Introduction to In-N-Out’s Return to Buellton
A California city that once rejected a proposal from fast-food giant In-N-Out is now trying to bring the burger chain back more than two years later. The city of Buellton, California, had initially rejected the proposal in 2023 due to concerns over traffic congestion.
Background on the Initial Proposal
The initial proposal called for demolishing a vacant movie theater on McMurray Road and replacing it with an In-N-Out restaurant. However, further investigation by Caltrans and other agencies found that the restaurant could cause severe traffic congestion, leading to the city council rejecting the proposal in December 2023.
New Negotiations and Location
Negotiations between the city and In-N-Out have resumed, with plans to build the restaurant at a new location – a vacant lot on McMurray Road, north of Rufus T. Buell Drive, next to Firestone Walker Brewing Company. According to Buellton City Manager Scott Wolfe, this new location is "just better from a traffic standpoint."
Reasons for the New Location
Wolfe explained that the original location was the problem, not the restaurant itself. In-N-Out had put a lot of time and money into making the project happen, but it just didn’t work out. The city’s mayor reached out to In-N-Out after the decision, but they hadn’t heard much about it until recently.
Filling a Gap in the Community
If the plans go ahead, it would fill a large gap of In-N-Out restaurants along the 101 Freeway. Buellton could also fill a big local gap, as the city was previously home to a famous street restaurant called Pea Soup Andersen’s, which closed in January 2024 after nearly a century in business.
Current Status and Future Plans
In-N-Out has brought a new team to the negotiations, and the Planning Commission’s first look at the new proposed project will come at the April 2 meeting. Mike Abbate, vice president of real estate and development at In-N-Out, stated that they are hoping to open a new restaurant in Buellton and are currently in the application process for the development. However, it’s too early to say when or if they will be able to open a restaurant there.
