If you’ve ever seen a headline like “In-N-Out is coming to [YOUR STATE]!!!” and immediately started mentally rearranging your weekly meal plan… hi. Same.
And then nothing happens. For years.
You start to feel like you’re in a situationship with a hamburger. Lots of flirting, zero commitment.
So let’s talk about why some regional burger chains expand like they’re being chased by a pack of hungry wolves, and others expand like they’re waiting for Mercury to be in retrograde and the concrete to be blessed by a city council member.
First: “In Your State” Is Not the Same as “In Your Life”
This drives me bonkers: a chain will “enter” a state and open one location three hours away. That’s not “in your state.” That’s “technically within the same invisible government rectangle.”
State count is cute. Location density is what feeds you.
A few quick examples:
- Basically national now:
Five Guys is in all 50 states. It’s not “regional” anymore. It’s just… everywhere, like Target and people named Josh.
- Genuinely spreading fast:
Freddy’s is in the mid-30s for states and keeps popping up in suburbs like it has a personal vendetta against empty strip malls.
Shake Shack is in 30+ states, but it’s often more “airport and fancy suburb” than “right next to your house.”
- Still very regional (and proud of it):
Culver’s is around 26 states and feels like it’s quietly building a butter burger empire while everyone else is yelling online.
Whataburger is around 17 states and expanding like it just chugged an energy drink.
- The “stop asking, I said no” category:
In-N-Out is still only in 8 states.
Cook Out is basically the South’s best kept not secret.
Jack in the Box is in 20+ states, but it’s heavily concentrated out West and is now trying to flirt with the Midwest again.
Now let’s get into the personalities (because yes, burger chains have personalities).
In-N-Out: The Chain That Moves at the Speed of Fresh Beef
Currently in: CA, NV, AZ, UT, CO, TX, OR, ID (about 425-ish locations)
In-N-Out is the ultimate “I could, but I don’t want to” chain. Fans have been begging for it to expand forever. Petitions get signed. Comment sections get spicy. Nothing changes.
Here’s why:
- They don’t franchise. They own and operate their restaurants. That keeps quality consistent, but it also means they can’t just sprinkle locations across the map like confetti.
- Fresh beef logistics are a real thing. In-N-Out’s whole deal is fresh (never frozen) beef delivered regularly. That means they need the right distribution infrastructure in a region before they can open stores there. You can’t “manifest” a supply chain, no matter how aggressively you tag them on Instagram.
So… what about the Southeast rumors?
This is where things get interesting (and by interesting I mean: still slow, but at least not imaginary).
They announced a new corporate headquarters near Nashville, and it broke ground in 2024. That’s a real sign they’re serious about the Southeast. But the first actual restaurants in that region could realistically be 2026–2027.
Yes, that’s forever in fast food time. But it’s also how long it takes to do permits, build, staff, set up distribution, and generally deal with reality instead of vibes.
If you want to track In-N-Out expansion, don’t watch the gossip. Watch for distribution center news and construction permits. Supply chain first, feelings second.
Whataburger: Loud, Proud, and Willing to Try New States
Currently in: about 17 states, 1,000+ locations (still very Texas-heavy)
Whataburger used to expand cautiously. Then in 2019, it got a private equity owner and suddenly it was like, “What if we simply… went places?”
They’ve been pushing into new markets faster than they have in ages especially around the South and lower Midwest.
But expansion isn’t always a fairytale
You might’ve seen some headlines about closures in newer markets (parts of Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia). That usually isn’t “the chain is failing” so much as “that specific site didn’t work” or “costs ate them alive.”
Translation: even if Whataburger is “coming to your state,” it doesn’t mean your town is getting one. (Your future self is still going to refresh Google Maps like it’s a hobby. I see you.)
Whataburger expands faster than In-N-Out, but it’s also more willing to experiment and occasionally retreat.
