Here’s Why Traffic Isn’t the Real Issue With In-N-Out Coming to Twin Falls

There haven’t been any new developments in the saga of In-N-Out Burger coming to Twin Falls, but that hasn’t stopped people from talking about in on social media.

People are still voicing their concerns and ranting about the location but I don’t think that’s the real issue.

Is Traffic Really the Biggest Issue With In-N-Out Coming to Twin Falls

Some of the biggest concerns that are being voiced by residents of Twin Falls are that 1- the location is the current Outback Steakhouse since 2001 and 2 - the drive thru will cause traffic havoc in the area. Could the drive thru line at In-N-Out be any worse than the constant line at Chick-fil-A?

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The first concern is interesting, and valid since there hasn’t been any indication or plan released by Outback Steakhouse that they plan on closing or moving. Outback has had national issues with underperformance. They closed 41 restaurants earlier this year according to KMVT. KTVB made a statement in June that the In-N-Out permit application said Outback Steakhouse would be relocating, but it was unclear where and the permit request doesn't clarify if Outback is willing to move. A permit saying the current location resident will relocate doesn’t mean the current resident wants, or plans, to relocate.

The second issue of parking and the drive thru line has easily been the biggest concern for Twin Falls. In-N-Out wants to be the first restaurant visitors see when they cross the Perrine Bridge, but other than that, It really is a terrible location for a restaurant with a history of long lines. I agree with that, and like everyone else in town I can think of many other locations that would be better.

Even looking at the plans for making sure the drive thru lines moves quickly and smoothly, it doesn’t make sense. But, neither does the Chick-fil-A location. In fact, if you compare the 2, the chicken joint is easily worse that the burger joint. Yet, the complaints are minimal about Chick-fil-A.

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So, this isn’t just about parking or traffic, there’s another issue. Or there’s multiple issues involving feelings and blaming the long lines is the easy out. Deep down, if you are opposed to In-N-Out coming to Twin Falls, you either don’t like their food, you don’t like change, you don’t like that they are California based, or you just like to complain.

Is the Drive Thru Line Really the Biggest Issue With In-N-Out Coming to Twin Falls

If you disagree and say it really is only about the location and that the traffic will be bad for commuters, I’d ask: how often do you go by there? If you don’t cross the Perrine Bridge daily or enter Canyon Park West at the roundabout daily, why do you care? Do you truly care about the drive for other people that much? If that answer is yes, then I’d challenge you to think about your daily driving habits.

If you want the drive around Twin Falls to be better for other people: start by using your blinker, obeying the speed limits, turn on your car lights when it’s dark outside, let others merge, stop trying to turn left on Blue Lakes (OK, that’s a personal one), don’t get mad and honk your horn when someone drives different than you, and park your car inside the lines.

If you do all those things, then you can rant about how bad a fast food line will be for the city.