in-n-out why working is better than a lawyer

by John Moen 5 min read

Working at In-N-Out seems like an overall solid career choice Being a lawyer is certainly not all it's cracked up to be. They're saddled with debt and unhappy. But working as an I-N-O manager provides fringe benefits you probably never knew about -- a six-figure salary, trips around the world, and job satisfaction.

In-N-Out managers are probably happier than lawyers
On the important workplace issues like work-life balance, compensation, advancement, management, and culture, employees rated them at more than four out of five stars.
Dec 4, 2016

Full Answer

Is being an in-N-Out manager better than being a lawyer?

Which is the better job? Being the manager of an In-N-Out or working as a lawyer? If you're inclined to pick the latter, it's understandable -- lawyers receive a solid paycheck and spend their days in fancy suits. But being the manager of an In-N-Out can pay just as well (plus you don't have to deal with a dry-cleaning bill for all of those suits).

Why don’t attorneys go in-house?

The fact is, some attorneys simply will not have the opportunity to go in-house because of the type of law they practice.

Are lawyers without law school credentials employable in a bad economy?

On the one hand, during a bad economy, only attorneys from the very best schools and those who have the best grades are generally employable. The lack of opportunity for attorneys without these credentials is no different than what is experienced by people without such credentials in most other professions.

Why would a lawyer want to work for a company?

Opportunity: Going into a company can change a lawyer’s career path because it can expose one to potentially significant management responsibilities, organizational charts of opportunity, compliance and regulations, exposure to the inner-workings of a specific business or industry, and the chance to work with folks outside of legal.

image

How long does it take to become a manager at In-N-Out?

A store manager will definitely make six figures but it takes an average of 10 years to get there. Once at a management level, you are transferred from store to store in the division at the discretion of your division manager. It can be a rewarding career, but In N Out really does make you work for the money.

Why do in and out managers make so much?

But there's reason to believe that In-N-Out's size, structure, and regional focus are some of the reasons why it's able to offer higher-than-average salaries in the first place.

How much money do In-N-Out managers make?

$160,000But In-N-Out, the cult favorite fast food chain, sees its store managers earning over $160,000 on average. “In-N-Out is just eons above everybody else,” Saru Jayaraman, director of UC Berkeley Food Research Center, told the California Sun.

How much do in and out managers make in California?

$160,000IRVINE, Calif. (KTVU) - In-N-Out revealed the salary of its managers in a recent interview with the California Sun. According to the report the fast food restaurant pays its restaurant managers on average more than $160,000, which is more than triple the fast food industry average.

Does In-N-Out match 401k?

In-N-Out Burger From paid time off, healthcare (including dental and vision), a 3-to-1 401(k) match, along with other alluring perks like managerial bonuses, this quick-serve staple is a rare gem in the world of fast food.

Does In-N-Out have 401k?

In-N-Out Burger is proud to offer a competitive benefits package for both part-time and full-time Associates. We provide a 401(k) Plan, comprehensive wellness benefits, paid holidays and vacations, plus more.

What are the benefits of working at In-N-Out?

We offer our full-time Associates and their eligible dependents the following benefits:Medical.Dental.Vision.Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)Basic Life and AD&D.Voluntary Life and AD&D.Associate Assistance Program (AAP)Business and Travel Insurance.More items...

What fast food pay the most?

In-N-Out Burger In-N-Out Burger pays the highest average hourly wage of all fast-food joints, with customer service associates earning an average of $17 an hour and top earners making $24 an hour. This is an established company with more than 70 years in the game and over 280 stores.

How much does In-N-Out pay in Vegas?

Average In-N-Out Burger Associate hourly pay in Las Vegas is approximately $12.59, which meets the national average.

What age does In-N-Out hire in California?

Qualified candidates must be 18 years or older.

How much does Chick Fil A pay?

Chick-Fil-A Inc Jobs by Hourly RateJob TitleRangeAverageJob Title:CashierRange:$8 - $12Average:$9Fast Food WorkerRange:$8 - $14Average:$10Team Leader, GeneralRange:$9 - $15Average:$12Restaurant ManagerRange:$11 - $19Average:$153 more rows

How much does In-N-Out pay in LA?

