Burger barrage: In-N-Out looking at locations in Am.F., W.V., Orem

After the hip California burger joint In-N-Out publicly announced Draper as its first northern Utah location this month, planners of the eatery have been scrambling in and out of other cities across the Wasatch Front to arrange more foundations.

Besides Draper, the restaurant's prominent yellow arrow soon will shine in American Fork, Orem and West Valley City.

In an American Fork Planning Commission meeting Wednesday, In-N-Out planners submitted a rendering for a location at the city's Doug Smith Autoplex, just off I-15 and the city's West Main Street overpass. West Jordan and West Valley City officials confirmed that plans had been submitted there as well.

"It's getting a fast track for City Council approval," said Cindy Parker, American Fork's planning office manager. "I've never had their burgers, so I don't understand the hype, but, hey, they're welcome anyway."

That welcome was supported when the motion to build was carried unanimously by the committee.

The American Fork In-N-Out location is exactly a half mile from a restaurant they filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against in summer 2007.

In-N-Out alleged in the suit that everything about Chadder's was ripped off, including the company's building style and its menu items.

The two drive-throughs will only be separated by one traffic light, a two-minute drive and the still unresolved lawsuit.

E-mail: jhancock@desnews.com