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In-N-Out Burger quietly removed the ticket number 67 from its ordering system after social videos showed crowds of teenagers erupting when the number was called — a reminder that online slang can quickly spill into real-world disruption. The change, confirmed by a local employee to People magazine, came after the “6-7” meme became a viral rallying cry at restaurant counters across the country.
Short, exuberant clips posted to social platforms showed young customers cheering and mimicking a two-handed, balancing gesture whenever attendants announced the number. In response, some locations began skipping 67 — and, according to staff comments, also 69 — to avoid repeated disturbances while serving other guests.
How a meme turned into an operational headache
The phrase traces back to a track by rapper Skrilla, and gained wider attention after Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball used it when talking about his height. From there it spread as a snackable interjection: a loud, collective call that signals belonging more than conveys literal meaning.
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Dictionary.com recognized the phenomenon in October, naming 6-7 its 2025 Word of the Year, noting the term’s blend of sports references, digital humor and youth creativity. Lexicographers describe the expression as part inside joke, part social cue — a short burst of energy that often requires no explanation among participants.
The immediate consequence for In-N-Out was practical: repeated cheering disrupts order flow and can create safety and service issues during busy shifts. Employees have told customers the number is being skipped to keep lines moving and maintain a calmer atmosphere.
- Confirmed action: An In-N-Out employee in Los Angeles told People magazine the chain removed 67 from its ticket rotation last month.
- Other numbers: Staff also reported dropping 69 for similar reasons.
- Origin: A song and celebrity adoption (Skrilla; LaMelo Ball) helped the term go viral.
- Cultural recognition: Dictionary.com named “6-7” its 2025 Word of the Year.
- Business impact: Viral slang can force restaurants to alter routine operations or adjust ticketing and PA systems to prevent crowd disruptions.
What this means for brands and public spaces
For managers of busy venues, the episode is a case study in how fleeting online trends can create real logistical problems. Counter services that rely on audible callouts are particularly vulnerable: one catchy meme can trigger repeated interruptions that slow service and raise safety concerns.
Some practical responses include changing the audio announcement format, using visuals to display order numbers, or temporarily skipping a problematic number — all short-term fixes that preserve flow while teams assess longer-term policies.
Beyond the immediate fixes, the incident highlights a broader shift: youth-driven internet culture increasingly shapes public behavior and can compel businesses to adapt on the fly. What begins as a private joke can prompt corporate-level changes within days.
In-N-Out did not immediately respond to requests for comment about how widespread the change is or whether the measure will be permanent. Meanwhile, the “6-7” phenomenon remains a vivid example of how digital-era slang leaps from screens into everyday spaces.
