Company Description
Jack in the Box Inc. (NASDAQ: JACK) is a restaurant company in the accommodation and food services sector. The company is founded and headquartered in San Diego, California and focuses on operating and franchising quick-service restaurants. Its primary brand is Jack in the Box®, described in company materials as one of the nation’s largest hamburger chains, with a restaurant base spanning multiple U.S. states.
According to company disclosures, Jack in the Box operates and franchises approximately 2,100+ restaurants across more than 20 states under the Jack in the Box brand. The restaurants participate in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) category, with a menu that includes items such as hamburgers and other offerings referenced in company and brand communications. The business model combines company-operated restaurants with a substantial franchised system, generating revenues from company restaurant sales, franchise rental revenues, franchise royalties and other fees, and franchise contributions for advertising and related services.
Jack in the Box has also historically been associated with the Del Taco® brand. Company earnings releases describe Del Taco as the second largest Mexican-American QSR chain in the U.S. by units, with hundreds of restaurants across multiple states. However, the company has executed a significant portfolio change. In an 8-K filing and related press releases, Jack in the Box reported that it entered into, and then completed, a sale of Del Taco Holdings Inc. to an entity affiliated with Yadav Enterprises Inc. This transaction, completed on December 22, 2025, divested the Del Taco operations and is described as a key step in the company’s broader strategic plan.
The company refers to this strategic framework as its “Jack on Track” plan. Public communications describe this plan as focused on strengthening the balance sheet, simplifying the business, and returning to a simpler, asset-light business model. Elements of this plan include the sale of Del Taco, a program of targeted restaurant closures described as a block closure program, and the use of proceeds and other actions to reduce debt. In a January 2026 press release, Jack in the Box highlighted the repayment of a portion of its fixed rate senior secured notes as part of its ongoing prioritization of debt reduction under the Jack on Track plan.
Within its core Jack in the Box brand, the company emphasizes brand-focused marketing and menu innovation. Press releases describe limited-time and ongoing menu platforms such as Protein Bowls and Jack Wraps, as well as value-oriented offerings like Munch Better Deals and seasonal promotions such as “24 Days of Jackmas” for loyalty program members. These initiatives are presented as ways to give guests compelling reasons to visit, with a mix of value, variety, and themed promotions that can be accessed in-restaurant or through digital channels such as the Jack app.
Jack in the Box also highlights its focus on technology and operational modernization. In early 2026, the company announced completion of a systemwide deployment of Qu’s unified commerce platform across more than 2,100 restaurants, replacing a decades-old legacy point-of-sale system. Company statements describe this modernization as enabling faster menu updates, digital ordering support, and the ability to run multiple order channels on a single platform, including drive-thru, kiosk, counter, app, and delivery. The company links this technology investment to its Jack on Track plan, emphasizing goals such as operational agility, digital expansion, and long-term resiliency.
From a financial and structural perspective, Jack in the Box’s public filings and earnings releases describe multiple revenue components and margin measures. These include company restaurant sales, franchise rental revenues, franchise royalties and other income, and franchise contributions for advertising and other services. The company also reports non-GAAP metrics such as restaurant-level margin and franchise-level margin for its Jack in the Box segment, reflecting performance at the restaurant and franchise system levels. In its guidance for fiscal 2026, the company indicated expectations for restaurant counts, same-store sales ranges, and margin levels for the Jack in the Box brand, noting that Del Taco results would be reflected in discontinued operations following the sale.
The company’s capital allocation and governance approach has also been the subject of recent SEC filings. In 2025, Jack in the Box adopted a Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement and later amended it to adjust the definition of an “Acquiring Person,” including exemptions for certain passive institutional investors below a specified ownership threshold. The company also entered into a Nomination and Cooperation Agreement with GreenWood Investors, LLC, under which two new independent directors were appointed to the Board and a Capital Allocation Committee was established. This committee is tasked with supporting the Board’s and management’s review of significant strategic initiatives, including capital allocation priorities, the portfolio of assets such as real estate, special capital projects, and capital structure.
