In-N-Out
Quote: djatcI eat at In-N-Out as my first choice for fast food nowadays, and never go to any other burger joint such as McDonalds, Jack in the Box, etc. Every branch I've been to in Las Vegas and California has the same setup: Clean restaurants, friendly staff, cheap great tasting food. Why does this franchise do so well in all areas, aside from paying their employees a bit more then most fast food workers?
#1 - They don't franchise. All restaurants are owned by the corporation.
#2 - They pay better. Much better. They provide a lot of stability and upward mobility compared to other fast food places.
#3 - Their store managers are paid not just on the performance of the store but also by how their employees rate them and how clean the store is.
In-N-Out does one thing and does it well. That's unusual in today's market. Every one I've been to the food tastes just like every other one. Great consistency. They are also inexpensive yet they never have a sale or special.
Quote: PBguy#1 - They don't franchise. All restaurants are owned by the corporation.
#2 - They pay better. Much better. They provide a lot of stability and upward mobility compared to other fast food places.
#3 - Their store managers are paid not just on the performance of the store but also by how their employees rate them and how clean the store is.
In-N-Out does one thing and does it well. That's unusual in today's market. Every one I've been to the food tastes just like every other one. Great consistency. They are also inexpensive yet they never have a sale or special.
Does higher pay mean more qualified employees to choose from, or are there more factors into why the workers are of much higher standard then at Taco Bell? Even a person such as myself who thinks more money = more happiness still thinks that pay itself cannot be the end all for morale, ethics, and hard work.
I don't know but people do tend to value themselves based on how well they're paid. It's funny if someone does the same career but makes half the money, they consider themselves worthless.Quote: djatcDoes higher pay mean more qualified employees to choose from, or are there more factors into why the workers are of much higher standard then at Taco Bell? Even a person such as myself who thinks more money = more happiness still thinks that pay itself cannot be the end all for morale, ethics, and hard work.
How qualified does someone have to be for these jobs after learning the basics and following procedures anyways? Wash your hands, cook it right, smile, listen and fix, etc.
Maybe a little more dough makes them not want to lose their job or their employer's ability to pay them. The country can't be self-sustaining anyways just by paying service jobs better but it's all to big for me to solve.
You like the joint, so go start your own place if you think you can do it better. From what McD's teaches us all you need is a few billion to buy up the best real estate and some good chemists to turn crap into food and you're there. Don't try serving real food or nobody could afford it.
It's probably brand image their best asset from what I gather about the place mentioned.
Quote: djatcDoes higher pay mean more qualified employees to choose from, or are there more factors into why the workers are of much higher standard then at Taco Bell? Even a person such as myself who thinks more money = more happiness still thinks that pay itself cannot be the end all for morale, ethics, and hard work.
More money gives them more applicants and they can choose the best. Pay someone at McDonald's who gives bad service more and they will still give bad service. However, other factors go into people staying around longer. I worked at a national bank with plain horrible management and employees left to make less money elsewhere. But make no mistake, they paid more because they needed a lot of people to start a project fast. Paying less they would not have found the people.
Most fast food places constantly hire and train to the 400 percent level just to keep staffed to the 100 percent level. Someone who is really fast at lunch time gets the same pay as someone who is slower. No incentive to stay.Quote: djatcDoes higher pay mean more qualified employees to choose from, or are there more factors into why the workers are of much higher standard then at Taco Bell? .
More and more "New" on the menu means more training and less kitchen space. More "Dollar Menu Specials" forced on them by the Franchisor means more space on line and in the seating area is going for pennies of profit after that Tray, bag, napkins, clean up etc.
In and Out has no Franchisor forcing "consumer bargains" down their throat.
In and Out has no need to hire 400 people during a year in order to keep a staff of 100 people.
In and Out has not constant stream of "New and Improved" menu items, freezers or register systems.
Managers have incentive to watch food safety because their money is good, even going to manager elsewhere will cut their money. Going to burger flipper elsewhere will be utter disaster.
By offerring higher wages, they get a better quality of applicant to begin with. They can be choosey when hirung.
Same with costco vs walmart cashiers.
Costco pays alot more, has much lower turnover.and attracts a higher quality applicatant(along with the walmart-lile applicants which they turn down)
in n out for me gets pretty stale after a while. Just 2 basic santwiches,,,hamburger and chesseburger.
Yes they have it down to a science......but as far as variety and being able to eat there for lunch at work every day of the week......it ant gonna happen with just burgers.
Quote: djatcfor morale, ethics, and hard work.
The better pay is what attracts workers who have the above qualities. It's that simple.
I also agree focusing on a few items allows them to keep the quality high. Five Guys is also successful with this approach. It will be interesting to see if Five Guys can maintain quality with a franchise model.
Quote: jml24
I also agree focusing on a few items allows them to keep the quality high. Five Guys is also successful with this approach. It will be interesting to see if Five Guys can maintain quality with a franchise model.
I think they will as long as they keep it simple and quality. Five Guys is about their fries. They actually make quality. As long as they do not try to go for volume instead it should work.
