In-N-Out Burger may be adding new states to its expansion map. The California-based chain is considering its first restaurants in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, extending a gradual eastward push from its West Coast base.

Founded just outside Los Angeles in 1948, In-N-Out currently operates 445 restaurants across 10 states, including 289 in California — a footprint that remains small by national fast-food standards, making each new state a notable step for the brand. Last year the company moved farther east than ever before, entering Tennessee, and it plans to open a location in New Mexico next year.

Because the Tennessee restaurants receive supplies shipped from Texas, opening locations in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma—states already in the path of the distribution network—could make sense, owner and president Lynsi Snyder said in an interview with actor Terry Crews posted to the company's website. Her comments were also reported by People.

Snyder, the granddaughter of founders Harry and Esther Snyder, leads the privately held, family-run chain, which has never franchised its restaurants. Because it does not sell franchise rights, In-N-Out owns and operates every location itself — an approach that sets it apart from most of the biggest names in US fast food, which grow primarily through franchising. The company also plans to continue expanding within California.

The potential expansion follows a year of strong sales for the brand: In-N-Out's domestic sales grew about 10% last year compared with 2024, trailing only New York-based Shake Shack among US burger chains, the Wall Street Journal reported in June, citing research firm Technomic.

Any move into the three states remains exploratory for now: no sites or opening timelines have been announced, and the next dated milestone in the expansion is the New Mexico restaurant planned for next year.

This report was originally published by Morning Brew and featured on Fortune.com.