“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:7

Well, listen, how do you conduct your life in this world in such a way where you are involved in business?
You gotta make a living, but you also love the lord Jesus Christ. How do you make that work?
Well, today we’re gonna sit down with Lindsey Snyder, the CEO and president of In N Out Burger.
Real life presents the Jack Gibbs podcast with intention and boldness to proclaim truth equip the saints and impact our culture.
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We are so excited about the special program today and I think you will be too.
If you have trafficked anywhere, frankly, originally in Southern California, but now beyond.
In various states, you have come across along the freeway, along the highways, in and out burger.
It’s a California icon, and we love it. It’s been around for what, some 75 years now coming up.
And, um, it really needs a no introduction to you because it has stayed true to its vision.
And today, we have with us Lindsey Snyder.
She is the CEO and president of In N Out Burger and a beloved a beloved icon as well.
So we’re gonna be talking to Lindsey today about what god has done in her life and what’s next for her life and for the great business of In And Up Burger.
So, Lindsey, it’s awesome to have you here. We’re so excited to have you. We have anticipated this.
I I see that you have a new book. We’ve heard about the book coming out.
I’m gonna hold it up. The first thing, because we are we all grew up on in a nut burger.
Here, I wanted to take a bite out of the book.
There should probably be t marks right here in the graphics. It is excellent. And Uh, congratulations on the book.
Oh, thank you.
And we’re gonna find out more and more about it.
But before we do that, it’s my understanding that, um, you became president of in Naut Burger 2010.
So that’s been a long time. Even though you’re a young woman, that’s been a long time.
Yeah.
So you inherited this amazing work of your family.
And you were, what, in your early twenties, I think it was. Something like that?
Yes. Well, I was seventeen when my dad died. And so from that time on, you know, it was trustees.
And when I was eighteen, I was already in the office immersed in the business.
And, um, and yeah, so when I was 27 was when I became the president.
Yeah. Absolutely amazing. And so, uh, we know as the end user.
And this is something that I’m dying to ask you.
And we can back up and pick up on some things, but I wanna get this out.
In an age and in a time when so much in America when it comes to the service industry has waned faded.
Frankly, many of it has just fallen apart.
How is it that you guys literally not only kept your standards during COVID?
When so many businesses compromised, I honestly mean this.
Everywhere we went, there was a change in the product. You guys didn’t change at all.
Your staff was even more gracious. Your employees, which you have nearly 40,000 employees, they were amazing.
And your product didn’t skip a beat. How did you guys maintain that? How did you keep that strong?
Well, we have very high standards and, you know, we don’t, we don’t compromise those standards and our, our values and, you know, just sticking with what my grandparents started and continuing to do those things.
And, you know, there’s been temptations through the years. Um, you know, this is cheaper. This is easier.
This easier to get, you know, and we’ve just, you know, said no.
So, you know, business as usual, Somewhat. We had a lot of obstacles during those times.
Um, you know, which made it tough to, um, have the interaction that we like to have, you know, in our service, because we are known for our, our customer service and the friendliness and the smiles.
And so a time where you couldn’t see the smiles was tough and, and, you know, kinda hurt our atmosphere a little bit because, um, we say that the smiles are part of your uniform.
So, um, you know, lots of training. We do lots of training.
We invest a lot of time in, um, just really bringing you know, our new hires up to speed with what it announced all about and, and the culture and the family parts and the quality, the cleanliness, the friendliness.
And, um, so there’s just there’s a lot that goes into it. We work they were really hard.
And and I work really hard to, you know, keep it all intact.
That’s true. And I’ve heard that from others as well.
It’s amazing, uh, here, at the church I pastor, there’s a lot of young people.
And, and so it’s really great to hear them say, I’m gonna get a job at in and out.
Um, that’s how iconic you guys are.
Uh, but beyond that, it’s not just about the amazing, uh, experience and the taste and the quality.
You guys have such high standards that’s, um, that has resonated where people no matter what their experience is, they know what’s good when they when they have it.
Whatever it is. It’s like, So we have friends that come from out of the country, whatever it might be.
And then one of the first things we do is introduce them to in and out.
That’s just part of the baptism of Southern California culture.
