How Much Does a Jack in the Box Franchise Owner Make?
Jack in the Box franchise owners earn approximately $130,000–$195,000 annually per location based on an estimated AUV of $1.3M and operating margins of 10–15% after the 5% royalty fee. Investor caution is warranted in 2025–2026: Jack in the Box reported -7.4% same-store sales in Q4 2025 (its fourth consecutive quarterly decline), announced plans to close 150–200 underperforming US restaurants, and sold the Del Taco brand for $115M as part of a debt reduction plan. Jack in the Box is in active turnaround — not a stable, buy-now investment.
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Jack in the Box Quick Stats
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Estimated AUV | ~$1,300,000 |
| Item 19 Disclosure | Yes (FDD) |
| Estimated Owner Income | $130K–$195K per location |
| Royalty Rate | 5% of gross sales |
| Ad Fund | ~5% of gross sales |
| Total Fee Burden | ~10% |
| Initial Investment | $1.0M–$1.8M (traditional) |
| US Locations | 2,136 (as of Sept 2025) |
| Q4 2025 SSS | −7.4% |
| FY2025 SSS | −4.2% |
| Planned Closures | 150–200 underperforming restaurants |
| Del Taco Status | Sold Oct 2025 for $115M (debt reduction) |
| NASDAQ Ticker | JACK |
| Rating | CAUTION — active turnaround |
How Much Does a Jack in the Box Franchise Owner Make Per Year?
| AUV Tier | Est. Net Margin | Est. Owner Income |
|---|---|---|
| $900K (lower/closing locations) | 8–10% | $72K–$90K |
| $1.3M (est. system avg) | 10–15% | $130K–$195K |
| $1.6M (above avg) | 12–16% | $192K–$256K |
Methodology: Jack in the Box estimated AUV ~$1.3M per industry analysis (primarily Western/Southern US markets). 10–15% net margin applied after ~10% combined royalty+ad, ~28% COGS, ~30% labor, ~9% occupancy. Q4 2025 SSS of -7.4% and planned 150–200 closures signal significant system stress. The 2026 FDD should disclose closure plans and revised unit economics — validate with current franchisees before investing. Always consult current FDD.
⚠️ INVESTOR WARNING: Jack in the Box is in active turnaround. Four consecutive quarters of negative SSS, 150–200 planned restaurant closures, and the fire-sale of Del Taco ($115M vs. ~$585M acquisition price in 2021) signal a brand under significant stress. Prospective buyers should wait for stabilization signals before committing capital.
| Metric | Jack in the Box | Taco Bell | Sonic |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUV | ~$1.3M | $1.7M | $1.5M |
| Q4 2025 SSS | −7.4% | Positive | Stable |
| Closures Planned | 150–200 | None | None |
| Investment | $1.0M–$1.8M | $572K–$3.4M | $669K–$3.14M |
| Est. Income | $130K–$195K | $80K–$210K | $130K–$230K |
For full FDD data, visit FranchisePayback.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jack in the Box Franchise Income
How much does a Jack in the Box franchise owner make?
Based on estimated AUV of ~$1.3M and operating margins of 10–15%, a Jack in the Box franchise owner earns approximately $130,000–$195,000 annually per location. However, the Q4 2025 SSS decline of -7.4% and planned 150–200 closures suggest current unit performance may be below this estimate for weaker locations.
Is Jack in the Box a good franchise investment right now?
No — not without significant due diligence on timing. Four consecutive quarterly SSS declines, 150–200 planned closures, and the Del Taco divestiture signal a brand in active turnaround. Wait for stabilization indicators (positive SSS for 2+ consecutive quarters, closure program completion) before committing.
What happened to Jack in the Box in 2025?
Jack in the Box reported -4.2% SSS for full-year 2025 and -7.4% in Q4 2025. The company announced 150–200 restaurant closures as part of its ‘Jack on Track’ operational improvement plan and sold Del Taco for $115M in October 2025 to reduce debt.
Where can I find Jack in the Box FDD data?
Full FDD data are available at FranchisePayback.com.
Bottom Line
Jack in the Box has real brand equity (75 years, Western/Southern US heritage, diverse menu) and a genuine turnaround plan. But investing during an active brand crisis creates unnecessary risk. The $1.0M–$1.8M investment and -7.4% Q4 2025 SSS combination is difficult to underwrite at this juncture. If the Jack on Track plan shows results in 2026 (positive SSS, closure program stabilization), Jack in the Box may re-emerge as a value investment. For now, exercise patience.
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— SharpSheets Editorial Team | sharpsheets.io | Last Updated: July 2026