New In-N-Out Burger locations
In-N-Out Burger has confirmed that three new locations will open in Tennessee.
Two locations will open in Lebanon (915 S. Hartmann Drive) and Antioch (4130 William Turner Parkway) on Dec. 10.
The third location in Murfreesboro (2508 Medical Center Parkway) will open its doors on Dec. 12.
Each location is expected to employ 75 people with a starting wage of $17.50 per hour, according to a corporate statement.
The fast food chain added that it will continue its corporate mission by supporting local nonprofits in the regions it serves:
"In-N-Out is proud to provide assistance directly to the local nonprofit community and partner with GraceWorks Ministries and People Loving Nashville to distribute essential care supplies to individuals experiencing homelessness. Through the In-N-Out Burger Foundation, the Slave 2 Nothing Foundation, and HIS EYES Foundation, In-N-Out supports nonprofit efforts that are making a difference in the fight against child abuse, substance abuse, human trafficking, and homelessness."
Tennessee is now the 10th state to have In-N-Out Burger, which is still owned and operated by the Snyder family, with no locations franchised.
What about Whataburger
Whataburger will close four of its 24 Middle Tennessee restaurants on Monday, Dec. 15, as part of a business review the company said it is designed to strengthen its presence in the region.
In a statement, a Whataburger spokesperson said the company “regularly conducts a business review” of its locations in order to “maximize opportunities for growth and keep Whataburger strong in the communities we serve.”
“In a few cases, that means closing restaurants,” the spokesperson said.
Despite the closures, the company emphasized that it remains committed to expanding in Middle Tennessee.
“While we continue to grow in the Nashville area, we’ve made the decision to close four of our 24 restaurants in the area,” the statement said. “Team members are supported and will be given the option to transfer to nearby locations.”
The company said the decision will help focus resources “where we can make the biggest impact,” adding that customers will continue to see new locations open across the region. A new restaurant on Gallatin Avenue is expected to open in the coming months.
Locations:
- Mt. Juliet: 11190 Lebanon Road
- Murfreesboro: 1924 Memorial Boulevard
- Clarksville: 791 North 2nd Street
- Clarksville: 1602 Haynes Street
Whataburger said additional Middle Tennessee openings are planned for 2026 and beyond.
Understanding fast-food chain reaction:
Middle Tennessee’s fast-food landscape is shifting as In-N-Out Burger opens its first Tennessee locations the same week Whataburger prepares to close four of its restaurants across the region, next week.
In-N-Out is launching three new locations, adding a major West Coast brand to a market that has quickly grown and evolved in recent years.
For many customers, the excitement has been building.
“I was so excited because people were talking about trying it,” said Veronica Weromikakamimska.
In-N-Out's Antioch store is opening just a few blocks from a Whataburger — the Texas-based chain that made a highly publicized return to Middle Tennessee nearly four years ago. Its Hermitage grand opening drew massive crowds, with people camping out and traffic backing up for miles. The enthusiasm helped fuel the opening of 24 locations across the region.
But this month, Whataburger announced it will close four of its Middle Tennessee restaurants — two in Clarksville, one in Murfreesboro, and one in Mt. Juliet — while keeping 20 others open.
In a statement, a spokesperson said the company regularly reviews its restaurants to “maximize opportunities for growth” and ensure long-term stability.
Andy Borchers, a professor of management at Lipscomb University’s College of Business, said the decision mirrors what many large chains experience.
“Pruning — even in times when you’re generally growing, and Whataburger is generally growing — you still find there are some locations that aren’t cutting the mustard,” Borchers said.
He added that under-performance can happen for a variety of reasons, including difficult intersections, traffic patterns, and competition.
“They’re also looking at where can we add, but where can we subtract,” Borchers said. “Hopefully, the effect is: you close these four but open four others that do better than the four you closed. So it’s constant optimization.”
Despite the changes, customers say there’s room for both chains in Middle Tennessee.
“You can try one or try the other,” Munoz said. “Either one could be a good alternative.”
The news surrounding student loan repayment has been ever-changing over the last few years. When it comes to your money, confusion is never a good thing. Thankfully, Robb Coles helps us sort out the path forward. Check out his story for some practical tips and insight behind the latest changes.
- Carrie Sharp
