UNM South Campus to get In-N-Out Burger

Just days after In-N-Out Burger announced it was coming to Albuquerque, the University of New Mexico said the famed burger joint will build a location on its South Campus.

The university on Tuesday said that In-N-Out would be one of the tenants in the South Campus Tax Increment Development District, or TIDD, which spans 337 acres at University from Basehart to Gibson SE.

The In-N-Out location will be located just west of the fire station on Gibson and Interstate 25, said David Campbell, the executive director for Lobo Development Corp. Campbell told the Journal that In-N-Out purchased the roughly 2 acres of land directly from UNM for $2 million.

Campbell said discussions with In-N-Out began “several months ago” with the deal being closed last month. He added more deals in the district are expected to be announced in the future.

“The addition of In-N-Out Burger to the South Campus TIDD is another exciting step in making productive use of UNM’s public properties for the benefit of the University’s academic, service, athletic and research missions,” said Campbell.

In-N-Out announced last week that it was in its “early planning stages” to bring its restaurants to New Mexico by 2027. The burger chain at the time didn’t say where its restaurants were going to be located in Albuquerque.

In-N-Out officials couldn’t be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday.

The burger restaurant, which is known for its simple menu, is the second fast food restaurant to agree to locate on the South Campus. The university previously announced a Raising Cane’s would be built there.

For UNM, developing the land it owns around its athletic venues and Science and Technology Park into a bustling entertainment district has been a years-long effort that has finally gained some traction this year.

UNM’s South Campus TIDD was signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in April. That creates a way for a portion of tax revenue from businesses in the area to pay for public infrastructure like roads, utilities and facilities.

Since then, Lobo Development Corp. — UNM’s development arm — has made big strides in developing the TIDD. It has so far attracted the two fast-food restaurants and has been in discussions with others regarding a Target in the area. There are also plans for a hotel, housing development and a slate of other retail and food businesses to locate in the area.

“This addition marks a significant step in our ongoing development and growth, contributing to job opportunities and the enhancement of our community,” said Teresa Costantinidis, the executive vice president for Finance and Administration at The University of New Mexico. “It aligns perfectly with UNM’s commitment to advancing New Mexico, including promoting sustainability, economic development, and community engagement.”