In-N-Out Burger opened its first restaurant in Baldwin Park, California, in 1948.
Harry and Esther Snyder founded the company after opening a small drive-through restaurant on Francisquito Avenue. It was among California’s early drive-through hamburger businesses, serving customers from a compact stand designed for car-based ordering.
The Snyders emphasized fresh preparation and a limited menu. In-N-Out became known for hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries, and drinks, while maintaining close control over ingredients and restaurant operations. The company later expanded across the American Southwest and other western states.
The opening year is sometimes confused with the dates of later milestones, including the company’s move into new markets and the introduction of its widely discussed unofficial menu variations. Baldwin Park remains important because it marks the beginning of the chain, rather than the opening of a later flagship or corporate location.