Culver’s: Quietly Winning Without Posting a Single Hype Graphic
Culver’s is in about 26 states, and it’s the chain equivalent of that person who never posts but somehow has their life together.
They grow steadily because they’re picky. They want hands on owner operators, not someone collecting franchises like trading cards. That slows things down, but it also keeps the brand from getting stretched thin.
My totally non-scientific Culver’s prediction:
- If Culver’s is already in your state, you’ll probably see more locations over time.
- If it’s not, you’re likely years out unless you’re right next door to an existing market.
Not glamorous, but consistent. Like a good pair of jeans.
Chains That Are Actively Trying to Be Everywhere
Some brands are clearly aiming for “national footprint.” Others are like “please stop asking us to move to Ohio.”
A couple that feel very “we have meetings about expansion”:
- Shake Shack: fast casual energy, often targeting cities, airports, stadiums, and higher income suburbs. If you live in the middle of nowhere, you may be waiting a while.
- Freddy’s: franchise friendly and great at moving into mid sized cities and suburbs. If you’re not on Shake Shack’s list, you still might be on Freddy’s.
Cook Out: The South’s Loyal Neighborhood Legend
Cook Out is in roughly 10-11 Southern-ish states (around 300 locations) and doesn’t seem remotely tempted to go national.
They’re family owned, they focus on filling in their existing territory, and their whole model depends on staying clustered so they can keep prices low. The minute you spread too far, that “how is this so cheap?” magic trick gets harder.
If you’re outside the South, I’m not saying give up. I’m just saying… don’t plan your life around it.
Cook Out isn’t lost. It’s committed.
Jack in the Box: The Long Lost Cousin Returning to the Midwest
Jack in the Box is in about 21 states, mostly out West, and it’s making moves to re-enter Chicago after a 40-year break.
Forty years. That’s not a comeback. That’s a reunion episode.
They’ve announced franchise agreements for Illinois, Ohio, and nearby states, which could mean more Midwest locations eventually. But with Jack in the Box (and honestly, with all of these), the timeline doesn’t get real until you see addresses and permits.
A Few Smaller Burger Names I’m Watching (Because I Love a Plot Twist)
Not every chain starts with 2,000 locations. Sometimes a place gets hot in one city and then suddenly your cousin texts you like they discovered fire.
A few worth keeping an eye on:
- 7th Street Burger (NYC): cult-y, expanding around the Northeast corridor.
- Roy Rogers (Mid-Atlantic): trying to grow again after years of shrinking.
- Bobby’s Burgers (Bobby Flay): small footprint, lots of “plans,” and celebrity concepts can be… a little hit or miss.
My rule: enjoy the buzz, but don’t emotionally move in until there’s paperwork.
How to Tell If an “Expansion Announcement” Is Real (or Just Burger Fan Fiction)
Think of this like dating.
“We should hang out sometime” is not the same as “I made a reservation and here’s the address.”
How long openings usually take (in real life)
- Corporate owned locations: often 18-36 months
- Franchise agreements: commonly 2-5 years… and sometimes never
- “We’re exploring the market”: could mean absolutely nothing
The “okay, this might actually happen” checklist
If you see any of these, it’s getting real:
- Building permits filed with your city/county (usually public record)
- A specific address in a press release (not just “the greater metro area”)
- Job postings for your town on the company’s careers site
- Actual construction (dirt moving is my love language)
And yes, local food blogs, Facebook groups, and subreddits can be faster than official announcements… but take them with a grain of salt the size of an extra crispy fries order.
If it’s not on paper, it’s just vibes.
Should You Wait… or Just Take a Road Trip?
If there’s no permit, no address, no construction, and no job listings, you might be waiting so long your cravings start paying rent.
At a certain point, it’s easier (and honestly more fun) to plan a mini road trip with an In-N-Out nutrition guide to the nearest location than to live in a constant state of burger limbo.
Go where the burgers are or you’ll be waiting forever.
