In-N-Out announced that it’s permanently shuttering its Oakland-based location on March 24 due to excessive crime in the area, according to multiple media reports. It’s the chain’s only unit in the city.
This is the first restaurant In-N-Out will close since its founding in 1948. The burger chain told Inc. in a statement that it’s had several relocations over the years, but never a permanent shutdown.
COO Denny Warnick said customers and employees have been regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies despite the restaurant taking multiple steps to create safer conditions.
“We are grateful for the local community, which has supported us for over 18 years, and we recognize that this closure negatively impacts our Associates and their families,” Warnick said in a statement. “Additionally, this location remains a busy and profitable one for the company, but our top priority must be the safety and wellbeing of our Customers and Associates—we cannot ask them to visit or work in an unsafe environment.”
The restaurant put up warning signs throughout its parking lot. One customer told CBS News that he once saw two persons trying to break into the car next to him. He also claimed that someone attempted to steal his truck a few months ago. They failed but took $500 worth of belongings.
Police have recorded 1,335 incidents near the In-N-Out since 2019, according to data collected by the San Francisco Chronicle. That’s more than any other section of Oakland. Most of these are targeting visitors coming and going to Oakland International Airport. CBS said a Starbucks location in the same lot closed in 2023 and a Raising Cane’s unit is only using the drive-thru to prevent car theft and burglary.
“We’re in a state of emergency. We’re in a state of emergency. Should it have to take a declaration to deliver [services] when we’re living this? My district has been in crisis,” City of Oakland Councilwoman Treva Reid told CBS News.
Workers impacted by the closing will have an opportunity to transfer to another location or receive a severance package. In-N-Out will continue to support the Oakland area with charitable contributions via the In-N-Out Burger Foundation and Slave 2 Nothing Foundation.
