Jack in the Box — the fast-food chain that’s been flipping burgers since 1951 — has built a following at its more than 2,100 locations with a menu that includes curly fries, tacos, chicken sandwiches, and milkshakes. But even this drive-thru staple has hit some bumps in the road.
In 2025, the company rolled out its “Jack on Track” turnaround plan to boost performance and strengthen its finances. Part of this was selling off Del Taco for $119 million, which was completed in December.
Jack in the Box finished Q1 of the fiscal year 2026 with 2,128 restaurants. By the end of June, the brand expects 50 to 100 closures and around 20 openings, QSR Magazine reported in February.
Customers online have had mixed reviews about the food quality, while others lamented the disappearance of their go-to lunch spots.
Same-store sales across its restaurants dropped 6.7 percent in Q1 year over year, the company reported, according to QSR Magazine.
The goal this year is to focus on innovation, customer service, cosmetic updates, and fewer, stronger limited-time offers.
“2026 is about laying the foundation for sustainable long-term growth, which requires doing a lot of hard work right now,” CEO Lance Tucker told QSR, adding, “We are beginning to see early results that reinforce that we are on the right path.”
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