory is their level of vertical integration has helped them keep prices down post-COVID, and having all of their stores corporate-owned has probably helped them with knowledge retention in a time of higher than average employee turnover in the restaurant industry.

Interesting. This has not been our observation. We did grab one recently and it was OK, but my wife pretty much flat-out refuses to eat there now. If you go in and literally ask them to make you one fresh, they will, but if you don't, you're getting a patty out of the burger drawer.

To top it off, their restaurants are consistently dirty, their brand and concept is dated, and they don't seem to care. It's pretty shameful because if they cared more, Braum's could be a great concept.

They just have very low standards.

N/m

What is the common denominator / demographic among their current locations that is lacking in Oklahoma?
They use selective availability as a marketing to boost their brand. Austin Dallas California and Nashville are hip. Okies aren’t there yet. Culturally, our rural half is holding us back. Not that our politics help us out. We are still culturally equivalent to Nebraska. Maybe even West Virginia or Iowa. N&Out isn’t trying to expand to those mArkets either

They use selective availability as a marketing to boost their brand. Austin Dallas California and Nashville are hip. Okies arenÂ’t there yet. Culturally, our rural half is holding us back. Not that our politics help us out. We are still culturally equivalent to Nebraska. Maybe even West Virginia or Iowa. N&Out isnÂ’t trying to expand to those mArkets either

Do they have a "hip-o-meter" at HQ to guide them?

Seriously though, they do have a lot of locations in markets that I certainly wouldn't call "hip".

As far as culture or politics go, they give to Republicans, print bible verses on their packaging, and the owner runs her own ministry. So, I really don't think the Oklahoma culture is scaring them off.

The "selective availability" theory certainly tracks, though.

They use selective availability as a marketing to boost their brand. Austin Dallas California and Nashville are hip. Okies aren’t there yet. Culturally, our rural half is holding us back. Not that our politics help us out. We are still culturally equivalent to Nebraska. Maybe even West Virginia or Iowa. N&Out isn’t trying to expand to those mArkets either

I don't know how to break this news to you, but don't look on the bottom of their cups :)

I don't know how to break this news to you, but don't look on the bottom of their cups :)
Are you saying religious beliefs are not compatiable with culturally progressive beliefs?

I don't know how to break this news to you, but don't look on the bottom of their cups :)

Fact.


And as has been said/posted before Okc is in the delivery range of their Dallas district center. We will get locations. After Texas expansion

Are you saying religious beliefs are not compatiable with culturally progressive beliefs?
Let’s see they as a company were Anti Covid mandates and are pro life. Not “progressives at all”. They are Pro freedom

Are you saying religious beliefs are not compatiable with culturally progressive beliefs?

They aren't culturally progressive, though. A quote from Harry Potter is coming to mind: "Quite honestly, do you even know what they are about?" They have never been, and never will be. They are a west coast CFA.

https://www.reddit.com/r/antiwork/comments/sto7yh/innout_is_no_where_near_as_progressive_as_you/

So yes, yes I am saying that, in this case. Not always the case, but for purposes of this thread, yes I am.

Expanding to Oklahoma before more “hip” markets would be a terrible decision. It makes it too accessible. That’s something you do when you want to be McDonald’s. I think they enjoy their identity and it’s west coast association. That’s what made them so popular in Texas when they opened up. And Vegas before that. The Vegas move alone speaks volumes about not making some bull/$&@ religiously motivated market expansion. Look it may be family run but it’s not bill gothard and co. It’s people who hired a marketing team.

Expanding to Oklahoma before more “hip” markets would be a terrible decision. It makes it too accessible. That’s something you do when you want to be McDonald’s. I think they enjoy their identity and it’s west coast association. That’s what made them so popular in Texas when they opened up. And Vegas before that. The Vegas move alone speaks volumes about not making some bull/$&@ religiously motivated market expansion. Look it may be family run but it’s not bill gothard and co. It’s people who hired a marketing team.
They’re not coming to Oklahoma any time soon. We have a better chance at getting the old OG&E center out of old Rainey than getting an In n Out

They’re not coming to Oklahoma any time soon. We have a better chance at getting the old OG&E center out of old Rainey than getting an In n Out

they already have Oklahoma in their expansion area (via the texas distro center) we are just after texas in expansion

It's a contest between I-n-O and Bucees as to which will tap Oklahoma first./s
Maybe Bojangles will reconsider declining Oklahoma after announcing they would be in Loves

As I write this, I sit in a hotel room in Palm Desert, California, having just in the past hour eaten at In N Out for the first time in my life.

