Jack in the Box Completes One of the Fastest POS Modernizations in QSR History, Rolling Out Qu to over 2,100 Restaurants in 15 Months

Rhea-AI Summary

Jack in the Box (NASDAQ: JACK) completed a systemwide deployment of Qu unified commerce across >2,100 restaurants in 15 months, described as one of the fastest full-scale POS modernizations in QSR history. The cloud-deployed, edge-enabled platform consolidates drive-thru, kiosk, counter, app, and delivery ordering.

Reported impacts include higher check averages, training time cut by more than half, improved uptime allowing operation during outages, and real-time sales and inventory visibility. The rollout supports future AI analytics and expanded kiosk adoption.

Positive

• 2,100+ restaurants upgraded in 15 months
• Training time reduced by more than 50%
• Higher check averages from digital kiosks and smarter upsells
• Restaurants maintain service through network/cloud outages
• Real-time sales, inventory, and performance visibility for leaders

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Restaurants on Qu platform over 2,100 restaurants Systemwide deployment of unified commerce/POS platform

Rollout duration 15 months Time to deploy new POS across system

Target digital sales mix 20 percent and beyond Expected digital sales share enabled by new platform

Market Reality Check

$22.98 Last Close

Volume Volume 809,663 is 1.24x the 20-day average of 652,100, indicating elevated interest pre-news. normal

Technical Price at 20.5 is trading slightly above the 200-day MA of 20.41 after a long slide from the 44.145 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

JACK is up 8.01%, while peers like DIN (2.84%) and LOCO (2.38%) show more modest gains. With no peers in the momentum scanner and no same-day peer news, the move appears more company-specific than broad restaurant-sector rotation.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 05	Menu promotion	Positive	+1.4%	New Protein Bowls and Jack Wraps launched with value-focused deal framing.
Dec 30	Value promotion	Positive	-2.8%	Del Taco two-for-$3 taco and strawberry drinks value campaign.
Dec 22	Asset sale	Positive	-3.1%	Completion of Del Taco sale for cash and a short-term promissory note.
Dec 18	Anniversary campaign	Positive	+0.9%	75th anniversary celebration with throwback menu items and collectibles.
Dec 01	App promotion	Positive	-2.0%	“24 Days of Jackmas” daily app deals for loyalty members.

Pattern Detected

Recent positive marketing and strategic news often saw mixed to negative next-day price reactions, with 3 of 5 upbeat releases followed by declines.

Recent Company History

This announcement follows a series of brand and strategic updates. In December 2025, Jack in the Box promoted its 24 Days of Jackmas app-driven deals and launched a 75th anniversary campaign with throwback items and special pricing. On December 22, 2025, it completed the sale of Del Taco for about $119 million, including $109 million cash and a $10 million note, aligning with its “Jack on Track” simplification plan. On January 5, 2026, it added new Protein Bowls and Jack Wrap offers. Today’s POS modernization fits this ongoing operational and digital transformation.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights completion of a rapid POS and unified commerce rollout across over 2,100 restaurants in just 15 months, supporting Jack in the Box’s “Jack on Track” transformation. The platform aims to lift check sizes, cut training time, and improve uptime while enabling AI-driven analytics and higher digital mix toward 20% and beyond. In context of the recent Del Taco sale and promotional activity, this marks a shift from portfolio changes toward deeper technology-driven operational upgrades.

Key Terms

unified commerce platform technical

"completed a systemwide deployment of Qu's unified commerce platform across its over 2100 restaurants"

A unified commerce platform is a single software system that combines online and in-store sales, inventory, payments, and customer records so a business can operate and sell consistently across channels. For investors, it matters because it can increase sales and customer loyalty while lowering operating costs and complexity—think of it as a central control panel that replaces several disconnected tools, making growth more predictable and easier to scale.

asset-light model financial

"shift to an asset-light model, the company is simplifying its business"

A business approach that avoids owning lots of factories, equipment or property and instead relies on partners, contractors or digital platforms to deliver products or services—think renting instead of buying the tools to build everything yourself. Investors care because this model usually requires less upfront cash and can scale faster, potentially boosting profit margins, but it also creates dependence on outside providers and more variable costs, which affects risk and future returns.

cloud-deployed technical

"With Qu's cloud-deployed and edge-enabled architecture, Jack in the Box can now run every order channel"

Cloud-deployed means software or services are run and stored on remote servers managed by a third-party provider instead of on a company's own computers. For investors, this matters because it often lowers upfront costs, makes it easier for a business to scale up or push updates quickly, and tends to create steady subscription-style revenue, while also bringing considerations around data security and vendor dependence similar to renting space instead of owning a building.

edge-enabled architecture technical

"With Qu's cloud-deployed and edge-enabled architecture, Jack in the Box can now run every order channel"

Edge-enabled architecture is a way of designing computing systems so data is processed close to where it’s created — on devices or local servers — instead of sending everything to a distant data center. For investors, that matters because it can cut ongoing cloud costs, speed up responses for time-sensitive services, reduce bandwidth needs, and improve reliability and privacy, which can translate into lower operating expenses, new product capabilities, or competitive advantage. Think of it like putting a small kitchen in each restaurant branch instead of shipping every dish from a central commissary.

