Full Breakdown
How In-N-Out’s “Animal Style” Burger Came to Be
9/6/2026, 3:58:06 AM
Origin of the Animal Style Burger
In-N-Out’s chief operating officer Denny Warnick explains that the “Animal Style” preparation began in the early 1960s when a customer observed an associate customizing a burger and requested the same treatment. The name was coined on the spot, and over time customers assigned similar descriptive names to other variations of the chain’s standard menu items.
Growth of the Not-So-Secret Menu
By 2005 the chain listed several popular off-menu items on a “Not-So-Secret Menu” on its website, including Animal Style, Double-Meat, the 3×3 and 4×4 burgers, the Grilled Cheese, and Protein Style. The Los Angeles Times reported in 2004 that patrons had been ordering Animal Style for years, and a 2005 Times article encouraged readers to try the burger and its fries cooked well-done. The same source highlighted the “open secret” nature of these custom orders, noting that the menu details were accessible online.
Company History and Expansion
Founded by Harry and Esther Snyder in a Los Angeles suburb in 1948, In-N-Out claims it was California’s first drive-through hamburger stand. The company’s website states that by 1973 the chain operated 13 restaurants, all within Los Angeles County. Today the privately-held Snyder family continues to own the brand, which the website reports now has more than 400 locations across ten states.
Customer Reception
Online discussions illustrate the lasting appeal of Animal Style. Reddit users have described trying the burger for the first time as a “game changer,” and long-time patrons who only recently learned of the preparation expressed surprise. Such anecdotes underscore the burger’s role in attracting new customers while retaining loyal fans.
Current Status
The off-menu options remain an “open secret” and are still listed on In-N-Out’s website. In addition to Animal Style, the menu includes the Flying Dutchman—two patties and two cheese slices without buns—credited to former CEO Guy Snyder, who passed away in 1999. The continued popularity of these custom orders demonstrates how customer-driven innovation has become a defining feature of the chain’s brand identity.
