An Internet firestorm has erupted after reports that an In-N-Out Burger location in Garland, Texas, received approval from the Garland City Council last week. Garland councilman Douglas Athas reported on his blog May 19 that the location is the first of several Dallas market locations the company plans. The north Garland will be located in a town center with high foot traffic, and the store also will have a drive-thru.
The burger chain has 240 locations in four states but a national reputation and a cult-like following. Interest in the Texas location has sparked millions of Web posts. A search of "In-N-Out Texas" resulted in 44.7 million results, and "In-N-Out Garland" got 1.16 million. New York City residents have been the butt of April Fool's jokes suggesting the chain will open there, but the chain's Texas growth strategy is not a rumor.
The Fast Food Maven blog in the Orange County Register reports that the company confirmed that it is "working on a few locations in the Dallas/Ft. Worth market," including Garland. The Dallas expansion will mean a second meat commissary will be built in the city, a move the company has long resisted. A single commissary serves all its locations in order to maintain quality control.
From the blog:
In 2006, In-N-Out told the Register it would not consider spreading stores beyond 500 miles of its commissary because it would require the chain to open a second hub or have longer cycles between delivery runs, all of which would reduce quality control.
Fans are hoping In-N-Out's moving to Dallas is a signal the brand is moving eastward. Fast Food Maven reports that In-N-Out has no plans outside of Dallas/Ft. Worth at this time.
