MENIFEE, Calif. -- At least 300 people lined up at Mt. San Jacinto College's Menifee campus Monday to submit applications for about 50 positions at In-N-Out, which is planning its next restaurant in Menifee. The Irvine, Calif.-based chain has a reputation for paying its employees better than any other fast-food chain and offering managers salaries that average $100,000 a year. "Ten dollars an hour attracts the attention of a lot of people," said Mark Lugo, a human resources official from the company's home office who helped supervise the screening Monday. In-N-Out competes in a crowded field with McDonald's, Wendy's, Carl's Jr. and numerous other chains for diners' fast-food dollars. But there are differences between In-N-Out and its competitors. Most of the major chains are publicly traded. In-N-Out is owned by the family of Harry and Esther Snyder, who founded it in Baldwin Park 60 years ago. They have since expanded to 220 locations in California and three other Southwest states. While other chains have tried to expand their reach by adding everything from salads to gourmet coffee, In-N-Out's menu remains as basic as ever. It sells burgers, fries, soft drinks and shakes, which streamlines its operations. "One of their secrets is their operation is very simple and very efficient," said Ron Paul, president of Technomic, a Chicago-based restaurant consulting firm. "You can't find a more simple menu." That simplicity makes it easier for In-N-Out to handle the fixed costs that keep it profitable. Paul, who said In-N-Out has almost a cult following in the fast-food world, said the fact that it is privately held probably keeps the company in the black because there are no stockholders to keep happy. "Maybe they're making less margin, but they're very happy to live within that as a private company," he said. For employees, the straightforward menu means minimal training. And the $10-an-hour pay, $2 higher than the state's minimum wage and probably $2 more than workers' starting pay at competing fast-food restaurants, means employees are less likely to quit after a few months. Plus In-N-Out employees are eligible for benefits, a 401(k) plan and other perks. Lugo declined to discuss turnover rates, citing the company's private ownership. But he did say the work force tends to be more stable than that of competitors. Andre Coplen, who is moving from a location in Long Beach to manage the Menifee restaurant, is 36 and has been with In-N-Out for 17 years, most of his working life. Jobs do come with a small cost. The flier distributed to would-be workers in Menifee lists standards that include no beards, long hair or earrings for men. Woman may wear earrings but the number and placement are restricted. No one may show a tattoo or wear garishly dyed hair. "I have no trouble with that," said Seame Seang, an unemployed 19-year-old from Hemet, Calif., who sported earrings as he waited in line. "I'll take them off, get a haircut, whatever I have to do." Kelsey Nelson, 18, of Menifee, said her brother enjoyed working at In-N-Out. She said appearances should matter in serving the public. "People like to go to a place that's clean, and your image reflects that," Nelson said. Not everyone sported youth-dominated affectations. Jim McGeehan, 62, from Homeland, Calif., drove a truck for many years but had to give it up because of diabetes. He also owned a deli at one time and attended a management training program at pizza chain Shakey's, so he likes his chances with In-N-Out. "I started working in fast food and it looks like I'll end up in it," McGeehan said. "If I have to start hourly and work my way up, I can do that, too." E-mail Jack Katzanek at jkatzanek(at)PE.com(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
Tattoos on managers at In-N-Out
Your artical about "No one may show tattoos" needs to be revised.I know for a fact there are many upper managers that have tattoos.There was one incident that took place not to long ago about a employee who had a tattoo and kept it covered at all times even when it was extremly hot outside.This young man never called in sick,worked over and came in at a moments notice.The next thing you know after moving up the latter quickly within the year he is suspended and later told you are terminated.Only because this manager may have felt threaten that they would have compitention for their job.This young man that was fired was working to go to college and to help out his family since his father was layoff since a year ago and still has not found a job.Yes it was good money but he had intention of going to medical school and now all his hope have been shot down, and they called theselves a church going organization.Where is the justice and how mean can a person be and let their insecurity get the best of them.I have seen this young man since and have told him to keep the faith God has something better for him and to pray for the person that felt that they have to pick on young people who wanted to make a difference in this world.So the family of In-N-Out need to take a good look at the employees that will crushed the future leaders,and caregivers of the world
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