- In-N-Out announced in a statement that it is closing its Oakland, California location in March even though it is profitable
- The company said in a statement that they had “ongoing problems with crime”, including car break-ins and armed robberies.
- Although the restaurants have been relocated within the city, this is the first location the company has closed entirely
In-N-Out is closing one of its restaurants for the first time in the fast-food franchise’s 75-year history.
The company announced in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that it is closing its Oakland, California location due to an increase in crime in the area.
“We have made the decision to close our In-N-Out Burger location in Oakland, California due to ongoing crime issues,” the company’s chief operating officer Denny Warnick said in a statement Sunday, also released on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“Despite taking repeated steps to create safer conditions, our customers and associates [SIC] are regularly victims of car break-ins, property damage, thefts and armed robberies,” the statement continued.
In-N-Out Burger restaurant.
Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty
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The Oakland In-N-Out location, which has been open for nearly twenty years, will close its doors at the end of the business day on Sunday, March 24.
Warnick called the location “busy and profitable for the company,” but said the company cannot allow business to continue in an unsafe environment.
All employees will receive severance pay or be given the opportunity to work elsewhere. In-N-Out will continue to support Oakland through its charities and organizations, they said.
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According to KGO-TV, statistics show that crime increased in the area between 2022 and 2023. According to statistics compiled by the Oakland Police Department, the news site reported that burglaries increased by 23% during that time period, while car thefts recorded an increase of 44%.
KGO-TV said 2023 saw the highest crime rate in the Oakland area in about a decade.
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Source: HIS Education