Beloved Restaurant Chain Closes Dozens of Locations Throughout U.S
A beloved restaurant chain closed 86 locations throughout the United States during fiscal year 2025. However, the Jack in the Box chain also opened some new restaurants during that time frame. Still the iconic chain is closing restaurants to deal with growing pressures.
The company, which dates back 75 years, is among a string of popular chains that are closing locations, and "drastically scaling down their national footprint," including Wendy's and Denny's. Jack in the Box still has a large number of restaurants in the U.S. Jack in the Box Inc. was "founded and headquartered in San Diego, California" and runs Jack in the Box, described as "one of the nation's largest hamburger chains with approximately 2,135 restaurants across 21 states."
The Jack in the Box Chain Reported That Same-Store Sales Decreased in the Fourth Quarter of 2025
(Photo illustration by Cheng Xin/Getty Images)
In a November earnings report, the company noted, "Same-store sales decreased 7.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025, comprised of a decrease in company-operated same-store sales of 5.3% and a decrease in franchise same-store sales of 7.6%. Sales performance was driven by a decrease in transactions and unfavorable menu mix, which was partially offset by menu price increases."
The company added:
- Jack in the Box "opened 15 new restaurants, and closed 47 restaurants during the fourth quarter. Of these, 38 of the 47 closures were part of the 'JACK on Track' block restaurant closure program."
- For fiscal year 2025, Jack in the Box "opened 31 new restaurants, and closed 86 restaurants."
- The company closed 72 locations in 2025 through November, Fox Business reported (the fiscal year ended in September).
- According to Fox Business, the company had previously said "it would shutter between 150–200 underperforming stores by 2026."
- Why are the stores closing? The company says "stores are seeing fewer customers, beef prices are rising and the company is carrying significantly more debt than it generates in annual earnings," Fox Business reported.
On December 22, the company announced in a press release that it "has completed the sale of Del Taco Holdings Inc. to Yadav Enterprises Inc. The closing of this transaction is an important step in the Company’s 'Jack on Track' plan to strengthen the Company’s balance sheet and accelerate its shift toward a simpler, asset-light business model."
Lance Tucker, Chief Executive Officer of Jack in the Box Inc., said in the release, “Our sale of Del Taco represents meaningful progress in simplifying our business model and reducing our debt. We remain committed to elevating the Jack in the Box brand and improving operational performance to drive sustainable, long-term growth and create value for our shareholders. We appreciate the Yadav team’s partnership during this transition and wish the Del Taco brand well in their next chapter.”