How Lynsi Snyder, the In-N-Out owner, became a billionaire
Lynsi Snyder became a billionaire in 2017 when she turned 35 and gained the final portion of her In-N-Out ownership. But her financial rise wasn't just handed to her. There's a deeper story behind how she built and protected her fortune.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Lynsi Snyder became a billionaire in 2017 after inheriting 97% of In-N-Out.
- She worked her way up the company, eventually becoming president in 2010.
- Snyder is passionate about high-performance cars and drag racing, owning an extensive collection and a helicopter.
Lynsi Snyder's profile summary
| Full name | Lynsi Lavelle Snyder-Ellingson |
| Age | 43 (As of 2025) |
| Date of birth | May 5, 1982 |
| Place of birth | San Dimas, California, U.S. |
| Parents | Lynda Lou and Harry Guy Snyder |
| Religion | Christian |
| Alma mater | Citrus College |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Sean Ellingson (m. 2014) |
| Ex-spouses | Jeremiah Seawell (m. 2000; div. 2003)Richard Martinez (m. 2004; div. 2011)Val Torres Jr. (m. 2011; div. 2014) |
| Children | 4 |
| Occupation | Businesswoman |
| Title | President and owner of In-N-Out Burger |
| Hair colour | Brown |
How did Lynsi Snyder become a billionaire?
Lynsi Snyder officially became a billionaire on 5 May 2017, her 35th birthday. That day, she received the final slice of her inheritance. This raised her stake in In-N-Out to 97%. The burger chain, rooted in the West Coast, was now almost entirely hers.
Her grandparents had established a comprehensive trust plan outlining how the burger chain would be inherited after they passed away. The trust plan allowed her to begin receiving shares in phases while still in her twenties. By the time she was 30, she had even inherited half of the business.
The rest came five years later. By then, she had weathered loss after loss: her uncle, her father, then her grandmother, Esther. Each tragedy moved her closer to the top. Eventually, she took complete control.
Source: Instagram
What happened to Lynsi Snyder's parents?
Lynsi Snyder's father, Guy Snyder, took over In-N-Out in 1993 after his brother Rich died in a plane crash. He led the company for six years until 1999 before passing away from heart failure. It was later determined that accidental prescription drug-related complications caused the death.
This left Lynsi as the last heir in the family line. Her uncle, Rich, and father, Guy, both former presidents of the company, had previously died young. With no one else left, the future of In-N-Out rested on her shoulders.
Years earlier, her parents split up after her father had an affair. Their divorce was finalised in 1997. Her mother, Lynda Lou Snyder, raised her from then on.
Lynsi Snyder's career
Unlike many heirs, Lynsi Snyder didn't walk straight into a corner office. At 17, she got her first job at a new In-N-Out branch in Redding, California. She peeled potatoes, leafed lettuce, and sliced onions. Most of her co-workers had no idea she was part of the founding family.
In the 2000s, she started working at the company's corporate office in merchandising. From there, she moved through different departments. This was meant for her to learn how the business ran from the inside.
On 1 January 2010, she became In-N-Out's sixth president. She took over from her brother-in-law, Mark Taylor, who had become the chief operating officer.
The burger chain has seen exponential growth during her tenure. It has expanded into new markets, including Texas, Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, and Tennessee. She refused to franchise or go public with the company, keeping it private and family-run.
Lynsi has been adamant about changing the brand's roots despite its growth over the years. The menu has remained simple, and the quality has been high. That balance of tradition and expansion became a signature of her leadership.
Lynsi Snyder's cars
Lynsi Snyder has a serious passion for high-performance cars. Lynsi's car collection includes a 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, a 1969 Dodge Dart, a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS, and a custom 1987 Chevrolet Blazer. She also owns a 2017 Bell 412EP utility helicopter valued at around $10 million. She also holds a pilot's licence.
Like her father, Snyder is a longtime drag racing enthusiast and a member of the NHRA. She has even competed in events in the past. In 2015, she appeared on Jay Leno's Garage show and showcased a heavily modified 1941 Willys. This was one of her late father's old race cars.
Source: Getty Images
Has Lynsi Snyder ventured into philanthropy?
Yes, Lynsi Snyder has been active in philanthropy. In 2016, she and her husband, Sean Ellingson, co-founded Slave 2 Nothing. This is a nonprofit focused on fighting human trafficking and helping people recover from substance addiction. The group raises funds and channels them to organisations tackling both issues.
In 2021, the foundation awarded 96 grants worth $1.7 million to nonprofits in the seven states where In-N-Out operates. The number had already grown to 117 grants totalling $2.5 million by 2023.
Snyder is also the president of the In-N-Out Burger Foundation. The foundation supports abused and neglected children. It was started by her uncle, Rich, her grandmother, Esther, and her mother, Lynda.
FAQs about Lyndi Snyder
- Is Lynsi Snyder a billionaire? Yes, Lynsi Snyder is a billionaire.
- Who is the owner of In-N-Out? The owner of In-N-Out is Lynsi Snyder. She holds a 97% stake in the company.
- How did Lynsi Snyder become a billionaire? Lynsi Snyder became a billionaire by inheriting shares of In-N-Out through a family trust, receiving the final portion on her 35th birthday in 2017.
- What cars does Lynsi Snyder own? Lynsi Snyder owns several high-performance cars, including a 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, a 1969 Dodge Dart, and a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS.
- Is Lynsi Snyder involved in philanthropy? Yes, Lynsi Snyder is involved in philanthropy. She co-founded Slave 2 Nothing and leads the In-N-Out Burger Foundation.
- Where was Lynsi Snyder born? Lynsi Snyder was born in San Dimas, California, United States.
- Why is In-N-Out not franchised? In-N-Out is not franchised because Lynsi Snyder prefers to keep the company private and family-run to maintain quality and consistency.
- How much money does Lynsi Snyder make? The amount of money Lynsi Snyder makes is not publicly disclosed.
Final word
Lynsi Snyder has earned her place as a business leader in her own right. Her decision to keep In-N-Out private and family-owned reflects her deep respect for tradition and quality. She has also made an impact through philanthropy. Ultimately, she continues to build a legacy that goes beyond the title of billionaire.
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Proofreading by Masolo Mabonga, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
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