In-N-Out has decided to restrict its food service to take-out and drive-through only in one California county following complaints by county officials that the burger chain was refusing to ask in-house diners for their vaccination status. The decision affects In-N-Out’s five locations in Contra Costa County, part of the San Francisco Bay Area.
The county had earlier ordered the chain’s Pleasant Hill location to close after it refused to ask dine-in customers for their vaccination status as mandated by the county. The location will reopen under the company’s decision detailed above.
In-N-Out’s chief legal and business officer Arnie Wensinger stated to MarketWatch last week:
“As a company, In-N-Out Burger strongly believes in the highest form of customer service and to us that means serving all customers who visit us and making all customers feel welcome. We are not going to be the vaccine police of any country. It would be unreasonable, inhumane, and unsafe for our restaurant staff to separate customers into groups based on their documentation or other reasons.
“This is clear governmental overreach and is intrusive, improper, and offensive.”
The conservative figure, which includes several prominent figures like Donald Trump, has shown open support for the chain on Twitter. Candace Owens Mike Pence Kevin KileyAnd Jenna EllisYou can find this link:
California and support In-N-Out Burger – NOT the vaccine police
🍔❤️ pic.twitter.com/qvnG9OklLi— Jenna Ellis (@JennaEllisEsq) October 21, 2021
Local organizations have come together to support In-N-Out by doing what everyone with functioning taste buds and a location within driving distance should do. Namely, patronize the business.
Florida’s CFO Jimmy Patronis has sent In-N-Out’s president Lynsi Snyder an open letter encouraging them to move to the Sunshine State:
I’d be honored to introduce you to our team and help you find the perfect place to start a new In-N-Out story right here in Florida. My motto is “Florida is for Winners” and I have no doubt that your team can win here in the Sunshine State where we remain free and open for business.
Again, I’m impressed by your courage and your faith. You can always reach me for further information.
Patronis’s mention of faith brings up an interesting point. In-N-Out makes no secret of the evangelical Christian background of its founders and descendants, who own the company. On its packaging, the company includes Bible verses. It financially supports faith-based charities actively serving homeless mothers and children and the Slave 2 Nothing Foundation, combating both human trafficking and substance abuse. Naturally, one wonders if In-N-Out’s local targeting by the government is motivated by anti-Christian bigotry.
This whole matter is a case of government overreach. They are trying to force private companies to follow rules that do not protect anyone. For pushing back, In-N-Out deserves to be applauded. And with that, I’m off to get a Double-Double, fries, and chocolate milkshake.
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