Irvine-based In-N-Out Burger can thank its die-hard fans for making it the “best burger” brand in the country for the second year in a row, according to a Harris Poll released Thursday.
The 28th survey studies the strongest brands in nearly 100 categories – from travel to retail to restaurants. It is based on interviews from more than 97,000 U.S. consumers who are asked questions about brand familiarity, quality and purchase consideration.
Other restaurant brands that topped their individual category include: Subway (sandwich), Chick-fil-A (chicken), Dunkin Donuts (coffee and quick service restaurant), Moe’s Southwest Grill (fast-casual Mexican) and Pizza Hut (pizza chain), IHOP (casual dining) and Olive Garden (Italian dining).
In the case of In-N-Out, brand loyalty played a big factor in their scores.
“When we consider Chick-fil-A, Dunkin’ Donuts and In-N-Out Burger, these restaurants have die-hard, extremely loyal customers or fans who are in some cases, nearly obsessed with these brands,” Harris Poll spokeswoman Lisa Recoussine said in a prepared statement.
In 1948, Harry Snyder, the son of Dutch immigrants, and his wife, Esther, opened the first In-N-Out across the street from their Baldwin Park house. The couple served hand-pressed burgers in a clean, friendly environment.
Today, the chain’s simple menu remains largely unchanged.
To view all the winners, go to the Harris Poll rankings.
