Secrets Of In-N-Out Burger The Employees Do Not Want You To Know

1. Employees can eat free each shift

Image Source: San Bernardino Sun

Really, this is a dream come true. In-N-Out employees get a free meal on each shift. How many Double-Doubles is too many? The limit does not exist! They don't get discounts for friends or family though, and they don't get free milkshakes or animal style fries, which is so sad.

2. Some of the locations tried to defy COVID regulations

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Back at the beginning of the pandemic, one of the locations in San Francisco got shut down when employees refused to check the vaccination status of diners. Because it was in direct violation of the government mandated health policies, the location was temporarily closed.

3. In-N-Out will remain privately owned

Image Source: Eater

In-N-Out has always been a privately owned family company, and it will likely stay that way. Currently on its 3rd generation owners, keeping it in the family has allowed them to maintain control over the finances and the brand. The leadership is beholden to no one other than themselves and are not required to disclose their inner workings.

4. Don't expect a discount unless you're a police officer

Image Source: HOLR Magazine

An employee reported that the only people who get discounts at In-N-Out are police officers, and they have to come in in uniform to get it. Why? Because apparently seeing a police officer in the establishment makes people feel safer. So if you're a police officer, suit up and get that discounted Double Double!

5. Do this to keep your fries from getting mushy

Image Source: Reddit

This is big! You can actually request how you want your fries to be cooked. If animal style fries are your jam, try asking for them well-fried. It will help the fries keep their shape after they've been smothered in toppings, cheese, and sauce. Grab a fork and dig in.

6. Did you know there's a hidden Bible verse on the bag?

Image Source: Reddit

That's right! Every In-N-Out bag has a Bible verse on the bottom of it. You can also find it on the bottom of their cups. Most people know that Chick-Fil-A has a strong Christian background, but so does In-N-Out! The CEO said that her uncle started the tradition, but she expanded it when she was going through a particularly hard time.

7. The founders' family has not had it easy

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The Snyder family who founded In-N-Out have experienced a long history of drug and alcohol abuse. They've also lost family members to plane crashes, and they've endured many lawsuits. Just goes to show that despite their success, everyone experiences tough times and things they have to overcome.

8. The highest selling secret menu item is The Flying Dutchman

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In-N-Out's secret menu isn't really all that secret. They even list their secret menu on their website. But did you know that The Flying Dutchman is the most popular item? If you've never had one, it's great if you're keto or can't have bread. It's two pieces of cheese melted between two patties. Top it with grilled onions if you're feeling adventurous!

9. There's one thing on the menu you can't have though

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So we know the Not So Secret Menu is indeed not-so-secret. But there IS a menu item at every location that you will never be able to order. Each restaurant has an item that is only able to be made by employees for employees. It could be anything from tacos to extra fancy fries. Are you dying to know?!

10. Managers think the shakes are overpriced

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While their soft serve machine seems to be working more frequently than McDonald's, some managers think the price of the milkshake is a lot! But at least we know that they regularly clean the machines, and sometimes you just need a good strawberry shake with your fries.

11. The employees claim that THIS is the best burger

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So there's a burger that's not listed on the menu that some have claimed is the best burger. It's a Double Single - AKA two patties and one piece of cheese. Add chopped chilis, grilled onions, tomato. Then add some mustard, and get this... a bit of lemon juice. Apparently, it's life changing.

12. Customize your burger as much as you want

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One downside of In-N-Out is that they don't have bacon. But beyond that, feel free to modify your burger as much as you want. Try some chopped chilis if you're feeling spicy. And, if you haven't tried a mustard-fried burger, I highly recommend it. I know it sounds weird, but just trust.

13. It's hard to get a job there unless you know someone

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Current In-N-Out employees LOVE it when they get to refer a worker. If that person gets hired, then the current employee gets a little bonus. So if you're trying to get a job, make nice with anyone you know who works there and ask about the referral program!

14. It's possible to make a six-figure salary as a manager

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The average In-N-Out employee takes home a salary of around $50,000 per year. This can even be true for assistant managers. BUT once you hit that manager level, things can open up, with many managers making upwards of $100,000 annually, and some even hitting that $200,000 salary range! That's a lot of burgers and fries.

15. Employees say this type of burger is overrated

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It sounds good in theory, but employees think that the Animal Style Burger is a waste of time. Most employees suggest trying the other toppings and different combinations to figure out what you like. It also gives you more variety for your weekly visits!

16. Your food has never been frozen

Image Source: Serious Eats

One of the biggest things that In-N-Out abides by is the fact that their food is never frozen and is always prepared fresh without preservatives. This helps to deliver you the best quality product that they can as a fast food chain. Employees have said this is one of the first things they're told when talking about the excellence of the company.

17. If it's hot out, it might take longer to get your food

Image Source: Insider

It's only when the temperatures are truly scorching, but In-N-Out will stop their outdoor ordering service if the weather is unbearable. They do this to expedite the flow of their food line. So if there's a line (when is there not a line) and no one outside, get comfy. You might be there a while!

