In-N Out-Burger Says No Thank You To DeSantis' Offer: Report

FLORIDA — Perhaps Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was just trying to drum up business in Florida or just was in the mood for a good California burger. But either way, his attempts to bring In- N-Out burger to the state were politely declined, according to a published report.

An executive for In-N-Out, the popular West Coast burger chain, told DeSantis it has no plans to expand to Florida or move its headquarters out of California. In-N-Out has 371 locations, most of which are located on the West Coast. The chain, which was founded in Southern California in 1948, has expanded as far east as Texas, but despite its popularity, has not grown beyond that geographically.

Fox 13 reported that DeSantis spoke to In N Out owner Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson on the phone this week after several locations in Northern California stopped offering indoor dining over local requirements demanding that customers show proof of vaccination before entering the eatery.

A spokesman for DeSantis said in an email to Patch Friday that DeSantis and the In-N-Out president had a phone call Monday in what the spokeswoman called a "an introductory conversation.

"Governor DeSantis expressed that he is willing to help in any way possible, if In-N-Out might consider an expansion to Florida in the future," the spokeswoman said. "Like California, Florida has world-class farms and ranches to supply the fresh ingredients that In-N-Out requires for its supply chain, but unlike California, Florida is a great place to do business without government-imposed medical tyranny."

On Wednesday, Arnie Wensinger, In-N-Out’s chief legal and business officer, provided a statement to Fox 13 stating the company had no plans to open in Florida.

"The phone call was at the request of Gov. DeSantis and the primary purpose was to establish a business relationship,” Wensinger said. “During that call, Gov. DeSantis graciously invited In-N-Out Burger to do business in the state of Florida. While we are thankful for the gracious invitation, In-N-Out Burger has no plans or intention to expand operations or move its corporate headquarters to Florida."

On Wednesday, Florida's chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, said in a social media post referred to the state as a "beacon of freedom" where millions of residents are hungry for In-N-Out Burger. He said because that's the case, he would "keep at it" because "you miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take."

In October, Wensinger said that In-N-Out “refused to be the vaccination police” and said that San Francisco Department of Health requirements demanding customers show proof of vaccination were unreasonable and invasive.