The first hamburger restaurant opened by Harry Snyder in 1948 was In-N-Out Burger.
Harry Snyder and his wife, Esther, opened the first In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Baldwin Park, California, in 1948. The business used a drive-up format in which customers could order food from their cars, reflecting the growth of Southern California’s car culture.
In-N-Out became known for a relatively focused menu, fresh preparation, and a strong regional identity. Its early restaurant system also used two-way speaker communication, allowing customers to place orders without leaving their vehicles.
The company later expanded across several western U.S. states while maintaining a reputation for limited geographic reach. It is sometimes confused with other California burger chains, but In-N-Out’s founding location and 1948 opening date are specific milestones in its history.