San Ramon In-N-Out Closes Doors Amid Showdown With County

SAN RAMON, CA — The San Ramon In-N-Out Burger restaurant has closed its doors after the county issued a fine for failing to enforce COVID-19 safety regulations, SFGate reported.

A $250 fine was issued to the fast food restaurant at 2270 San Ramon Valley Blvd. on Monday, according to Contra Costa Health Services.

Since Sept. 22, Contra Costa Health Services has required restaurant patrons who are at least 12 years old to show proof of full vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test result to enter an indoor area.

In-N-Out decided to close its doors in all Contra Costa locations — including in Brentwood, Pinole, Pittsburg and Pleasant Hill — instead of checking for proof of vaccination or a negative test, SFGate reported.

In-N-Out locations in San Francisco and Pleasant Hill were previously shut down in recent days, and another in Pinole was fined.

"We refuse to become the vaccination police for any government," In-N-Out executive Arnie Wensinger said in a statement emailed to Patch last week, following the closure of the San Francisco restaurant.

Wensinger, In-N-Out's chief legal and business officer, said it would be unsafe and invasive for employees to enforce such restrictions.

"We fiercely disagree with any government dictate that forces a private company to discriminate against customers who choose to patronize their business," Wensinger said. "This is clear governmental overreach and is intrusive, improper, and offensive."

Health inspection records indicate the San Ramon In-N-Out restaurant is otherwise in good standing with county health officers. Two minor violations were recorded during the restaurant's most recent inspection Oct. 5.

"In Contra Costa County, the primary goal of health order enforcement is to educate businesses and residents about how to keep themselves and the community safe from COVID-19," health services spokesperson Will Harper said in an email.