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262nd out of 384 books
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In-N-Out Burger: A Behind-The-Counter Look at the Fast-Food Chain That Breaks All the Rules
by
Stacy Perman
The untold story of the renegade burger chain that evokes a passionate following unlike any other
In fast-food corporate America, In-N-Out Burger stands apart. Begun in a tiny shack in the shadow of World War II, this family-owned chain has stead-fastly refused to franchise or be sold. It is a testament to old-fashioned values and rem-iniscent of a simpler time when peop
...moreHardcover, 345 pages
Published
April 1st 2009
by HarperBusiness
(first published 2009)
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I know very little about the chain but found this to be a really interesting read. It traces the history of the founders and follows-through on their passing as well as looking at the next generation. I thought it was interesting how some of the "old school" beliefs still seem to remain with the company, ie the fresh cooking, higher wages, etc. I hope that continues.
It was surprising to find out the family apparently is/was fairly religious, because while I don't know much a...more
It was surprising to find out the family apparently is/was fairly religious, because while I don't know much a...more
I'm a big fan of In-and-Out burgers and couldn't resist reading a book about the chain and it's contrary approach to fast food. The material for the book - the history and philosophy of the "renegade burger chain" and the unravelling of the Snyder fairytale following the sudden demise of Rich Snyder in a 1993 plane crash - is inherently fascinating and Perman does a good job putting it all together in a well-paced and highly readable package. There were also nuggets in the book that I'...more
INTERESTING AND (MARGINALLY) NOSTALGIC
[This is what comes of choosing something to read late at night, and when you're hungry for an In-N-Out burger. Also, this title was available for <<immediate>> (no wait listing) download from the L.A. County Public Library’s eBook / AudioBook website: http://overdrive.colapublib.org/482D7902...
In the book, ‘In-N-Out Burger,’ the author, Stacy Perman quite matter-of-factly relates the interesting history (warts and all) o...more
[This is what comes of choosing something to read late at night, and when you're hungry for an In-N-Out burger. Also, this title was available for <<immediate>> (no wait listing) download from the L.A. County Public Library’s eBook / AudioBook website: http://overdrive.colapublib.org/482D7902...
In the book, ‘In-N-Out Burger,’ the author, Stacy Perman quite matter-of-factly relates the interesting history (warts and all) o...more
Though I'm stuck smack in the middle of the United States, I crave Double-Doubles. As soon as I heard Stacy Perman on NPR, I knew I wanted to read her behind-the-scenes look at the cult and company of In-N-Out.
And 90 percent of the book was fascinating. The humble roots of In-N-Out entwine with the beginning of the nation's obsession with fast food. The quaint burger stand, hot rods and date night may have been of a simpler time, but In-N-Out kept that feeling fresh for 50 years.
...more
And 90 percent of the book was fascinating. The humble roots of In-N-Out entwine with the beginning of the nation's obsession with fast food. The quaint burger stand, hot rods and date night may have been of a simpler time, but In-N-Out kept that feeling fresh for 50 years.
...more
If you have never had an In-N-Out burger, you just wouldn't understand!!
And if you have never had an In-N-Out burger you are missing out!!--(they do have vegetarian options--consult their secret menu on their website)
The book is pretty good not only in giving a history of the chain, but also of the development of fast food post WWII and also a brief history of the development of the LA region.
The first half of the book is especially entertaining descri...more
And if you have never had an In-N-Out burger you are missing out!!--(they do have vegetarian options--consult their secret menu on their website)
The book is pretty good not only in giving a history of the chain, but also of the development of fast food post WWII and also a brief history of the development of the LA region.
The first half of the book is especially entertaining descri...more
A most interesting read about the rise of this "out of the ordinary" burger place and their struggles to avoid becoming just "one" of the pack of mainstream America.
The story line follows the lives and tragedies of the Snyder family which in itself would be a good read...and then when tied to the story of In-n-Out makes for a good read. It was fun to find out more about how the "secret menu" began to be "discovered" by those who frequented In-n-...more
The story line follows the lives and tragedies of the Snyder family which in itself would be a good read...and then when tied to the story of In-n-Out makes for a good read. It was fun to find out more about how the "secret menu" began to be "discovered" by those who frequented In-n-...more
An amazingly researched book. Perman not only gives a rich account of the history of In-N-Out, as well as the founders, but she provides context of the time in which In-N-Out was founded. It is almost a history of burger joints and fast food in Southern California.
Given that the company did not cooperate with Perman, she did an excellent job finding alternate sources to fill in the gaps - of which there were many due to the Snyder family's disdain for publicity.
Esther an...more
Given that the company did not cooperate with Perman, she did an excellent job finding alternate sources to fill in the gaps - of which there were many due to the Snyder family's disdain for publicity.
