Which Fast Food Chain Has the Best University: McDonald’s or In-N-Out?

And what does a degree in Hamburgerology look like?

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Recently, online news outlets have been writing a bunch of articles profiling In-N-Out University, the training center they run for employees working towards management position in the stores. And while some of the articles read as a little mocking to me (especially the way they emphasize that “university” is in quotes, like they’re pretending to be an accredited institute of learning), it got me thinking about the other major food food university: McDonald’s Hamburger University.

Which one’s been around longer? Which one’s a better school? And do the students have to wolf down a ton of burgers as homework? (It would make “cramming” a lot more fun.)

So here’s a look at both of these burger-focused schools and what they have to offer the aspiring fast food worker.

So, what is In-N-Out University?

It’s the training facility for In-N-Out management candidates. You can find it in Baldwin Hills, California, the site of the first In-N-Out burger stand. In fact, they’ve also recreated the original stand, which is open for photos and viewings, and can be rented for private functions. And while they don’t serve actual food there, there’s also a real In-N-Out and a gift shop nearby.

What do they teach there? Well, an ex-employee on Reddit described the curriculum as teaching about “COGs (cost of goods), handling troublesome associates, dealing with unruly customers, extending previous training on running shifts, etc etc. It’s just classes on how to be a better manager, what is going to be expected of them, and how to continue promoting the company and its mission.” So, it’s most focused on the basics of managing an In-N-Out store.

What is McDonald’s Hamburger University?

Founded in 1961, Hamburger University started as a training ground for managers. Originally held in the basement of a McDonald’s in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, they’ve grown to become a world-wide organization that includes a flagship campus in Chicago, as well as smaller campuses in London, Tokyo, Sydney, Munich, Shanghai, São Paulo and Mexico. And while they started focusing on managers, they now train executives and franchise owners, with each regional campus instructing them on the needs of their local markets, as well as broader business skills like team building and communication.

And while it may not be a fully accredited institution like an Ivy League school, students can transfer some of their “Hamburgerology” (the actual name of the honorary degree you get for graduating) credits to actual U.S. colleges and universities. And the company offers programs to help attendees continue their education, as well as several scholarships and financial aid programs. (The university itself is free to students, as it’s paid for by franchisees.)

So, while In-N-Out is a respectable training program, we’ve to go with McDonald’s on this one, as they’ve created a very impressive school with a worldwide reach.

(But between you and me, In-N-Out still makes the better burger, hands down.)