In-N-Out to close Oakland location amid rise in crime

The famous California-based restaurant In-N-Out Burger announced that it will be closing its location in Oakland, citing "ongoing issues with crime." 

The 8300 Oakport Street location will be closing on March 24, and the move follows a widespread departure of businesses from the city due to similar issues. 

In-N-Out Burger, most famous for its minimalist burger menu and animal-style fries, issued a press release to KGO-TV reporter Dion Lim on the matter and said: 

"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 Associates are regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies." 

"Our last day of business in Oakland will be Sunday, March 24, 2024," said Denny Warnick, Chief Operating Officer of the company. 

"We are grateful for the local community, which has supported us for over 18 years, and we recognize that this closure negatively impacts our Associates and their families. Additionally, this location remains a busy and profitable one for the company, but our top priority must be the safety and wellbeing of our Customers and Associates - we cannot ask them to visit or work in an unsafe environment," the statement reads. 

"All affected Associates will have the opportunity to transfer to a nearby In-N-Out location or, alternatively, receive a severance package," it continues. 

"In-N-Out Burger has a history of supporting the Oakland community through charitable giving that predates the opening of our location there. Although we will no longer do business there, we will continue to support local charitable organizations in Oakland through our In-N-Out Burger Foundation and Slave 2 Nothing Foundation," said Warnick. 

Reporter Dion Lim of KTG-TV, who covers California's crime-ridden Bay Area, posted the press release to X and said: 

"As someone who covers a lot of crime, large companies aren’t always so blunt in their messaging about why they’re closing. It says a lot." 

"I personally have been to this location so many times coming or going from the airport and notice broken glass on the pavement," said Lim. 

The closure of restaurants in Oakland, California has become all too common, with owners comparing the city to wartime Vietnam. Fed up with out-of-control crime, they say that they have been losing thousands of dollars each week as a result. 

Between employees being robbed at gunpoint to customers getting robbed while entering and exiting eateries, restaurants are packing up for good. 

Oakland has seen a 43 percent increase in strong-armed robberies within the last year, according to stats from Nov. 2023. The city's violent crime reached its highest numbers since the crime wave of the 90s.