In-N-Out Burger Beat Out Its Biggest Rival in Yelp’s Latest American Burger Ranking. Here Are the Details
In-N-Out Burger got one-up on its biggest rival, Habit Burger & Grill.
In-N-Out Burger has had a long-standing rivalry with Habit Burger & Grill, with the two companies facing off in everything from customer satisfaction to professional surveys. But in the latest Yelp American burger ranking, only one winner emerged. Let’s look at the details of this latest round of capitalist rivalry.
In-N-Out Burger Has the No. 1 Burger in America, According to Yelp
According to SF Gate, in the summer of 2024, Habit Burger & Grill outperformed In-N-Out on USA Today’s top fast-food hamburgers ranking. The Santa Barbara-born burger business went all out to celebrate the news, constructing billboards and newspaper ads “congratulating” In-N-Out Burger on finishing second place. It was all in good fun, of course. However, now that a new nationwide ranking has been issued, In-N-Out may finally exact its revenge.
Yelp just released a ranking of the best 25 burger chains in the United States, with In-N-Out Burger taking No. 1 and Habit coming in second. The review platform created the list in honor of International Burger Day on May 28, stating only that it includes brands that “have more than 100 locations, operate in multiple states, and are primarily categorized under ‘burgers’ on Yelp.”
“A West Coast icon, In-N-Out has earned its legendary status by sticking to what it does best: using fresh, simple ingredients for a menu that has remained consistent since 1948,” wrote the review site, noting that In-N-Out Burger has over 400 locations and more than 100,000 positive reviews across all those restaurants. “Fans rave about the friendly service, and the nostalgic drive-thru experience. Whether you’re a first-timer or a lifelong fan, there’s something undeniably satisfying about pulling up to an In-N-Out and ordering a Double-Double and Animal Style french fries (topped with their secret sauce, grilled onions, and cheese).”
Will Habit Burger & Grill Go Tit-for-Tat?
But just because In-N-Out Burger has earned the top spot in the hearts and minds of over 100,000 people in over 400 locations, doesn’t mean that Habit Burger & Grill isn’t going to try to gain ground on its own.
In March 2025, Habit Burger & Grill, headquartered in Southern California, announced plans to open a new location in the Mendocino County capital.
The Denny’s property at 105 Pomeroy St., which has been vacant since the diner shuttered in the summer of 2023, will house the new restaurant. The building renovation application was formally submitted in March, and the approval procedure is underway.
The long-time competitor to In-N-Out Burger will not open until sometime in 2026, and that is only if all plans are approved and construction is completed on time.
“The Ukiah location isn’t slated to open until early 2026,” said Kathy Kwon, who works for Karsha Chang Public Relations, which represents Habit Burger.
However, the rivalry between In-N-Out Burger and Habit Burger & Grill is viewed as an opportunity to boost the local economy.
“As a rural community, attracting businesses like Habit Burger and Hobby Lobby isn’t just about adding new shopping and dining options — it’s about creating opportunities for our local businesses to thrive,” said Mo Mulheren, Second District supervisor, in a statement.
“Increased foot traffic means more customers exploring our unique boutiques, restaurants, and services, strengthening our local economy. By welcoming well-known retailers while continuing to support our small businesses, we can build a balanced and vibrant marketplace that benefits everyone,” Mulheren added.
For its part, In-N-Out Burger continues to expand eastward, with 35 new locations in Tennessee announced in February 2025.
Lynsi Snyder, the company’s heiress owner, admitted at the Feb. 4 Nashville Business Breakfast, coordinated by Lipscomb University and the Business Journal, that she “fell in love” with Tennessee, according to the Nashville Business Journal.
Despite Snyder’s previous vow that the restaurant would never grow this far east, In-N-Out will launch its first Tennessee location in Franklin later this year. At the same time, its corporate “eastern headquarters” is under construction in Williamson County.
