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In-N-Out’s Lynsi Snyder Is Moving to Tennessee — Fans Are Split on What It Means
In-N-Out’s CEO Lynsi Snyder is moving to Tennessee, sparking a cultural clash over business, values, and the soul of a California icon.
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The news that In-N-Out Burger’s billionaire owner, Lynsi Snyder, is moving her family to Tennessee has ignited a fiery debate. On the surface, it’s a personal relocation. But for many Californians, it feels like something much bigger: the symbolic departure of a beloved homegrown brand.
✅ What’s Happening
Snyder, who has led In-N-Out since 2010, is relocating to Franklin, Tennessee. The move is part personal, part strategic—In-N-Out is expanding into the Southeast with plans for a new regional hub in Tennessee to support operations beginning in 2026.
However, the company emphasized that its corporate headquarters will remain in California, specifically in Baldwin Park. The Irvine office will be closed by 2030, but that’s part of a consolidation—not a retreat.
🗣️ The Positive Reaction: Business Strategy & Personal Freedom
Supporters of Snyder’s move argue it’s a smart decision—both for her family and the company’s long-term growth.
“It’s refreshing to see a CEO prioritize family values and long-term planning,” one LinkedIn user posted. “Tennessee offers affordability and space to grow.”
Proponents cite the following reasons for supporting the move:
Lower cost of living and housing for In-N-Out associates in the Southeast Business-friendly regulations and less red tape Snyder’s freedom to live and raise her family where she feels most comfortable Strategic expansion rather than nationwide dilution of the brand
For these fans, the move represents a new chapter, not a betrayal.
“This doesn’t mean they’re ditching California,” said one longtime fan from Las Vegas. “It just means they’re growing.”
😡 The Backlash: California Fans Feel Abandoned
But the reaction hasn’t been all positive.
Image Created with chatGBT
On social media, many Californians expressed outrage, seeing the move as a slap in the face from a brand that owes much of its identity to the West Coast.
“You can’t claim to love California and then bash it on your way out,” one critic wrote on X.
“If you’re tired of our taxes, take your burgers with you.”
Others took issue with Snyder’s comments criticizing California’s COVID policies, cost of living, and government regulations. For some, it echoed a larger trend of high-profile individuals leaving the state while blaming it publicly.
Critics warn that:
Snyder’s move sends a political message, whether she intends it or not. It may set the tone for a slow shift away from California roots. The “California cool” factor of In-N-Out could be diluted by growth outside the state.
Some even threatened boycotts, accusing Snyder of hypocrisy: benefitting from California’s success while distancing herself when it no longer suits her lifestyle.
🔍 A Cultural Symbol Caught in the Crossfire
In-N-Out isn’t just a burger chain. It’s a cultural landmark, tied to sunny drives on the PCH, late-night food runs, and West Coast nostalgia.
So when its CEO relocates and criticizes the state, it stirs deeper emotions. This isn’t just about burgers—it’s about identity, pride, and place.
“In-N-Out is California,” one viral comment read. “Tennessee can’t have it.”
Still, the business remains rooted in the state. More In-N-Outs are opening in California this year than anywhere else, and Snyder herself took to Instagram to reiterate her love for the state: “We’re not leaving—we’re growing.”
🍔 Final Thoughts
The Snyder move may not mean a corporate departure from California, but it has clearly struck a nerve. It highlights a national conversation about where business belongs, how identity is shaped by geography, and whether legacy brands can grow without losing their soul.
In the end, only time will tell if In-N-Out’s double-doubles taste the same when served from Tennessee.
Related Links:
Business Insider: Snyder’s move and company expansion
SFGate: Public backlash over Snyder’s comments
SF Chronicle: HQ plans and California commitment
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Rod's Pure Thoughts
Remembering Patrick Stewart: A Star Trek Journey Through My Life
Remembering Patrick Stewart: From childhood adventures with Kirk to finding another favorite captain in Picard, Rod Washington reflects on Patrick Stewart, the Next Generation cast, and the creativity they inspired.
