Is Chick-fil-A stalking In-N-Out?

September 7th, 2007, 2:00 am · 11 Comments · posted by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer

I have a theory to throw out.

I think Chick-fil-A is stalking In-N-Out Burger.

Lately I’ve noticed a number of Chick-fil-A eateries cozying up to the Irvine-based In-N-Out. The chicken and burger joints can be found together in Orange along Tustin Avenue (shown, right) and will soon be paired up at The District in Tustin.

In our business, two instances of the same thing are considered a coincidence. But, three? That’s a trend.

I found my third example when I learned of a Chick-fil-A under construction in Tucson, Arizona — across the street from a recently opened In-N-Out Burger.

Preying on In-N-Out make sense.

The two chains have a reputation for serving quality fast food in a clean, friendly environment. Also, both are known for touting Christian beliefs. (In-N-Out refers to scriptures on some paper products, while Chick-fil-A never opens on Sundays.)

Given the similarities, I imagine Chick-fil-A — expanding rapidly out West — is betting that In-N-Out customers might give them a shot.

So, I took my theory straight to my friends at In-N-Out Burger. (Last year, the chain gave me an exclusive tour of its Baldwin Park burger factory.)

Here’s what Vice President of Planning Carl Van Fleet had to say about my theory: “To my knowledge, Chick-fil-A doesn’t make a concerted effort to locate their stores near ours. …. In the places where we are together, they seem to be great neighbors. I’ve met some of the Chickf-fil-A folks before — although it was several years ago. They are genuinely nice people!”

Watch your back, Carl.

Poll:

Which would you choose?

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Bryan says:

September 7, 2007 at 8:15 am

There’s a fourth example: they’re opposite one another at the MacArthur/Bristol intersection.

Post Reply

Nancy Luna says:

September 7, 2007 at 9:23 am

You are right. I totally forgot about that….And just another musing to throw out there…Many of these Chick-fil-A units are taking over former Krispy Kreme locations.

So, maybe Krispy Kreme actually started this trend….

Christian says:

September 7, 2007 at 9:55 am

They are not too far apart at the Tustin Marketplace either. I think they are complementary rather than competitive.

Julie Scott says:

September 7, 2007 at 10:16 am

Chick-Fil-A isn’t stalking In-N-Out, they are taking over the old Krispy Kreme locations, which happened to be next to In-N-Out. Both the Tustin location and the Bristol location used to be Krispy Kremes. I noticed this trend months ago, when I realized all the old KK locations were now Chick-Fil-A.

Now, why KK was always next to In-N-Out, and why they felt the C-F-A felt like KK stores were good places to take over - that is the question you should be tackling.

Mountain Bike Riders » Blog Archive » In and Out Burgers and Bicycle Shops says:

September 7, 2007 at 1:06 pm

[...] recently read an article on the OC Register talking about how Chick-Fil-A is starting to open up franchises right next to In and Out Burgers. [...]

Ryan says:

September 7, 2007 at 1:12 pm

In my hometown of Bakersfield, there’s an In-N-Out Burger place and there was a KK next to it, too. Nothing has gone in there, but maybe Chick-Fil-A will in the near future.

I live, however, in San Diego and there’s a Chick-Fil-A at the entrance of the San Diego Sports Arena, but the closest In-N-Out Burger is at least a block or so away.

Mike Padore says:

September 14, 2007 at 10:59 am

You’ve got to be kidding, Chick-fil-A should keep their fingers crossed and hope that In-N-Out never decides to offer a chicken entree. When looking for fast food, most people have already made up their mind about what to have, i.e., beef, chicken, or fish. Once that notion is in their head, they’ll head straight to the vendor who best serves up what they want. If beef is on your mind, chicken doesn’t even enter into the equation. Period! I particularily don’t like Chick-fil-A as I find the chicken too salty for my taste. The other fast food chains that have mulitiple items to offer will get my business if I happen to crave chicken that day–not speciality driven Chick-fil-A. They can only wish to achieve status that In-N-Out enjoys.

Mike Padore
Irvine, CA 92604

Kris says:

September 20, 2007 at 10:19 pm

Mike,

The idea, I think, isn’t to compete with In-N-Out so much as it is simply to draw from a similar base of customers. When these customers want burgers, they’ll go to In-N-Out. When they want chicken, they’ll go to Chick-fil-A. The theory is that Chick-fil-A thinks the crowd drawn to In-N-Out is the same crowd as the one which would be drawn to Chick-fil-A on those occasions when they’re in the mood for chicken.

I don’t know whether its true, though, that Christians are any more likely to eat at either of these two places, or whether the customers at either of these two places are any more likely to be Christian at other chains.

As for achieving the status In-N-Out enjoys, I have to say, in my experience, people who like Chick-fil-A _really_ like Chick-fil-A, in that weird almost cultish way they tend to like In-N-Out. And I say this as a registered member of both of these cults.

-Kris

Peggie says:

October 3, 2007 at 2:36 pm

Chick-fil-A only serves chicken breast. I prefer dark meat. For chicken I will continue to visit Pollo Loco and KFC.

rds says:

October 4, 2007 at 7:44 am

Sorry Kris but I have to disagree with you. When I want a burger I got to Fat Burger or any other burger joint EXCEPT In-N-Out. I don’t appreciate fast food chains or any other business shoving their religious beliefs down my throat. I find it very offensive.
In-N-Out could learn a thing or 2 from Chik-Fil-A…not about food but about keeping your religious beliefs to yourself. Even though they’re closed on Sunday they never push any religious propaganda on their customers like In-N-Out does.

Sherry says:

December 17, 2007 at 10:31 pm

RDS: Check your facts….Chik-Filet also tauts a religous christian theme. They are in the same boat. Open your eyes and check out the propoganda just like In and out.