In-N-Out Burger bans employees in 5 states from wearing masks

In-N-Out is barring employees in five states from wearing masks unless they have a doctor’s note, according to internal company emails leaked on social media last week. An In-N-Out Burger signs is seen on June 8, 2010, in Baldwin Park, Calif.

Adam Lau/AP

In-N-Out Burger, a popular fast food chain, will soon ban its employees in five states from wearing masks, emphasizing the “importance of customer service,” according to a new policy.

Starting Aug. 14, In-N-Out employees in those states who want to wear a mask must have a valid medical note “exempting him or her from this requirement,” a company memo says. Those who wear masks for medical reasons must wear a company-provided N95 mask, it says.

The new policy will apply to the chain’s employees in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Utah.

“Our goal is to continue to provide safe and customer-centric Store and Support environments that balance two things that In-N-Out is known for — exceptional customer service and unmatched standards for health, safety, and quality,” the memo says.

Those who fail to comply with the new guidelines could possibly be fired.

“We believe this policy will also help to promote clear and effective communication both with our Customers and among our Associates,” the memo says.

The company said employees in Oregon and California locations who choose to or are required to wear a mask must wear a company-provided N95 mask. (The company did not go into detail about wearing a company-issued N95 mask versus one purchased by the employee.)

In-N-Out did not immediately respond to NPR’s request for comment on the new policy.