In & Out

[mjhale]

This is pure speculation but the hyper focus on Easter this year may have to do with conservative upset about the proclamation our current President made for March 31st which is also Easter. With that said, no matter what anyone does, someone is going to be upset in today's environment. I know there is a feeling in business that everyone needs to be "validated". However, at what point does "validating" everyone lead to lack of focus on providing a good product to the customer which leads to return customers and continued success of said business. In-N-Out must think it has enough reputational capital built up with its employees that they feel that a non-believer, whether Christian or otherwise, or someone who is not completely aligned with In-N-Out's political beliefs, would not be concerned.

[veteran+]

Probably the same way they feel when they hear "Merry Christmas" the whole month of December... but it is easy to go ahead and delete/disregard the e-mail and be done with it. Throughout December you have no idea when you may be hit with a "Merry Christmas."

To be fair, there's a bit of a difference between a generic greeting like "Merry Christmas", which is basically a secular holiday at this point, and an e-mail making specific reference to the prophet of a particular religion.

I have no problem with this e-mail, but I am also confused about its purpose. Is it a "because we can" type of thing? I doubt In-N-Out employees, as a group, are particularly religious, so what good does this do the company?

Most of the employees Roll Their Eyes at this during their store meetings (mandatory and EARLY even if you worked the previous day until 2am or they carefully complain in the breakroom).

[veteran+]

This is pure speculation but the hyper focus on Easter this year may have to do with conservative upset about the proclamation our current President made for March 31st which is also Easter. With that said, no matter what anyone does, someone is going to be upset in today's environment. I know there is a feeling in business that everyone needs to be "validated". However, at what point does "validating" everyone lead to lack of focus on providing a good product to the customer which leads to return customers and continued success of said business. In-N-Out must think it has enough reputational capital built up with its employees that they feel that a non-believer, whether Christian or otherwise, or someone who is not completely aligned with In-N-Out's political beliefs, would not be concerned.

They have achieved cult status and understand they can do no wrong. A lot of their stubborn internal procedures in the face of better and more efficient and productive technology (even though "their" way is profitable for now) indicates an hubristic comfort that they currently enjoy. A small number of other companies enjoy that status.

[storewanderer]

Probably the same way they feel when they hear "Merry Christmas" the whole month of December... but it is easy to go ahead and delete/disregard the e-mail and be done with it. Throughout December you have no idea when you may be hit with a "Merry Christmas."

To be fair, there's a bit of a difference between a generic greeting like "Merry Christmas", which is basically a secular holiday at this point, and an e-mail making specific reference to the prophet of a particular religion.

I have no problem with this e-mail, but I am also confused about its purpose. Is it a "because we can" type of thing? I doubt In-N-Out employees, as a group, are particularly religious, so what good does this do the company?

Most of the employees Roll Their Eyes at this during their store meetings (mandatory and EARLY even if you worked the previous day until 2am or they carefully complain in the breakroom).

There is no law in CA that requires x number of hours between shifts, which is the type of law that would potentially protect the closer from having to show up at 8 AM the next morning. I find it strange CA does not have a law requiring 8 or some number of hours between shifts.

I suspect the employees are rolling their eyes at the concept of the "meeting" in general, not just this topic of the "meeting."

[storewanderer]

This is pure speculation but the hyper focus on Easter this year may have to do with conservative upset about the proclamation our current President made for March 31st which is also Easter. With that said, no matter what anyone does, someone is going to be upset in today's environment. I know there is a feeling in business that everyone needs to be "validated". However, at what point does "validating" everyone lead to lack of focus on providing a good product to the customer which leads to return customers and continued success of said business. In-N-Out must think it has enough reputational capital built up with its employees that they feel that a non-believer, whether Christian or otherwise, or someone who is not completely aligned with In-N-Out's political beliefs, would not be concerned.

They have achieved cult status and understand they can do no wrong. A lot of their stubborn internal procedures in the face of better and more efficient and productive technology (even though "their" way is profitable for now) indicates an hubristic comfort that they currently enjoy. A small number of other companies enjoy that status.

Technology... this is burgers and fries here...

We see what technology has done to the quality of the product and execution of chains like McDonalds.

I'd rather In N Out keeps up with its simple processes. I'll take their "human" kitchen with voices and movement/chaos vs. the McDonalds kitchen where there are always what sound like dozens of pieces of equipment beeping and a couple employees looking confused at what is going on and what buttons to press to make the beeping stop.

They have the technology I need at In N Out. They have a functioning credit card terminal that accepts tap to pay. I go into the bathroom there is an automated sink with a sensor and an automated paper towel dispenser. I'd like to see an automated soap dispenser too; I suppose that technology would be nice. The beverage counter works well I am able to get ice from their machine and iced tea out of their brewed tea urn so again they have the technology I need. I could go for an order kiosk if it was a quick easy to use kiosk but the order counter works just fine too.

[storewanderer]

This is pure speculation but the hyper focus on Easter this year may have to do with conservative upset about the proclamation our current President made for March 31st which is also Easter. With that said, no matter what anyone does, someone is going to be upset in today's environment. I know there is a feeling in business that everyone needs to be "validated". However, at what point does "validating" everyone lead to lack of focus on providing a good product to the customer which leads to return customers and continued success of said business. In-N-Out must think it has enough reputational capital built up with its employees that they feel that a non-believer, whether Christian or otherwise, or someone who is not completely aligned with In-N-Out's political beliefs, would not be concerned.

They have achieved cult status and understand they can do no wrong. A lot of their stubborn internal procedures in the face of better and more efficient and productive technology (even though "their" way is profitable for now) indicates an hubristic comfort that they currently enjoy. A small number of other companies enjoy that status.

