For decades, In-N-Out Burger has been the staple fast food joint in the west coast, particularly California, thanks to its delicious burgers and milkshakes (with people like Taylor Swift and even celebrity chef Anthony Burdain declaring themselves fans) so it's a dream come true to get In-N-Out delivery to your doorstep - but one company was doing it without the chain's permission.
As numerous chains have taken a step towards partnering up with thirds to launch delivery systems (like Taco Bell, Chipotle and even Starbucks), very traditional In-N-Out hasn't talked of any plans of doing the same and yet, startup DoorDash launched its own In-N-Out delivery.
According to TMZ, DoorDash, a website that offers the same service as other startups like GrubHub, has been offering In-N-Out delivery without having obtained a license from the chain, which has prompted the Baldwin Park-based burger joint to take legal action.
Eater reports that, to face this illegal In-N-Out delivery, the chain filed a complaint on the District Court for the Central District of California last November 6, accusing DoorDash of unfair competition as well as trademark infringement, besides seeking the court to hand over a permanent injunction that would prevent the website from delivering their products.
"We have asked DoorDash several times to stop using our trademarks and to stop selling our food," said Arnie Wensinger, the restaurant's general counsel, to CNBC in an e-mail regarding this In-N-Out delivery lawsuit told. "Unfortunately, they have continued to prominently use our trademarks and serve our food to customers who believe that we are responsible for their delivery. Prior to filing the lawsuit, we tried contacting them several more times but they never responded to our phone calls or letters."
It seems like the website, despite not having any official affiliation with the chain, has prominently used their logo as well as advertised that they deliver their products.
It seems DoorDash hasn't only had problems with In-N-Out's delivery, as they were recently sued for misclassifying delivery drivers as independent contracts, leading to them lacking full employee benefits.