Uh, but always, there is this there’s this level of of quality and of commitment and We’ve all spied on your staff when we’re at the restaurants or driving through.
We’re, you know, half of what am I telling you for?
A good, uh, maybe a quarter of your building corner is glass.
So you can see the guys and gals making the incredible French fries and doing all the stuff they do, and no one’s standing around.
It’s not like it’s a union job or some government job. People are moving, and they’re really making it happen.
And I honestly. To me, that’s amazing because it’s it’s at every in and out store, which are what, over 375 stores, I think.
394. 390 stores and growing. Sale fast they’re growing. I read 375.
Um, every every store has the same experience, which uniformity, everybody knows in business, and you kinda want it even in in in production or in church work is everyone needs to be treated the same.
You guys pull it off. I mean, there is a I know this sounds almost kinda crazy, but you don’t think it’s crazy.
And that is there’s actually some sort of anointing graciousness from god upon this vision that your family started.
And, um, so why the book? What’s with the book?
Uh, why did Lindsey Snyder think or be driven to write this beautiful book. What’s inside here?
Well, it’s it’s really the in and out story, you know.
Um, my grandfather’s vision and the partnership between him and my grandmother and a little bit of their history.
And, um, they both came from very humble and somewhat sad beginnings.
And Um, you know, I’m I’m pretty sure my grandfather, Harry’s father told him he would never do anything great.
And so, you know, there’s there’s a lot of neat stories within the history, um, for my family.
And I think, you know, we have such a following of customers and loyal customers.
And there’s been a lot of stuff that’s gone out through you know, over time and, and I just thought, wow, you know, I’d love, I’d love to be able to tell the in and out story, the true in and out story, bring people inside And, you know, and also, you know, the timing doing it when we’re celebrating 75 years.
75 years. Amazing. Um, so Let me ask you this.
Uh, when it comes to, uh, the pressures I would think in business, 2.
And you kind of alluded to it a moment ago, maybe compromise here. We can get these cheaper.
So how about that? How do you maintain?
You said you have these standards, and everybody knows that, but how do you how do you get people to stay true to those standards?
Is there is there almost like a swearing note in of an oath?
Is it, you know, it’s remarkable to may to maintain. So how do you ensure?
How do you guarantee those standards?
You know, it’s it’s it’s only God.
That’s the only answer I could give you.
It’s him and something he put inside of me to protect.
Um, I, I feel like I’m a very protective person, but
Yes.
There’s just I don’t know.
You know, we have the Holy Spirit, we have a conscience, but there’s there’s just something that hits me when we come to certain decisions.
And I say, no. We can’t. And I know I know it’s him, you know. So it’s cool.
That, that is very true. You’re a woman of convictions. You’re uncompromising.
Um, it’s for you to say not me, but I do know enough about you from what we’ve talked about that, um, the bumps in life that have come your way, they could have destroyed uh, and those kinds of bumps do destroy people.
And it’s actually made you a better person because our god is a redemptive god.
And he turn he turns things around. And so, uh, you’re stronger for it.
And what’s amazing to me is that if anybody were to see you on the street, they would say, oh, there’s a so called surf girl.
They have no idea that, uh, your business savvy, again, you give all credit to god, which is why we’re sitting here together right now, Uh, but god has given you a business savvy vision.
Uh, he has given you that that uh, lying heart as it were to to defend.
But your passions do not uh, rise and fall on in and out burger.
Um, I mean this with all due respect.
If Paul the Apostle preached the gospel to the world, that he experienced.
Occasionally, he built tents, right? He made tents as a source of income to keep the ministry going.
I included the world looks at you and they know from your story She happens to be the, uh, the air of the in and out burger, uh, dynasty and all.
But it’s not what makes her heart beat that you have incredible passions that I think the world is going to hear more about.
Uh, but would you mind sharing some of those things?
I know some of the things that we’ve talked about.
Can you tell us what causes that heart to be it on the inside?
Yeah. Um, you know, I, I think in and out is, for sure, part of my, my ministry and part of my calling, but it’s not it doesn’t define me.
It’s not my identity. And I think, um You know, I feel completely called to speak truth to stand up for what’s right for righteousness.
