Last weekend, people who went to the Daisy Chain Fields Music Festival in the Great Park Neighborhoods parked their cars near a new In-N-Out Burger a half mile away. They found out the drive-thru had not yet opened and shared their disappointment on social media.
They were six days early.
In-N-Out opened the restaurant on Friday morning, Sept. 4. It is the first tenant to open in Irvine’s new lifestyle shopping center, The Canopy at Great Park.
In-N-Out employees were out in force to greet customers when the doors opened.
Employees and patrons mill about the parking lot and outdoor seating area of the new In-N-Out Burger location in the Great Park Neighborhoods in Irvine on Sept. 4, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Kevin Xu, left, leaves the In-N-Out merchandise tent with two new t-shirts on the opening morning of new In-N-Out location in Irvine, California on Sept. 4, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Amir Ghaneian and his sons, Adam and Zade, take some of the first bites of their burgers at the new In-N-Out Burger in The Canopy at Great Park, Irvine, California on Sept. 4, 2026. The Ghaneians were first in line and the first people to place an indoor order. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
In-N-Out Burger employees stand at the ready beside the drive-thru of new In-N-Out locatiion in Irvine, Sept. 4, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Shandiz Chou, right, waits for her order to arrive at the new In-N-Out Burger location in The Canopy at Great Park, Sept. 4, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
In-N-Out Burger employees the Great Park prepare to take a group photo at the chain’s new drive-thru in The Canopy at Great Park on Sept. 4, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
The first people in line put in their orders at the new In-N-Out Burger in The Canopy at Great Park, Irvine, on Sept. 4, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Amir Ghaneian and his sons, Adam and Zade, enjoy their meals at the new In-N-Out Burger In The Canopy at Great Park, Irvine, on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. The Ghaneians were first in line and the first people to place an indoor order. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Angela Leu looks through the window of In-N-Out Burger with excitement on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. Leu and her husband were looking forward to trying out the new spot, and had come the previous day before they realized it hadn’t yet opened to the public. “When it comes to In-N-Out, we’re like kids,” she said. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Patrons wait outside the side doors of In-N-Out Burger before the first opening of their new location in Irvine, California on Sept. 4, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Groups of people wait outside the side entrance of In-N-Out Burger before the new location’s first opening in Irvine, on Sept. 4, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Employees of In-N-Out Burger enter through the side door of the fast food restaurant’s new location just after taking a group picture in the Great Park neighborhood of Irvine, California on Sept. 4, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
Amir Ghaneian and his sons, Adam and Zade, look at their fresh burgers just before taking some of their first bites at the new In-N-Out Burger location In The Canopy at Great Park, Irvine, on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. The Ghaneians were first in line and the first people to place an indoor order. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
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Employees and patrons mill about the parking lot and outdoor seating area of the new In-N-Out Burger location in the Great Park Neighborhoods in Irvine on Sept. 4, 2026. (Photo by Erin Burk, Contributing Photographer)
The Canopy is a 12-acre project by Almquist Development, based in San Juan Capistrano and led by Tustin native Dan Almquist. He visited the restaurant Thursday evening, according to his representatives.
In-N-Out is one of several eateries coming to The Canopy. Among them are McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams, Palmetto Superfoods and Baba’s Hot Chicken, all announced Friday in a news release. Retail will include Brooks Running and La Jolla Cosmetic.
T&T Supermarket, a Canada-based Asian grocery, is planning to open its first Orange County location there in the spring.
Other Almquist projects throughout Southern California listed on the company’s website include River Street Marketplace in San Juan Capistrano; the beautification of Capistrano Plaza; New Haven Marketplace in Ontario; and The Groves in Whittier.
The drive-thru’s address is 7900 Great Park Blvd. Its hours will be 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
