News of In-N-Out’s Arrival—Joining Whataburger, Cookout, and Others—Brings Sizzle to Eastern Middle Tennessee’s Fast-Food Scene
Remember when the co*ke vs. Pepsi debate raged from the 1970s up into the 2000s? Billy Joel sang about it in his classic song “We Didn’t Start the Fire” (“rock ’n roll, the cola wars, I can’t take it anymore!”). One Nashville-area top executive at hospital owner HCA, having fielded fevered complaints when the company’s headquarters was considering a switch from one cola provider to the other, lamented to employees: “I didn’t anticipate so much passion and energy over sugar water!”
Well, while the cola wars have mostly cooled, the burger battle is blazing as hot as ever, and the front has arrived here in Eastern Middle Tennessee, especially in light of the news that West Coast favorite In-N-Out plans to open one of its first Tennessee locations—in fact, only its second or third location east of the Mississippi River—in Lebanon.
What a Debate . . .
Already, popular Texas-based chain Whataburger has beefed up its Tennessee presence with two area locations, one in Lebanon and another in nearby Hermitage (along with recently opened or planned additions in Gallatin, Madison, Murfreesboro, and other hot spots).
Add to that the success of North Carolina-based Cookout (whose area footprint is anchored by its bustling Lebanon location right across from Whataburger, a half-mile or so north of I-65), along with other joints that specialize in burgers, fries, sodas, and shakes—and the grill is fired up for a lot of mostly good-natured (but often passionate) discussion about who dishes out the best patties and fixin’s.
“Does any of this really matter?” you might ask. “I mean, come on—we’re talking fast food here.”
It’s a fair point. As our members know, real estate is an increasingly complex profession, and REALTORS® today are navigating a bevy of challenges: a vibrant housing market keeping us on our toes, competition for buyers’ and sellers’ attention, mortgage rates that continue to inch upward, laws and regulations to abide by, continuing education (CE) to secure, not to mention industry changes on the way resulting from the recently announced proposed NAR lawsuits settlement.
All of that said, a case can be made that, yes, it does matter. After all, tons of Californians (and others from out West) continue to make their way eastward to the great state of Tennessee, and our communities in Wilson, Smith, and Dekalb counties are among the hottest, most appealing destinations for them to relocate to and purchase property. To many of them, In-n-Out is a reminder of home. For others, Whataburger holds a special place in their culinary hearts. And Cookout has exploded in recent years as a favorite eatery in the South and beyond.
What’s more, we know that amenities that tend to draw new residents don’t begin and end with the “big” ones that come to mind, such as housing availability, good schools, recreational activities, enriching cultural attractions, fair taxation, and a tone of friendliness and hospitality. Those items are foremost in the minds of prospective property buyers, of course, but the draws also include the “little things” like convenient, familiar places to grab a quick-but-quality bite after work or on the way home from a child’s sports practice.
Lettuce Consider In-N-Out
In-N-Out is poised to make a spicy entry into the mix. The buzz surrounding the almost-mythic chain’s 2023 announcement that it would launch its Eastern U.S. operations with a headquarters in the Nashville area (20 miles south in Franklin), along with plans to open several area restaurants, was a loud one, drawing attention from Governor Bill Lee, multiple news-media outlets, and tons of posts and comments across social media. Lots of people were (and are) talking about it, and that level of conversation tends to seep into the minds of those considering a move to a particular city or town.
As the Tennessean reported on April 1, 2024, “The well-known West Coast burger brand has included Lebanon in its expansion into Middle Tennessee with a newly approved site plan to build on 3.45 acres on the corner of South Hartmann Drive and Franklin road. A drive-thru is included.”
It will be “a 3,885-square-foot restaurant on vacant property in front of Home Depot,” according to an earlier Tennessean article on March 5, which also noted that Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell and Economic Development Director Sarah Haston “have made adding restaurant choices in the city a priority.”
The newspaper went on, “[Mayor Bell] spoke in support of the restaurant before a unanimous planning commission votepassing the site plan, saying In-N-Out is ‘one brand we wanted,’ and that it ‘fits our values,’ pointing to Bible verses on packaging such as wrappers and cups. In-N-Out is in the pre-development phase and Vice President of Store Development Mike Abbate said ‘it’s still too early to say’ when a restaurant in Lebanon could open. Once construction does start, the build generally takes eight to nine months, Abbate said.”
For now, anticipation about In-n-Out will build even as already-established restaurants like Whataburger and Cookout continue to vie for fast-food buyers’ appetites. The extent to which the burger battle will make its way into REALTORS®’ conversations with clients remains to be seen, but odds are the aroma of searing sandwiches wafting into nostrils and salivary glands all across our communities will not go unnoticed.
Where there’s a grill, there’s a way.
About EMTAR: Chartered in 1969, our Association’s 1,300+ REALTORS® are a proud part of the 36,000+ members of Tennessee REALTORS® and of the 1.5 million+ members of NAR, all working to serve the public and protect the rights of America’s property owners. EMTAR members are known not only for their unmatched real estate excellence and high ethical standards, but also for being generous, hospitable, others-focused, loyal, hardworking, and eager to help wherever and whenever help is needed.
