A new look has been unveiled at a handful of In-N-Out Burger locations, adding some subtle decor changes to the Irvine-based chain’s classic-looking restaurants.
OC’s fourth-largest restaurant chain, with about $900 million in 2018 sales, is famous for keeping its menu simple. Its design echoes that simplicity, with its long-standing red, white and yellow model.
A few changes are in order, though. About 20 locations have been remodeled in recent months including its Sana Ana site near South Coast Plaza, according to a recent report in trade publication Nation’s Restaurant News.
Lighting fixtures were changed to vintage “schoolhouse lights,” black-and-white photographs of the company’s history lined the walls and red palm tree wallpaper was also added.
In addition, the chain’s “Quality You Can Taste” neon sign was swapped from yellow to green, Nation’s Restaurant News first reported.
Vice President of Operations Denny Warnick said the new signage color is “the classic green neon color from our original In-N-Out Burger signs of decades ago” adding in a statement that it’s likely recognizable to longtime customers.
In-N-Out has 335 locations in six states. The 70-year-old family run company was founded by Harry and Esther Snyder and is now owned by their granddaughter and OC 500’s Lynsi Snyder.
Trophy Holder
Costa Mesa-based marketing firm IMW Agency celebrated some wins last month: two new clients, a new team member and a trio of marketing awards.
The agency is working with OC Fair & Event Center on a brand assessment project to help the center review a number of brands and venues it owns before implementing “potential changes including updated positioning and creative design.”
It’s also working with Irvine-based CarMD to relaunch the company’s Pro Scan diagnostic tool for the automotive aftermarket. As part of the effort, IMW added Cristina Palas as account supervisor on the account.
IMW received three awards for its work from the National Agri-Marketing Association, Western Pacific Region. The awards were for best social media campaign for The Flower Fields, first place and best in show in the events category for Avocados from Mexico “Eat Lively Tour.”
Flower Fields and Avocados from Mexico are long-standing clients and the campaigns will advance to the national NAMA awards competition in April.
The agency has about 20 employees and works with Newport Beach Country Club, Drybar, DENSO Products and Services Americas Inc. and BJ’s Restaurants Inc. (Nasdaq: BJRI).
It ranked No. 30 among OC advertising agencies last year, with $6.1 million in revenue, according to Business Journal research.
Final Goodbye
Irvine-based OSI Creative President and Chief Executive Joe Baksha will retire this month. He will be succeeded by Chief Operating Officer John Kellogg.
Baksha, who has more than 35 years of experience, joined the company as president and chief executive in 2010 after serving as chief executive of packaging firm Outlook Group Corp.
The provider of point-of-purchase displays, consumer product packaging and branded merchandise displays grew about 20% annually over his term, organically, as well as through acquisitions.
He also expanded the company’s operations from its Irvine headquarters to include locations in Chicago, Memphis, New York and abroad.
OSI Creative parent Westminster Capital’s Chief Executive and Chairman Greg Belzberg said in a statement that Baksha’s vision and dedication played a key role in the firm’s growth and Kellogg has “the right combination of operations expertise, leadership skills and vision to continue to delight our current customers.”
Baksha’s announcement followed news of the company completing its acquisition of New York-based designer and manufacturer of displays and merchandising New Dimensions Research Corp. for an undisclosed sum.
