Palm Trees, Low Taxes, and BBQ: A New American Recipe?

When I saw the headline about In-N-Out officially opening shop in Tennessee come 2025, I had to do a double-take. That's right—the West Coast burger royalty is packing up its spread sauce and taking it eastward. And not just to any state, but to a place that's long been known for country music, low taxes, and a general appreciation for things done "the simple way."

Now, let's talk about the paradox simmering underneath this move. See, In-N-Out is rooted in a state known for its very expressive personality—let's call it "bold in policy and even bolder in lifestyle." Meanwhile, Tennessee is more of the "pull-up-your-bootstraps, keep-it-buttoned-up" type. And yet, here we are—two seemingly opposite state identities colliding over fries, real estate, and business strategy.

But maybe that's exactly the shake-up In-N-Out's billionaire owner, Lynsi Snyder, knows we need.

As more companies migrate eastward for the cleaner air (of regulation, that is), lower taxes, and family-friendly pace, they're also bringing with them a cultural cargo of flexibility, diversity, and let's just say…a looser belt when it comes to personal and business values.

The irony? Some of these new transplants might find themselves bumping up against more rigid rules on things like education, zoning, or dare I say, what can and can't be said in the boardroom. And that friction? That might just be the secret sauce.

Because if there's one thing business teaches us, it's that the best growth comes from tension, as much as it might make us feel uncomfortable. Tennessee could very well become a template of what happens when ambitious businesses and states with "strong traditions" meet in the middle. A little give, a little take, and—boom—you've got a new kind of state identity that isn't about left or right, but forward.

And hey, if that means Tennessee becomes known not just for its BBQ but also for its balanced approach to housing, education, and entrepreneurial support? That's a win for everyone.

The big takeaway? It's time for states to stop seeing business relocation as a zero-sum game. If we can craft policies that support both legacy values and modern needs, we create something rare: an ecosystem where families can thrive, businesses can scale, and yes—you can get a Double-Double with a side of sensible governance.

For a quick peek of the original article: https://www.businessinsider.com/in-n-out-lynsi-snyder-relocation-california-tennessee-business-expansion-2025-7?utm_campaign=mb&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=morning_brew. Or you can tune into the "Relatable" podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relatable-with-allie-beth-stuckey/id1359249098 to hear more on this exciting move for both In-N-Out and Tennessee.

Written by Andrea Baird, M.S., Executive MBA