How much does In-N-Out Burger pay? The average In-N-Out Burger salary ranges from approximately $39,000 per year for an Associate to $96,110 per year for a Store Manager. The average In-N-Out Burger hourly pay ranges from approximately $13 per hour for an Associate Level I to $23 per hour for a Manager.

The Money Trap

Sure, lawyers pull in the big bucks (see: average salary listed above), but they often have to balance that with crippling student loan debt. Breslouer notes that a typical undergraduate degree from a public university will leave most graduates about $25,000 in debt. And that’s just the beginning.

Quality of Life

If the stereotypes are to be believed, lawyers may lead rich and glamorous lives on the outside, but they’re also wracked with stress and zero free time for relationships or a personal life. On the other hand, employees of In-N-Out Burger consistently rate their experience working there as positive one.

About the Author

Kate Streit lives in Chicago. She enjoys stand-up comedy, mystery novels, memoirs, summer and pumpkin spice anything. Learn More.

But is this really an apples-to-apples comparison?

A few weeks ago, Lee Breslouer from Thrillist wrote Why Being an In-N-Out Manager Is Better Than Being a Lawyer. Some people on social media were sharing this story, noting that having a job where you get to eat Double-Doubles on a daily basis doesn’t seem like work. A few of them were jokingly (?) asking if applications were available.

How Legal, Engineering Teams Can Collaborate To Reduce Open Source Risk

Our friends at FOSSA provide concrete best practices for law departments in this free white paper.

Fiduciary Litigation Opportunity

Fully remote litigation position with an extensive experience in Texas state court. Apply within.

What are the benefits of being an attorney?

The reality is that no other profession offers so many potential benefits as law does: 1. Most Attorneys Earn Much More Money Than They Would Otherwise. Just about anyone can get into law school, graduate from law school, and pass the bar exam.

How much do lawyers make?

At the time of writing, the website Glassdoor reports that the national average lawyer salary is $107,549 with a Los Angeles average of $125,784 and a New York average of $121,394. Many first-year associates at law firms with more than 700 lawyers in major markets earn salaries of $160,000. Regardless of how you stack it, attorneys earn good livings and (in general) earn much more than they could ever earn with the sorts of undergraduate degrees most of them have. There is really no other way for someone with a degree of questionable market value to get out of school and make a good living so quickly. I have seen art majors, acting majors, forestry majors, fashion design majors, anthropology majors, sociology majors, and others with degrees that will most likely not translate into much money in the market go to top ten schools and come out with great jobs.

Why do attorneys become cynical?

Until they go to law school and start practicing law, most of these attorneys have never been surrounded by people as ambitious as they are. Set against each other and competing for a slice of prestige, recognition, money, or jobs, attorneys can become cynical when they do not get everything they are accustomed to getting. They get even angrier and more cynical during recessions. Then when things are good, they start feeling entitled, envious of other attorneys, demanding more money, and the cycle repeats itself again and again.

What are the complaints about practicing law?

The complaints related to practicing law tend to follow the ups and downs of the economy and the demands placed on attorneys at the very high end of the profession. On the one hand, during a bad economy, only attorneys from the very best schools and who have the very best grades are generally employable.

What do attorneys major in?

Most attorneys go to college and major in liberal arts-related disciplines that don’t necessarily lead to abundant opportunities for gainful employment, such as political science, anthropology, fashion design, art, or music. Law schools do not care. Law school is open to everyone!

Why is the law important to an attorney?

Attorneys very quickly learn that the law is a powerful tool that they can use (if they choose) to help people, to shape society in their vision, and to bring positive change to the world.

Why is law a good profession?

For these people, law is a great profession because it gives them the chance to argue as part of their regular everyday jobs. Lawyers argue all the time— with opposing counsel, judges, the government, and anyone else who stands in the way of their clients.

Why do lawyers go into companies?

Opportunity: Going into a company can change a lawyer’s career path because it can expose one to potentially significant management responsibilities, organizational charts of opportunity, compliance and regulations, exposure to the inner-workings of a specific business or industry, and the chance to work with folks outside of legal. Rarely in a law firm is an attorney able to enhance their professional skills and business knowledge outside of their specific practice area in such developmental ways. This can lead to promotions in or out of a legal department, as well as opportunities at other organizations in the future, since many companies want their lawyers to have ‘in-house experience’ when hiring for their senior-level positions.

