NC doesn’t have this national restaurant chain but wants it, new survey says

National chains have a history of moving into North Carolina.

Texas taco brands Torchy’s and Velvet Taco, along with the burger chain Whataburger, are here and expanding. Wegmans, the New York-based grocer, has opened several Triangle stores and just broke ground on one in Charlotte. Even Del Taco came all the way from California to bring its crispy fish tacos and “Crunchtada” to the Tar Heel state.

But plenty of brands haven’t quite made their way to North Carolina.

A new survey from financial media company MarketBeat starts to answer which chain North Carolinians want most.

But take the answer with a grain of salt: MarketBeat gathered responses in September from 3,011 people, a sample MarketBeat said was designed to reflect “a balanced mix across age, gender, and geography.” MarketBeat then used internal data to establish national population benchmarks, and it applied a two-step process using statistical techniques to make sure results accurately represent the broader U.S. population.

Which national chain does NC want?

The national chain North Carolina doesn’t have — but would like to have — is In-N-Out Burger, according to MarketBeat.

It serves hamburgers and cheeseburgers available the classic way, protein style — wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun — or animal style, with a mustard-cooked beef patty, pickles, extra spread and grilled onions.

French fries cooked in sunflower oil are served as sides, and for dessert, there are milkshakes. But diners don’t get the same flavor choices available at North Carolina’s Cook Out. In-N-Out keeps things simple with chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.

The chain was founded in California in 1948, according to the restaurant’s website. By 1973, In-N-Out had grown to 13 restaurants, all in Los Angeles County. Its 50th location opened in 1988 in Thousand Palms, about 10 miles from Palm Springs.

In 1992, In-N-Out opened its first restaurant outside California, in Las Vegas. Eight years later, In-N-Out made it to its third state, Arizona. Now, In-N-Out is in nine states and is coming soon to a 10th, Tennessee.

Is In-N-Out coming to North Carolina?

In-N-Out hasn’t announced plans to open restaurants in North Carolina.

But it is certainly moving east. The chain has been in Texas for years, and it plans to open multiple locations in Tennessee.

2 states want this NC chain

North Carolina may want a California favorite. But other states want a taste of North Carolina.

According to the MarketBeat survey, Washington and Indiana are itching for fried chicken and biscuits from Charlotte-based Bojangles,which has locations in 21 states and even Honduras.

This story was originally published October 15, 2025 at 3:54 PM.