In-N-Out Is Closing a Location for the First Time — Here’s Why

The company said in a statement that it would continue supporting the Oakland, California community via charitable organizations

• In-N-Out announced in a statement that they are closing their Oakland, Calif. location in March even though it is profitable

• The company's statement said they have had "ongoing issues with crime" including car break-ins and armed robberies

• Though restaurants have been relocated within a city, this is the first location the company has ever closed completely

In-N-Out is closing one of its restaurant locations for the first time in the fast food franchise's 75-year history.

The company announced in a statement obtained by PEOPLE that it was closing its Oakland, Calif. location due to an increase in crime in the area.

"We have made the decision to close our In-N-Out Burger location in Oakland, California due to ongoing issues with crime," the company's Chief Operating Officer Denny Warnick said in the statement on Sunday, also released to X (formerly known as Twitter).

"Despite taking repeated steps to create safer conditions, our Customers and Associates [SIC] are regularly victimized by car break-ins, property damage, theft, and armed robberies," the statement continued.

Related: Dwayne Johnson Surprises Employees During First In-N-Out Burger Experience: 'Tried to Be Cool AF'

In-N-Out's Oakland location, which has been opened for nearly twenty years, will close its doors at the end of the business day on Sunday, March 24.

Warnick called the location "a busy and profitable one for the company" but said the company could not let business continue in an unsafe environment.

All employees will receive a severance package or get the opportunity to work in a different location. In-N-Out will continue supporting Oakland through its charities and organizations, they said.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

According to KGO-TV, statistics show that crime rose in the area between 2022 and 2023. Per statistics obtained by the Oakland Police Department, the news site reported that burglaries rose 23% in that time period while car theft saw a 44% increase.

KGO-TV said that the 2023 saw the highest rate of crime in the Oakland area in about a decade.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.