Then again McDonald's had just 6 items on their menu until the mid 1960s.
Quote: Knuckleball3They were thoroughly upset that I was leaving; in their words "Why did we hire and train you for you to up an leave us in 6 months?!"
They really do a thorough process when it comes to hiring, and they want to limit their turnover.
They want "lifers" ...
Sounds like the guy that interviewed you didn't do his job right.
Quote: Knuckleball3On top of the better pay, they attract these "better" employees by way of long-term opportunities. There is a steady opportunity to promote. I worked at In N Out in 2005 (senior year of HS) for 6 months. I left because I went to college out of town. They were thoroughly upset that I was leaving; in their words "Why did we hire and train you for you to up an leave us in 6 months?!" They wanted the people they hired to continue to move up. The training was long and cost a lot of labor hours, not only to the new trainees but also to the trainers. They really do a thorough process when it comes to hiring, and they want to limit their turnover. They want "lifers" and they treat their employees extremely great to keep them around.
You know I've seen the same guys over and over again at the same locations so you might be right. The problem with this "long-term" model is that they are hiring teenagers and college students, so what happens after they get a career after graduating?
Quote: Knuckleball3How so?
Presumably, you knew you were going to college out of town. They could have asked you that and understood you weren't a long-term employee.
Quote: DMSCRNow only if In-N-Out is located on the Strip instead of being tucked away only to be reached by car, that would be a major plus.
It does suck for tourists. The closest one is on Tropicana after the NYNY and before WWW. There is another one on Maryland by UNLV, but that one is farther to get to.
Quote: djatcDoes higher pay mean more qualified employees to choose from, or are there more factors into why the workers are of much higher standard then at Taco Bell? Even a person such as myself who thinks more money = more happiness still thinks that pay itself cannot be the end all for morale, ethics, and hard work.
Higher pay means that they have more people to choose from. In-N-Out puts a ton of emphasis on customer satisfaction and the corporation teaches managers that happy employees treat customers well. It's not just about the pay. You can take a lousy employee and pay them twice as much and they'll still be a lousy employee. But hire good people and pay them fairly and treat them with respect and they'll likely treat customers with respect too. It starts from the top and it's a true philosophy not just a written mission statement or other corporate BS.
Quote: treetopbuddyIn and Out has a great business model. When I pull into the drive though at other fast food places my eyes glaze over when looking at the menu..... I'm totally blown away and have a hell of a time ordering when I'm looking at a board with 50 pictures of nasty looking food.
Then there is always the In-and-Out, "secret" menu... (e.g., "Animal Style")
Quote: djatcI eat at In-N-Out as my first choice for fast food nowadays, and never go to any other burger joint such as McDonalds, Jack in the Box, etc. Every branch I've been to in Las Vegas and California has the same setup: Clean restaurants, friendly staff, cheap great tasting food. Why does this franchise do so well in all areas, aside from paying their employees a bit more then most fast food workers?
To summarize: In N Out delivers a consistent product at a good price = great value and satisfied tummy.
Ever watch a TV ad from a national chain (McD, BK, Wendy's, Carl's Jr./Hardee's etc) and thought wow what a delicious-looking burger and went out to get it only to be disappointed? People remember.
If they ever go public I'll be the first in line.
unlike dairy queen...where you dont see the word ice cream posted anywhere inside or outside the building or wendys.
That's true, sometimes it's hard to screen out liars especially when there's no way to disprove the lie.Quote: Knuckleball3Well at the time I was undecided, weighing a few different baseball scholarships; but of course they want to know if you see yourself rising through the company. Anyone that wants to be hired at the time, is going to tell them what they want to hear.
There are plenty of kids who aren't in college and have no desire to go.Quote: djatcYou know I've seen the same guys over and over again at the same locations so you might be right. The problem with this "long-term" model is that they are hiring teenagers and college students, so what happens after they get a career after graduating?
Quote: Beethoven9thThat's true, sometimes it's hard to screen out liars especially when there's no way to disprove the lie.
There are plenty of kids who aren't in college and have no desire to go.
Right but what about high school? Surely these kids end up in a trade school or find a different line of work. I guess the neverending cycle of kids growing up needing part time jobs never ends, but this will go against the "lifers" they are trying to get?
Quote: djatcRight but what about high school? Surely these kids end up in a trade school or find a different line of work.
Nah, a good interviewer should generally be able to evaluate the applicants pretty accurately on that. Thinking way back to my high school days, I had a good idea back then of which kids were college bound and which were going to enter the workforce full-time right after graduation. Even though there were a few surprises, my predictions ended up being pretty accurate.
Looking at what thery say, how they say it, and body language....a competant interviewer can weed out the ones that are only looking for a summer job
I have to ask the question though as there are clearly some burger aficionados here........
Is In-N-Out better than 5 guys? The burgers and fries?
5 guys is more expensive I know but isn't quality sometimes the overwhelming factor in choose which burger you want?
