In-N-Out Fans Turn to Facebook Marketplace for Burger Delivery
The fast-food chain's refusal to partner with delivery services has led to an underground market where drivers charge up to $50 for unofficial deliveries.
Fans of the California-based burger chain In-N-Out are bypassing the company's long-standing refusal to partner with delivery services by hiring unaffiliated drivers through Facebook Marketplace. These drivers are offering to bring popular items like Double-Doubles, Animal Style fries, and shakes directly to customers' doors for fees that can reach up to $50.
A search in the Los Angeles area revealed numerous drivers advertising their services. One driver, Jesse Osorio, a technician who averages around 20 customers weekly, initially started the side hustle after realizing busy individuals might want their favorite burgers brought to them. Osorio charges $20 on top of the food cost for single orders and $30 or more for larger quantities, transporting the food in an insulated bag.
Other drivers have varying fees, with some as low as $10 plus the cost of the food. However, the unofficial delivery system carries risks. In one instance reported by L.A. Material, a customer paid $25 upfront for a burger order and an additional $25 'drive fee' for a total of $50, only for the driver to become unresponsive and the food to never arrive. The customer was subsequently blocked by the seller, losing their upfront payment.
This underground market highlights the challenges customers face due to In-N-Out's firm stance against third-party delivery. The company has historically resisted such partnerships, even suing DoorDash in 2015 for trademark infringement and unauthorized sales of its food. In-N-Out argues that third-party delivery services compromise the quality and handling of its food, which is central to its brand identity focused on freshness.
Owner and CEO Lynsi Snyder has publicly reaffirmed this position, emphasizing that the customer interaction and service are integral to the In-N-Out experience and would be diminished by mobile ordering or delivery. The company also cites the 'freshness factor' as a key reason for not adopting a delivery-first model.
While some fans understand the company's reasoning, citing that In-N-Out's burgers and fries are particularly sensitive to delivery delays and that adding delivery fees could make the meal significantly more expensive, others are more willing to pay a premium. Social media comments indicate a willingness among some customers to pay extra for the convenience, even if it means a potentially lukewarm burger. The Daily Mail has reached out to In-N-Out for comment regarding this emerging delivery trend.