NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The early bird gets the burger.

In-N-Out opened its doors for the first time in Tennessee on Dec. 10, marking the farthest east in the United States that the California-based company has ever gone.

Hundreds of locals rushed to stores in the Nashville suburbs of Lebanon and Antioch on Wednesday morning to order the company’s famous burgers and fries, but it took a while for customers to get in … and out.

“I was in line for a total of 40 hours,” In-N-Out enthusiast Mat Graves told the Epoch Times.

Graves was the first in line at the Antioch location, 14 miles southeast of Nashville. He arrived at 5 p.m. on Monday and camped inside his car for two days until the store officially opened at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

“It was worth the wait,” he said.

“I have never had the opportunity to be a part of an In-N-Out opening. The first in-state location is a big deal. I wanted to be the first in line to experience it!”

The burger lover was rewarded with a rare bronze coin, presented to him by In-N-Out CEO Lynsi Snyder.

Approximately 100 cars were in the drive-thru line, and 50 people were standing outside the Antioch location when doors opened at 10 a.m., Graves said.

The location in Lebanon, 30 miles outside of Nashville, surprised customers by opening two hours early at 8 a.m.

Mat Graves was the first person in line at the In-N-Out location on Dec. 10 in Antioch and met CEO Lynsi Snyder. (Photo Courtesy of Mat Graves)

Graves received a rare bronze coin for being the first person in line on Dec. 10. (Photo courtesy of Mat Graves)

“I was surprised in a good way,” In-N-Out customer Morgan N. told the Epoch Times.

“I thought the whole road was going to be stopped but that will probably happen later today.”

Morgan and her partner arrived at the Lebanon location just after 9 a.m., put in their order in less than five minutes, then waited approximately 30 minutes before their food arrived.

The couple ate their burgers as the lobby filled up with customers, including two folks celebrating their birthday, a man on a video call for work, people in pajamas, and supporters who were decked out in brand new In-N-Out merchandise they'd purchased at a tent near the entrance.

By 10 a.m., lines had formed, parking lots started to fill, and police were gearing up for what was expected to be a busy day ahead.

In-N-Out CEO Lynsi Snyder and employees stood outside the burger restaurant in Antioch before opening on Dec. 10. (Photo courtesy of Mat Graves)

The Lebanon Police Department warned of heavy traffic in the area, as the In-N-Out is based on one of the city’s three main exit routes along I-40.

“If you don’t need to be in the area, please choose another route home,” the Lebanon Police Department urged locals.

The expansion to the Volunteer State was first announced in January 2023.

A new headquarters will be located in Franklin, just south of Nashville. Corporate employees will work from the new location in Tennessee or the current headquarters in Baldwin Park, California.