In-N-Out Burger expanding into the Nashville area

Fast food chain In-N-Out Burger is coming to Tennessee.

• The company announced plans to open locations and a corporate office here in a statement on Tuesday.

Why it matters: For fast food lovers, In-N-Out is the holy grail. And Middle Tennessee will play a prominent role in the California-based chain's ongoing expansion efforts.

• The company plans to invest $125.5 million to create an eastern territory office in Franklin, with restaurant locations "in and around Nashville" to follow by 2026, according to an announcement from Gov. Bill Lee.
• This marks the chain's first expansion east of Texas, officials said.

Driving the news: In-N-Out's corporate hub in Franklin, which will be located off Interstate 65, will oversee operations management, human resources, information technology and other corporate functions.

• It is expected to create 277 jobs in Williamson County.
• Construction on the 100,000-square-foot office building is set to begin later next year.

What they're saying: "This expansion is significant for our company," Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, In-N-Out owner and president, said in a statement.

• "For many years, we’ve heard requests from our customers in Tennessee to consider opening locations near them, further east than we’ve ever been."

Between the buns: There is clearly ample demand for In-N-Out's famous burgers, fries and secret menu in Middle Tennessee.

• For one thing, Californians accustomed to having their fries "animal style" have been moving to the region in droves.
• When Texas-based chain Whataburger opened a Nashville location a year ago, customers camped out and waited in line for hours.