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In-N-Out Burger

Controversies

Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.

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  1. 2021

    Contra Costa County fines In-N-Out over vaccine verification

    Fine or penalty

    Contra Costa County enforcement officers visited In-N-Out’s Pleasant Hill restaurant three times after complaints that workers were not verifying vaccination cards as required for indoor dining; the visits resulted in a warning and two fines totaling $750.

    Company response

    • Denial — In-N-Out Burger

      A representative for In-N-Out released a statement saying that the chain “refuses to become the vaccination police for any government."

    Source excerpt

    • Our records show that [Contra Costa Health Services] has issued a notice of violation on Oct. 5, followed by a notice of fine on Oct. 14 for $250, and a notice of fine on Oct. 19 for $500
    • In-N-Out, a regional chain and a West Coast staple, did not back down, saying in they "refuse to become the vaccination police for any government."
    • Fisher said health inspectors visited the restaurant three times and saw violations of the health ordinance.
    Source

  2. 2020

    Australian court rules Down N' Out infringed In-N-Out's registered marks

    Ruling

    An Australian judge ruled that Down N' Out Burgers infringed In-N-Out's registered marks because they were deceptively similar. The article also reports that In-N-Out sued the Sydney chain in 2017 over alleged attempts to trade off the likeness of its branding.

    Source excerpt

    • Two days ago an Australian judge ruled that Down N' Out Burgers infringed In-N-Out's registered marks "because they were deceptively similar".
    Source

  3. 2019

    In-N-Out settles lawsuit over 2017 fire

    Settlement

    In-N-Out settled a lawsuit filed by Cal Fire over a 2017 fire that began on property owned by the restaurant chain. Cal Fire had accused In-N-Out of neglect in the fire’s start and spread and sought $1.2 million; the settlement terms were not disclosed.

    Source excerpt

    • Over four days, the fire burned about 245 acres.
    • In the lawsuit, Cal Fire accused In-N-Out of neglect regarding the start and spread of the fire. The suit sought $1.2 million, the cost of fighting the fire.
    • The parties have agreed not to disclose the terms of the settlement.
    Source

  4. 2019

    CAL FIRE sues In-N-Out over 2017 wildfire

    Lawsuit filed

    CAL FIRE filed a lawsuit against In-N-Out Burger, alleging that a tractor on property owned and maintained by the restaurant chain sparked the 2017 Huasna Fire. CAL FIRE said it would seek $1.1 million in damages.

    Source excerpt

    • CAL FIRE has filed a lawsuit against In-N-Out Burger, accusing the fast-food giant of starting a wildfire in Arroyo Grande in 2017.
    • CAL FIRE will seek $1.1 million in damages from the company.
    • The agency alleges a tractor sparked the blaze on the property owned and maintained by the restaurant chain, according to the lawsuit filed in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court.
    Source

  5. 2018

    Political donations draw public attention

    In-N-Out donated to the California Republican Party in 2018 and again in 2021. The donations generated public debate about the political activity of a privately held consumer brand; available reference material does not establish a formal regulatory violation.

    Source