I know I prefer 5 guys but that doesn't mean everyone is the same. Also, I don't mind paying a premium for something I enjoy having.
So would it be great value and decent taste over fabulous taste but so-so value?
Quote: TomspurSo would it be great value and decent taste over fabulous taste but so-so value?
I generally prefer good value over everything else, but there are plenty of others who feel otherwise. Fortunately, there are eateries that cater to both types of customers, and places like McDonald's and Five Guys are able to coexist peacefully since their target market is different.
In n out fries < five guys fries < five guys cajun fries
In n out might have the worst fries ever. But the hamburgers are delicious.
Quote: BeardgoatIn n out might have the worst fries ever.
I've never cared for their fries, but I always thought it was just me. Glad to see someone else agrees.
Lastly, has anybody tried Culver's? The Wisconsin based chain does a burger that I would say compares to I/O's best. Clean stores, nice kids and adults in the crews, and a really good Burger.
"Keep it simple. Do one thing and do it the best you can".
Starting employees make $10/hour. This engenders loyalty. Costco has the same model. The owners probably arent bringing home tens of millions of dollars in salaries. The average tenure for a manager is 14 years.
The interview process at In-And-Out is the same as anywhere else. The employees work harder because they feel like they are valued.
Quote: boymimboThe owners probably arent bringing home tens of millions of dollars in salaries.
The owner of In n Out is a billionaire.
Yep, and she's only 31.Quote: bwThe owner of In n Out is a billionaire.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynsi_Torres
To djatc: There's your sugar mommy right there. ;)
[Edit though her home is valued at 18 million...]
Quote: boymimboHer company valuation is at 1.1 billion. It doesn't mean she brings home millions in salaries. And she didn't exactly earn it. She inherited it from daddy.
[Edit though her home is valued at 18 million...]
So corporate culture is a part of In-N-Out, but they still make great products and pay their lowest paid employees well.
PS. I would hit it with a McGriddle
Quote: boymimboHer company valuation is at 1.1 billion. It doesn't mean she brings home millions in salaries. And she didn't exactly earn it
Granted, it's hard to evaluate her true net worth (as is the case with most wealthy people), but there are credible sources which estimate her net worth at just that.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-04/youngest-american-woman-billionaire-found-with-in-n-out.html
Quote: djatcQuote: boymimboHer company valuation is at 1.1 billion. It doesn't mean she brings home millions in salaries. And she didn't exactly earn it. She inherited it from daddy.
[Edit though her home is valued at 18 million...]
So corporate culture is a part of In-N-Out, but they still make great products and pay their lowest paid employees well.
PS. I would hit it with a McGriddle
You sir are a funny f*&%%$er!!!! :)
Quote: BeardgoatIn n out burgers > five guys burgers
In n out fries < five guys fries < five guys cajun fries
In n out might have the worst fries ever. But the hamburgers are delicious.
Okay, but where in that ranking do you put In N Out's animal fries?
Culver's is definitely tops for burgers and shakes, followed on both closely by In n Out. Both are thousands of miles from me, which is a good thing. And thousands of miles from each other, with no overlap I know of.
Nobody beats 5 Guys Fries. Burgers are better than other fast food, shakes pretty good. I only let myself eat there about once a year; pure grease heaven.
All 3 are better than any (other) fast food restaurants that come to mind. All IMHO.
Quote: beachbumbabsI might be one of the few on here who have had 5 Guys, In n Out, and Culver's.
Culver's is definitely tops for burgers and shakes, followed on both closely by In n Out. Both are thousands of miles from me, which is a good thing. And thousands of miles from each other, with no overlap I know of.
Nobody beats 5 Guys Fries. Burgers are better than other fast food, shakes pretty good. I only let myself eat there about once a year; pure grease heaven.
All 3 are better than any (other) fast food restaurants that come to mind. All IMHO.
I've been to all of those in the last year. My wife's favorite for burgers and shakes is Smash Burger, but it's about $90 for the family to go (6 kids at home).
The In-n-Out I went to was in Dallas, and maybe they just missed the mark that day, because I'd rather have 5 guys, Culver's, or Smash Burger any day. My favorite burger is definitely 5 guys. I don't do shakes.
Quote: EvenBob
http://www.reviewjournal.com/life/most-influential-burger-white-castle-takes-crown
Quote: TomspurQuote: EvenBob
http://www.reviewjournal.com/life/most-influential-burger-white-castle-takes-crown
White Castle is the best. Too bad there aren't any
in my part of the state.
Quote: CrystalMathI've been to all of those in the last year. My wife's favorite for burgers and shakes is Smash Burger, but it's about $90 for the family to go (6 kids at home).
The In-n-Out I went to was in Dallas, and maybe they just missed the mark that day, because I'd rather have 5 guys, Culver's, or Smash Burger any day. My favorite burger is definitely 5 guys. I don't do shakes.
The one time I had in-n-out in Vegas, they definitely missed the mark. Steak-n-Shake usually makes a better burger than the one I had at in-n-out.
