The 2025 In-N-Out Revolution: 7 New Locations, Secret Menu Hacks, And The Unstoppable Eastward Expansion

Contents

In-N-Out Burger, the iconic West Coast fast-food chain, is making its biggest strategic move in years as of late 2025, cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon rather than just a regional restaurant. The company is accelerating its deliberate, quality-focused expansion plan, with a major eastward push into new markets and the opening of multiple new locations across its existing territories.

This expansion, which focuses heavily on the Southeast, is a direct response to decades of consumer demand, proving that In-N-Out’s commitment to its founding principles—fresh ingredients, simple menu, and no franchising—continues to drive its growth. As of December 2025, the buzz is all about the new states and cities finally getting a taste of the legendary *Double-Double* and *Animal Style* fries.

The 2025 Expansion Map: New States and Cities

The biggest headline for In-N-Out in 2025 is the highly anticipated entry into the state of Tennessee. This move represents a significant geographical leap for the California-based chain, which has historically maintained a tight regional footprint to ensure absolute control over its supply chain and food quality. The company’s philosophy, established by founders Harry and Esther Snyder in 1948, dictates that all locations must be within a day's drive of their patty-making facilities, a principle that has guided every expansion.

The Tennessee expansion is planned to launch with several key locations, bringing the classic In-N-Out experience—fresh, 100% American beef patties, hand-leafed lettuce, and hand-cut fries—to a new set of devoted fans. The announced new markets include:

  • Tennessee: The initial wave of openings is slated for late 2025, with locations planned for Lebanon, Antioch, Murfreesboro, and Franklin. These openings mark a new era for the brand, challenging competitors like Shake Shack and Five Guys in their own territories.
  • California: The company continues to strengthen its home state presence with new restaurants in Indio and Modesto, ensuring the original fan base remains well-served.
  • Other Western States: Further regional growth is confirmed with new stores opening in Arizona, Colorado, and Washington, continuing the slow, measured pace of expansion that has defined the brand since its first Baldwin Park drive-thru.

This total of seven new U.S. locations demonstrates a controlled but firm acceleration of growth, maintaining the company’s strict non-franchised model. The decision not to franchise is fundamental to In-N-Out’s success, allowing it to maintain unparalleled quality control, from the whole chucks of beef used for patties to the careful preparation of the signature spread.

Mastering the Not-So-Secret Menu: The Ultimate 2025 Guide

While the standard menu is famously small (Burger, Fries, Shakes, and Drinks), the true In-N-Out experience lies in mastering the Not-So-Secret Menu. This collection of custom orders is central to the chain's cult following and is what truly differentiates it from rivals like Whataburger or Jack in the Box. Knowing the lingo is essential for any true fan, especially with the influx of new customers in 2025.

Here are the must-know items and hacks that define the In-N-Out dining experience:

The Burger Hacks

  • Animal Style: The most popular modification. The patty is cooked with mustard, topped with extra spread, grilled onions, and pickles. This is a flavor bomb that elevates the standard Cheeseburger or Double-Double.
  • Protein Style: For those avoiding carbs, this replaces the traditional bun with a hand-leafed lettuce wrap. It’s a clean, fresh alternative that maintains the burger’s core flavor.
  • Flying Dutchman: A minimalist’s dream—simply two beef patties and two slices of cheese. No bun, no vegetables, just the essentials. It’s often ordered as a side or a pure beef indulgence.
  • 3x3 and 4x4: Referring to the number of patties and cheese slices (e.g., a "Three by Three" has three patties and three slices of cheese). While the standard menu caps at a Double-Double (2x2), these larger options satisfy the biggest appetites.
  • Mustard Grilled: A standard patty can be ordered "mustard grilled," where mustard is squirted onto the patty before it's flipped on the grill, searing the flavor into the meat.

The Fries and Shakes

  • Animal Style Fries: A game-changer. Standard fries are topped with melted cheese, their signature spread, and grilled onions. It’s a messy, delicious classic.
  • Cheese Fries: Simple and satisfying—just a layer of melted cheese over the freshly cut, hand-cut fries.
  • Well-Done Fries: If you prefer your fries crispier, ordering them "well-done" or "extra crispy" ensures a darker, firmer texture, contrasting with the typically softer texture of In-N-Out’s fresh-cut potatoes.
  • Neapolitan Shake: A blend of all three standard shake flavors: vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. This is the only way to experience the full range of In-N-Out’s famously thick milkshakes.

The Enduring Business Strategy of Quality Control

In a fast-food landscape dominated by rapid franchising and menu overhauls, In-N-Out’s 2025 strategy remains a testament to consistency and quality. The company, which opened its first location with a revolutionary two-way speaker for drive-thru service in 1948, has always prioritized the product over profit margins.

The core of this strategy is the vertically integrated supply chain. In-N-Out operates its own patty-making facilities in locations like Baldwin Park, California, Lathrop, California, and Dallas, Texas. This allows them to maintain strict quality control, ensuring that every patty is made from premium, fresh, never-frozen beef. This commitment extends to their other ingredients as well, from the freshly baked buns to the iceberg lettuce and vine-ripened tomatoes.

The slow, regional expansion, including the calculated move into Tennessee, ensures that every new restaurant can be supplied with the same high-quality, fresh ingredients. This deliberate pace is a key differentiator from larger, globally franchised competitors, and it’s why the opening of a new In-N-Out location—whether in Indio, Colorado, or a new market like Lebanon—remains a major local event.

As the company approaches its 80th anniversary, its legacy, built on a simple menu and a relentless focus on freshness, continues to drive its success. The 2025 expansion is not just about adding more stores; it’s about proving that the original vision of Harry and Esther Snyder is scalable, even as the chain moves further away from its West Coast roots.

The 2025 In-N-Out Revolution: 7 New Locations, Secret Menu Hacks, and the Unstoppable Eastward Expansion
in and out burger
in and out burger

Detail Author:

  • Name : Guillermo Gusikowski
  • Username : hans.wilkinson
  • Email : carlotta.lueilwitz@lynch.com
  • Birthdate : 1984-12-11
  • Address : 706 Stanton Highway Apt. 329 Benjaminport, TX 20866-4908
  • Phone : 857.233.3381
  • Company : Cartwright-Stamm
  • Job : Traffic Technician
  • Bio : Voluptatem tempore ducimus ea. Laudantium veniam deserunt dolorem quasi. A veritatis laborum hic dolorem est animi quos. Ut recusandae et molestiae totam.

Socials

linkedin:

tiktok:

facebook:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/emmerich2024
  • username : emmerich2024
  • bio : Voluptatibus necessitatibus quia itaque est eaque enim occaecati. Commodi qui molestiae provident voluptas voluptatem et officiis saepe.
  • followers : 4205
  • following : 966

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/noel_emmerich
  • username : noel_emmerich
  • bio : Optio nulla doloribus et nihil. Fuga minus officia ipsam aut cumque sed.
  • followers : 305
  • following : 1216