Creator of 'Bring In-N-Out to middle Tennessee' on Facebook gets his wish 12 years later
Frank Mulholland was a bit ahead of California’s recent Volunteer State rush. He moved to Middle Tennessee nearly 15 years ago and found the area was missing a particular tasty establishment.
“There was no In-N-Out Burger,” said Mulholland, this voice trailing off as he recalled his sadness. (He also missed Del Taco.)
It was a beefy culture shock. After all, Mulholland left Simi Valley in the Los Angeles area for Tennessee. His ex-wife's family in the Nashville area was the impetus for the move.
Craving the 4x4, the Flying Dutchman, the Scooby Snack, Animal Style and the rest of the California-based company's secret menu that he was accustomed to on the West Coast, Mulholland decided to start a movement in the South. And that’s how the Facebook group "Bring In-N-Out to middle Tennessee" launched in 2011.
"It started growing and growing,” Mulholland, now 55, said about the Facebook group dedicated to a particular taste in burgers, fries and shakes. The group now has nearly 2,500 followers.
From the Facebook group: If we want it, they will come :-)
After years of championing his cause on social media — hoping to move the chain’s famed burgers, shakes and not so "Secret Menu" east of the Mississippi River — Mulholland got his wish. In-N-Out on Monday announced plans to add restaurants in the Nashville area by 2026. The company will also open a 100,000-square-foot corporate hub in Franklin. Construction in Williamson County is expected to begin late next year.
Locations for restaurants have not been finalized.
'Going to keep calling you guys'
As a teenager in Southern California, Mulholland was smitten with In-N-Out's patties.
"I love that their food is fresh, made to order," Mulholland said.
What he orders: Double Double Animal style, with fries and a Coke.
For those uninitiated: Animal Style is on the restaurant's "Secret Menu," which is actually on the company's website. A standard In-N-Out cheeseburger includes tomato, lettuce, fresh onion and a spread similar to Thousand Island dressing. Once you've gone Animal Style, a burger includes pickles, extra spread, grilled onions and mustard fried into the patty.
Double Double, of course, means doubling the meat.
'Animal style' coming to Tennessee: What we know about In-N-Out Burger's plans
A distant second and third on Mulholland's chain burger list are Five Guys and, surprisingly, Sonic. But In-N-Out Burger, which opened as California's first drive-thru burger stand 75 years ago, has always been the best for the former SoCal resident.
Good news, bad news
So does Mulholland believe his fan page helped to bring the West Coast burger icon to Nashville?
Mulholland is doubtful, though he gave it his best shot, even calling company representatives. He was told about the company’s strict policy of only serving fresh food and that all locations must be within 300 miles of In-N-Out distribution facilities. Currently, the closest restaurant is in Houston, with 385 locations throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Oregon and Colorado.
Mulholland listened. Then he imparted a message to In-N-Out reps.
"I am going to keep calling you guys."
Looking back, he laughs about it: "I was, like, into it."
Despite his excitement this week, Mulholland said the timing is bittersweet.
He’s moving to Arizona soon.
The tasty news? That state has nearly 40 In-N-Out Burger locations.
"I am happy that the people out here in Tennessee get to try the chain,” Mulholland said as he prepared to throw shade on a Texas-based burger rival that arrived in Middle Tennessee in last year. "I think their food is way better than Whataburger."
More:Bring In-N-Out to middle Tennessee Facebook page
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Creator of ‘Bring In-N-Out to middle Tennessee’ gets his beefy wish
