In-N-Out is my new role model
First there was Nike in the 80s, with its “Just Do It” campaign.
I repeat that slogan to myself whenever I starting thinking “Ugh, I don’t feel like it” when it comes to tasks that I need to get done. Generally speaking most of my tasks revolve around growing my small business, so that’s helpful financially as well.
In other words, Nike’s slogan is an easy way to remind myself that I don’t have to feel like doing something; I have to do it if I want to be successful. This slogan is pretty useful in personal finance as well. I don’t think anyone looks forward to balancing their accounts, but it’s something that needs to be done.
But now In-N-Out has joined my mental inventory of useful things I can learn from businesses.
If you aren’t from the southwestern United States, In-N-Out is a burger joint with countless enthusiastic fans. (And I do mean fans.) The restaurants are packed at mealtimes, with lines out the door and a drive-thru line that takes over the parking lot. Even during non-mealtimes, they’re busy.
Here’s a photo of their menu:
Notice anything about it?
They sell freshly-made burgers, fries, and drinks. That’s it. (Although you can buy a grilled cheese from them if you ask.)
In other words, they’re focused. They do one thing, and they do it really well. They don’t try to be everything to everybody, or to cater to the latest trends. They don’t change up their menu all the time (or at all, as far as I know.)
They just do what they do, reliably and well. They’re basically the epitome of the power of focus, and that’s something I’ll keep in mind as I try to discover what it is that I do best. I’m pretty sure my finances will thank me.
June 4th, 2009 at 9:47 am
What a refreshing strategy. I haven’t seen any around New York. Taco Bell must have taken the opposite approach. It takes me forever to read the menu, and makes it harder for me to decide. How many variations of the taco or burrito does a person need?
June 4th, 2009 at 10:55 am
I cant believe i ask to eat there once and you get hooked :)
June 4th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
What’s even better, they do not have microwaves or freezers on premises – everything is made fresh daily. Vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, and onions are cut by real people. French fries are cut from real potatoes and made on site, as is everything else. Milkshakes are delicious – the real thing.
June 5th, 2009 at 5:31 am
Great article. Thanks for the thought!
June 8th, 2009 at 8:46 am
I thought I read somewhere that they also have a secret menu where you can order all kinds of crazy things like a 3×3 or 4×4… etc.
June 8th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
No Debt Plan, yeah, that’s where the grilled cheese comes from too. It’s not really very secret though.
June 10th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
I LOVE IN-N-OUT! Sorry, that deserve all caps. I’ve lived on the west coast for a portion of my life and fell in love. My mom retired and relocated to Las Vegas, but luckily there is an In-N-Out just a few miles from her home (currently they are only located in 3 states on the west coast……last time I checked). The best burger in the U.S. hands down!
@ No Debt. You’re right, they do have a “secret” menu. You can order as large as you want (though I’ve never tried it yet). A double-double, fries and a shake is the perfect meal for any time of the day. Can you tell I’m a fan. Unfortunately, I live in the Midwest and we only have White Castle. Seriously, there’s no comparison. Thanks for the post!
June 10th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
Thought I would share…..this is the secret menu that they have. I have had the animal style before, just to say I ordered off the secret menu…shhh! It’s a secret ;)
http://www.badmouth.net/in-n-outs-secret-menu/