From childhood afternoons with the original Enterprise crew to the reunion in Picard, Star Trek has been part of my life for decades. Patrick Stewart helped make that journey unforgettable.
Remembering Patrick Stewart
The news of Sir Patrick Stewart’s passing has me thinking about how much of my life has had Star Trek somewhere in the background—and often right in the foreground.
Star Trek: The Original Series has been my favorite since I was in single digits. Kirk, Spock, McCoy and the rest of that crew were part of my childhood. Long before there was a Captain Picard, that was my Enterprise.
Then came the motion-picture era with the original cast. The Wrath of Khan arrived during my teenage years. The Voyage Home followed in my young adulthood. As I grew up, those familiar characters kept coming back with new adventures.
Then we got a new Enterprise and a new generation.
A New Crew Earned Its Place
When Star Trek: The Next Generation began, my reaction was something like, “It’s okay.”
I continued watching. I was curious, but I already had a strong attachment to the original crew. That kind of connection takes time to build.
By the end of the first season, though, I was crazy about The Next Generation.
Patrick Stewart had a lot to do with that. His portrayal of Jean-Luc Picard gave me another captain to believe in. He had his own presence, his own way of handling a situation, and a way of making you listen when he spoke.
Eventually, Picard was on par with Kirk in my eyes. Coming from someone who had loved the original series since childhood, that says a lot.
From the Enterprise to First Contact
The series became an important part of my adult entertainment life. I cared about the characters and wanted to see where their stories would go.
After the television series ended, the TNG movies gave us more time with them. My favorite remains First Contact. It is the one that stands out most for me from that chapter of Star Trek.
Looking back, I can trace different stages of my life through these shows and movies: childhood with the original series, my teenage years with The Wrath of Khan, young adulthood with The Voyage Home, and then the years spent getting to know Picard’s crew.
That is a long relationship to have with a fictional universe. The people who bring it to life become familiar faces across decades.
Seeing Everyone Together Again
By the time Star Trek: Picard arrived, I was well into another chapter of my own life.
It was fun to see those familiar faces again, especially when the crew came back together. There was a lot of personal history attached to watching them share the screen.
Patrick Stewart and the rest of the cast—and yes, that includes Wil Wheaton—were an important part of my adult life as a viewer. Each contributed to a crew I grew to love.
Seeing them again brought back the feeling that had kept me watching all those years earlier.
Thank You for the Inspiration
What stays with me most is how much creativity those performances sparked.
As someone who enjoys filmmaking and storytelling, I appreciate entertainment that leaves me wanting to create something of my own. Stewart and his castmates gave me that feeling many times over the years.
His passing makes me appreciate the time we had with him on screen and the work we can return to. I can watch an episode, revisit First Contact, or spend another evening with the crew and remember why these stories meant so much to me.
The original series will always have that special place in my heart. Patrick Stewart helped another Enterprise crew earn a place there, too.
Thank you, Sir Patrick, for the years of entertainment, the inspiration, and a captain who became part of my life.
News Background
Stewart died October 28, 2026, at age 86, according to his spokesperson’s statement reported by Reuters. This entry is a personal reflection on his work and its place in my life.
Reader question: When did Captain Picard and the Next Generation crew win you over?
STM Blog
Golden Bird in Compton: When Mom Took a Night Off
Golden Bird in Compton was an occasional Friday or Saturday treat when Mom wanted a break from cooking. A personal look back at its Alondra Boulevard location and the memories that linger.
Some childhood meals stay with you for decades. For me, Golden Bird fried chicken in Compton is one of them.
Growing up in the Los Angeles area, an occasional Friday or Saturday meant my mom wanted a break from cooking. Those were the nights when takeout became a treat, and Golden Bird was one of the places I remember enjoying most.
