In-N-Out Burger, known for its unwavering traditions and limited menu of burgers, fries and shakes, has altered the chain’s classic look in some restaurants.
The Irvine, Calif.-based chain, one of the most beloved quick-service brands in the U.S., has refreshed about 20 new and remodeled restaurants in recent months.
The company explained the changes to Nation’s Restaurant News which were spotted at a Santa Ana, Calif. restaurant. The always busy fast-food location boasts new red palm-tree wallpaper, vintage style schoolhouse light fixtures and historic company photographs on walls.
The old In-N-Out design
Most noticeable, however, is the yellow “Quality You Can Taste” neon sign above the order counter. The new and remodeled stores have switched to a neon green sign, a color that is not often associated with the white, red and yellow color scheme of the 70-year-old Southern California institution.
Still, In-N-Out insists that the green sign is in keeping with the brand’s roots.
“In our more recently remodeled dining rooms, the color of the neon sign has been changed to the classic green neon color from our original In-N-Out Burger signs of decades ago,” vice president of operations Denny Warnick said. “While the feature has always been there, I’m sure the new color is quite noticeable, especially to our longtime customers.”
Warnick said subtle changes are made to restaurants as needed to maintain the company’s high standards.
“In some of our dining rooms that have been newly-built or remodeled in recent years, our customers may spot some subtle updates to wallpaper and lighting, for example,” he said. “Specifically, in the remodeled restaurants, the most noticeable difference would likely be the black-and-white photographs that highlight our company’s history.”
The black and white photographs, which lined the soffit inside the Santa Ana restaurant, showcase some of the chain’s early restaurants with passengers in classic cars waiting for their order in drive-thru lanes.
The family run company was founded by Harry and Esther Snyder in 1948. It was located across the street from the Snyders’ house in Baldwin Park, Calif. The company, which operates more than 340 restaurants, is now run by their granddaughter, Lynsi Snyder.
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