And, um, I know just in personal ministry, Um, I feel like a little bit of a sheepdog, you know, I’m Oh, yeah.
Yes. I’m kind of the one biting people’s ankles, so they love me one moment. They hate me enough.
But, um, you know, I the rejection piece, I I can’t see I’m used to it.
I don’t know if anyone’s ever fully used to it, but, um, in ministry, at least I am um, familiar with it, you know, because you lose you lose people when you speak truth sometimes to them.
You know? And
It’s true. But, um, you know, at the end of the day, you’d rather lay your head down on the pillow being true to the conviction.
Right? Rather than the compromise.
Because it’s love. You know, it’s love.
Love really is love.
Love is the ultimate goal.
And it is what makes, you know, my heart, my day everything is just knowing that God’s love saved me.
God’s love redeemed me. And, you know, his grace and love.
So for me, I want to carry that to the world and sometimes Um, you know, it’s unpopular.
Well, it’s unpopular because, you know, if you if you came presenting that grace and that love in some other name, nobody really care.
But the moment that Jesus has found out to be, um, in your life, in your book, Or for those of you who don’t know, if you go to In N Out Burger, which I love this, and you, um, look under the cup, uh, through the wrapping, the French fry, uh, holder, whatever it might be.
You’re gonna Yeah. The boats. You’re gonna find Bible verses that have been there Was that originally?
Uh, was that with Harry? When did that come in? Was that with your uncle?
We we’ve traced it down. We believe it was actually 1988.
That my uncle started putting it on the package. Really?
Yeah. My goodness. So and then you’ve added some Bible verses. Yes. Is that you?
Yeah. And did you
have to get, like, board approval or corporate? You just did it.
Yeah. I just did it.
I love it. You just did it.
And, um, one of those is Isaiah 96, which talks about Jesus Christ in the old testament, uh, about being the savior of the world, the Messiah, the governments of the nation, rest upon his shoulders.
He’s the almighty god, the counselor, the wonderful one. Right? So, um, you’re bold out there with your witness.
And yet, um, we know for a fact, so do you, that atheists go to in that burger every everybody the product is so good that you just have to go.
And Um, I love how that’s a reflection of god’s goodness to your to your family.
And your family has has gone through its it’s experiences. It’s highs in its lows.
And, uh, for those, even though now you’re not limited to Southern California, you’re in, like, 5 or 7 states.
7.
7 states now. Um, more and more people are hearing about what makes In and Up Burger work.
And So what about this? Um, what would you say to someone today that is thinking, you know what?
I’ve had fear. I’ve had others. I’ve had abuse. Define my life. I guess this is me.
I guess there’s it’s just the my plight in life. Um, almost, uh, kinda given up without giving up.
What would you say to somebody who’s just doesn’t see a purpose to go on?
Yeah. Well, I think the first thing I would tell them is that, um, god’s not finished with them and that he loves them.
And that you know, I probably share a lot of my story, a lot of my failures or times where I felt, you know, that there was no hope for me to do anything good with my life.
Um, and, you know, just share that, um, you know, there’s absolute hope and that you know, I believe sharing other testimonies, your, your own, and others just kind of charges people in it.
There’s power in that. And so, um, you know, it it it makes me very sad to encounter people like that, but honestly they’re everywhere.
And so, you know, us being faithful to have those conversations in the first place. And just taking the time.
And, um, you know, I send scriptures. Sometimes people that don’t even really believe I still send them scriptures. Yeah.
Um, and I almost act like they believe. And It’s
a good word because, you know, when you treat unbelievers like believers, They have a tendency to become believers.
Mhmm. Just treat them like a believer.
Yeah. Instead of it feeling like there’s a division, I just kind of bring them
I love them.
Like, I’m acting like fake. They know what I’m talking about.
I think that’s the wisdom of god. I I believe that as well. I teach that as well. Yeah.
Um, have you have you, to your knowledge, have you ever heard of anyone at in and out throughout wherever the empire coming to Christ?
Oh, yes.
Really? Can you share something about that?
Um, well, I’ve had I’ve had a few managers that I’ve led to the Lord.
And, um, there’s been conversations with different people, whether it’s, a manager or division manager’s wife sometimes.
Um, there’s Gosh, I’m trying to think.
