In-N-Out said Sunday it will close its only Oakland restaurant in March due to crime and safety concerns for its customers and employees.
The location is located at 8300 Oakport Street, near Oakland International Airport. In-N-Out Burger follows a long line of businesses that have closed their doors in the past year with crime as the driving factor.
The restaurant was busy Sunday evening with dozens of cars driving along the drive-thru line. Many customers were dining inside, including loyal customer Jean Bondy.
“The first time I tasted one of their burgers, I was like, ‘Oh my God,’” Bundy said.
A lifelong East Oakland resident comes to In-N-Out at least twice a week. He is well aware of car theft in the parking lot. There are warning signs in front of In-N-Out and outside. He witnessed thieves breaking into a car next to him.
“They have guns, so you don’t want to be running around without being a hero,” Bundy said.
Less than two months ago, this happened to his truck when he ate inside the dining room.
“They were trying to steal my car, but I had a kill switch. So they couldn’t get my car, but they took all my stuff,” Bondi recalled.
He estimated the damage cost him about $500. Now his partner stays in the truck while he requests entry. He said he wasn’t surprised In-N-Out closed the Oakland location.
“It’s a really sad moment,” Bondi said.
“I’m definitely frustrated. Because if there’s no getting outside, it’s going to be something else tomorrow,” said Oakland resident Jenny Goebner.
“These are people’s jobs. It’s essential that we have jobs so we can spend money in the community,” said Darryl Brown, an Oakland resident.
Since 2019, police have recorded 1,335 incidents in and around the fast food restaurant, more than anywhere else in Oakland, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Most of the reported incidents were car break-ins targeting visitors arriving through Auckland International Airport.
Employees told KPIX they’ve seen armed robberies of customers as well.
“It’s terrifying, because it also puts us at risk,” said In-N-Out worker Daisy Nunez-Valenzuela.
Nunez Valenzuela said the thieves stay away when officers patrol the place. But they are only there for a few hours a day.
“(The robbers) are looking around the whole time,” Nunez Valenzuela said. “Then they see the police chief leave for a moment, and that’s when they take advantage.”
In-N-Out issued a statement that said in part: “Despite taking repeated steps to create safer conditions, our customers and associates regularly fall victim to vehicle break-ins, property damage, theft and armed robbery.”
The full statement can be read below.
“We’re in a state of emergency. We’re in a state of emergency. Should we take a proclamation to provide (services) while we’re in this situation. My district was in crisis,” Councilwoman Treva Reed said. Which represents the region.
She said she is calling on the City Council and Mayor Sheng Thao to provide more police resources. But she said she received little support.
“Oakland Airport, and the Hegenberger/98 Corridor, is a gateway to the East Bay,” Reed said. “We must invest more and create statewide, regional collaboration on how to support and enhance this corridor.”
A Starbucks store in the same area closed late last year. Raising Cane’s only driving to prevent a car break-in. In-N-Out said the last day will be March 24.
“This is the worst ever,” Bondi said.
KPIX reached out to Mayor Thao’s press office Sunday afternoon for comment. We had not heard any response at press time.
Statement from IN-N-OUT regarding the closure of the Oakland restaurant
We have made the decision to close our In-N-Out Burger location in Oakland, California, due to ongoing issues with crime. Despite taking repeated steps to create safer conditions, our customers and partners regularly fall victim to vehicle break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robbery. Our last day of business in Auckland will be Sunday 24 March 2024.
We are grateful to the local community, who have supported us for over 18 years, and recognize that this closure is negatively impacting our associates and their families.
Additionally, this remains a busy and profitable location for the company, but our top priority must be the safety and well-being of our customers and partners – and we cannot ask them to visit or work in an unsafe environment.
All affected associates will have the opportunity to relocate to a nearby In-N-Out location or, alternatively, receive a severance package. In-N-Out Burger has a rich history of supporting the Oakland community through charitable giving leading up to the opening of our location there. Although we will no longer be doing business there, we will continue to support local charitable organizations in Oakland through the In-N-Out Burger Foundation and the Slave 2 Nothing Foundation.
Denny Warnick, Chief Operating Officer of In-N-Out