Football team told to delete photos at In-N-Out

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 5, 2026

A Northern California high school football team removed photos taken at a local In-N-Out Burger after the company’s corporate office demanded their deletion, citing unauthorized use of its brand and premises. While the shoot was non-commercial and celebrated a local tradition, In-N-Out’s strict trademark enforcement underscores its commitment to protecting its intellectual property, despite potential public relations concerns.

A Northern California high school football team has removed a series of photos taken at their local In-N-Out Burger restaurant following a demand from the fast-food chain’s corporate office. The images featured the Lincoln High School football players dressed in their uniforms and helmets, posing behind the counter and drive-through window of the Sacramento suburb eatery.

The photo shoot, conducted by Brentwood-based photographer Glenn Silva, was initially approved by the local In-N-Out manager, who allowed the team to enter the restaurant an hour before opening. Silva was hired by the team’s booster club to capture the images, intended as a memento for the players and their families. After being shared on Instagram, the content quickly gained significant attention, amassing close to a million views.

However, later that month In-N-Out’s representatives requested that all photos and videos from the shoot be removed, citing concerns over unauthorized use of their brand’s premises, logos, and trade dress. An email from the company’s legal team stated that store managers are not authorized to grant permission for commercial or promotional photography and that such requests require express written consent from the corporate office.

Despite Silva’s explanation that the shoot was non-commercial and the photos were meant to celebrate a local tradition — the team often gathers at In-N-Out on Friday nights after games — the company declined a retroactive approval request. Silva and the team complied with the demand and removed the content shortly after receiving the cease-and-desist notice.

Legal experts have commented on the situation, noting In-N-Out's history of vigorously defending its trademarks. UCLA law professor Mark McKenna and UC Berkeley’s Vincent Joralemon expressed skepticism about the company’s likelihood of prevailing in a trademark infringement case against the high school team, given the non-commercial nature of the photos. Nevertheless, they acknowledged that In-N-Out’s stringent approach serves to reinforce the company’s brand protections, which can benefit it in broader legal disputes.

The company has a well-documented record of pursuing legal action against entities that infringe on its trademarks, including a 2007 lawsuit against a Utah burger joint over menu names and restaurant design, a 2019 suit against Puma regarding sneaker designs, and a 2024 cease-and-desist letter to a San Diego sports bar using the term “animal-style” fries.

Chelsey Vanderschrier, a team parent and booster club member who proposed the photo shoot idea inspired by social media trends, expressed disappointment at having to delete the photos. She said the images garnered unexpectedly widespread positive attention and captured a meaningful aspect of the players’ high school experience.

Though the football team complied with In-N-Out’s request to avoid legal complications, some observers suggest the company’s decision may have public relations drawbacks, as the viral photos portrayed a wholesome community tradition rather than a commercial enterprise. Legal experts noted that while protecting trademarks is important, there is a delicate balance between enforcement and community goodwill.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.