I mean, just our VP team alone, um, we’ve all committed to, some core values for our team as leaders.
And so starting our meetings with prayer. Yep.
And Um, you know, we rotate who starts each one of our meetings, but whoever is last is the one that we build up.
So we all go around the room and affirm them and say things we love about them.
So we’ve incorporated faith as of this year.
I made prayer and us sending each other scriptures and just encouraging one another a thing.
So um, even our VP team is actually really, really growing closer to the Lord.
So That’s amazing. What with what you just said, Um, what if there’s a business owner right now who’s who’s a believer, but he works or he has a company?
He’s he he created and established it different.
And now he’s wanting to get things more like in and out where he wants to introduce that kind of love that god can spread through the believer.
What would you say to him or her?
How do they start that when it was not part of their culture?
What would you say to them as a corporate leader? This is how you could start to do that.
Yeah. Yeah. I think the way that I started it was with humility, just sharing my mistakes, sharing my weaknesses.
And then we started teaching servant leadership.
We started teaching, um, you know, the, the story of the, the shepherd.
And you know, I think there’s just there’s so many there’s so many valuable lessons in the Bible that people can whether they’re believe or not they can learn from.
It’s true.
Truth is
true. Right. And so, you know, just sprinkling that stuff in, and then you know, being super open.
You know, I think being vulnerable is scary for people because, you know, they think, oh, I’m gonna be I’m gonna be misjudged, or they’re gonna think I’m not strong if I share my weaknesses.
And, and I tell them it’s just the opposite. It takes strength. To put that stuff out there.
Because because people are gonna judge. So you either say, I don’t care. Yeah.
Or you know, you let that fear keep you from being free. And Wasn’t
it true that people are actually And maybe we are too, without knowing constantly judging. We’re constantly making assessments.
It’s just human nature.
Yeah.
But you’re saying a powerful thing because, you mentioned, which is the key, uh, model of Jesus, and that is servant leadership.
I mean, most of the world has no idea. What do you mean, Tom? Servant leadership. What is that?
But it’s so leading by example that you’re willing to do the job first.
I know that you started out as an associate. And that’s doing the work first.
And so in life, if you see a leader, I mean, Jesus himself modeled it so perfectly when at the the end of his earthly ministry, just before he goes to the cross, you would think that that’s the time to flex.
And what does he do? He gets on his knees and he washes the disciple feet.
And there’s no greater picture than that being lived out.
Um, listen, Lindsey, with your permission, can you share with us some of the other things that you’re involved in.
There’s a lot of, um, work that you do that the world’s not aware of.
And and I don’t know. Maybe you want the world to not be aware of it, but, uh, you do not sit idle.
Um, you are out there on the edge, especially now with the danger of of child abduction going on in kidnapping and trafficking.
Talk to us about that.
Yeah. Yeah. Slaved to nothing, um, is one of our foundations that we’ve started, nonprofit, that we’ve started, and, um, targeting to fight both substance abuse and human trafficking.
And there’s just, um, there’s too much, uh, out there, um, you know, from illegal drugs to all the prescription drugs, to things they’re now making legal.
You know, it’s just, um, and alcohol, you know, addiction. It’s just terrible. And it tears families apart.
It kills people. It’s, um, it’s very destructive.
And so, you know, I experienced that losing my father young.
My husband experienced that losing his younger brother at age twenty three.
So for us, you know, we’re all in, you know, that fight to, to, to make a difference.
Yeah. And um, with the human trafficking piece, I’ve shared this before, but it’s just, it’s something god literally dropped on my lap.
Like, I did not know and did not think, oh, this is something I’m gonna be involved in.
It was just when we were starting to form the foundation, it was like, you’re gonna fight this too.
Wow. Okay. So, you know, we had we had some advice that, oh, you, you need to focus on one cause.
You can’t You can’t have 2. And I’m like, well, god says 2. Yeah. So we’re doing 2.
You made the number 2.
On 3. Yeah. So, Yeah.
But we’re, you know, helping 100 of different boots on the ground organizations that are fighting both of these causes and you know, in and out puts the money forward for all of our events.
So, you know, none of when people are donating, that money is going directly to help and save lives.
