In-N-Out blasted the city of San Francisco after one of its locations was temporarily closed because the company refused to check customers’ vaccine cards.
The Department of Public Health temporarily shut down the Fisherman’s Wharf location on Oct. 14 when the company did not have customers prove they are vaccinated against COVID-19.
In August, the city imposed an indoor vaccine mandate for businesses that said indoor diners must show proof of vaccination. The location is the only San Francisco restaurant that’s been closed for violating the mandate.
The company is owned by Lynsi Snyder and operates 358 locations across the western United States. Snyder is a devout Christian and Bible verses are often found at the bottom of soda and milkshake cups.
In-N-Out Burger’s Chief Legal and Business Officer, Arnie Wensinger, said “We refuse to become the vaccination police for any government”. He called the requirements “unreasonable, invasive, and unsafe”.
It is unreasonable, invasive, and unsafe to force our restaurant associates to segregate customers into those who may be served and those who may not, whether based on the documentation they carry, or any other reason.
In a statement to Fox News, Wensinger said “We fiercely disagree with any government dictate that forces a private company to discriminate against customers who choose to patronize their business”.
The location has been re-opened, but indoor dining is not currently available.