You’re driving through the desert, the sun is hitting your dashboard just right, and suddenly that yellow arrow appears against the blue sky. It’s a mood. For anyone who grew up out West, In-N-Out isn't just a fast-food joint; it’s a cultural landmark. But if you’re living in Maine or Florida, you're basically out of luck. People obsess over the count. They track new openings like they’re following a professional sports league. So, how many In-N-Outs are there exactly?
As of early 2026, the count has officially ticked past 415 locations.
That number is always moving, though. Lynsi Snyder, the owner and granddaughter of founders Harry and Esther Snyder, doesn't play by the same rules as McDonald’s or Subway. They don’t franchise. They don't go public. They just... grow. Slowly. Very slowly. It’s why the map looks so lopsided compared to other burger giants.
Where the Burgers Are: Breaking Down the Geography
California is the mothership. Obviously. If you want to know how many In-N-Outs are there in the Golden State, you’re looking at over 280 spots. That’s more than 60% of the entire company’s footprint. It’s where it all started in Baldwin Park back in 1948. Back then, it was just a tiny stand with a two-way speaker box—a massive innovation at the time.
But the empire is creeping outward. Texas is the second-biggest player now, boasting over 40 locations. When they first moved into the Lone Star State, people lost their minds. Lines were hours long. It was a whole thing.
Then you have the rest of the West:
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- Arizona holds strong with around 35 locations.
- Nevada has roughly 20, mostly clustered around the Vegas strip and Reno.
- Utah and Colorado are smaller players, but they’re growing. Colorado was a huge win because it required a whole new distribution hub in Colorado Springs.
- Oregon and Idaho are the newcomers, with just a handful of spots each.
The reason they don't just pop up everywhere is the "freshness rule." In-N-Out refuses to freeze their meat. Every single patty has to be delivered fresh from one of their own patty-making facilities. If a potential restaurant site is more than a day's drive (about 500-600 miles) from a distribution center, they won't build there. Period. No exceptions. It's why the East Coast is still a burger desert.
The Quality Control Obsession
Why does the count matter? Because it dictates the taste. Most fast-food chains have thousands of locations because they use frozen pucks of "beef" and pre-packaged produce. In-N-Out is weirdly protective.
They peel their own potatoes for the fries. Every day. You can see the guy doing it behind the counter. They use real sponge dough for the buns. They even have their own butchers. This level of micromanagement is why they can't just open 100 stores a year. If they did, the quality would tank, and the brand's cult status would evaporate.
Honestly, it’s a miracle they have over 400 stores considering they still operate like a family business. Lynsi Snyder has been very vocal about keeping the company private. This means no shareholders are screaming for "infinite growth." They can afford to be picky about real estate.
The Future: New Frontiers and 2027 Goals
If you're asking how many In-N-Outs are there because you’re waiting for one to hit your neighborhood, there’s actually some big news on the horizon. The company recently announced plans to expand into Tennessee.
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This is massive.
To make Tennessee work, they are building an eastern territory office in Franklin. This suggests that once they establish a hub there, the surrounding states—think Kentucky, Alabama, or even the Carolinas—might finally get a taste of a Double-Double. We aren't just talking about one or two stores; we're talking about a fundamental shift in their logistics.
New Mexico is also on the "coming soon" list. They’ve been teasing Albuquerque for a while, and construction is finally making headway. By the end of 2027, the total store count will likely be approaching 450.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Menu
People think the "Secret Menu" is actually secret. It’s not. The employees literally have buttons for "Animal Style" and "Protein Style" on their touchscreens.
But there is a nuance to the ordering that affects the store's efficiency. The more people order "well-done" fries or "chopped chilies," the slower the line moves. Because everything is made to order—and I mean everything—the volume of the store matters. A high-traffic location in Hollywood handles the same menu differently than a sleepy suburb in Roseville.
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Surprising Stats
- The first drive-thru: It wasn't just In-N-Out's first; it was one of the first in the country to use that speaker box tech.
- The "X" trees: If you look at the landscaping, you’ll often see two palm trees crossed in an X. This is a nod to Harry Snyder’s favorite movie, It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, where the treasure is buried under a "Big X."
- Employee Pay: They consistently pay way above the industry average. Store managers can make over $180,000 a year. That’s not a typo.
Why They Won't Go Global (For Real)
You might see "pop-up" shops in London, Tokyo, or Sydney. People get hyped. They think a permanent store is coming. It’s usually just a legal maneuver to protect their trademark in those countries. If you don't "use" your trademark in a country for a certain period, you can lose it. So, they fly out some staff, sell 300 burgers in a morning, and leave.
Will they ever actually open in London? Probably not in our lifetime. The supply chain would be a nightmare. Unless they want to start a cattle ranch in the English countryside, it’s just not happening.
Actionable Steps for the In-N-Out Enthusiast
If you’re planning a road trip or just trying to find the nearest fix, don't rely on third-party scrapers that might have outdated info.
- Use the official location finder: The In-N-Out website has a "Coming Soon" section that is the only 100% accurate source for new openings.
- Check the "Wait Times": Some fan-made apps track line lengths. If the line is out the street, wait until 3:00 PM. It’s the golden hour.
- Learn the actual lingo: Don't just ask for a "burger with stuff." Ask for "Animal Style," "Whole Grilled Onion," and "Yellow Chilies" if you want the real experience.
- Monitor the Tennessee Hub: If you live in the South, watch the progress of the Franklin office. Once that opens, the radius for new stores will officially expand to about 500 miles around Nashville.
The count of how many In-N-Outs are there is a testament to slow-and-steady business. In a world of fast-moving tech and instant scaling, there's something respectable about a place that won't open a store just because they can't find the right potatoes nearby. 415 and counting—each one exactly the same as the last. That's the real secret.