Your original post must be at least 200 words in length. It must reference the text or course learning materials at least once. Please note that even if the question asks for an opinion, you are still expected to support opinions with references to course materials and any other credible academic sources to support your opinions. Do not use Internet sources other than those provided in the course materials. APA format is not necessary for your Discussion Board when citing references, but you are required to acknowledge your resources: In the narrative, describe where information was obtained. For example, “As mentioned in Chapter 2 of the course textbook, prioritizing tasks is…” or “As mentioned in the intellipath lesson for Unit 2…”

Assignment Details

Research a market leader in the fast-food segment of the restaurant industry, and offer thoughts on the company’s policies, procedures, staff, and customer loyalty. Discuss the following in your post:

• Discuss In-N-Out Burger’s reputation as a company that inspires cult-like loyalty in its customers and employees in an industry segment with incredibly stiff competition.
• Discuss the recent surge in the "gourmet burger" segment of the independent and corporate restaurant field. Contrast the recent growth of this segment with the growth (or lack of) in the larger field of giant fast-food chains that have typically dominated the industry.
• In your opinion, what propels the loyalty the company enjoys from its employees?
• What creates such high levels of customer satisfaction and repeat patronage in a field known for its countless multi-unit and independent operators crowding the segment?

Include at least 1 link to a Web source that covers In-N-Out’s reputation for either customer satisfaction or employee loyalty, and cite it using APA formatting.