Since its inception over 75 years ago, In-N-Out Burger has grown into one of the most popular fast food chains in the country.
As of 2023, there were a total of 417 In-N-Out restaurants, but now, there are only 416 as the company decided to close down its Oakland, California, location due to the city’s ever-increasing crime rates.
In-N-Out Announces It Will Be Closing the Oakland Location
In a recent statement, In-N-Out COO Denny Warnick reported that their restaurant in Oakland will soon close its doors for good.
Warnick said, “We feel the frequency and severity of the crimes being encountered by our customers and associates leave us no alternative” (via NBC News).
In-N-Out in Oakland
The In-N-Out in Oakland is located close to the international airport and is a popular stop for those flying in or out of the city.
Warnick noted in his statement that they are not closing the location due to lack of sales. In fact, it is still “busy and profitable.” However, the Oakland In-N-Out is facing a much bigger problem.
Keeping Employees and Customers Safe Is the Top Priority
Warnick said, “Despite taking repeated steps to create safer conditions, our customers and associates are regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies.”
And he explained that the company simply “cannot ask them to visit or work in an unsafe environment.”
Oakland In-N-Out Employees Do Have Options
The In-N-Out COO wanted to make it clear that the Oakland employees won’t just be let go from the company after the store closes.
Each and every one of them will have the option to either be transferred to another one of In-N-Out’s nearby restaurants or receive a standard severance package.
In-N-Out Isn’t the Only Business Leaving Oakland
Unfortunately for Oakland, In-N-Out isn’t the only business who has said goodbye to the city due to the ever-increasing crime rates.
Raising Cane’s, beloved for its fried chicken, closed its Oakland location last March due to concerns for its employees’ and customers’ safety.
Oakland Councilmember Says They Don’t Blame the Companies Leaving
Businesses like In-N-Out and Raising Cane’s are not being overdramatic. In fact, city councilmember Treva Reid commented on the restaurant’s decision to leave in a recent statement to NBC Bay Area: “They have been long patient with us, and there is no more patience.”
Reid continued to explain that real change needs to come to Oakland, and the time for that change is now, saying, “We need a citywide robust strategy.”
Crime in Oakland Has Increased
Councilmembers, business owners, and residents of Oakland all agree that the increase in the city’s crime is a real problem, and the numbers agree.
There were 126 homicides reported in Oakland in 2023, compared to the 92 in 2020, according to ABC 7 News. Burlargies are up from 15,000 in 2019 to 17,000 in 2023. However, the highest increase in crime has undoubtedly been in motor vehicle theft.
Motor Vehicle Theft in Oakland Is Up by 44%
In 2020, there were 8,700 reported auto thefts in Oakland, but in 2023, there were an almost unbelievable 14,7000 cases of theft.
It’s no doubt that these numbers are certainly shocking Oakland residents and the country as a whole, and many are wondering how and why crime is increasing at such an incredible rate.
Why Is Crime So Out of Control?
Most experts agree that one of if not the main reason that Oakland’s crime is so out of control is because the city hasn’t had a police chief in almost a year.
Retired Alameda County Judge Brenda Harbin-Forte lamented that without a head of police, “It’s just chaos,” and blamed this mess on the city’s mayor, Sheng Thao.
Why Hasn’t Mayor Sheng Thao Chosen a Police Chief?
In September 2023, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao announced that she would declare a state of emergency by the start of 2024 if they hadn’t hired a new police chief. However, that didn’t happen.
Thao reportedly rejected three applicants for the role who were recommended by the police commission, and now, many are calling for the mayor to resign. In fact, Judge Harbin-Forte said, “This mayor has blood on our hands, and we just can’t afford to have her in office any longer” (via ABC 7 News).
Many Will Likely Follow in In-N-Out’s Footsteps
Hopefully, Oakland’s mayor and the government as a whole will employ a new police chief as soon as possible and sort out the “chaos” and crime that has infiltrated their streets.
But until they do, many businesses around the city may follow in In-N-Out’s footsteps and leave the now-dangerous city behind.
