In-N-Out Burger has opened its 443rd location in Irvine, California, uniquely situated adjacent to the expansive Great Park, a $1 billion public project transforming the former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. The new restaurant, located at 7900 Great Park Boulevard, is part of The Canopy, a 12-acre shopping and dining development, and sits beside extensive sports facilities, including soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and tennis courts.
This parkside setting represents a shift for In-N-Out, a company historically favoring roadside sites with ample space for vehicle queues. The 3,860-square-foot restaurant offers 84 indoor seats and 36 outdoor patio seats, with a drive-thru designed to accommodate up to 33 vehicles. It is one of the anchor tenants in The Canopy, which will eventually house over 90,000 square feet of retail and dining establishments.
The broader Great Park transformation aims to create a 1,300-acre destination featuring botanical gardens, museums, a veterans memorial, cultural spaces, and upgraded sports complexes, alongside entertainment venues like a 10,000-seat amphitheater. This development is significantly larger than New York City's Central Park.
The In-N-Out location officially opened on September 4, operating from 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 1:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The company, founded in 1948 by Harry and Esther Snyder in Baldwin Park, California, has maintained a deliberately limited menu and a commitment to fresh ingredients, avoiding freezers, microwaves, and heat lamps. It remains privately owned and family-run, with Lynsi Snyder, the founders' granddaughter, serving as president.
Despite a more limited geographic presence compared to national competitors, In-N-Out has cultivated a devoted following. In 2024, the chain reported average annual sales of approximately $5.8 million per restaurant across its 415 locations at the time. The company has also expanded cautiously, most recently adding locations in states like Tennessee and Washington.
The opening generated significant local buzz, with residents sharing construction updates online and speculating about the first orders. However, concerns have also been raised regarding potential traffic congestion due to the anticipated customer volume. Some residents have expressed worries about increased traffic, potential accidents, and litter, while others view the new commercial development as a necessary addition to a neighborhood that previously lacked restaurants and grocery stores.