Flagstaff In-N-Out Burger gaining traction

A long-anticipated arrival of In-NOut Burger in Flagstaff is appearing more likely.

In-N-Out plans to build a 3,885square-foot restaurant at 1860 S. Milton Road on the former site of a Pizza Hut.

Those plans may soon move forward now that they have met certain criteria from the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The developer initially sought a left turn onto Milton Road from the restaurant, but ADOT staff rejected that. The updated plans now meet ADOT’s expectations, which include limited turn movements and a median along Milton Road preventing left turns out of the restaurant.

Right now, the closest In-N-Out restaurant to Flagstaff is about 100 miles away in Prescott.

Those hoping to fulfill a craving for Animal Style Double Doubles on their way to the Grand Canyon will have to wait. Just how long that wait will be remains unknown.

In-N-Out’s corporate staff members told The Arizona Republic that they hope to open the Flagstaff location “sometime in the future.” In-N-Out’s website lists nine future locations as opening soon: eight in California and one in Logan, Utah.

“We’re currently in the development application process, so it’s still too early to say when, or even if, we’ll be able to open a restaurant (in Flagstaff),” said Mike Abbate, In-N-Out Burger’s assistant vice president of real estate and development.

“We’re excited about the opportunity of opening a great location in Flagstaff, and we appreciate our customers who have shared their anticipation with us as well.”

Flagstaff ’s Community Development Division staff most recently updated its list of ongoing and scheduled development in the city in August 2021. At the time, In-N-Out had its site plan approved and permits for the work were under review.

Planning Manager Alaxandra Pucciarelli,

who was listed in city documents as the planner for the In-N-Out location, could not immediately be reached for additional information.

The developer’s contractor must submit traffic control plans for the project, as well as bond and insurance documents, ADOT spokesman Doug Nintzel said.

After reviewing the traffic control plans, ADOT will decide whether to issue an encroachment permit for the restaurant, Nintzel said.