Culver's Vs In-N-Out: Everything You Need To Know

There are over 200,000 fast food restaurants in the United States, a lot of which use heavily processed ingredients. So where do fast foodies looking for an affordable, high-quality meal go for a quick bite? Depending on where you are in the U.S., you could have access to one of these two established fast food restaurants that use real ingredients and make your food to order. Both Culver's and In-N-Out Burger have been proudly serving up freshly made food for a number of decades and have stayed true to their humble beginnings through it all. However, some key differences set these two burger joints apart.

Servingsimple, yet staple meals on the West Coast, In-N-Out has become a name that's synonymous with California living. The Midwest's Culver's, on the other hand, is the place for hometown heroes and families to share a meal together. From menu offerings and business practices right down to how they cook their burgers, here is everything you need to know about these two fast food restaurants and how they differ.

Even if you're not a West-Coaster, you've likely heard of In-N-Out. The burger brand has become something of a beloved staple in Californian culture, and an experience transplants and out-of-towners tend to have on their Cali bucket lists. Though both boast fresh and quality ingredients, In-N-Out predates Culver's by almost 40 years with the first of its locations serving up drive-thru burgers back in 1948.

The classic burger joint was founded and operated by husband and wife Harry and Esther Snyder and continues to be run by their granddaughter Lynsi Snyder. Harry is credited as the inventor of the two-way intercom system the same year In-N-Out opened, changing the fast food game forever.

In-N-Out has seemingly made fans of us all, with people from all walks of life ordering from the straightforward menu, which consists of burgers, fries, and shakes. Anthony Bourdain, who famously liked a simple meal, and Gordon Ramsay, a chef who has earned 17 Michelin stars, approach food very differently yet both enjoy a good In-N-Out burger. The chain's simple quality burger makes it a timeless, go-to option for fast foodies.

Some of the heaviest hitter fast food restaurants in the world are franchises, but In-N-Out is proud to not be counted among them. The classic burger joint has refused to franchise in all its lifetime, but that certainly isn't for lack of offers. The In-N-Out brand is heavily desired by investors looking to expand into areas that are currently barren of the business. Would-be customers are also salivating at the thought of finally sinking their teeth into an Animal Style burger, but the reality of this isn't likely to come from a franchise.

Franchising occurs when a company has sold its rights for use by an independent owner, allowing for quick expansion. Culver's has taken this business direction, which has helped the company rise to nearly 1,000 locations across the U.S. Though the monetary benefits are certainly there, selling the rights to a business sacrifices control of how to manage a franchised location. This is why In-N-Out has been adamant about maintaining the sole rights to its name, logo, and brand. The integrity of a brand is often worn down by lackluster franchise locations, and In-N-Out's mission of quality would be at risk if Lynsi Snyder were to sell to outside investors.

If you have a taste for the superior sweet and salty flavor combo, you've probably dipped a fry or two into a milkshake. If you dine at Culver's though, you'll have to settle for fries and custard. The Midwestern fast food chain is unique in carrying a selection of frozen custard desserts instead of the classic milkshakes that most quick-stop menus boast. In-N-Out's menu, as barebones as it may be, still includes a choice between vanilla, strawberry, or chocolate shakes.

Frozen custard is similar to the ice cream base of a milkshake, the main difference being that it is made with the addition of egg yolks. Culver's offers fresh, made-in-house frozen custard in a wide range of flavors. The sweet treat comes in shakes and malts, but can also make for a tasty sundae with the addition of toppings. A flavor of the day is another fun way the chain mixes up its dessert options. As for the Western burger company, the only way to mix up the basics is to order from In-N-Out's secret menu and get the Neapolitan or a Side-by-Side, which are combinations of the trio of flavors the brand offers.

Both Culver's and In-N-Out boast about their freshness and quality ingredients, but In-N-Out takes this to a whole new level with its beef. With two patty making facilities in California and one in Texas, the famous burger-flipping company sources its own fresh beef for delivery to stores. In-N-Out uses beef with no fillers or preservatives, and customers can be sure of the quality since the trusted brand sees out the life of the burgers from the time the beef is processed to the moment you take your first bite.

While Culver's does not have its own beef processing plant, it does source its ingredients carefully. The chain obtains many ingredients from American farms, with the cheese, butter, and milk used across the menu coming from local Midwestern dairy farms. The beef also comes from family farms in the Midwest region. Culver's not only boasts its ingredient sourcing right on the kid's menu takeaway bags, but the company also shows appreciation to all the farmers who make high-quality food possible.

Sorry East Coasters, In-N-Out is about a six-hour plane ride away. Though not the household name it is on the West Coast, In-N-Out is pretty well known in areas it has yet to get anywhere close to. There doesn't appear to be much hope for those east of Texas to get their paws on an Animal Style burger anytime soon, either. In an interview with Forbes, Lynsi Snyder revealed she doesn't have East Coast expansion on her mind, saying, "I don't see us stretched across the whole U.S. ... Take Texas — draw a line up and just stick to the left. That's in my lifetime."

Culver's, though not found everywhere in the U.S. just yet, is still more spread out. You can find a Culver's location in 26 states, most in the Midwest and Southeast. The franchised brand shows no signs of slowing down expansion, with at least 50 new locations planned for 2024. Unlike In-N-Out, this growth should see more areas of the United States enjoying its burgers.

In typical In-N-Out fashion, the barebones menu doesn't include children's items. While this would typically be a bummer for parents and those with little ones in tow, the smallest burger biters aren't out of luck. In-N-Out's offerings may be concise, but they already include items that are typically on a children's menu at a not-so-far-off price point. Though the cost may fluctuate from location to location, you can generally grab a small burger and fry for under $6.

With family being at the forefront of Culver's brand, it only makes sense that the children's menu would be substantial. It doesn't just offer a few meals to satiate the bellies of fast-growing humans but presents a selection of six different meals that picky eaters will appreciate. Every kid's meal at Culver's comes with one scoop of frozen custard, along with a drink, a side, and a Scoopie token. These tokens can later be exchanged for sports gear, making the price of around $7 a pretty decent value.