Shake Shake follows IN-N-Out Burgers lead and closes only store in Oakland

There’s about to be one less place for Animal-style fries in the East Bay. That’s because In-N-Out Burger on Oakport Street in Oakland will close on March 24, In-N-Out Burger chief operating officer Denny Warnick let fans know over the weekend. A statement from the company provided to ABC7 indicates the company closed in part due to safety concerns. “We have made the decision to close our In-N-Out location in Oakland, California, due to ongoing issues with crime,” the statement reads in part. “Despite taking repeated steps to create safer conditions, our Customers and Associates are regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies.”

It’s a challenging time for Oakland small businesses. The Mercury News reports the Oakland Police Department recorded a 23 percent increase in burglaries between 2022 and 2023. This In-N-Out location, the only one in Oakland, lasted 18 years and was a popular go-to after arriving at or departing from Oakland International Airport. But Warnick said customers and workers were under threat of danger too often. “We cannot ask them to visit or work in an unsafe environment,” he said. Workers at the location will receive severance pay or the option to work at another In-N-Out location.