In-N-Out Owner Moves Business and Family Out of California

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The president and owner of In-N-Out Burger, Lynsi Snyder, is relocating herself and parts of her company out of California, citing the state’s increasingly inhospitable environment for business and family life.

Citing burdensome regulations, rising costs, and an unfriendly climate for both commerce and parenting, Snyder is relocating to Tennessee, where In-N-Out is already constructing a second corporate headquarters.

In an interview with conservative podcast host Allie Beth Stuckey on July 18, Snyder explained her reasoning with clear frustration: “There’s a lot of great things about California, but raising a family is not easy here. Doing business is not easy here.” Her remarks echo the sentiment felt by many business owners who have grown weary of California’s ever-growing tax burden, strict regulatory policies, and the high cost of living. Snyder’s move marks another chapter in a broader trend of corporate departures, with major companies like Tesla, Chevron, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise having already left California.

Founded in 1948 in Baldwin Park, California, In-N-Out has long been viewed as a hallmark of West Coast culture. Yet even legacy brands like this aren’t immune to the state’s increasingly progressive and costly policies. While Snyder emphasized that In-N-Out will remain committed to California and its original customer base, she made it clear that Tennessee offers a more viable environment for long-term stability for both her business and her family.

California’s tight COVID-19 restrictions, combined with ever-growing regulations and some of the highest state income tax rates in the nation, have made life more difficult for entrepreneurs and working families alike. According to Snyder, these pressures not only interfere with her ability to manage a business, but also to raise her children in a secure and supportive community.

Tennessee, by contrast, boasts no state income tax, lower operational costs, and a generally pro-business climate. It’s no surprise that it’s becoming a magnet for families and employers seeking both economic opportunity and personal freedom. Snyder’s decision underscores the growing appeal of states where businesses are supported, not stifled, by their governments.

While some progressive lawmakers continue to argue that California’s policies are models for the future, the consistent outflow of residents and corporations tells a different story. Census data and economic reports show that hundreds of thousands of Californians have moved to states like Texas, Arizona, Florida, and Tennessee over the past few years, many of them citing affordability, crime concerns, and a more favorable tax structure as their primary reasons.

Snyder’s move is not an act of political theater; it is a practical decision made by someone whose livelihood depends on a predictable, fair, and supportive business environment.

Her story reflects a broader economic and cultural shift, as more Americans question whether California’s model is sustainable.

In-N-Out will continue serving California customers, but its leadership has determined that the future lies elsewhere. For Snyder, and many others, the promise of California has given way to the practical advantages of states that reward hard work instead of penalizing success.