Wade Lucko
Entrepreneurship
February 15, 2016
Book Review
IN-N-OUT BURGER
In-n-out Burger has a very unique style of the way they run their business and how they
have managed to be such a successful fast food restaurant in the world of franchised fast food
places that have thousands and thousands of stores. The Snyder family from the beginning was
looking for an easy and efficient way to have one of the best fast food places in all the country.
Their main focus was on treating their customers, employees, food and communities in which
their stores were in all with the utmost amount of respect and integrity. Their simplistic menu is
derived from having the freshest food possible without it ever being frozen or loaded with
preservatives. This has helped them create a very loyal following with them being such a private
business and not franchising allowing stores to be opened up on every street corner, has
practically made their customers part of a cult following. Paying their managers and employees
what they think is ethical and politically correct has also gained the company a ton of praise, they
typically pay more than their nearest competitors. Their model as a whole is very admirable and I
think businesses of many different kinds can take notes and learn a lot from them.
The company’s origins are based upon two individuals, Harry Snyder and Ester Johnson.
The two of them met in September of 1947 and would soon be married for the rest of their lives,
harry was the one with the common sense and savviness of a businessman and she was the book
smart, sweet minded, charming type. Together they shared some similarities, both of them were
generous at heart and shared a belief in treating people the way you would want to be treated. All
of these characteristics would soon be the foundation of their new business venture… In-n-out
Burger. The book describes Harry’s desire to start his own business was from seeing his dad
struggle to make ends meet with many make shift jobs. Harry had an idea for a burger stand that
got guests in and out quickly with the freshest food possible, hence the name, “in-n-out.” Harry
Snyder can be largely credited with inventing the drive through, which is now a staple in all sorts
of fast food chains. Just to think if he would have patented the idea all the money he could have
made is an incredible thought.
The first store was opened up in Baldwin Park, California. This was just about 20 miles
outside of Los Angeles right off the interstate. This was a genius ides for the amount of traffic
