The well-known fast food chain In-N-Out has decided to shut down its Oakland, California outlet. This marks the first time in the company's 75-year journey that they are closing a restaurant. The decision, as stated by In-N-Out, is a response to the rising crime rates in the Oakland area.
In-N-Out Near Oakland Airport to Close Doors
In a recent announcement, In-N-Out, a popular fast-food burger restaurant near Oakland International Airport, is set to close on March 24.
Denny Warnick, the chief operating officer of In-N-Out, explained in a Wednesday statement that despite numerous efforts to improve safety, their customers and staff continue to face regular victimization incidents. This has led to the decision to shut down this particular outlet.
In-N-Out's Oakland branch has been a bustling spot for almost two decades. Despite being a profitable location for the company, Warnick emphasized that the safety concerns have led to the decision to cease operations there. He stated that the company cannot justify continuing business in a location where safety is compromised.
In the wake of the closure, In-N-Out has ensured that all affected employees receive a severance package or be offered positions at other locations. Additionally, the company has committed to supporting Oakland by continuing its involvement with local charities and organizations.
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Oakland Crime Rates Surge, Reach Decade-High
KGO-TV reports that recent statistics indicate a significant increase in crime in the Oakland area between 2022 and 2023. Data from the Oakland Police Department reveals that burglaries in the area have escalated by 23%, while car thefts have spiked by 44% during this period.
Furthermore, 2023 has been marked as the year with the highest crime rates in Oakland in nearly ten years.
In recent data shared by Oakland police with the Chronicle, the area witnessed nine robberies, two commercial burglaries, four domestic violence incidents, and a staggering 1,174 car break-ins.
The Oakland Police Department has not yet provided this data and additional comments to The Associated Press upon request.
Sean Crawford, an employee in a nearby building, recounted to the newspaper a shocking incident from last year where he saw two individuals rob people at gunpoint in the drive-thru lane of the In-N-Out restaurant.
In-N-Out Burger, the affected fast-food chain, is headquartered in Irvine, California.
Responding to the rising crime rates, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao told KTVU-TV that while more police officers have been assigned to the area, further action is necessary.
Mayor Thao emphasized her commitment to this key Oakland area, noting that the Oakland police have installed three cameras to monitor the situation.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Oakland, situated across the bay from San Francisco, is experiencing a rise in property crimes and robberies citywide.
The In-N-Out, set to shut down, is in a bustling business area frequented by airport travelers and baseball enthusiasts attending A's games at the Coliseum. The newspaper highlights that since 2019, the police have recorded 1,335 incidents near the Oakport Street restaurant, marking it the most incident-prone location in Oakland.
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