The location on East Alondra Boulevard sounds like the one we visited. Researching it brought me to 2600 East Alondra Boulevard, Compton—an address listed in Los Angeles County records under Golden Bird #1.
An address can help place a memory on a map. But what I remember most is much simpler: the chicken was delicious, and getting it was a welcome weekend treat.
Part of Our Family’s Takeout Rotation
Golden Bird wasn’t our only chicken stop. Over the years, there was Pioneer, KFC, Church’s, Louisiana Fried Chicken, and later Popeyes. I also remember Jim Dandy from when I was very young, especially its crinkle-cut fries.
Each name brings back a different memory. Golden Bird brings me back to Compton and those evenings when my mother could take some time off from preparing dinner.
As a kid, I thought about enjoying the food. Looking back, I also appreciate what those meals meant for her: one less dinner to cook and a chance to take a break.
The History Behind the Address
Golden Bird’s own history describes a family recipe associated with Zelma and a wet batter designed to give the chicken a crisp outside while keeping the meat moist. My own memory is simply that I loved eating it.
The Alondra Boulevard location also connects to another chapter in Southern California’s fried-chicken history. Vincent Williams opened a Compton Golden Bird franchise in 1983, according to the Los Angeles Times.
A later profile described Williams developing his Honey’s Kettle concept in his former Compton franchise location. Honey’s Kettle dates its beginnings on Alondra Boulevard to 2000, and a 2012 restaurant visit documented its original location at 2600 East Alondra Boulevard. Those accounts point to a connection between the two businesses at that address.
I haven’t established who operated the restaurant during every year my family visited. But learning about its history adds another layer to a place I remember through its food.
A Weekend Memory Worth Keeping
For me, Golden Bird’s place in the story starts with family. It was an occasional treat, a meal I enjoyed, and a Friday or Saturday when Mom could let someone else handle the cooking.
Decades later, that is still a good reason to remember a neighborhood restaurant.
Editor’s note: Golden Bird is still serving fried chicken in South Los Angeles at 8300 South Western Avenue, at West 83rd Street. For those of us who remember it as a weekend family treat, it’s good to know the Golden Bird name remains part of LA’s food scene. Order pickup and delivery
Did you eat at the Golden Bird on Alondra Boulevard—or another Golden Bird location? Share your memories and favorite orders in the comments.
Explore more food stories in STM Daily News’ Food & Drink section.
For generations, the Santa Monica Pier sign has marked the start of a day at the beach. Now, the familiar blue neon landmark is preparing for a journey of its own.
Santa Monica scheduled removal of the 1941 sign for October 20–22, with shipment to Las Vegas anticipated October 26. The timetable is subject to change, according to the city’s October 19 announcement.
The temporary removal accompanies replacement of the aging bridge connecting Ocean Avenue to the pier. It also creates an opportunity to preserve the historic sign.
YESCO will restore it at its Las Vegas facility. The company’s experience includes work on the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.
Crews will repair neon tubing, treat rust, repaint components and address structural needs while retaining historic features. The sign will remain in secure storage during bridge construction.
Once the project is finished, it will return above the new bridge at a slightly greater height for visibility and vehicle clearance. The city’s latest announcement targets project completion by 2028, ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics and Paralympics.
Meanwhile, visitors can photograph a lighted, half-scale replica near Pier Burger.
For anyone who associates that glowing arch with Southern California memories, its absence will be noticeable. The restoration is intended to ensure future generations can make memories beneath it, too.
Source: City of Santa Monica — October 19, 2026 announcement
Related Links
- City of Santa Monica: Official sign restoration announcement — October 19, 2026. Primary source for removal dates, shipment to Las Vegas, YESCO’s restoration work and the sign’s planned return.
- Santa Monica Daily Press: Sign restoration during bridge rebuild — October 20, 2026. Additional local reporting on the project and visitor access.
- LAist: Sign removal and how to watch — Reporting on the removal schedule and public viewing opportunities.
Follow more Southern California stories at STM Daily News.