Esther an...more
Just finished tonight. It was a good book to give you a factual public researched look inside a phenomenally successful rag to riches story of the famous burger company. You see the start to finish of the building of a strong --no nonsense fast food icon burger ( of which i am a member of the cult) along with the ups and downs of a family and its successes --love--and certainly tragedies as well--
What would have made Perman's book riveting--and rise to a star or two better-- would have be...more
What would have made Perman's book riveting--and rise to a star or two better-- would have be...more
Annette
added it
WONDERFUL HISTORY OF THE IN N OUT BURGER IN CALIFORNIA. INCLUDED ALSO THE MANY FAST FOOD BUSINESSES THROUGH OUT THE COUNTRY THAT WERE INSPIRED BY THE ADVENT OF THE INTERSTATE FREEWAY SYSTEM AND LIFE IN THE AUTOMOBILE FOR THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. COVERED MARKETING STRATEGIES, AND COMPETETIONS BETWEEN THE OWNERS AND HOW THAT COMPETITION HELP THEM ALL. WOULD BE ESPECIALLY INTERESTING TO THOSE GROWING UP IN CALIFORNIA IN THE 1940 AND 50. MANY OF THESE CHAINS CHOOSE TO FRANCHISE WHEN IN N OUT STOOD FAST ...more
In-N-Out is America in a burger chain, and as a New Yorker, I have been craving it constantly ever since I last traveled to Cali. Perman has written a book that creates equal parts craving and disgust, pride and shame in the fast food industry as a whole. (For example, hearing how Kroc cut costs and quality with McD's literally had me sick to my stomach.)
The Snyder empire in particular becomes something of a trilogy of Shakespearean drama. Comedy and tragedy blend together to form...more
The Snyder empire in particular becomes something of a trilogy of Shakespearean drama. Comedy and tragedy blend together to form...more
One of the main points of the book is that In-N-Out fans are true fanatics who will go to great lengths for their favourite burger chain. As I read the book, I thought, yeah, and that includes reading this book.
Not that this is a torturous read, but it can sometimes be a little repetitive, especially in the beginning where In-N-Out's fortuitous timing and location are repeatedly mentioned.
The story of In-N-Out's controlling family is interesting enough, but if I hadn't ...more
Not that this is a torturous read, but it can sometimes be a little repetitive, especially in the beginning where In-N-Out's fortuitous timing and location are repeatedly mentioned.
The story of In-N-Out's controlling family is interesting enough, but if I hadn't ...more
I have to admit I grew up in Southern California and did not realize how much a part of my life a simple hamburger chain would be until I spent more of my life out of California than in it.
For someone who knows a lot about in-n-out this book filled in a lot of holes and cleared up a lot of the mystery about how it all started and why it has not spread nationwide.
I will admit after now living here in Colorado for 3 years and pining away for in-n-out to come to my new home (the...more
For someone who knows a lot about in-n-out this book filled in a lot of holes and cleared up a lot of the mystery about how it all started and why it has not spread nationwide.
I will admit after now living here in Colorado for 3 years and pining away for in-n-out to come to my new home (the...more
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awesome look into the origins of the famous chain. I put it down twice to run to In-n-out for a double double, choosing not to order of the secret menu. It not only gives the history, but discusses the possible future in which In-n-out might go public and lose it's mystique, really the only thing going for it other than tasty little burgers. I'd rather have a Whataburger but since Whataburger is limited to Texas/LA/AZ I'll settle for In-n-out. SIDENOTE: Tuscon has both and should be polled.
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I really enjoyed this...it started a little slowly, but as the little stand grew into cult empire, I was drawn in by the Snyder family story. The book covers a ton of interesting issues ranging from entrepreneurship, politics, complicated family dynamics, religion, and of course burgers. What's not to love about a Double Double? Seriously, there was some fascinating historical information woven into the narrative. And it was fun to read about the struggles of scalability and strategic planni...more
What a fascinating story of a small Mom and Pop burger joint in So Cal and it's growth into a food icon! This is not a fictional story, this is real life and the characters almost jump off the page at times. Makes me love the food even more to know the history of the chain, their standards (which have not changed, ever, in the face of the huge changes in the fast food nation). Their dedication to fresh, their employment practices. The family history that reads almost like a Kennedy saga with...more
Provides a deep history of In-N-Out burger. While I love the burgers there, it's too bad that the owners never did franchise out like their buddies at McDonalds, Burger King, Jack in the Box and others, as it might have raised the overall quality of fast food. And In-N-Out might have been compelled to actually make their food fast instead of ~20 minutes from order to eating. The book is quite a slow read, but there are some good nuggets in there...from a business perspective, there are more don'...more
Just finished reading the book In-N-Out Burger by Stacy Perlman about the creation of the iconic burger joint. The book has some great stories about the original founders. The husband/wife team Ester and Harry Snyder worked tirelessly and with lots of integrity to create a burger joint focused on "doing one thing an doing it better than anyone else"
The book begins when they founded the company in 1950 and the depiction of that time in LA was really interesting to learn abou...more
The book begins when they founded the company in 1950 and the depiction of that time in LA was really interesting to learn abou...more
This book was so boring. I love books about industries and food, so this was right up my alley. But oh man. Oh man. So boring.