Verdict? It’s a fast food burger. Better than McDonald’s/Burger King/Wendy’s. Not as good as 100 other local options available in OKC. It’s on the order of a Five Guys or a Steak and Shake.

It’s fine. It’s nothing to spend a lot of energy worrying about one way or another.

they already have Oklahoma in their expansion area (via the texas distro center) we are just after texas in expansion

They’ve been in Austin since 2015 and that was old news then. They ain’t coming here. Not before Louisiana and New Mexico

They’ve been in Austin since 2015 and that was old news then. They ain’t coming here. Not before Louisiana and New Mexico

Yeah, because those scream "hip" as you wax poetically about.

It’s fine. It’s nothing to spend a lot of energy worrying about one way or another.

This is exactly how I feel.

As I write this, I sit in a hotel room in Palm Desert, California, having just in the past hour eaten at In N Out for the first time in my life.

Verdict? It’s a fast food burger. Better than McDonald’s/Burger King/Wendy’s. Not as good as 100 other local options available in OKC. It’s on the order of a Five Guys or a Steak and Shake.

It’s fine. It’s nothing to spend a lot of energy worrying about one way or another.

Agreed.

When I'm in Vegas I walk right by In N Out and go to White Castle lol

When I'm in Vegas I walk right by In N Out and go to White Castle lol


HA! White Castle was the best meal I had on the strip!

Notice I said "on the strip".... Best meals I've had in Vegas have always been off the strip.

HA! White Castle was the best meal I had on the strip!

Notice I said "on the strip".... Best meals I've had in Vegas have always been off the strip.

I will agree with this except for Cut at the Palazzo

It’s not odd. California began it. Then Las Vegas. Then austin. Then Dallas area. Now the Nashville are. Until Oklahoma has a demographic that matches these cities then we aren’t going to be eating at In-n-out. Unless we drive down to university drive in Denton. Do you see the common denominator?

San Antonio has had In-n-Out for almost 9 years now.

The Vegas move alone speaks volumes about not making some bull/$&@ religiously motivated market expansion. .

I don't think anyone said their expansion is guided or motivated by culture or politics, but you.

It's clearly a tactical business strategy that has worked very well for them. It's pretty easy to look at their locations and see that there is not any political or cultural consistencies in their choices. With 385 locations all over California and the southwest, that would be impossible.

When I'm in Vegas I walk right by In N Out and go to White Castle lol

Fatburger all day for me. Especially the morning after in Vegas. With a fried egg on it.

Fatburger all day for me. Especially the morning after in Vegas. With a fried egg on it.

Love Fatburger! Blows In & Out away. Their price point is higher though. At least I remember it being higher years ago when I last had it.

When I'm in Vegas I walk right by In N Out and go to White Castle lol

Anytime in a city that has a White Castle I have to go there at least once. I was born in Chicago and spent many of our family vacations visiting relatives back there in my youth. One of the first places my father and I would go to is White Castle. And I know you can get them in the frozen food section at grocery stores but it's not the same as getting them fresh at the Porcelain Palace. I so wish we had one here. I will say I've pretty much perfected cooking the frozen ones.

Fatburger franchises, so we don't have to wait to meet some elusive common demographic denominator to get one. Someone just needs about 500k in cash and pass a background check.

I will say I've pretty much perfected cooking the frozen ones.

Steam mine in the instant pot and it's about as close as I can get to driving to Missouri to get them.

Steam mine in the instant pot and it's about as close as I can get to driving to Missouri to get them.

We don't have an instant pot. I thaw them completely then microwave them one at a time wrapped in a napkin for 17 seconds in our 1000 watt microwave oven. That gets them pretty close.

I don't think anyone said their expansion is guided or motivated by culture or politics, but you.

It's clearly a tactical business strategy that has worked very well for them. It's pretty easy to look at their locations and see that there is not any political or cultural consistencies in their choices. With 385 locations all over California and the southwest, that would be impossible.

One more time.The Vegas move speaks volumes about NOT making religiously motivated expansion plans. This was my response to someone pointing out that the founders were religious. Opening in Vegas would be the work of a marketing department utilizing selective market expansion strategies to boost their project.

One more time.The Vegas move speaks volumes about NOT making religiously motivated expansion plans. This was my response to someone pointing out that the founders were religious. Opening in Vegas would be the work of a marketing department utilizing selective market expansion strategies to boost their project.
If they would have made religiously motivated expansion plans then they likely would have opened here before everywhere else.

I've been to a couple cities that have In N Out. Every time the people I'm visiting have to take me there. I don't get it. People have different tastes. I would much rather have McDonalds, Burger King or Whataburger. Or White Castle. Every time I go to St. Louis I have to go there.