Why does In-n-Out ask if you want onions on your burger?

[JS80]

I'm just the opposite. I prefer fresh, raw onion on burgers. I do NOT like them cooked/sautéed.
(onions are fine in recipes, I'm talking about burgers)
Even on a patty melt, where it's traditional to have sautéed onions, I prefer them sliced and raw.

In-n-Out offers their customers the choice...because not everyone wants onion breath...not everyone LIKES onions, and it's just good customer service.

No...it's just good math. They probably get less complaints by asking if people want onions (and or save money) vs putting in raw onions by default.

 

[OCGuy]

First World Problems.

 

[BoomerD]

"They offer you the choice" is not the answer because SO DO THE OTHERS. You have the choice even if they don't ask you. The act of asking is not explicitly what gave you that choice. They ask because with no standard for inclusion or exclusion, they have to.

http://www.in-n-out.com/menu.asp
If you take time to read...the menu states:

Two 100% pure-beef patties, hand-leafed lettuce, tomato, spread, two slices of American cheese, WITH OR WITHOUT ONIONS, stacked high on a freshly baked bun.

Their standard is the option...

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

Onions are good no matter how they are cooked. :thumbsup:

 

[Ns1]

it gives me an opportunity to ask for both raw and grilled onions

 

[sactoking]

Let's assume they make onions standard on their burgers. How many people won't want onion? 30%? 50% 80%? For every person that picks it off and throws it away, that's wasted food and wasted profit, since onions don't cost INO extra. Of the people who do want onions, how many actually wanted grilled and now will trash an entire burger? Again, wasted food and wasted profit. Overall, INO probably only satisfies 20-40% of their customer base by making onions standard.

Let's assume they make no onions standard. How many people might want onions? 20%? 50%? 70%? Let's face it, their written menu is lacking. If no onions was standard many people might not know they offer them. That could lead to poor satisfaction and low repeat business and word of mouth.

It's a lose-lose scenario for the company, so they ask instead and everyone is happy except one loser.

 

[Lithium381]

so people dont' cry

 

[BurnItDwn]

Onions are awesome. Best is a combination of cooked and raw onions, get the best of both worlds!

 

[CZroe]

Let's assume they make onions standard on their burgers. How many people won't want onion? 30%? 50% 80%? For every person that picks it off and throws it away, that's wasted food and wasted profit, since onions don't cost INO extra. Of the people who do want onions, how many actually wanted grilled and now will trash an entire burger? Again, wasted food and wasted profit. Overall, INO probably only satisfies 20-40% of their customer base by making onions standard.

Let's assume they make no onions standard. How many people might want onions? 20%? 50%? 70%? Let's face it, their written menu is lacking. If no onions was standard many people might not know they offer them. That could lead to poor satisfaction and low repeat business and word of mouth.

It's a lose-lose scenario for the company, so they ask instead and everyone is happy except one loser.

This is a proper answer except that you think I'm unhappy with it. I was just curious as to why. They were the ones going through the extra trouble and tediousness. This makes sense though.