Lincoln football's In-N-Out photo shoot pulled after corporate request

A photo shoot meant to capture a familiar part of Lincoln High School football's culture has been removed from social media after In-N-Out's corporate trademark team intervened. The Fighting Zebras held the shoot earlier this month at the Lincoln In-N-Out, with players posing behind the counter, at the drive-thru window and in front of the restaurant's menu and signage. The shoot was intended to highlight the connection between the football program and a restaurant that has become a popular gathering place for players. The Lincoln location opened early to accommodate the team. Photos and behind-the-scenes video from the shoot were posted to the Fighting Zebras' social media accounts, where they quickly gained attention. One Instagram reel surpassed 600,000 views and received approximately 26,100 likes before being removed. The attention eventually reached In-N-Out's corporate trademark team. According to emails obtained by SFGATE, the company contacted the football program and requested that the photos and videos be removed, saying corporate approval is required for filming and photography at its restaurants. The company cited concerns involving its trademarks, signage, logos and other proprietary elements and gave the team three business days to remove the content. The shoot had been approved by the local restaurant manager, according to the photographer involved, and took place before normal business hours. A subsequent request to have the shoot approved retroactively was denied by an In-N-Out intellectual property lawyer. A member of the Lincoln football booster club later apologized to In-N-Out by email. The company responded that it considered the matter resolved and expressed appreciation for its relationship with the Fighting Zebras. Despite the dispute, In-N-Out indicated that it hoped the Fighting Zebras would continue their postgame visits to the Lincoln restaurant.