What is revenue driver in law firm?

Control: Within a law firm, the revenue drivers are the lawyers. At a company, the legal department is usually perceived as a service provider, responding to the needs of the business (and mostly considered ‘overhead’). Sometimes this can be a very difficult adjustment for a lawyer, especially given a history of often being in charge, and driving a book of business/clientele without a lot of outside weigh-in. Within a company and legal department, specifically if it is publicly traded, the compliance and regulatory aspects can dictate every decision, which can be vastly different from working as a lawyer within a firm. Additionally, how a legal department is perceived by the C-Suite and business units can be critical to an in-house attorney’s job satisfaction. Are you a business partner who sits at the table when making strategic business decisions, or seen as merely a reactionary hurdle after decisions have been made and/or legal issues have percolated? Of course, this varies widely from one company to the next.

Is there a cap on law firms?

Compensation: With no cap at law firms, generally, it can be hard to justify moving in-house, perceiving a significant pay-cut awaits. However, when you start to add in health benefits and deferred compensation (e.g., bonuses; 401k/match; stock; equity), the annual out of pocket cost comparison and long-term benefits can weigh more positively on ...

Where do lawyers work?

Lawyers may find employment in corporations, government agencies or nonprofit organizations. Some may choose to pursue a career in education as well. For attorneys, several career paths are influenced by a professional's specialization, location, level of experience and professional goals.

What is the difference between a lawyer and an attorney?

The major difference is that attorneys can represent clients in court and other legal proceedings, while lawyers cannot.

What is a lawyer?

A lawyer is someone who has been educated in the law and has completed law school. They can provide legal advice to others, but they cannot represent clients in court because they have not passed the bar exam. Some lawyers work under attorneys to gain experience in a law firm setting while preparing to take the bar exam. Others choose not to pursue a career as an attorney and work as a consultant or a government advisor without having to take the bar exam.

What is the role of an attorney?

In this role, an attorney can act as the legal representation for their clients in a court of law. Additional duties of an attorney include interpreting federal and state laws, apply ing their knowledge of the law to meet the needs of their clients and keeping careful records that outline their interactions with clients and other legal professionals.

What is the primary job of a litigation attorney?

Primary duties: A litigation attorney represents their clients in court cases, mediations, administrative law proceedings and arbitrations. They spend their time preparing to present cases in court, as well as reviewing past cases, preparing paperwork, meeting with new clients and handling complex legal needs.

What is the primary job of a legal officer?

Primary duties: A legal officer monitors all the legal affairs within an organization, handling both internal and external affairs and concerns. The main duties include providing legal advice, performing research, processing and developing legal documents and identifying potential risks to the organization. 2. Lawyer.

What is the job of a staff attorney?

Primary duties: A staff attorney works for a specific organization as a member of its staff and is responsible for managing the legal services needed by that company. Duties include performing analysis and research of legal issues and laws, providing training for professional development, managing contracts and employment agreements and protecting an organization's legal rights.

Relationships

Working locally —at home—is a big advantage for an attorney. When you describe your business’s situation, a local attorney can see how all the pieces fit together before the process even starts. Local attorneys know the judges, the court clerks, and how litigation is generally conducted in that particular area.

Experience

Knowing the people involved and how they have handled similar situations in the past is invaluable in many ways. For example, some arguments are more persuasive to one judge than to another, or other judges prefer a certain style of argument that can only be learned by appearing before them. Every case has its strong and weak points.

Knowledge of the Local Rules

Every court has its own specific rules of practice, and they can vary widely. The rules are extensive, and some are more faithfully adhered to than others. A non-local attorney can quickly offend the judge and damage his or her reputation—and with it your case—if they don’t know a particular local rule.

Reputation

Reputation is important in the practice of law. If you spend much time in court, you will quickly see which attorneys and firms are held in high regard by judges, court staff, and other lawyers.

Convenience

The convenience of local counsel is a major benefit to any business that chooses local counsel over an outside firm. If an attorney’s primary office is five hundred miles away, he or she may be reluctant to meet with you regularly.

image