This Booming Burger Chain Is Still Family-Owned

In-N-Out Burger is the epitome of generational success stories. With humble beginnings, it has grown under the watchful eyes of the Snyder family, from father and mother to sons and granddaughter. After nearly 80 years in business, this booming burger chain flourished to more than 400 locations across nine states. It never franchised, and it still remains 100 percent family-owned and operated to this day. Its original philosophy of measured growth and commitment to quality and freshness are certainly factors that have contributed to its longevity. These traits could be the key that ensures this greasy spoon continues to make its mark on the limited-service restaurant sector for decades to come.

The popular chain's enticing menu has remained largely unchanged since it opened its doors, and you can still pick up fresh, never-frozen beef patties and hand-cut fries. If you're in the know, you can even grab a few "secret" options made just for you, anyway you like them. Rumor has it, In-N-Out even pays its associates a competitive wage, higher than industry norms. Whether you love In-N-Out Burger's scrumptious milk shakes, the complimentary paper lap mat, its nostalgic décor, or its sparkling clean dining room, Harry Snyder's burger stand continues to plod on, satisfying the faithful as one of the oldest fast food chains in the U.S. So, check out these tasty bits of In-N-Out history you've been hankering for.

Harry and Esther Snyder opened their first In-N-Out Burger stand in 1948. It spanned just 100 square feet and was perched on Francisquito and Garvey in Baldwin Park, California. Harry certainly was an innovator of his time, and when he built a two-way speaker box in his garage, he set the fast food world on fire by pioneering drive-thru service. This modernized the entire operation, as this family-chain restaurant no longer had to depend on traditional carhops to deliver food to its hungry customers. But that isn't the only thing that sets Harry's burger stand apart from competitors. He handpicked fresh ingredients at the market daily, and it wasn't long until the couple's In-N-Out Burger expanded.

The Snyders opened their second location in 1951 in Covina, about 5 miles from their inaugural spot. Just three years later, the chain's iconic arrow joined the logo, and after just a decade in business, the family's chain bloomed to five Southern California locations where you could grab a fountain drink for just 10 cents. In 1961, guests were using pink butcher paper to keep juicy drippings off their laps, and in 1963, the famous Double-Double made the menu. That same year, Esther ditched the manual hamburger press, and Harry opened a new facility to grind and form the chain's patties. This progressive thinking helped the company continue to capitalize on its success, growing to 18 Golden State locations by 1976.

Just three years after In-N-Out Burger celebrated its 25^th anniversary, Harry passed away, and leadership of the restaurant chain passed to his sons. Rich Snyder stepped up as president, and his older brother Guy served as his right-hand man. With new family members at the helm, the company's focus turned toward expansion, and dining rooms became its new focus. Customers could now munch on a 70-cent cheeseburger in comfort and style, and eventually, a handful of locations ditched the drive-thru altogether, an In-N-Out fact not everyone knows.

The '80s and '90s were good to the family-owned chain. It opened its 50^th location and started peddling branded merchandise from its company store in Baldwin Park. But after Rich perished in a plane crash in 1993, ownership of In-N-Out changed once again, this time to Guy. While Rich had grown the chain with 75 new locations, Guy kept the booming burger chain's momentum going, opening 134 restaurants during his tenure.

Yet tragedy would strike the Snyder family once again when Guy passed away in 1999, leaving Matriarch Esther in charge until her legacy ended in 2006 at the age of 86. While Mark Taylor held down the fort for four years, the founder's granddaughter, Lynsi Snyder, took over the chain as president in 2010 at just 27 years old. Lynsi was indeed the last remaining Snyder when she stepped into the role, and as one of the richest fast-food CEOs, she continues to advocate for low prices and good old-fashioned customer service.