In-N-Out Burger reportedly removes order number 67 amid viral “6-7” meme — company response unclear
An employee told People that In-N-Out Burger removed order number 67 from its system, sparking debate over ties to the viral “6-7” meme. The company had not issued an official explanation at the time of publication.
Key takeaways
- Reported change: An employee told People the chain removed order number 67; the employee said number 69 had been removed earlier.
- Viral context: Social posts link the change to the “6-7 meme”, widely shared on X, TikTok and Reddit.
- No official confirmation: At publication, In-N-Out’s official site and verified social channels had no statement on the change.
Main story
What was reported
People magazine published an account citing an In-N-Out employee who said the chain removed number 67 from its order-number system. The same employee reportedly said number 69 had been removed earlier for “similar reasons.” Social posts have circulated screenshots and videos of point-of-sale displays and receipts appearing to skip the number, and users on platforms such as X, TikTok and Reddit tied the system change to the so-called “6-7 meme.”
What we could not verify
- There is no independently confirmed statement from In-N-Out explaining why number 67 was removed or whether it was linked to the meme.
- The exact origin and attribution of the social-media claim remain unverified; Times Media Service reporters were unable to independently confirm the employee account through company spokespeople or internal documents.
- The label of the “6-7 meme” as 2025’s “Word of the Year” appears to be a social-media-driven designation rather than recognition by a formal lexicographic authority.
Why a company might remove a number
Companies sometimes skip or remove numbers for technical, operational or reputational reasons. Examples include hotels avoiding 13 for guest comfort or airlines skipping row numbers; similarly, retail or food-service systems may adjust numbering to avoid duplicates, reorder queues, or reduce disruptions tied to pranks.
Possible motives in this case: a simple software tweak, franchise-level decisions to limit jokes that distract staff, or reputational risk management. Without an official explanation, the motive remains unclear.
How the 6-7 meme has shaped the discussion
The “6-7 meme” spread quickly across short-form video and comment-driven platforms; users repost jokes, staged reactions in restaurants, and screenshots of orders that appear to skip numbers. Social-media virality can turn a minor incident into a national conversation and can pressure companies to respond to avoid repeated disruptions.
“Online trends carry speed and reach. Businesses operating thousands of transactions per day are vulnerable to meme-driven behavior that can cause line delays, staff distractions and unwanted publicity.”
Business and legal considerations
- Operational cost: A point-of-sale numbering change is a modest technical update but may require coordination across locations.
- Customer confusion: Skipping a number can slow service if customers or staff are unsure about an order identifier.
- Liability and safety: If a meme leads to pranks that create unsafe conditions, companies may limit risk proactively.
- Free speech vs. policy: Corporations are private entities and can set policies to protect workers and customers; critics may view such changes as yielding to online pressure.
Reactions on right-leaning internet and conservative customers
Conservative commentators and users have framed the reported move in multiple ways: some call it corporate capitulation to social-media mobs, while others view it as a practical step to reduce repeated jokes that waste staff time. The split underscores the broader tension over how businesses should respond to online culture.
Sources and transparency
This report draws on a People magazine account citing an employee source, public posts and screenshots shared on X, TikTok and Reddit, and the public In-N-Out website for company information. At publication, no official statement from In-N-Out confirming the removal of order number 67 had been posted to the company’s site or verified accounts.
Implications for the United States
Economic impact: Small operational tweaks are unlikely to affect national revenue, though repeated meme-driven disruptions could raise overhead.
Political consequences: Conservative audiences may interpret the incident as businesses quickly responding to online pressure, feeding debates about corporate sensitivity to internet culture.
Social effects: Front-line employees may welcome steps that reduce pranks; other customers may see changes as unnecessary, possibly prompting boycotts or campaigns for or against the chain.
Practical applications for customers and local businesses
- Customers should check receipts or ask staff if they notice missing order numbers.
- Franchise operators should review numbering and queue systems to ensure continuity of service.
- Business owners may adopt proactive policies — staff training, clear communications and simple technical fixes — to address meme-driven disruptions.
What to watch next
- Look for any direct statement from In-N-Out on its official site or verified social channels explaining whether the removal of number 67 was intentional and why.
- Monitor major news outlets for independent confirmation beyond the People report.
- Watch social platforms for user-sourced evidence such as receipts, screenshots and videos documenting the change (X, TikTok, Reddit).
Reporting note
This article is based on a People magazine report citing an employee source and on publicly shared material posted to social platforms. Times Media Service reporters were not able to independently verify an official explanation from In-N-Out at the time of publication. Readers are encouraged to consult In-N-Out’s official channels for any company statement and to monitor reputable national outlets for follow-up reporting.
