THE INS-N-OUTS OF IN-N-OUT BURGER
The Inside Story of California's First Drive-Through and How It Became a Beloved Cultural Icon
Discover the official story of In-N-Out Burger––how three generations have created a thriving, family-owned company, why its fans are so wildly loyal, and what led to its explosive growth and evolution into an iconic part of American culture––as told by In-N-Out Burger’s president, Lynsi Snyder.
When Lynsi Snyder’s grandparents founded In-N-Out Burger in 1948, they built it with a passion for quality and service that Lynsi embraced at a young age. After starting as a store associate at age seventeen, she then worked in other departments, gaining first-hand experience with almost every aspect of the family business until she became president in 2010.
Discover the official story of In-N-Out Burger––how three generations have created a thriving, family-owned company, why its fans are so wildly loyal, and what led to its explosive growth and evolution into an iconic part of American culture––as told by In-N-Out Burger’s president, Lynsi Snyder.
When Lynsi Snyder’s grandparents founded In-N-Out Burger in 1948, they built it with a passion for quality and service that Lynsi embraced at a young age. After starting as a store associate at age seventeen, she then worked in other departments, gaining first-hand experience with almost every aspect of the family business until she became president in 2010. She has led the company through explosive growth––today, there are three-hundred and eighty stores and counting––and is deeply committed to the well-being of the In-N-Out Burger family.
In The Ins and Outs of In-N-Out Burger, you’ll:
- Gain key insights into why In-N-Out has maintained its very popular and limited menu for more than seventy-five years and why it has refused to franchise or go public
- Hear behind-the-scenes stories from In-N-Out Associates, including from one gentleman who worked in the very first store
- Learn about the Snyder family’s Christian faith, including her grandmother Esther’s belief in the gospel and her uncle’s “born-again” experience that shaped his life and leadership at the company
- Discover why Lynsi has been ranked as one of the top presidents in the restaurant industry and how her personal challenges have fortified her faith and shaped her dedication to servant leadership
In-N-Out Burger has drawn fiercely loyal fans––from professional chefs and burger aficionados to celebrities and scores of everyday customers––who not only crave the burgers, fries, and milkshakes but also come back again and again for the community.
- Thomas Nelson
- Hardcover
- October 2023
- 256 Pages
- 9781400242993
Buy the Book
$29.99
About Lynsi Snyder
Lynsi Snyder is a visionary and servant leader committed to maintaining and enhancing the well-being of the entire In-N-Out Burger family, which now numbers approximately 38,000 associates. Additionally, she directs and helps to oversee all of In-N-Out Burger’s philanthropic efforts through the In-N-Out Burger Foundation, which was started by her Grandma Esther, Uncle Rich and Mother Lynda, and the Slave 2 Nothing Foundation, which was started by Lynsi and her husband, Sean Ellingson. Lynsi and Sean are also the founders and visionaries for Army of Love, a nonprofit organization that exists for the purpose of uniting the body of Christ through training tools that will set them free to set others free.
In addition to God being on the throne of her heart, Lynsi is a devoted wife and proud mother of four beautiful children. She strives to balance her many responsibilities be a good steward of what she has been given. Her goal is to be the type of person described in Proverbs 31 and glorify God, always being a light in a dark world and allowing people to feel God’s love and grace through her.
Praise
“I was lucky enough to be raised in California, an iconic place that represents a vibe and lifestyle to people worldwide. From the beaches of Southern California to the towering Redwoods up north, we Californians have a lot to brag about. But being able to claim In-N-Out Burger as our own is right up there at the top. They’ve set the bar on making great food, treating their people right, and never compromising their integrity. As a guy who travels the country trying great burgers, I’ll never pick a favorite, but I’ll tell you that I can’t think of many things better than a Double Double with extra lettuce, grilled onions, a side a fries Animal Style and a strawberry shake.” —Guy Fieri, restaurateur and television host
“Burgers and Bible verses? I’m in! As a California native, I consider In-N-Out as iconic as the Hollywood sign; it’s one of the only fast-food restaurants I’ll eat at because it’s always fresh. I love that my all-time favorite fast-food restaurant upholds for their employees and customers the values our family lives by. That’s just one more thing that makes In-N-Out unforgettable! Now, in Lynsi Snyder’s first-ever book, you can read about In-N-Out’s fascinating history as they celebrate their seventy-fifth anniversary. Congratulations In-N-Out!” —Candace Cameron Bure, CEO of Candy Rock Entertainment, producer, actress, author, and entrepreneur
“What an amazing book! So many valuable insights about faith, family, and business. Reading about Lynsi’s passion for business and helping the less fortunate is inspiring—we need more of this in our world. Thank you for being an inspiration to so many.” —Manny Pacquiao, eight-division world champion boxer
“Lynsi gives us the Ins and Outs of her heart—she’s the real deal! Her willingness to lead authentically with vulnerability, humility, and conviction is inspiring. Wow!” —Brad Formsma, bestselling author of I Like Giving and host of The WOW Factor podcast
“Less than 50 percent of American businesses survive past five years, and 0.0006 percent will see billion-dollar revenues while maintaining real customer satisfaction. In her new book, The Ins-N-Outs of In-N-Out Burger, Lynsi Snyder shares the inside secrets of what sets a business venture apart by telling the story of three generations of her family dedicated to quality, service, and unwavering core values. From key insights into their limited menu and refusal to franchise to behind-the-scenes anecdotes and interviews with In-N-Out associates, and a deep dive into the company’s principles rooted in the family’s Christian faith, this book is a tell-all for aspiring entrepreneurs or those who simply want to be inspired. Lynsi’s personal story is captivating, and the passion and transparency of her journey through highs and lows is a testimony to God’s grace and her grit to take life’s lessons and use them to become a true servant leader in one of the most beloved fast-food chains in America.” —Chad Robichaux, bestselling author of Saving Aziz and founder of the Mighty Oaks Foundation
Discussion Questions
- What legacy did your parents and grandparents leave you?
- Why do you think people sometimes plan to “build a better life than the ones they’d been born into”?
- What strikes you most about how Harry and Esther ran the first In-N-Out?
- How would you describe the difference between a customer and a guest?
- When have you developed a method for doing something a particular way? Have you shared that method with others? Why or why not?
- Why do you think it’s important for companies to maintain a good relationship with their vendors?
- What qualities do you think make a strong leader?
- When have you been placed in a role unexpectedly? How did you make the adjustment?
- What was your first job? How did you feel when you were first hired?
- How might you be able to implement “a culture of yes” in your own life?