In N Out & Boutique Fitness
My cousin, Tyler, loves an In N Out Burger double-double. Several weeks ago, Ty made the trip to Southern California from Spokane, Washington, to visit his favorite aunt (my Mom ) to both spend time and to help me manage her care.
Tyler & Mom go to In N Out for a meal each Friday. In N Out remains family-owned (though immense) & there are currently no locations in Washington state.
In N Out is (minus their volume of locations) in a strange way like boutique fitness studios; known for 1 or 2 items they do very very well and purposefully limited in their offering to keep it simple & to the core of what they have offered since 1948.
The menu is incredibly simple: hamburger, cheeseburger, double-burger-patty version of each, fries, milkshakes in the 3 most basic Americana flavors (chocolate, vanilla, strawberry) and self-serve fountain soft drinks. The toppings on the burger are sauce, tomato, lettuce and an option to have grilled or raw onions. That's it. Save from the hot cocoa re-addition back in 2018 (the brand served hot cocoa in the 1950s because if we re-read that sentence, of course they did) this is a menu which has been 1. consistent, 2. known and 3. delicious.
Does your brand deliver a class-fitness-version of these 3?
The brand controls their supply chain impeccably and do not allow microwaved or frozen or pre-packaged foods; if they don't have a distribution center tasked with making all menu needs within a specific radius of their locations, they do not expand.
Would you expand if you didn't have the infrastructure locked-in for instructor training & development? Or access to purchase the equipment needed for another location?
(Btw, if you need manuals infrastructure for your expansion or to up-level your current location, I created a Handbook Template for purchase; reply to this email if you have a question!)
By urban legend over the years, a “secret menu” exists for those in the know, using their same ingredients, ("animal-style fries" include melted American cheese, grilled onions & sauce) or knowing you can modify your order, like I do. By happenstance, In N Out's is an inclusive menu: a vegetarian option is a secret menu grilled cheese sandwich, vegan option are the fries, celiac option for people like me are the fries & a burger “protein-style” (no bun, lettuce wrap).
By design, the irmenu is what it is; if you're looking for an expanded diner-like menu with chicken strips, onion rings or bacon on your hamburger…head elsewhere.
If a client is wanting free-weights and machines they do not pay a premium to attend a boutique studio focused on fabulous classes; they join a gym.
Have a great rest of your week!
Noël
P.S. Purchase our customizable Employee Handbook Template HERE. Remote ways to work together are here.