Thousands Petition for Veggie Burgers at In-N-Out

In-N-Out (Kevin Dinkel / Flickr / CC / Cropped)
Kevin Dinkel / Flickr / CC / Cropped
Adelle Nazarian

An online petition that was launched last week is urging famous Southern California-based burger chain In-N-Out to add veggie burgers to its solely meat-based menu.

As of Thursday, the Change.org petition — which was started by the Good Food Institute (GFI) — is just 6,700 signatures shy of reaching its 35,000-signature goal. The GFI was established earlier this year.

“Burger chains nationwide have been getting huge returns from meat alternatives, and In-N-Out could do the same,” the Change.org petition notes. It adds that Chipotle, Whitecastle and Burger King provide vegetarian options to customers and suggest that they have seen “huge returns” for providing meat alternatives. “If you want a meat-free meal at In-N-Out, you’re going to be stuck eating multiple orders of French fries or a cheese-slathered bun,” the petition writes.

Currently, the only meatless options at In-N-Out are their French fries or a “grilled cheese,” which is essentially a cheeseburger without the hamburger patty, with the option of tomatoes, onions, pickles and lettuce.

“Please sign our petition and tell In-N-Out it’s time for a meatless main course!” the petition notes.

According to the Orange County Register, the GFI said In-N-Out is the first restaurant Good Food has targeted since it was established earlier this year, noting that it targeted the fast-food chain because it is a “cult favorite” with a large following, but small enough to add a meatless burger to its menu easily.

In-N-Out founders Harry and Esther Snyder opened their first store in 1948. It was California’s first drive-thru hamburger stand and was located in a space approximately 10-square feet at Francisquito and Garvey in Baldwin Park, according to the chain’s website. The couple lived right around the corner, and Esther would handle all the accounting for the business.

The chain now has over 300 locations throughout the United States but does not plan on expanding to the East Coast because it would change the company’s supply chain distribution. Among several reasons for that is that the chain has two distribution centers — one in California and one in Texas — and that all locations must be within a day’s drive from every location. None of the In-N-Out locations have microwaves or freezers and the company seeks to maintain freshness.

There were mixed reactions on social media to the veggie request:

https://twitter.com/FillupChung/status/778829467426836480

https://twitter.com/swaggyveet/status/778863241048956929

The petition will be delivered to In-N-Out CEO Lynsi Snyder once it hits the 35,000-signature mark; up from the original 25,000 mark.

Follow Adelle Nazarian on Twitter and Periscope @AdelleNaz

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