Along with having the best burgers of the fast food industry, In-N-Out is also beloved by its employees, who are paid incredibly well.
In-N-Out starts its employees off with at least $13 an hour, a higher than average rate. Through advancement to a managerial role, they can have the opportunity to make a six-figure salary, according to a report by Business Insider. On average, an In-N-Out store manager makes $160,000 per year.
Let’s put this into perspective. A software engineer in California makes an average salary of $101,000. A general practitioner makes an average salary of $99,000. A lawyer makes about $117,000.
“In-N-Out is just eons above everybody else,” Saru Jayaraman, director of the Food Labor Research Center at U.C. Berkley, told The California Sun. “On wages and benefits, they really are the best large chain.”
In-N-Out was ranked number 4 on Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work in 2018, with an average employee rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. It is the only fast food chain in the list’s top 50, with Chick-fil-a placing 72nd. Along with the high payment, the company also offers 401k plans to both part-time and full-time employees.
So why does In-N-Out take such good care of their employees? Jayaraman told the Sun that In-N-Out’s work environment has created a loyal workforce, leading to increased productivity, less employee turnover and larger profits for the company.
“Our research shows that companies that take the high road make a profit not in spite of paying their workers better but because they pay their workers better,” she said.
Maybe more minimum-wage jobs will take a hint from In-N-Out’s success.