18. There's a reason In-N-Out is pretty exclusive to the West Coast

Image Source: Reddit

Because one of the staples of In-N-Out is fresh, never frozen ingredients, it's unlikely that they'll ever expand to say, Kentucky. While you might be able to catch up a pop-up now and then, the permanent locations need to be within driving distance where the ingredients will stay fresh. That's why the furthest location is currently in Texas!

19. In-N-Out is one of the first drive-thru places to ever exist

Image Source: The Mercury News

After World War II, Harry Snyder came up with the idea for a drive-thru ordering service, and In-N-Out was one of the first places to use a two-way speaker system to take your order. The idea really took off and the Snyder family began expanding to more locations.

20. The secret sauce is truly a secret

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They could be playing us, but even most employees claim that they do not know the recipe for In-N-Out's famous sauce. It's made ready-to-eat for every location, so no one who works in a restaurant is ever tasked with preparing the sauce. Seems like it's truly a mystery to everyone!

21. Don't miss out on this great vegetarian option

Image Source: Insider

Think you can't hit up this burger joint because you don't eat meat? Did you know that In-N-Out offers a fantastic grilled cheese? It might sound crazy, but as someone who eats meat, sometimes I get the grilled cheese because it's JUST THAT GOOD. You can add toppings the same as you would a burger, and paired with animal style fries, it's *chef's kiss*.

22. Employees HATE their uniforms

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Employees have stated that the In-N-Out uniform pants are extremely uncomfortable when the weather conditions are less than ideal. If you get stuck taking people's orders outside on a hot day, pray you don't pass out from the heat. And if you have long hair, you gotta pull it up and keep it tucked with bobby pins. Good times.

23. Beyond that, In-N-Out has strict uniform policies

Image Source: Yahoo News

While you're working, employees have to wear white socks with black shoes. They're also required to wear white pants and a white shirt with a black belt, the issued apron, hat, and name tag. The company bans any sort of accessorizing of the uniform, including pins or other unique identifying markers.

24. The company gives their employees Christmas gifts

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Employees, regardless of status, have said that they receive holiday presents from the corporate office. It can be anything from an In-N-Out themed cookie jar to an MP3 player. Employees have reported that the workplace is pleasant and that they're treated well in what they do.

25. In fact, they want employees to love their jobs to the point that it's weird

Image Source: Orange County Register

The founders really want employees at In-N-Out to like their jobs. Of course, that's (hopefully) true of any workplace, but employees have reported that founders expect a love for the company to the extreme level that some have even called it cultish.

26. Presentation is super important

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Employees say that In-N-Out prides itself on two things. One is the freshness of their meat and ingredients. The other is presentation. That's why they'll never place a combination of more than two burgers and two fries on a tray. If you need help carrying your food to the table, just ask an employee, and they're on it!

27. Even the napkins are passed out in a specific way

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If you've ever been annoyed about your napkin being placed on top of your burger/fries and getting greasy before you sit down, well, you're not alone. Employees are told to give one napkin per burger and one napkin per fries. The exception being if you get protein style, because it's messier. But they place them there, because there's no other space for it on the tray!

28. The employee perks are legit

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For a fast food chain, the pay is pretty good, but beyond that, the employees have said that if you perform well there are a ton of perks. Workers have talked about trips to amusement parks, vacations, and paid holidays off! We love a company that values their employees!

29. You can't order more than a 4x4

Image Source: Reddit

A 4x4 is FOUR burger patties, and FOUR slices of cheese. It's the largest burger that In-N-Out will assemble. Of course, if you want to put an 8x8 together yourself, they'll serve you the components separately, but you'll have to put that artery clogger together all on your own! Good luck!

30. Managers get free trips to amazing places

Image Source: Reddit

Some have reported that the company has sent them on various trips, all-expenses paid and put them up in a five star hotel. Doesn't sound too terrible! One manager said he was so surprised by the quality of the trip and said it was something he never could have done on his own.

31. Surprising things you didn't know about In-N-Out Burger! Fountain Soda wasn't served for 10 years

image source: reddit.com

It actually took a decade after the fast food joint selling bottled soda for them to switch to fountain soda. This new addition to the menu completely replaced the bottles, and you had the choice between Coke and Pepsi when it first released - at only 10 cents for 12 ounces back in 1958!

32. Its founders were just a couple of newlyweds

image source: ocregister.com

A lot of fast food chains - or any business, come to that - are started by older business-minded men, whereas this one was set up by a pair of newlyweds, Harry and Esther Snyder. They were so committed that Harry would go to market to pick fresh ingredients while his wife took care of the accounting!

33. It actually revolutionized fast food!

image source: reddit.com

We know these days that the two-way speaker system on a drive-thru is just normality - we never think how amazing that technology must have been as a new thing for fast food. This restaurants installation of the two-way speaker revolutionized the way you could order your quick takeouts!

34. The yellow arrow wasn't always a thing

image source: eater.com

The huge yellow arrow on the famous logo is of course a reflection of how quickly you can order the fast food - get in and out, get your food and leave - just follow the arrow! But it actually wasn't always part of the logo. There originally was a 'No Delay' sign until the arrow replaced it in 1954.

