In-N-Out removes ’67’ and ’69’ from ordering system after viral ‘6-7’ meme sparks changes
In-N-Out Burger removed the numbers 67 and 69 from its ordering system after a viral “6-7” meme trend disrupted operations, prompting the chain to change internal codes to prevent repeated jokes appearing on receipts, order screens and during service.
Key takeaways
- In-N-Out removed number 67 from its ordering system after a viral “6-7” meme trend spread across social platforms — source: AOL.
- An employee told People magazine that the number 69 was also removed for similar reasons, as reported and cited by AOL.
- Viral culture affects operations: meme-driven attention can force changes to POS codes, receipts and order displays to avoid repeated disruptions.
Main content
What happened
Customers, employees and social media users noticed that In-N-Out’s ordering system no longer shows the number 67 when certain items or order codes are keyed in. Reporting indicates the change was driven by how often the number appeared online in the context of the viral 6-7 meme trend.
Initial coverage that flagged the change came from AOL, which noted follow-up details about the removal. Separately, a staff member told People magazine that the chain also removed the number 69 from its internal system for related reasons.
“The numbers were removed to avoid awkward or embarrassing situations when certain codes show up on receipts or order displays,” according to employee comments relayed in media coverage and cited by AOL.
Why a number leads to a system change
At first glance, removing a number from a digital ordering system seems minor. But for a company with many locations and a devoted customer base, small, repeated embarrassments can ripple into larger reputational or operational headaches.
If a meme becomes widespread, customers may deliberately trigger system responses during busy periods, or staff may field repeated jokes that slow service. Companies therefore face a choice: leave codes as-is and risk repeat disruptions, or change systems to remove the trigger.
How social media drives business decisions
Internet culture moves quickly. A meme that spreads across platforms can go from niche to mainstream in days. The 6-7 meme reached such scale in 2025 that some observers called it Word of the Year, and that visibility can pressure businesses to respond when the meme affects customer-facing systems.
Responses vary: defensive changes to avoid bad headlines or proactive moves to protect brand image. For In-N-Out — a private company with a strong brand — removing certain numbers appears to be a straightforward way to reduce repeated jokes and preserve service flow.
Attribution and sourcing
The primary public reporting links back to AOL, which reported that In-N-Out removed number 67 from its ordering system in response to the viral trend. The same coverage referenced an employee comment to People magazine about the removal of 69.
A widely published corporate statement from In-N-Out explaining the specifics has not been found in those reports; media coverage relies on outlet reporting and employee comments cited in the AOL article.
Operational and customer-service considerations
Changing POS codes or removing numeric values from internal systems can require software updates, staff briefings and interface checks. For a high-speed chain like In-N-Out, any modification must be handled carefully so service speed and consistency are preserved.
Options include blocking inputs, remapping codes, or hiding numbers from customer-facing receipts while keeping internal functionality. Reported actions suggest In-N-Out removed visible instances of the numbers to avoid them appearing on receipts and displays.
Implications for California
Economic impact: As a California-based brand, the operational cost of removing codes like 67 and 69 is likely modest — software patches and staff briefings are minor compared with larger investments.
Political and social context: The episode underscores corporate autonomy in responding to cultural realities and highlights how social media culture can shape everyday commerce in the state.
What this means for business leaders and customers
Business leaders can view the change as pragmatic risk management: monitoring cultural trends and adapting systems helps maintain efficient operations. Customers will likely notice little beyond the absence of specific numbers on receipts and order screens, while employees may face fewer disruptive jokes.
The broader lesson: online memes can prompt small but meaningful operational choices for companies that value speed, consistency and customer experience.
Sources
- AOL: In-N-Out removes number 67 from ordering system in response to viral trend
- Reporting that an employee spoke to People magazine about the removal of 69, as cited in the AOL coverage
