Quoted from jamesmc:
In and Out was founded by the principle of fresh food fast. Local. Friends socialized with the founder for years. And would tell me 20 years ago that he only wanted a localized chain so the supply chain was amazingly consistent. Well that was the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Their now in Texas and other locations 1000 miles from where he intended.
In&Out is just now building a new franchise outlet here in Salem OR (Actually Keizer OR)
Farthest north post from SoCal yet.
3.5 hrs north beyond the only other store in Oregon (Medford).
I think their location rule
is that any store outlet must be within one days (8-10hrs / ~600 miles) drive
(from their central supply warehouses) In-N-Out’s patty-making facilities.
As the chain has expanded, it has opened several distribution centers in addition to its original Baldwin Park location.
The new facilities, located in Lathrop, California; Phoenix, Arizona; Draper, Utah; Dallas, Texas; Colorado Springs, Colorado will provide for potential future expansion into other parts of the country.
i.e. no frozen patties allowed only fresh.
I like Foster's Freeze the best,
but that is largely dependent on local franchise holder, cause QC varies greatly from location to location.
When i lived and worked in Port Hueneme /Oxnard CA the Foster Freeze there had great burgers and seasoned fries.
Also my hometown Gilroy CA, had a Foster Freeze, years before the McDonalds came to town.
Added over 4 years ago:
Correction : Guess there is another In&Out in Grants Pass OR, so now there will soon be three.