I am 100% convinced that this author had either a word or page quota that she had to meet. I wrote reports exactly like this...when I was in elementary school...and had to do 6 pages, double spaced. So instead of saying, "The colors of the Iraqi flag are: black, white, red, and green," (12 words) I would say something like, 'The flag of the c...more
I am 100% convinced that this author had either a word or page quota that she had to meet. I wrote reports exactly like this...when I was in elementary school...and had to do 6 pages, double spaced. So instead of saying, "The colors of the Iraqi flag are: black, white, red, and green," (12 words) I would say something like, 'The flag of the c...more
Very informative about the history and start up of IN N Out (and the rest of the fast food industry) so much so that I'm rooting for the Snyder family to retain this remarkable business as a family owned business and stay true to their long established values and hard earned reputation of 'freshness quality and service' for many more years to come.
Although the ending of the book felt a bit abrupt and left me wanting to know more about the current state of In N Out, I'll find it fascinating...more
Although the ending of the book felt a bit abrupt and left me wanting to know more about the current state of In N Out, I'll find it fascinating...more
As a Southern California native, I found this book a fascinating look into one of the legendary establishments of California. I found myself craving a Double Double while reading this on my Kindle.
The author did a great job in putting In-N-Out into context when writing about the history of this company. She wrote about all of the other major and minor players in the fast food industry.
Overall, a great look into a very secretive company. Highly recommended.
The author did a great job in putting In-N-Out into context when writing about the history of this company. She wrote about all of the other major and minor players in the fast food industry.
Overall, a great look into a very secretive company. Highly recommended.
So far from what I have read, it is an enjoyable book, however it is very hard to follow. The author jumps around chronologically in a way that doesn't make sense - she appears to go off on tangents. One moment there are 18
In-N-Out Burgers, the next moment there are only 12 and we have regressed 10 years.
So far the book does not live up to its subtitle. Or at least not in any intriguing way - it's more like, here is the rule because this is how McDonald's and the rest do it; ...more
In-N-Out Burgers, the next moment there are only 12 and we have regressed 10 years.
So far the book does not live up to its subtitle. Or at least not in any intriguing way - it's more like, here is the rule because this is how McDonald's and the rest do it; ...more
Jeremy Kossler
added it
Growing up in Southern California and being in love with In-N-Out, it's surprising how little I knew of the Snyder's and their very interesting, sometimes cultish franchise. Bible verses on the bottom of drinking cups? Both sons died young while running the company (plane crash and drug OD)? Grandmother vs Granddaughter? Good stuff.
Do one thing and do it well. That's how they built it.
Do one thing and do it well. That's how they built it.
Great book if anybody has ever eaten an In N Out burger!! Not only does the book describe their success and their beginning but the book shares reasons for a succession plan with a family business. It shows the family dynamics and the weight of inheriting a family business. Sometimes it just might pay to sell the business or turn over to qualified managment to run. I wish they were in Virginia!!
The story of the little burger chain that could was very compelling to me because of the simple elegant excellence which in-n-out was displaying long before those were 'cool' values in business. Although the book could have stood to trim about 20% of the content, the family dynamics and spiritual component made for a very interesting read for anyone who loves their burgers. good read
A fascinating look into the history and world of my favorite fast-food joint: In-N-Out. Because the story isn't over yet, the ending to the book is inconclusive and a little weak. But I really enjoyed reading about the chain's early years and its expansion from Southern California northwards. I hope successive generations can keep In-N-Out true to its founders' principles.
If you love these burgers, then you will appreciate this book. It's a great combination of an American dream biography, California fast food history, and business evaluation. There was so much I didn't know And I didn't shut up about the book while I was reading it. I shared new facts with my husband EVERY DAY. he might now even read it now because I don't think I left much out!! Oh, and somehow the first burger you taste once you begin reading will taste better due to the newfound appreciation ...more
Interesting story of how this hamburger business in Bladwin Park, CA came to be. Love these burgers and have some when I go to Covina, Ca to visit. Just saw on the news last night that they are discontinuing their drive-through so that people will exercise more by walking into the restaurant. Seems like a small thing, but the gesture is appreciated.
The book tells the story of the origins of the mysterious burger chain and the lives of the founders and their children, but does not really delve much into the operations of the company other than emphasis on great service and quality ingredients. I definitely found myself getting sucked into the story of the trials and tribulations of the Snyder family.
Interesting read on the beginnings of a Southern Californian institution. I think I liked the Afterword (Paperback edition) as much as anything in the book - the author explains all the feedback her book elicited. For some reason In-N-Out has reached an iconic status that no other fastfood establishment can claim and people feel a unique connection to it. As the author herself says, "Here's hoping it stays that way."
I wasn't able to finish this before leaving it at my parents house, but of what I did read...
Interesting subject. Having grown up in SoCal I was familiar with a lot of the places, so it is perhaps more interesting to me than to someone who grew up elsewhere. The writing was lacking, and it sometimes felt like one big infomercial for In N Out. (Which we already love, so we don't need to be convinced.)
Interesting subject. Having grown up in SoCal I was familiar with a lot of the places, so it is perhaps more interesting to me than to someone who grew up elsewhere. The writing was lacking, and it sometimes felt like one big infomercial for In N Out. (Which we already love, so we don't need to be convinced.)
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Stacy Perman is a business journalist.
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