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Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Raising a family, doing business in California not easy, In-N-Out boss says
There's something about In-N-Out that strikes a fierce if not irrational sense of pride among many Angelenos and Southern Californians. There are several fan clubs and awards, including Yelp's No. 1 Fast Food chain honor earlier this year and Market Force's 2022 'best burger experience.' For some reason, there isn't the same fervor for Southern California's own McDonald's, one of the top 10 brands in the world, or for Santa Barbara's The Habit, which beat In-N-Out in July 2024 for USA Today's best fast food burger accolade. Times readers even lambasted former food columnist Lucas Kwan Peterson when he placed L.A.'s Fatburger atop his fast food burger rankings in 2022. Maybe that's what made the news that Lynsi Snyder, billionaire owner and chief executive of the iconic Baldwin Park brand, was leaving the Golden State last week all the more jarring. Colleague Piper Heath broke down the announcement Monday, while columnist Lorraine Ali opined on what the decision meant. Snyder made an appearance on the podcast 'Relatable' on July 18, hosted by conservative commentator Allie Beth Stuckey. During the interview, Snyder uttered a statement that created shockwaves locally. 'There's a lot of great things about California, but raising a family is not easy here. Doing business is not easy here,' she said as part of her announcement that her business was continuing its eastward expansion. The move to Tennessee represents a seismic shift for the leader of the brand. Currently operating more than 400 locations across eight states — California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, Colorado, Texas and Idaho — In-N-Out has long thrived on being the burger chain you couldn't find everywhere. Snyder's comments set off a disinformation blitz, launching the Double-Double into the middle of a red-state/blue-state culture war where, clearly, nothing is sacred, Ali wrote. Anti-Cali factions incorrectly crowed about yet another business fleeing the West Coast. More proof that Gov. Gavin Newsom's 'failing' state sucks! It appeared that In-N-Out was following Tesla and Charles Schwab, companies that cited regulatory challenges and operational costs among their reasons for relocating. Chevron also fled. Many in SoCal felt abandoned and disrespected. They, after all, propped up the chain for 76 years, only to be told by its owner that the place that made her family's business — their home — is no longer to her liking. On X, Oracle Park Seagull posted ''Not easy for In N Out to do business in California…' Said the person who became a billionaire doing business almost exclusively in California. So much so, it was a point of pride for the chain. Gotcha.' During the podcast, Snyder discussed elements of California policy that make the state hard to operate in, referencing pandemic-era restrictions as particularly challenging. She told Stuckey 'the bulk of our stores are still going to be here in California.' The relocation of both corporate operations and the CEO signals a fundamental change in the company's center of gravity. 'It will be wonderful having an office out there, growing out there, and being able to have the family and other people's families out there,' Snyder said, though she maintains limits on expansion. Newsom even chimed in, starting his X post with, 'For those interested in the facts, rather than fiction, In-N-Out is expanding East — creating a second HQ in Tennessee.' Snyder responded Monday in an Instagram post: 'Where I raise my family has nothing to do with my love and appreciation for our customers in California.' Immigration and ICE raids Trump Administration policy, actions and pushback Crime, courts and policing Health and medicine Get wrapped up in tantalizing stories about dating, relationships and marriage. Have a great weekend, from the Essential California team Jim Rainey, staff writerDiamy Wang, homepage internIzzy Nunes, audience internKevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorAndrew J. Campa, reporterKarim Doumar, head of newsletters How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The cheapest grocery stores in 2025 have been named — and the first-place winner is expanding in NYC
Check out these checkouts. As food prices are expected to rise by up to 3.5% in 2025, according to the USDA, many Americans are looking for ways to keep their grocery bills in check. A recent study by MarketForce, which surveyed over 4,300 shoppers, highlights the grocery stores that best balance affordability with quality. Whether it's inflation, supply chain issues or simply the high cost of living, everyone could use a break at checkout. Here's your chance, according to the roundup, with seven grocers helping customers stretch their dollars without sacrificing taste or freshness. Lidl has been a rising star in the U.S. discount grocery scene, especially in NYC, where it has been expanding locations, including in Brooklyn. The store layout is inspired by European roots, which helps Lidl keep its overhead low by minimizing staffing and using a streamlined warehouse-style setup. This helps reduce costs for shoppers, making it one of the most budget-friendly options for families. According to the MarketForce study, an impressive 81.4% of customers return to Lidl because of its unbeatable value. The store's affordable pricing is made better with the quality of its products, the report notes. In addition to the usual grocery items, Lidl also surprises customers with seasonal and non-food items, from power tools to potted plants. If you've ever dreamed of paying Costco prices without the membership fee, WinCo Foods is where it's at. This employee-owned chain has become a household name in many parts of the U.S., with 139 locations spread across 10 states. WinCo operates a warehouse-style model focusing on low prices by cutting out the middleman. It buys directly from manufacturers and even has customers bag their own groceries. The strategy must be working: a whopping 73.1% of shoppers cited value for money as their main reason for frequenting WinCo. Its bulk sections are also noted as a treasure trove for those seeking to stock up on essentials like flour, rice and dried goods at steep discounts. Grocery Outlet's business model revolves around selling overstocked or discontinued items at discounted prices. Locations vary by region, but the appeal is universal: customers can score big on both name-brand and private-label products. Fresh produce, dairy and meat are always stocked, while their natural and organic sections offer a variety of specialty items like vegan and gluten-free foods — often for less than what you'd find at other places. Notably, 71.4% of shoppers reported returning to Grocery Outlet for the exceptional value it provides. Aldi's reputation for value is legendary — and the numbers don't lie. The MarketForce study found that 70.4% of shoppers favor Aldi for the exceptional value it offers. With a European-inspired model, Aldi keeps costs low by minimizing staff, using simple displays, and encouraging customers to bag their own groceries. Despite this no-frills approach, Aldi shoppers can find everything from pasta and canned goods to frozen items and fresh produce. If you're looking to make your budget stretch even further, Aldi is also home to great deals on dairy, baked goods and even alcohol. Known for its vast selection of high-quality store-brand products, Wegmans is a favorite among many shoppers, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region. The family-owned grocer boasts more than 110 stores and has become well-known for its excellent customer service and affordable prices. A solid 68.7% of MarketForce respondents cited value for money as their main reason for choosing Wegmans. Wegmans stands out for its wide range of organic and healthy food options, from fresh produce to gluten-free snacks. The grocer expanded to Long Island earlier this year and continues to extend its reach beyond the Northeast. Despite its smaller footprint compared to traditional grocery stores, about 67.2% of study participants mentioned that they return because of the store's value. While it's famous for its affordable and fun frozen-food options, much-beloved Trader Joe's also serves up fresh produce, unique snacks, seasonal items and high-quality private-label goods. While Costco may require a membership, the savings it offers can make it worth the investment. Known for its bulk-buying model, Costco allows customers to purchase everything from household essentials to luxury items at steeply discounted prices. Whether it's buying a year's supply of toilet paper, a bulk pack of fresh fruit, gourmet cheeses or pantry staples, according to the MarketForce study, 61.4% of customers return to Costco for its impressive deals.
