Houston's burger wars just went nuclear. Jazz Hamilton, first vice president in CBRE's retail division, said the California-based fast-food burger chain In-N-Out is closing on land in the Houston area. Hamilton would not reveal what areas are being considered, but did say we should expect to hear more in the coming months. With 34 stores open across Texas, Houstonians have long wondered when the operation will work its way to Houston. Indications are that by the end of the year the wait will be over. The plan is to roll out the first stores slowly and then ramp up the restaurant's presence, as has been the strategy in previous markets.

Houston is a burger town, home to institutions like Hubcap Grill and Bernie's Burger Bus. In-N-Out will also go head-to-head with transplants like Hopdoddy Burger Bar and Shake Shack that are making serious moves in Houston. In-N-Out's biggest challenge will be taking on its chief cult-burger rival, Whataburger.