Jack in the Box Inc. logo

Jack in the Box Inc.(JACK)

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ADVISORIES YOU CAN VERIFY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$13.46
09/25/2026
(24-hour delay)

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Upturn Advisory & Investor View for JACK

09/25/2026: JACK (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Jack in the Box Inc. is a franchised quick-service restaurant operator with a dual-brand portfolio featuring the namesake Jack in the Box chain and the Del Taco brand. The company is known for its strong franchise-based royalty model and a unique, late-night menu offering that maintains loyal customer traffic. Its primary growth story revolves around digital integration, technology-driven operational efficiency, and the geographic expansion of its Del Taco brand. Investors should monitor risks such as high financial leverage, intense competitive pressure from industry giants, and the ongoing impact of food and labor cost inflation. The stock may appeal to value-oriented investors who prioritize cash-flow generation in the restaurant space.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitGrowth is largely dependent on the successful scaling and integration of the Del Taco brand within the existing franchise network.
Momentum investorMixed fitMomentum is conditional on consistent same-store sales growth and positive market sentiment regarding operational efficiency updates.
Value investorStrong fitThe company often trades at valuations that may appear attractive to value-oriented investors focused on cash-flow generative franchise models.
Dividend investorMixed fitThe dividend is supported by franchise royalties, though capital allocation is often prioritized toward debt reduction.
Low-risk investorWeak fitThe company faces significant industry-wide volatility and carries leverage from recent acquisitions, impacting its risk profile.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMedium / highConsumer demand sensitivity and market sentiment regarding the QSR sector can cause significant stock price fluctuations.
Valuation riskMediumMarket pricing of the stock often reflects varying expectations regarding the success of long-term strategic integrations.
Competition risk (QSR sector)HighIntense competition for customer wallet share requires constant investment in marketing and value propositions.
Business qualityMediumWhile the franchise model provides strong recurring revenue, the company faces operational challenges in a high-inflation environment.
Dividend incomeMediumDividend reliability depends on the company's ability to maintain cash flow while managing debt obligations.
Execution riskMedium / highSuccessful growth depends on complex tasks like technology implementation and effective franchise management.

Price Behavior

Downtrend
PRICE PATH

Downtrend

The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.

Highly Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Highly Choppy

The stock has experienced frequent, large price swings that make its near-term movement less predictable.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -51.44%
Avg. Invested days 24
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 1.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 09/25/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
JACK receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak unit economics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
JACK has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, solid cash generation (FCF margin 5.1%) is partially offset by negative earnings growth (-120.0%), negative revenue growth (-6.7%), soft profitability (net margin -5.5%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
JACK's financial health is supported by moderate cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation (5.1% of revenue). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Free-cash-flow growth is JACK's strongest growth driver at +258.9% FY2025 versus FY2024 (strong, 5 stars). By comparison, while revenue growth (-6.7%, negative) and earnings growth (-120.0%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 107.6% and approximately 64.3% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 9.03% supports management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

Callodine Capital Management, LP 8.95%
Biglari Capital Corp. 8.78%
Nantahala Capital Management, LLC 8.04%
BlackRock Inc 6.68%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 4.26%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
JACK generates approximately $287 of gross profit, $-12 of operating income, and $51 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Strong cash conversion and healthy margins support the rating, although capital efficiency remains below the highest tier.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 21.50%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
JACK has a liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while valuation that is moderately attractive rather than deeply discounted.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

High VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Small-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 258.06M USD
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 20
Price to earnings Ratio -
1Y Target Price 20
Volume (30-day avg) 605.2K shares
Beta 1.41
52 Weeks Range 8.92 - 23.86
Updated Date 09/26/2026
52 Weeks Range 8.92 - 23.86
Updated Date 09/26/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) -5.67

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Franchise Royalties and FeesRevenue generated from franchise store operations including royalty payments and initial franchise fees.This is the core, high-margin driver of the company's business model.
Company-Operated RestaurantsRevenue from sales at company-owned restaurant locations.This segment is more capital-intensive and sensitive to labor and food cost fluctuations.
Geographic Exposure (United States)All operations are primarily concentrated within the United States.The company's performance is tied directly to the US domestic consumer economy.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE -
Forward PE 4.38
Enterprise Value 2.69B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.18
Enterprise Value 2.69B
Price to Sales(TTM) 0.18
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.89
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 252.5
Shares Outstanding 19.18M
Shares Floating 12.33M
Shares Outstanding 19.18M
Shares Floating 12.33M
Percent Insiders 9.03
Percent Institutions 107.55

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Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

About Jack in the Box Inc.

Exchange NASDAQ
Headquarters San Diego, CA, United States
IPO Launch date 1987-02-24
Interim CEO & Executive Chairman Mr. Mark James King
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Restaurants
Full time employees 1316
Full time employees 1316

Jack in the Box Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick-service restaurants (QSR) in the United States. It operates through Jack in the Box and Del Taco segments. The company engages in the operation of a hamburger chain under the Jack in the Box brand; and a Mexican-American QSR chain under the Del Taco brand. The company was formerly known as Foodmaker, Inc and changed its name to Jack in the Box Inc. in November 1999. Jack in the Box Inc. was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.