In-N-Out Burger Reveals New Middle Tennessee Location Following $300,000 Donation
In-N-Out Burger is expanding eastward.
In-N-Out Burger has officially confirmed a new Middle Tennessee location, signaling that its long-awaited debut in the Volunteer State is about to become reality.
RiverGate Mall Approved as New Tennessee Site
According to Fox 17, the Metro Transportation and Infrastructure Committee recently approved two key resolutions to pave the way for an In-N-Out Burger location at the RiverGate Mall in Goodlettsville and Madison, just north of Nashville. This decision includes a $300,000 contribution from the burger chain and approval for necessary sewer main modifications — both steps that bring the project closer to breaking ground.
While a specific opening date has not yet been announced, demolition of the current RiverGate Mall structure is slated to begin later this summer. The site is part of a broader redevelopment effort aimed at revitalizing the shopping center and the surrounding area.
A Personal Touch Behind the Expansion
The Tennessee expansion is more than a business decision — it’s a personal one for In-N-Out Burger President Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson. Speaking at the Feb. 4 Nashville Business Breakfast hosted by Lipscomb University and the Nashville Business Journal, Snyder-Ellingson shared the spiritual and emotional motivations behind the move.
“[My husband] just started talking about Tennessee, and then God started working on my heart. I started bringing it to the office, ‘I think we’re supposed to go to Tennessee,’” Snyder-Ellingson explained. “It was really just a God thing. And then of course the more I’ve come here, I’ve fallen in love with really the whole state, but there’s something very quaint about especially the Franklin area.”
Franklin Headquarters Anchors East Coast Expansion
In-N-Out Burger’s $126 million eastern regional headquarters is under construction in Franklin, Tennessee. Slated to open in 2026, the facility will span over 100,000 square feet and employ approximately 200 people. It marks the brand’s first major corporate infrastructure project outside the Western United States, according to KTLA.
This Franklin hub will support up to 35 planned In-N-Out locations across Tennessee, making it the company’s largest single-state expansion to date. Among the cities on the radar: Franklin, Goodlettsville, Antioch, Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Madison, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis, Clarksville, Cookeville, Jackson, Morristown, and the Tri-Cities area (Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport).
Each new restaurant is expected to employ an average of 100 workers, which could mean as many as 3,500 new jobs for Tennesseans in the coming years.
Why Tennessee — and Why Now?
When In-N-Out Burger first announced in 2022 that it would expand into Tennessee, some fans were skeptical. The brand had long emphasized staying close to its West Coast roots, with locations only in states within driving distance of its California-based distribution centers.
But with the company’s Texas hub now fully operational, supporting more eastern locations is logistically viable. Tennessee represents the brand’s most ambitious eastward expansion yet, following successful entries into Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, and Texas. The first Washington state location is also on track to open this summer.
The decision to move into Tennessee was also driven by Snyder-Ellingson’s direct involvement and passion. Her public statements have emphasized a values-based approach to business and expansion — something that appears to be resonating with Tennesseans and state leadership alike.
What’s Next For In-N-Out Burger?
With a corporate headquarters in the works and dozens of new locations in development, In-N-Out Burger is setting the stage for a transformative chapter in its legacy. What started as a small drive-thru in Baldwin Park, California, in 1948 is now one of America’s most recognizable fast-food brands.
Tennessee will serve as the litmus test for further East Coast expansion. And if the Volunteer State proves successful, Snyder-Ellingson has hinted that other states may be on the horizon.
For now, fans in Middle Tennessee can look forward to getting their first taste of Double-Doubles, Animal-Style Fries, and hand-spun shakes very shortly. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or curious newcomer, the arrival of In-N-Out Burger marks a significant milestone in the state’s fast-casual dining landscape — and a potential turning point for the brand’s national footprint.