AI-driven analytics technical

"lays the foundation for next-generation initiatives, including AI-driven analytics, more personalized digital ordering"

AI-driven analytics uses computer algorithms that learn from large amounts of data to spot patterns, make predictions, and generate actionable insights more quickly than a person could. For investors it matters because these tools can highlight opportunities or risks earlier and more consistently—like a smart assistant scanning thousands of reports and charts—helping inform buy/sell decisions while still depending on data quality and assumptions.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

New unified commerce platform boosts check sizes, cuts training time, and keeps restaurants operating even during outages

ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Jack in the Box Inc. (NASDAQ: JACK), has completed a systemwide deployment of Qu's unified commerce platform across its over 2100 restaurants, marking one of the fastest full-scale POS transformations in the quick-service industry.

The modernization comes at a critical inflection point for QSRs, as brands face cost pressures and legacy technology systems that can't keep up with today's demands. Jack in the Box is using this moment to reshape its future. Through its "Jack on Track" plan and shift to an asset-light model, the company is simplifying its business, improving financial strength, and investing in technology that enables operational agility, digital expansion, and long-term resiliency.

The new platform is already delivering measurable impact:

• Higher check averages driven by digital kiosks and smarter upsells
• Training time cut by more than half, reducing onboarding from days to hours
• Stronger uptime, with restaurants able to operate through network or cloud outages
• Real-time visibility into sales, inventory, and performance for franchisees and corporate leaders

"With the help of WWT, we rolled out a modern POS to more than 2,100 restaurants in just 15 months. That pace is almost unheard of in QSR," said Doug Cook, chief technology officer at Jack in the Box. "Qu's platform gives us the speed and stability we need to pivot quickly, innovate faster, and operate without disruption."

The deployment replaces a decades-old legacy system that slowed menu updates, lacked digital ordering support, and created operational drag across the organization. With Qu's cloud-deployed and edge-enabled architecture, Jack in the Box can now run every order channel — drive-thru, kiosk, counter, app, and delivery — on one unified data backbone.

"For a brand operating at Jack in the Box's volume, uptime is critical," said Amir Hudda, CEO of Qu. "We built this platform to withstand the real-world challenges restaurants face daily, from unreliable Wi-Fi to rapid shifts in digital demand, so teams can keep serving guests under any conditions."

The rollout also lays the foundation for next-generation initiatives, including AI-driven analytics, more personalized digital ordering, and expanded kiosk adoption. Jack in the Box expects digital sales to climb toward 20 percent and beyond.

About Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box Inc. (NASDAQ: JACK), founded and headquartered in San Diego, California, is a restaurant company that operates and franchises Jack in the Box®, one of the nation's largest hamburger chains with approximately 2,135 restaurants across 21 states. For more information on both brands, including franchising opportunities, visit www.jackinthebox.com.

About Qu
Qu is the unified commerce platform helping quick-service and fast-casual restaurants boost efficiency and grow revenue. Purpose-built from the ground up with smart cloud technology, Qu puts real-time intelligence where it's needed most—right in the restaurant—through its proprietary Business Edge, Qube. The result: streamlined operations, stronger margins, and memorable guest experiences.

On a mission to propel restaurants beyond today's limitations, Qu is a long-term technology partner trusted to deliver solutions that are as reliable as they are revolutionary, and intuitive as they are impactful.

Based in Arlington, Virginia, Qu is backed by leading restaurant entrepreneurs and investors, including Cota Capital, Enlightened Hospitality Investments, Bobby Cox Companies, and NRD Capital.

Serve smarter with Qu. Learn more about Qu's partnership with Jack in the Box - qubeyond.com/customers/jack-in-the-box. See Qu on linkedin.com/company/qupos.

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SOURCE Qu

FAQ

When did Jack in the Box complete the Qu POS rollout (NASDAQ: JACK)?

The company completed the deployment across >2,100 restaurants on January 7, 2026, after a 15-month rollout.

How many Jack in the Box restaurants received the Qu unified commerce platform?

The rollout covered more than 2,100 Jack in the Box locations.

What operational benefits did JACK report from the new POS system?

Reported benefits include higher check averages, training time cut by over 50%, and ability to operate during outages.

How does the new POS affect Jack in the Box digital sales (JACK)?

Jack in the Box expects digital sales to move toward 20%+ as a result of the platform and expanded kiosk adoption.

Will Jack in the Box use the new POS for AI and personalization (JACK)?

Yes. The company says the platform lays the foundation for AI-driven analytics and more personalized digital ordering.

Can Jack in the Box restaurants operate during network outages with the new system?

Yes. The edge-enabled architecture reportedly lets restaurants continue serving guests during network or cloud outages.