Coaching Lessons from In-N-Out Burger

In-N-Out burger has come to be the quintessential California burger place. For years I thought it was all hype, just another fast food McDonald’s wannabe and then a few years ago a friend took me there for a burger. I was hooked, now every time I go to California I have to stop and get an In-N-Out burger. Their burgers are really good! The purpose of this post is not to promote In-N-Out burger rather it is draw some coaching lessons from what I observed on my visit this past weekend.

As I was waiting for my burger here are some thoughts that I had:

• Simplicity Triumphs – Their menu is small. They are in the business of serving the customer and making real good burgers. They know what they know and they do it very well.
• Bigger is not better.
• Just like a good coach they put the emphasis on the customer (the athlete). Their service is efficient, prompt and they all serve with a smile. Because the menu is small and the demand high they must know their jobs and be highly time efficient. No excuses, high quality product coupled with high quality service.

? Related Content: Learn about the role of simplicity in coaching on GAINcast Episode 22.