#14: In-N-Out

In 1948, Harry and Esther Snyder changed the fast-food game, opening California’s first drive-thru burger stand in Baldwin Park, Los Angeles. Their secret weapon? A groundbreaking two-way speaker system that let customers order without waiting for a carhop—a concept way ahead of its time.

With a focus on fresh, made-to-order burgers and a simple menu, In-N-Out quickly built a cult following. For decades, it remained a California treasure, until 1992, when it finally expanded beyond state lines, landing in Las Vegas.