Seriously spend some time in In N Out and then go spend some time in McDonalds then go spend some time in a lower volume fast food operation like a Carl's Jr. and see what your perceptions are after making observations of the employees, observations of the quality of food, observations of the employee-customer interactions, observations of interior/exterior cleanliness... condition of the facilities... they are not perfect... but In N Out runs a very tight ship. I don't go there very often because it is too crowded but I deeply respect their ability to execute.

[veteran+]

"I suspect the employees are rolling their eyes at the concept of the "meeting" in general, not just this topic of the "meeting."


NOPE.............it was specific to the religious stuff according to first hand accounts.

[veteran+]

This is pure speculation but the hyper focus on Easter this year may have to do with conservative upset about the proclamation our current President made for March 31st which is also Easter. With that said, no matter what anyone does, someone is going to be upset in today's environment. I know there is a feeling in business that everyone needs to be "validated". However, at what point does "validating" everyone lead to lack of focus on providing a good product to the customer which leads to return customers and continued success of said business. In-N-Out must think it has enough reputational capital built up with its employees that they feel that a non-believer, whether Christian or otherwise, or someone who is not completely aligned with In-N-Out's political beliefs, would not be concerned.

They have achieved cult status and understand they can do no wrong. A lot of their stubborn internal procedures in the face of better and more efficient and productive technology (even though "their" way is profitable for now) indicates an hubristic comfort that they currently enjoy. A small number of other companies enjoy that status.

Seriously spend some time in In N Out and then go spend some time in McDonalds then go spend some time in a lower volume fast food operation like a Carl's Jr. and see what your perceptions are after making observations of the employees, observations of the quality of food, observations of the employee-customer interactions, observations of interior/exterior cleanliness... condition of the facilities... they are not perfect... but In N Out runs a very tight ship. I don't go there very often because it is too crowded but I deeply respect their ability to execute.

You see that's the thing..........................I'm not comparing them to other fast foods. Why would I? The others are pretty awful.

I'm just saying that it is NOT the tight ship that most folks believe them to be (and what they boast to be). And it is definitely not military inspired (as others have claimed) because their way wouldn't last 1 day at boot camp. There are things going on inside (that Managers will not share) that are absolutely ridiculous given over 75 years of experience. It is indeed chaotic, unnecessary and LOUD (loud for what reason, entertainment, nostalgia, what?).

They deliver what folks want, I get it. But the veneration, adulation is over the top. I would never let my kid work there. Again, I'm not comparing them to other fast food companies because they are worse.

An unbiased specialist in Fast Food operations would scratch their heads often and ask lots of questions as to why are you doing this and that, like that? You have the money, you have the experience, why?


Hubris expresses "if it aint broke why fix it", after all....................we're making Bank.

[ClownLoach]

This is pure speculation but the hyper focus on Easter this year may have to do with conservative upset about the proclamation our current President made for March 31st which is also Easter. With that said, no matter what anyone does, someone is going to be upset in today's environment. I know there is a feeling in business that everyone needs to be "validated". However, at what point does "validating" everyone lead to lack of focus on providing a good product to the customer which leads to return customers and continued success of said business. In-N-Out must think it has enough reputational capital built up with its employees that they feel that a non-believer, whether Christian or otherwise, or someone who is not completely aligned with In-N-Out's political beliefs, would not be concerned.

Said proclamation has fallen on 3/31 since 2009. Current president had nothing to do with that, but as usual social media falsehoods are blaming him. Heck the conservatives that want to discount said proclamation have given it more publicity than it ever had with this comically inaccurate challenge.

Easter moves each year. Next year Easter is on 4/20. Curious what will be said then.

[ClownLoach]

This is pure speculation but the hyper focus on Easter this year may have to do with conservative upset about the proclamation our current President made for March 31st which is also Easter. With that said, no matter what anyone does, someone is going to be upset in today's environment. I know there is a feeling in business that everyone needs to be "validated". However, at what point does "validating" everyone lead to lack of focus on providing a good product to the customer which leads to return customers and continued success of said business. In-N-Out must think it has enough reputational capital built up with its employees that they feel that a non-believer, whether Christian or otherwise, or someone who is not completely aligned with In-N-Out's political beliefs, would not be concerned.

They have achieved cult status and understand they can do no wrong. A lot of their stubborn internal procedures in the face of better and more efficient and productive technology (even though "their" way is profitable for now) indicates an hubristic comfort that they currently enjoy. A small number of other companies enjoy that status.

Technology... this is burgers and fries here...

We see what technology has done to the quality of the product and execution of chains like McDonalds.

I'd rather In N Out keeps up with its simple processes. I'll take their "human" kitchen with voices and movement/chaos vs. the McDonalds kitchen where there are always what sound like dozens of pieces of equipment beeping and a couple employees looking confused at what is going on and what buttons to press to make the beeping stop.

They have the technology I need at In N Out. They have a functioning credit card terminal that accepts tap to pay. I go into the bathroom there is an automated sink with a sensor and an automated paper towel dispenser. I'd like to see an automated soap dispenser too; I suppose that technology would be nice. The beverage counter works well I am able to get ice from their machine and iced tea out of their brewed tea urn so again they have the technology I need. I could go for an order kiosk if it was a quick easy to use kiosk but the order counter works just fine too.

The so called technology of the vast majority of fast food is precooking of food. The fast food restaurants want to reach a place where the so-called "chef" is a part timer who cooks the entire days beef patties and so on during one morning shift, all the cooked meat to go into steam tables or refrigeration for microwaving to order later.

In-N-Out isn't going to do that.

And if you think their process is dysfunctional, I recommend you go look at Wall Street darling Shake Shack...