By Janet Cruz

Some very excited Starline Elementary students from Ms. Rockwell’s second-grade class and neighboring classes, got a lesson on business, teamwork and leadership skills at the annual In-N-Out Burger field trip Monday.

The trip is a tradition at Starline Elementary. Its goal is not only to teach skills, but to also provide students a tour and history lesson on business.

Starline Elementary Photo/ Facebook

“Not only do we offer tours for local students, but whenever a new store opens, we allow employees to give their family members the same tour as well,” said restaurant manager at Lake Havasu City In-N-Out location “Becki.” (employees are known by their first names only).

Before normal operating hours, students were able to step inside and were greeted by the restaurant’s staff. All students were given special “Honorary Associate” name badges, a hat and coloring booklet before a tour inside the kitchen where all the prepping takes place.

Janet Cruz/ RiverScene Magazine

A lesson on the first restaurant and a historical timeline was shared, along with statistics on burgers sold in the first year was also included in the lesson.

According to employees, the first In-N-Out restaurant opened in 1948, in Baldwin Park, Calif., and sold 57 burgers on its first day. Since then there are almost 400 stores around the West Coast. As for the location in Lake Havasu City, it is known as store number 143 which opened in the year 2000.

In-N-Out does have some secrets that only employees know about. According to staff that amazing pink sauce that is in your burger is a secret recipe that no employee can reveal to anyone outside of the company. Cast members (In-n-out employees) are also known on a first name basis. No last names are ever seen on their name badges.

Once inside the kitchen, those on the tour can see for themselves how fresh all the ingredients really are. Everything is washed and sliced and diced in house. Nothing is processed or preserved. Those tasty fries are freshly cut potatoes.

Starline Elementary Photo/ Facebook

Once students complete the tour and learned a few facts, the best part was eating their burger of choice, fries and a drink to end the day.

Starline Elementary Photo/Facebook

Some cool facts about In-N-Out.

On rainy days, children who are accompanied by an adult can pick up a free small hot chocolate.

In-N-out will celebrate its 75th anniversary in October. A large celebration bash will be held in Southern California.

The secret sauce spread recipe is a secret!

Shakes are made with real ice cream.

You can order a Root Beer Ice Cream Float from their secret menu.

Current President and heiress is Lynsi Snyder the only  grandchild of Harry and Esther Snyder, who founded In-N-Out in 1948 .

In-N-Out Community Field trips are open to students in first through eighth grades.

Operating hours are Sunday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m.  to 1 a.m. and Friday through Saturday, from 10:30 a.m.  to 1:30 a.m.