Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is trying to woo California's iconic In-N-Out away after the fast-food chain received a lot of flak last month in the Bay Area over not requiring COVID-19 proof of vaccination for indoor dining.
DeSantis and In-N-Out President Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson got on a call on Monday to discuss the possibility, as first reported by WKMG.
In the wake of the chain's recent controversy, Florida's state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis wrote a letter two weeks ago, pitching that the company put down roots in Florida, according to the outlet.
"I know how hard it is to turn a profit and make payroll on a good day, let alone when your own government is working to crush your business with absurd mandates. Once I heard the news of your shutdown for refusing to act as 'vaccine police,' I knew I had to reach out immediately," he wrote in the letter, according to the outlet.
In-N-Out has been dealing with blowback in multiple Bay Area cities over the last month as company officials refused to comply with local vaccine mandate policies – requiring customers to show proof of vaccination in order to eat inside.
Arnie Wensinger, In-N-Out's chief legal and business officer told KCBS Radio in a statement following the closure of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf location that there was "properly and clearly posted signage to communicate local vaccination requirements," at the restaurant, but the company "(refuses) to become the vaccination police for any government."
"We fiercely disagree with any government dictate that forces a private company to discriminate against customers who choose to patronize their business," said Wensinger. "This is clear governmental overreach and is intrusive, improper, and offensive."
These locations that were found in violation included Pleasant Hill, Pinole and San Ramon in Contra Costa County and the only one in San Francisco.
The content of Monday's call has not yet been made public, as reported by the outlet.
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