Jack in the Box’s disclosures describe its restaurant footprint and performance in terms of systemwide sales, same-store sales, restaurant counts, and openings and closures. For the Jack in the Box brand, the company reports separate performance for company-operated and franchised restaurants, along with system-level metrics. The company has opened new restaurants in selected markets and closed others, including closures associated with the Jack on Track block closure program. These structural changes are presented as part of a broader effort to improve long-term financial performance and align the restaurant base with the company’s strategic and financial objectives.
Overall, Jack in the Box Inc. presents itself in its public communications as a San Diego–based quick-service restaurant company centered on the Jack in the Box brand, with a large, multi-state footprint and a mix of company-operated and franchised locations. Through the Jack on Track plan, the company is emphasizing balance sheet strengthening, an asset-light orientation, technology modernization, and brand-focused marketing and menu initiatives, while using transactions such as the sale of Del Taco and targeted debt repayment to reshape its capital structure and business profile.
Stock Performance
Jack In The Box (JACK) stock last traded at $10.72, down 0.64% from the previous close. Over the past 12 months, the stock has lost 62.2%. At a market capitalization of $209.4M, JACK is classified as a micro-cap stock with approximately 19.0M shares outstanding.
Latest News
Jack In The Box has 10 recent news articles. Of the recent coverage, 1 article coincided with positive price movement and 9 with negative movement. Key topics include earnings. View all JACK news →
SEC Filings
Jack In The Box has filed 5 recent SEC filings, including 5 Form 4. The most recent filing was submitted on March 17, 2026. SEC filings provide transparency into a company's financial condition, material events, and regulatory compliance. View all JACK SEC filings →
Insider Radar
Insider selling at Jack In The Box over the past 90 days can reflect routine portfolio management, scheduled trading plans (Rule 10b5-1), tax planning, or compensation-related dispositions rather than a directional view on the stock.
Financial Highlights
Jack In The Box generated $1.5B in revenue over the trailing twelve months, operating income reached -$18.1M (-1.2% operating margin), and net income was -$80.7M, reflecting a -5.5% net profit margin. Diluted earnings per share stood at $-4.24. The company generated $162.4M in operating cash flow. With a current ratio of 0.51, short-term liquidity bears monitoring.
Upcoming Events
2027 annual meeting
Jack In The Box has 1 upcoming scheduled event. The next event, "2027 annual meeting", is scheduled for January 1, 2027 (in 280 days). Investors can track these dates to stay informed about potential catalysts that may affect the JACK stock price.
Short Interest History
Short interest in Jack In The Box (JACK) currently stands at 5.0 million shares, down 2.6% from the previous reporting period, representing 28.5% of the float. Over the past 12 months, short interest has increased by 54.1%. This high level of short interest suggests significant bearish sentiment among traders. With 12.8 days to cover, it would take significant time for short sellers to close their positions based on average trading volume.
Days to Cover History
Days to cover for Jack In The Box (JACK) currently stands at 12.8 days, up 57.6% from the previous period. This elevated days-to-cover ratio indicates it would take over two weeks of average trading volume for short sellers to exit their positions, suggesting potential for a short squeeze if positive news emerges. The days to cover has increased 223.5% over the past year, indicating either rising short interest or declining trading volume. The ratio has shown significant volatility over the period, ranging from 2.4 to 12.8 days.
JACK Company Profile & Sector Positioning
Jack In The Box (JACK) operates in the Restaurants industry within the broader Retail-eating Places sector and is listed on the NASDAQ.
Investors comparing JACK often look at related companies in the same sector, including Dine Brands Global Inc (DIN), El Pollo Loco Ho (LOCO), Nathans Famous (NATH), Portillo'S Inc. (PTLO), and Rci Hospitality (RICK). Comparing financial metrics, valuation ratios, and stock performance across these peers can help investors evaluate JACK's relative position within its industry.