In-N-Out Burger has officially begun construction on a new restaurant at the intersection of Telegraph Avenue and Washington Boulevard in Commerce, California. The project,which city records show has been in planning since at least 2020, is expected to open in approximately eight to nine months, according to the company's chief operating officer, Denny Warnick.

The eight-to-nine month countdown to opening day

As with most In-N-Out projects, once construction starts, the timeline is relatively short. Warnick explained to local officials that the Commerce site, located at 6233 Telegraph Road, should be completed within eight to nine months. The gleaming white building, which matches the chain's signature design, will feature a drive-thru. The city has framed the project as a key piece of its broader strategy to develop a vibrant retail and entertainment corridor along Telegraph Avenue.

Why Commerce courted the chain since 2020

Efforts to attract In-N-Out to Commerce have been in the works for at least four years, according to city council and planning commission records. Negotiations were frequently discussed in closed sessions, indicating a deliberate push by city leaders. The new restaurant is not just a standalone eatery but a anchor for the city's retail corridor development plan, which aims to draw more foot traffic and subsequent investment to the area.

The only California site on In-N-Out's 'opening soon' list

In-N-Out recently added the Commerce location to its official "opening soon" webpage, which currently lists nine projects nationwide. Notably, this is the sole California site on that list, though the report notes that In-N-Out has confirmed two additional local projects are progressing through planning stages. A company spokesperson warned that projects often remain in the permititng pipeline for several years before appearing on the opening soon page.

What remains unconfirmed about the two other local developments

While the Commerce location is moving ahead, the two additional In-N-Out projects in the region are still in early planning. The company has not disclosed their specific addresses or expected timelines. It is also unclear whether those projects faced similar delays or will benefit from the same city-level support as the Commerce site. The closed-session nature of past negotiations means the public does not know what incentives , if any, were offered to the chain.

According to the report, the Commerce location represents a significant step in the city's retail strategy, but the broader context of fast-food expansion in Southern California remains competitive.. In-N-Out's deliberate pace of growth means each new location carries outsized importance for local economies. The fact that this is the only California site currently on the "opening soon" list underscores the chain's cautious approach even in its home state.

What remains open is whether the two other undisclosed projects will follow a similar timeline or face additional bureaucratic hurdles. The city has not commented on whether it is in talks for further In-N-Out locations, and the company has not elaborated on its long-term plans for the region.