That’s amazing. I know. And is this a certain time of the year?
To be honest with you, I didn’t pay attention.
But when you pull up, um, for those of you who don’t know, in and out burger is so dynamic and prolific that, um, you get served before you ever get to the building because you guys pretty much take over parking lots where the, uh, associate is out there taking the orders.
Right? And I remember just waiting in line, pulling up, pulling up, pulling up, Uh, which if I remember right, in and out was California’s first drive through.
Yes.
Uh, restaurant or diner like that. Which is historic, what, 1948? Yeah.
Um, but you had you had stantions or signs saying something about human trafficking and how you can help, how you can participate in human traffic, uh, to stop the human trafficking.
Yeah. Uh, thanks. So it’s very, very public.
It’s very, very part of, uh, the extended love and commitment that in and out has beyond.
Just serving up a great product.
Um, what what can Lindsey tell us about, uh, other passions?
I mean, uh, if if you can’t think of any, I know some of yours, and I will bring them up because I I share, uh, a few of those things, but who’s Lindsey outside the the corporate boardroom and the restaurant business.
Who is
Um, well, I think there’s a lot. There’s a lot of different things.
I feel like I’m forty 1, but I feel like I’m a lot I have, like, a old soul.
Old soul.
Just done a lot, you know. Um, but Are we talking hobbies, ministry?
I’m talking about some of the amazing passions you have for speed.
Okay.
For cars. There’s some guys behind these cameras that are major car guys also.
Um, where did that come from?
I mean, you like driving fast and you and you’ve got some fast toys.
Yeah. My my dad loved drag racing.
He built cars when he was young and his grand his dad, my grandfather, actually, was a part owner of the original Irwindale Speedway, way back when.
So, so my dad was, you know, super young, tested his cars there and racing.
And, um, you know, so that love was just there for me from the beginning because I would watch my dad on his cars.
And, uh, he’d take me for a ride when he was done.
And, uh, you know, it was just going to Pomona to the drag races when I was little.
And you know, there’s something about it.
You either have it or you don’t, you know, and I just have always loved it.
And I didn’t get to actually start racing until after he passed away.
So, um, there’s also a a special thing there for me when I race, you know, just kinda connecting to my dad.
That’s amazing.
Yeah. So, I do love drag racing. Um, I’m also on a band with my husband.
The 30
48 special?
The 48 special.
Yeah. You get the 48 now.
Yeah. Explain that in 1948. Explain that. Seriously. You have the time to be in a band?
I make the time. So it’s, you know, there are so many things I’m spread so thin, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Because I know time is short. And, you know, long as my priorities are in the right order.
And I know when to pull back from one thing or the other, then. You know.
Um, but the band is, um, all in and out associates.
So it’s you know, family on top of family. And, um, we perform mostly company events.
We’ve, we’ve done something public before and, you know, might do something in the future, but, you know, we all work full time.
So it’s kind of hard to pull off other shows.
We’re performing at our 75th, which is coming up.
Yeah. When is that coming up?
And I I heard a rumor that it’s actually going to be at the, Pomona, Los Angeles, where they host the, uh
It’s the, well, it’s now in a now burger Pomona drag strip.
So Yeah. But it okay. But don’t they hold the winter nationals there? Yeah. The iconic winter nationals.
So you guys are gonna host your What is it? A a picnic Gayla 1? A festival?
Yeah. There’ll be, um, bands kinda through the decades on a couple different stages. Yeah.
Surf fans, Motown, eighties.
From all the in and out era.
Yes. And then, rides, food, of course, in and out. Yeah.
Um, drag racing, car show, uh, and then in the evening, our rock to freedom event, which we hold, um, in October each year, uh, has been each year.
It’s been, an event to fight substance abuse is October.
Um, and then January is the human trafficking month. So we’re, like, let’s just throw this into this event.
So the rock to freedom will be, um, in the evening at the festival.
Listen, we need to start wrapping this up. But is there anything that you can can people help with this?
Because it’s such a a a a labor of love It’s beyond the celebration of the in and out family.
It’s to reach others that are truly in bondage.
Can what can somebody do on the other end of this lens? What what can they do?
Well, um, you know, the Awareness is one piece.
