CHEYENNE — People travel great distances for the restaurant’s well-known “double-double.”
Experienced customers enjoy telling newcomers about the hidden menu, such as ordering a burger and fries “animal style,” smothered in a Thousand Island dressing-like spread, or requesting the onion-sandwich “Flying Dutchman.”
When a new store opens, car lines can stretch for miles, even weeks.
In-N-Out Burger, the iconic California-based chain, plans to open its newest location 45 minutes south of Cheyenne in northern Colorado, the company announced Wednesday in an email to Cowboy State Daily.
The franchise’s expansion plans include a new subdivision in Timnath, Colorado, just off Interstate 25. It would be the second In-N-Out in northern Colorado and the 13th in Colorado overall. There has been no announcement regarding the opening date.
“We’re grateful to be a part of Larimer County, and we look forward to having this wonderful location to better serve our customers in the Timnath community and surrounding area,” said Mike Abbate, vice president of In-N-Out Burger Store Development.
Preston and Christine Godoy, both 32, walked out of the Five Guys burger location outside the Frontier Mall in Cheyenne on Wednesday, beaming with delight. During Preston’s three years stationed in Southern California, the couple grew to love the chain.
“That’s where we fell in love with it,” Preston explained.
Preston’s go-to order is a “double double,” or double cheeseburger, with fries and a strawberry milkshake. Christine’s favorite? The fries are animal style.
Where’s It Going?
The pair, who have lived in Cheyenne for three years, said they already make hour-long dinner drives to Loveland, what is now the current closest In-N-Out to Cheyenne.
“If it’s 20 minutes closer, that’s even better,” Christine added.
The future drive-thru store will be located at 4911 Cima Vista Drive, in the Ladera subdivision, on a 1.63-acre lot at the northeast corner of Interstate 25 Frontage Road.
According to a Timnath planning document, Ladera is a partially completed newly formed community on the east side of I-25 that includes approximately 700 apartments, a hotel, a home improvement store, a storage facility, offices, health and dental clinics, multiple fast casual restaurants, a fitness center, a grocery store, a sporting goods superstore, a bank, several sit-down and fast-food restaurants, and a brewery.
Chad Kemper, Timnath’s senior planner, stated that the site plan for the new In-N-Out has been approved, and building permits and other required documentation are being finalized.
“We are getting closer to them beginning groundwork and ultimately construction for this site,” he told me. “There’s certainly a lot of buzz and anticipation.”
Officials at In-N-Out Burger say they are still in the planning stages and do not have a specific opening date.
“While we’ve made great progress, we’re currently in the plan check process, and there is some work to be done before we begin construction,” he said. “In that regard, we’re not in the position to provide a definitive timeline or an opening date just yet.”
When construction begins, In-N-Out officials expect the store to open within eight to nine months.
Destination Or Drive-Thru?
While many Wyomingites are excited about the prospect of having an In-N-Out closer to home, a 40-minute drive has some wondering how motivated they will be to go.
Will they drive that far just for a burger, or will they stop on their way somewhere else?
The Godoys have split.
“I’d probably double up on something,” Preston explained.
Christine agreed, but stated that she would make In-N-Out her primary destination for “special occasions.”
Lt. Col. Chris Wilson of the Wyoming National Guard, who had lunch at Cheyenne Five Guys on Wednesday, said he wouldn’t drive to Timnath just for an In-N-Out burger.
“Never tried it,” he said. “Heard good things.”
Special Sauce
Juan Coronado, chef and co-owner of Railspur, one of Cheyenne’s most popular restaurants, said he would make the drive to In-N-Out once it opens.
“I grew up going to California, so it’s definitely a staple for me,” Coronado told the crowd. “It’s a good burger, and I’ve tried many good burgers. I’d probably make a point of stopping by when it opens.”
Coronado is drawn to the restaurant’s small, simple menu, as well as its willingness to allow customers to customize their orders with an extra patty, no buns, hot peppers, or other options.
“The simplicity of the menu is something we subconsciously like,” he told me. “It’s a pretty good American burger. Can’t go wrong with that.”
