Lynsi Snyder, the woman behind California’s famous In-N-Out Burger chain, recently opened up about why the company had to shut down one of its profitable locations in Oakland. The decision, she revealed, came down to safety concerns for both customers and employees.
The Oakland restaurant closed its doors back in January, and Snyder didn’t hold back in explaining why. She shared her thoughts in an interview with a media outlet earlier this week, detailing just how bad things had gotten. “There was actually gunfire that went through the store. There was a stabbing. It was just too much,” Snyder said. “For the safety of our associates, we just felt like, this is not OK.”
In fact, In-N-Out’s Chief Operating Officer, Denny Warnick, had already spoken out about the troubles surrounding the Oakland location earlier this year. He described a troubling environment, saying that crime in the area was a constant issue. “Our customers and associates are regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies,” Warnick explained.
Snyder also mentioned the city’s slow police response times as a major concern. “It’s alarming,” she added.
Oakland has been facing a tough battle with crime lately. Just this past July, California Governor Gavin Newsom sent in 120 California Highway Patrol officers to help local police deal with the rising crime rates. At the time, Newsom pointed out that while crime in nearby San Francisco had been going down, Oakland was seeing the opposite. “What’s happening in this beautiful city and surrounding area is alarming and unacceptable,” he said.
According to officials, the numbers paint a grim picture. In 2023, Oakland saw violent crime go up by 21%, robberies by 38%, and car thefts by a staggering 45%. These increases stood out sharply compared to other cities in the state.
In-N-Out isn’t the only business feeling the pressure. Earlier this year, the Denny’s restaurant chain also closed its one and only Oakland location, citing safety concerns. “The safety and well-being of our team members and valued guests is our top priority,” the company said, explaining that they had no choice but to shut down the restaurant.
For now, Oakland’s leaders and law enforcement are working to restore safety and give residents and businesses peace of mind, but the road ahead seems challenging.