And then just if someone is looking for, you know, somewhere to give back um, you know, jumping in one of these fights, you know, you can go to slave to nothing dot org.
Slave to nothing. The number 2.
Number 2.
Slaive, the number 2, nothing. I love that. Slave to nothing dot org.
Yeah. Yeah. And then and then there’s, you know, there’s a lot you can learn there.
And, um, we work with amazing organizations.
So we can connect people to others if there’s other outreach things they wanna do.
We also have a community engagement team.
Where would a this is gonna air on various platforms.
And so where would, um, either an entrepreneur or a business owner or someone how do they find out more, or do they about business and connecting.
And I wanna know the in and out model or whatever.
Is there a place for them to to contact, um, leadership at in and out or to find out uh, you know
Um, not exactly, but I mean, people organically, it kinda happens. Some people
They could read the book.
They could they could read the book. Yeah. That’s, that’s a great option.
Yeah. That’s right. I think you’d appreciate that. We’d all appreciate that.
Is there before, last thing, last question, I, I hope comes this way reps.
Is there anything that I should have asked Lindsey Snyder before we wrap this up?
Um, well, I’d love to just share my husband and I have a ministry called army of love.
And, um, that is another big piece of my heart, and it’s just, you know, equipping the saints for the work of ministry.
It’s it’s really a discipleship program that’s online, and it’s not pulling anyone away from their it’s they can stay in their churches.
If they wanna go deeper and kind of pursue that on their own, you know, it’s a way to, to launch them further into their their walk.
And then they can take that anywhere, you know, where their ministry is.
And we also have the opportunity for them to be mentors and mentor others.
And then um, as we’re building this army up, we’re wanting to deploy.
You know, right now we have little, you know, people going out and helping others and connecting and making those connections honestly across the states and also in Africa and some other countries, but my goal is to build up a huge army of believers, whether they’re, you know, in churches over here or over there.
That’s why we kinda call it the church with no walls. Because it’s just bringing the body of Christ together.
And, um, and so when unbelievers or believers are asking for help, you know, then we can be there for them.
And my heart is big for, for people that are in leadership because I understand that leaders do not wanna necessarily show their weaknesses because they’re afraid of of people not following them or trusting them.
Right. So, and and I think there’s a lot of Christian leaders that kinda silently suffer.
And so my heart is definitely there for them and wanting to help
Very, very true. Um, army of love dot org dot com. Army of love dot com.
In fact, let me let me put this plug in closing.
So today in the world around us, it’s certainly true in America that so many churches have gotten either woke or weak.
But the saints are not just being fed like they should be fed.
And if you are anywhere and your church is not meeting that discipleship need in your life.
If you’re not growing as a believer, then you’re stagnant. And you don’t wanna experience that.
You wanna grow deeper with Jesus every day.
And so I think that army of love.com would be a great, uh, vitamin boost.
It could be your spiritual meat and potatoes.
Even if you go to a weak church, you could be somewhere in the nation.
You go to a mediocre church But listen, you could you could supplement your diet by in and out burger and Uh, and discipleship.
I mean, that is a lost calling today, which should never be.
It’s our number one thing, Jesus said, go, ye, therefore, into all the world and make disciples.
He didn’t even say evangelize. He said, make disciples.
Once you tell people about Jesus, the next step for the rest of their lives is discipleship.
And so, uh, Sean, Lindsey’s husband, and Lindsey, and family, and the entire family at In N Out Burger, Uh, gives you an incredible experience.
And it was with great anticipation and an excitement that we had you here today.
And, um, your your whole your whole, your name, your lineage, what you guys have achieved, and what you’re doing since 2010.
Uh, the company has just exploded under your leadership. And I just love that.
So we wanna see more and more of that. So Lindsey Snyder’s been a pleasure to have you.
Thank you for having me.
Great seeing you. God bless you.
Listen friends, always stay tuned to the real life network where we are committed to causing and calling you to experience a deeper walk with Jesus Christ.
Uh, so until next time when we get together, stand with Jesus, stand in the word of god, follow him wherever he goes, you’ll never fail.
And, uh, he loves you, and he died in the cross for you.
And he rose again from the dead, all for you. Until next time. God bless you.
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