Why does In-N-Out Burger have Bible verses on its containers? The answer

Two years from now, an “Animal-style” cheeseburger will be ordered at the Franklin In-N-Out Burger. The customer will pull off from the drive-through line, bite into the famed burger and notice a Bible verse on the wrapper: "Revelation 3:20."

The verse states: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."

A West Coast burger chain bringing Biblically encouraging food packaging to the Bible Belt?

Yes, the nearly 75-year-old company that’s been discreetly printing the verses for years will bring the faith-forward packaging to Middle Tennessee in the not-too-distant future.

In-N-Out Burger, which currently does not have locations east of the Mississippi River, will build an eastern territory office in Franklin by 2026, creating 275 jobs. An In-N-Out restaurant is expected to open by 2025 in the corporate office area on Goose Creek Bypass — in the Berry Farms area near Interstate 65.

Here’s more about the private-owned company’s history with subtle expressions of faith and how CEO Lynsi Snyder, who founded the Army of Love Christian ministry, added more verses to In-N-Out’s packaging.

Here's when: In-N-Out Burger's first Middle TN restaurant opening sooner than expected.

How the verses started

Snyder believes the verses act as “encouragements,” said company spokesperson Kathleen Hardesty.

In-N-Out was founded in 1948 by Snyder’s grandparents, Harry and Esther Snyder. Harry died in 1976 and his sons, Rich and Gary Snyder, took over the thriving business. Rich, who was president and Lynsi Snyder’s uncle, first introduced the Bible verses on packaging in 1987.

“It was a way for him to express his faith and put that little touch of faith on the brand,” Hardesty said.

The verses include:

Nahum 1:7 on Double-Double burger wrappers — "The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him."

Proverbs 3:5 on milkshake cups — "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding."

John 3:16 on soda cups — "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Isaiah 9:6 on Christmas cups — "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

More: Creator of 'Bring In-N-Out to middle Tennessee' on Facebook gets his wish 12 years later

Army of Love

In 2010, Lynsi Snyder added more verses when she took over as president. Those verses in include:

Proverbs 24:16 on fry boat containers — "For a righteous man may fall seven times, And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity."

Luke 6:35 on coffee cups — "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil."

John 13:34 on hot cocoa cups — "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another."

Army of Love, founded in 2014 by Snyder and her husband, Sean, supports ministries and people worldwide. Hardesty said the organization will “likely lay down some kind of family roots in Tennessee and continue our ministry wherever we are.”

The Christian Post and other media have covered Synder’s past personal struggles. In 2019, Synder told the Post: “I was calling out to God as my third marriage was failing. I was in a place where I felt I couldn’t do ministry because my own heart and home were a mess. My husband and I were in constant turmoil. I became desperate for the hope that I could be used by God despite my circumstances.”

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why In-N-Out Burger features Bible verses on containers