35. The crossed palm trees are a shout out to buried treasure: 'x marks the spot'!

image source: startupgrind.com

If you go to most In-N-Out Burger locations, you should see a pair of crossed palm trees outside - it's all part of the branding. But these aren't there just to look pretty! The founder, Harry Snyder, decided on the crossed palm trees in 1972 because he wanted it to be like finding treasure, inspired by a treasure-hunting movie where crossed palms marked the spot!

36. It was California's very first drive-thru

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Originally in California you could find hamburger stands easily, where you just went up to the counter on the street and paid. But this restaurant was the very first drive-thru fast food joint in the state, when it opened its doors in 1948! Much better than having to wait in a stand queue in the street!

37. The name 'in-and-out' is inspired by the speaker system

image source: ocregister.com

Because In-N-Out Burger was the first fast food drive-thru chain with a two way speaker system, it was actually this that inspired the now famous brand name. With the intercom installed, founder Harry wanted the idea of getting 'in and out' quickly for food to be a thing! And, of course, your voice goes in, and the server's voice comes out!

38. It actually has a huge link to drag racing

image source: reddit.com

Found Harry Snyder actually invested a lot of money in a new drag racing track back in the 60s - and, understandably, his burgers were sold on the concession stands! The grandchild of Harry and Esther, and In-N-Out heiress, also frequents the track a lot.

39. It even had its own car to back!

image source: motorsport.com

Their grandchild, Lynsi, hits the track often, apparently loving the adrenaline rush, and the franchise has gone so far as to even have their own car on the track. They sponsored drag racer Melanie Troxel back in 2010, where her car was emblazoned with the fast food company's logo!

40. Not only that: In-N-Out Burger has its own university

image source: foursquare.com

This isn't just a general education university that the fast food place has invested in - it's a university tailored for staff of In-N-Out to learn the, well... ins and outs of the business! The university, set up in 1984, focuses on training serving staff and managers on how to keep the highest quality.

41. Van Halen made an album based on In-N-Out

image source: iheart.com

Lots of bands are likely to grab fast food while touring on the road, and rock band Van Halen were no different. Their 1980's album 5150 was actually fuelled by food from In-N-Out restaurants, with one of the members saying that they ate there at least 3 times a week!

42. Loads of celebs are HUGE fans of this place

image source: glamour.com

You might think celebs have too much money to be bothering with fast food on the go when they can wine and dine in 5 star restaurants, but apparently the In-N-Out burgers are just that good

. Julia Child and Paris Hilton are just two celebs who have spoken about how much they love the food!

43. Their jingle has to be one of the most catchiest - ever!

image source: youtube.com

We all remember the original TV advert for this fast food chain - and by that we mean we've YouTubed it, unless you were old enough to actually see it live on TV - and we've had 'in-n-out, that's what it's all about' stuck in our heads ever since. You can even get it as a ringtone!

44. Their packaging actually includes religious shout-outs

image source: reddit.com

So you can think what you will about this one, depending on your religious beliefs, but there are actually certain bible verses hidden on the packaging. Harry and Esther's son, Rich, started doing this when he took over, as a born-again Christian. You can find religious prints on the bottom of cups, and in wrappers...

45. The current In-N-Out president has almost been kidnapped - twice

image source: money.com

The current president of the franchise, Lynsi, is very private about her personal life - and there's actually a reason for that. She's obviously in the limelight for being the heiress of such an important fast food chain, but the attention has also made her victim of not one, but two

kidnap attempts!

46. All the chain's heirs are made to start out from the bottom

image source: tripadvisor.com

The original founders, Harry and Esther, didn't go easy on their kids when it came to the family business. They made them start out by working at entry-level in the kitchens before they could make their way up. The tradition continued with their grandchildren, with current heiress Lynsi starting out prepping food in the back.

47. It's made a TON of money

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It's no surprise this franchise has made A LOT of money! The president of the company, Lynsi, managed to get her hands on the fortune when she turned 35, and her net work is now in the 4 billion mark. So yeah, the fortune is even in the billions and not the millions!

48. Harry Snyder did Atkins before Atkins was a thing!

image source: mrskinnypants.com

There's a 'protein burger' on the secret menu that has a wrapped lettuce piece replacing the bun. Harry Synder actually began avoiding the bun from his burgers when he was on a diet - and many people these days think that the 'protein burger' was just jumping on the Atkins diet train, but actually it was just Harry doing it ages ago for his own mealplan!

49. They've barely ever changed their menu

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Fast food restaurants go through a ton of new and exciting products, as well as seasonal ones - that's what keeps them interesting and moving with the times. But In-N-Out might be an example of why you don't necessarily need to do that.. because they've made a lot of money without ever really changing anything on their menu.

50. They refuse to open restaurants more than 500 miles away from in-house

image source: reddit.com

The reason that In-N-Out restaurants aren't popping up in every country of the world - we wish - is because they have a strict quality-assurance rule that means a restaurant can't be opened more than 500 miles from their in-house commission. But it's this strict quality policy that keeps their burgers tasting great!