The city’s only In-N-Out location at 333 Jefferson Street in Fisherman’s Wharf was closed by the San Francisco Department of Public Health last Thursday because employees “were not preventing the entry of Customers who were not carrying proper vaccination documentation,” according to a statement from the burger chain.
The Fisherman’s Wharf location has since reopened but indoor dining is unavailable, a spokesperson for In-N-Out told SFGATE. Though the restaurant had posted signage informing customers of local guidelines — which requires people to show proof of vaccination before dining indoors since August, per the San Francisco Department of Public Health's Safer Return Together health order — In-N-Out's Chief Legal and Business Officer Arnie Wensinger said the restaurant should not have to enforce those policies.
“After closing our restaurant, local regulators informed us that our restaurant Associates must actively intervene by demanding proof of vaccination and photo identification from every Customer, then act as enforcement personnel by barring entry for any Customers without the proper documentation,” read a statement from Wensinger.
“As a Company, In-N-Out Burger strongly believes in the highest form of customer service and to us that means serving all Customers who visit us and making all Customers feel welcome. We refuse to become the vaccination police for any government,” he continued.
