‘Ready for any eventuality,’ Boise In-N-Out opens without hours-long waits for burgers
Nearly a year’s worth of time and batting No. 2 in the Treasure Valley lineup made all the difference for Boise customers as In-N-Out Burger opened its second Idaho location.
The first people to visit the new Boise Towne Square restaurant were greeted by In-N-Out associates on a cold Friday morning, the doors swinging open as the California-based chain continued its long-awaited expansion into the Gem State.
Another In-N-Out is under construction at 16225 N. Marketplace Blvd. in Nampa, and Meridian city records show a pre-application request filed for a second Meridian site, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting.
After the enormous volume of traffic and customers for In-N-Out’s debut in Idaho, which came last December in Meridian, the Boise establishment took preemptive measures. A line of traffic cones stretched from the restaurant into the JCPenney parking lot at the mall, and restaurant employees stood by with tablets to take orders.
But by noon the flood of customers turned out to be more of a calm, steady stream. The drive-thru line did not exceed the restaurant’s perimeter, and there were plenty of free tables available in the lobby for people to enjoy their double-doubles.
There were no six-hour waits. There wasn’t a giant line snaking out the door and around the restaurant.
But Denny Warnick, In-N-Out chief operating officer, was prepared with his team when the doors opened at 9 a.m.
“We try to be ready for any eventuality. Sometimes we’re blessed with long lines, and we try to be ready for that,” Warnick said. “We don’t do a grand opening. Typically, we just do everything just like a regular day of business.”
Boise’s first In-N-Out is expected to employ 80-90 workers eventually, with a starting wage of $17.50 an hour, according to the company. As always, In-N-Out brought in members from its “all-star team,” who scatter at restaurants around the country to train the locally hired associates, according to Warnick.
“As the the new associates are ready to take over, the all-stars will will head home,” Warnick said. “We just take it day by day, evaluating if the associates are ready. ... When the new associates take on more responsibilities and they do it well, they become the all-star associate.”
In-N-Out is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., except on weekend nights, when it will stay open till 1:30 a.m.
Dedicated fans return for opening day
Most customers opted to utilize the drive-thru option Friday morning, when temperatures were in the 30s and 40s, with only some grabbing their food inside. Many visited the merchandise truck to buy a new T-shirt featuring the restaurant’s sign overlooking the Perrine Memorial Bridge in Twin Falls.
Boise resident Bill Boyle was one of the first customers through the door. He shared that he has an extensive history with the fast-food chain, going back to 1964. In-N-Out was founded in 1948, and the company just celebrated its 76th anniversary.
“I was at (restaurant) No. 4, which is in Southern California. I worked there during high school into college, got drafted into the military, came back and worked at In-N-Out for another year,” Boyle told the Statesman. “I quit because they wanted me to cut my hair after I got out of the service. So I worked there five years.”
The former In-N-Out associate wore his employee name tag and the clothes pin he used to keep up his apron, and become an instant favorite with the Boise workers. Boyle said he was also one of the customers who waited for hours in line at the Meridian location last year.
He said he and his wife have lived in Idaho for more than 50 years, and have driven to Nevada just to get a meal from In-N-Out.
“They have been so successful in the fast-food industry with a minimal menu. I learned a lot of how to deal with the public working at In-N-Out, and they are very high on customer service,” Boyle said. “I became a loyal person because I worked there and I knew what a great company they are, and I followed them all my life.”
He ordered a double-double “animal style” with french fries and a drink; a cheeseburger animal-style for his daughter; and a cheeseburger with onions and fries for his wife.
Christine Girard, of Kuna, arrived with her golden retriever, Gianna, who was wearing her In-N-Out dog costume. She said they had gotten food for her husband, son and some friends from the drive-thru, then parked and visited the merchandise truck for some souvenirs.
“I actually didn’t know it was opening day today. I knew the restaurant was close, but I didn’t know. So I drove by and saw that it was (opening day),” Girard said.
Her husband waited in line for two hours when the Meridian location opened, she said. Christine and her son wisely then joined him once he was closer to the end of the line, she shared with the Statesman.
She said her husband probably would come later Friday once he learned the Boise location was open.
“We just enjoy (In-N-Out). It’s always reasonably priced, everybody’s friendly and today is no exception,” Girard said.
She had ordered double-doubles for her husband and son, a veggie sandwich for herself and a flying Dutchman for Gianna (no bun, but the meat and cheese).
