Fast food chain In-N-Out Burger’s only location in Oakland, California is shuttering due to rampant crime in the neighborhood, which is affecting the lives of both employees and customers.
“Our Customers and Associates are regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies,” the company’s statement read.
The restaurant, located at 8300 Oakport Street near Oakland International Airport, will officially close on March 24th according to In-N-Out Chief Operating Officer (COO) Denny Warnick.
Warnick described the store as an important and lucrative location. It had been in operation for 18 years.
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“This location remains a busy and profitable one for the company, but our top priority must be the safety and wellbeing of our Customers and Associates – we cannot ask them to visit or work in an unsafe environment,” Warnick said in the statement.
Oakland Police data reported by ABC 7 Bay Area reflects that robberies increased by 38 percent from 2022 to 2023, burglaries increased by 23 percent, and motor vehicle theft increased by 44 percent.
In N Out just announced the first store they ever closed because of the out of control crime in your state https://t.co/EUCLRcnmuC pic.twitter.com/UUE97aLblm
— Brendon Leslie (@BrendonLeslie) January 21, 2024
His full statement read as follows:
“We have made the decision to close our In-N-Out Burger location in Oakland, California, due to ongoing issues with crime. 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. Our last day of business in Oakland will be Sunday, March 24, 2024.
We are grateful for the local community, which has supported us for over 18 years, and we recognize that this closure negatively impacts our Associates and their families.
Additionally, this location remains a busy and profitable one for the company, but our top priority must be the safety and wellbeing of our Customers and Associates – we cannot ask them to visit or work in an unsafe environment.
All affected Associates will have the opportunity to transfer to a nearby In-N-Out location or, alternatively, receive a severance package. In-N-Out Burger has a history of supporting the Oakland community through charitable giving that predates the opening of our location there. Although we will no longer do business there, we will continue to support local charitable organizations in Oakland through our In-N-Out Burger Foundation and Slave 2 Nothing Foundation.”
Denny Warnick, Chief Operating Officer In-N-Out
CBS East Bay spoke to long-time patron of the location Jan Bundy, who claimed to have observed burglars breaking into a vehicle next to him. “They have weapons, so you don’t want to run up and be no hero,” said Bundy. His truck had been broken into less than two months ago: “They were trying to steal my vehicle, but I had a kill switch on. So they couldn’t get my vehicle, but they took all my belongings out.” He estimated the break-in cost him $500 in damages.
Shane Devine is a writer covering politics, economics, and culture for Valuetainment. Follow Shane on X (Twitter).
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