You’ve seen them. You’re sitting in the drive-thru, the smell of grilled onions is basically a religious experience in itself, and you glance at the bottom of your soda cup. There, tucked into the rim in a font so small you almost need a magnifying glass, is a citation. Maybe it’s John 3:16. Maybe it’s Proverbs 3:5.
It’s subtle.
💡 You might also like: Sabrina Carpenter Perfume Sweet Tooth: What Most People Get Wrong
Most fast-food chains scream their branding at you with neon lights and aggressive social media interns, but In-N-Out Burger does things differently. They’ve been printing these citations on their packaging for decades. It isn't a marketing gimmick dreamt up by a boardroom in 2024 to "engage" with a specific demographic. Honestly, it’s just a reflection of the family behind the Double-Double.
The In-N-Out Bible verses have become a part of the brand's DNA, as much a staple as the yellow arrow or the palm trees. But where did they come from? Why do they keep doing it in a world that’s increasingly corporate and sanitized?
The Snyder Family Legacy
Rich Snyder. That’s the name you need to know.
While Harry and Esther Snyder founded the company back in 1948 in Baldwin Park, it was their son, Rich, who decided to start printing the verses in the late 1980s. Rich was a devout Christian. He wasn't looking to convert every person who wanted a burger, but he wanted the business to reflect his personal values. He started small. Soda cups first. Then the milkshake cups.
After Rich tragically died in a plane crash in 1993, the tradition didn't stop. His brother, Guy, kept it going. When Guy passed away, and leadership eventually transitioned to Lynsi Snyder—the current president and granddaughter of the founders—the practice became even more deeply rooted.
Lynsi has been very open about her faith. In her book, The Ins-N-Outs of In-N-Out Burger, she talks about how her belief system helped her navigate some pretty dark personal times, including multiple kidnappings attempts and family tragedies. For her, those little prints aren't just ink on paper. They are a "thank you" to the source of her strength.
Where to Find Them (and What They Say)
If you’re looking for a full sermon, you’re in the wrong place. These are just citations—book, chapter, and verse. No text. You have to look it up yourself if you're curious. It’s kinda like an Easter egg for the hungry.
The variety has actually grown over the years. Originally, it was just the heavy hitters. Now, if you look closely at different items, you'll find a range of messages.
The Soda Cup: John 3:16
This is the one everyone knows. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." It’s the quintessential New Testament verse. It’s been on the bottom of the water and soda cups for years.
The Milkshake Cup: Proverbs 3:5
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." It’s a bit more contemplative. Maybe a reminder to stay grounded while you’re inhaling a chocolate shake? Who knows.
The Hamburger Wrapper: Revelation 3:20
This one is a bit more "on the nose" if you think about it. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." Eating. Door. Knocking. It fits the burger context surprisingly well.
The Double-Double Wrapper: Nahum 1:7
"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him." This one appeared more recently under Lynsi’s leadership. It’s a bit more obscure than John 3:16, but it carries a heavy emphasis on protection and goodness.
The Fry Boat: Proverbs 24:16
"For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes." This is a gritty one. It’s about resilience.
Is This Even Legal?
People ask this all the time. "Can they do that?"
👉 See also: Why Cash on Delivery Wallpaper is the Secret to Stress-Free Home Decor
Yeah. They can.
In-N-Out is a private company. They aren't a government entity. They aren't a public school. They can print "The Earth is Flat" on their cups if they really wanted to, as long as it doesn't violate specific health and safety labeling laws. Because they aren't selling the "religion" as a product, but rather just placing a small personal expression on their own private property (the packaging), it’s perfectly legal.
Actually, being privately held is the only reason this works. If In-N-Out were a publicly traded company with shareholders and a massive board of directors, some hedge fund manager would have probably tried to scrub the verses years ago to avoid any potential "controversy" or to save $0.0001 per cup on ink costs.
But the Snyders have famously resisted going public. They don't want to franchise. They don't want to change the menu. And they definitely don't want to change the cups.
The Cultural Ripple Effect
It’s interesting how little pushback they get. Usually, when a brand gets "political" or "religious," half the internet tries to boycott them. Think about the Chick-fil-A sagas or the various Starbucks cup controversies.
In-N-Out mostly escapes this.
Part of that is the subtlety. If you don't care about the In-N-Out Bible verses, you literally never have to look at them. They aren't on the menu board. The cashiers don't say "God bless you" unless they just feel like it. It’s a "if you know, you know" situation.
But there’s also the quality factor. People are willing to overlook a lot of things if the product is consistently excellent and the employees are treated well. In-N-Out is famous for paying significantly above the fast-food average and offering actual career paths. It turns out, when you run a business that people actually like, they tend to be okay with your personal quirks.
Even some of the most staunchly secular customers I know will say, "I don't agree with their vibe, but the Animal Style fries are worth it."
A Dying Breed of Branding
We live in an era of "blandification." Every tech company has the same sans-serif font. Every fast-food joint is trying to look like a minimalist IKEA showroom. In-N-Out feels like a time capsule.
The verses are part of that. They represent a version of American business where the owners didn't mind being a little bit weird or a little bit personal. It’s a stark contrast to the hyper-processed, focus-grouped-to-death branding we see everywhere else.
Whether you find the verses inspiring, annoying, or just a weird trivia fact, they serve a purpose. They prove that a company can scale to hundreds of locations across multiple states while keeping a very specific, very human identity.
Looking for the Verses Yourself
If you're heading to an In-N-Out anytime soon, here is where to look so you don't look like a total weirdo flipping your food upside down.
- Check the bottom rim of your soda or water cup. You'll see the citation printed in the folded crease of the paper.
- Peel back the edge of the burger wrapper. Often, the citation is tucked near the seam.
- Look at the very bottom of the cardboard "boat" that holds the fries.
- Inspect the side of the milkshake cup, usually near the bottom.
It’s worth noting that they don't change these often. You won't find a "Verse of the Day." These have been static for a long time, which reinforces the idea that it’s about tradition rather than a modern marketing campaign.
Practical Takeaways
If you're a business owner or a brand builder, there's a lesson here. You don't have to be religious to see the value in what In-N-Out is doing.
Authenticity isn't about following trends; it's about holding onto the things that define you even when they aren't "cool." In-N-Out's insistence on these verses, despite the changing cultural tides, gives the brand a sense of integrity. It tells the customer, "We know who we are."
In a world where brands change their logos and "values" every time the wind blows, that kind of consistency is rare.
For the casual fan, those tiny numbers on the cup are just another layer of the California dream. They are as much a part of the experience as the secret menu and the crossed palm trees. Next time you're there, take a second to look. It’s a small window into the history of a family that decided their burgers should come with a little something extra.
✨ Don't miss: Who is Jack Kerouac? The Man Behind the Myth and the Total Chaos of the Beat Generation
Next Steps for the In-N-Out Enthusiast:
- Verify the Citations: Next time you visit, grab a few different items—a shake, a burger, and a soda—to see how many different verses you can find. It's a fun way to see the variety firsthand.
- Research the History: If the Snyder family story interests you, look for Lynsi Snyder’s interviews or her book. It provides a lot of context on why the company operates with such a unique, "old-school" philosophy.
- Explore the Menu: Since you're already looking for details, try a "hidden" menu item like the 4x4 or the grilled cheese to experience the full range of the brand's culture beyond just the packaging.