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Jack In The Box (JACK) AI Stock Analysis

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JACK

Jack In The Box

(NASDAQ:JACK)

Select Model
Rating:47Neutral
Price Target:$11.50â–¼(-19.97% Downside)
Action:reiterated
Date:09/22/26

The score is held down primarily by weak financial performance and balance-sheet risk (negative equity, high leverage, and materially reduced cash flow), reinforced by a clear bearish technical trend. Offsetting factors include a low P/E valuation and moderately improving turnaround indicators from the latest earnings call (cost actions, early comp improvement, and incremental deleveraging), with corporate governance/leadership updates providing a smaller additional positive input.

Positive Factors
Franchise-led modelThe franchise-led model can support recurring royalty and rental income with less direct operating exposure than a fully company-owned estate. Its scale across Jack in the Box and Del Taco also provides multiple brand platforms from which to support franchise development and system revenues.
Negative Factors
Balance-sheet riskNegative equity and debt exceeding the asset base leave the company with limited financial flexibility and heightened sensitivity to operating setbacks. High leverage can constrain investment, increase debt-service demands and make any prolonged sales or margin weakness more damaging.

Jack In The Box Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Profit by SegmentAnalyzes profitability across different business segments, highlighting which areas drive earnings and where there might be challenges or opportunities for improvement.

-$50.00M$0.00$50.00M$100.00M$150.00M$200.00MDec 21Mar 22Jun 22Sep 22Dec 22Mar 23Jun 23Sep 23Dec 23Mar 24Jun 24Sep 24Dec 24Mar 25Jun 25Sep 25Dec 25Mar 26Jun 26
Chart Insights

Jack’s core-segment profitability has been sliding since 2022 with softer quarterly peaks and pronounced Q3 erosion, driven by sales weakness and margin squeeze; Del Taco was a modest, somewhat volatile contributor but its December 2025 sale removes that earnings tail. The divestiture is credit-positive—proceeds were used for immediate debt paydown and lessen near-term refinancing pressure—but it also concentrates performance risk on the Jack brand. Recovery now hinges on same-store sales momentum, commodity/labor cost moderation, and execution of real‑estate and operational initiatives.

Data provided by:The Fly

Jack In The Box (JACK) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

-60%-40%-20%0%20%40%JACK-15.72%SPY+15.63%Dec '25Jan '26Feb '26Mar '26Apr '26May '26Jun '26Jul '26Aug '26Sep '26Oct '26Nov '26
Market Cap
$275.61M
Dividend Yield
―
Average Volume (3M)
609.78K
Price to Earnings (P/E)
8.3
Beta (1Y)
1.80
Revenue Growth
-20.21%
EPS Growth
―
Country
US
Employees
5,046
Sector
Consumer Cyclical
Sector Strength
61
Industry
Restaurants

Jack In The Box Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

Jack in the Box Inc. is engaged in the operation and franchising of its namesake quick-service dining establishments. By November 23, 2021, the company's network encompassed approximately 2,200 Jack in the Box fast-food outlets situated across 21 U.S...

How the Company Makes Money

Jack in the Box generates revenue primarily through a franchised restaurant model and, where applicable, sales from company-operated restaurants. Key revenue streams include: (1) Franchise royalties: ongoing royalties paid by franchisees, typically c...

Jack In The Box Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 11, 2026(Q3-2026)|% Change Since:-23.44%|Next Earnings Date:Dec 08, 2026
Earnings Call SentimentNegative

The call presented a mix of proactive operational and financial actions (refinancing and debt reduction, adjusted EBITDA growth, product tests, early Q4 comp improvement and a refresh program) alongside persistent challenges (several quarters of same-store sales declines, margin pressures from commodity inflation and digital fees, franchisee profitability stress, and elevated leverage). Management emphasized a clear 5-point turnaround plan and early signs of stabilization, but the near-term financials and franchisee headwinds remain material.

Positive Updates

Debt Reduction and Refinancing Completed
Since JACK on Track was announced, debt decreased by $244 million; completed refinancing on June 23, prepaid $110 million of the August 2026 tranche, total debt at quarter end $1.5 billion; net debt to adjusted EBITDA improved to 6.3x from 6.9x the prior quarter.

Negative Updates

Same-Store Sales Decline in Q3
Third-quarter same-store sales decreased 1.1% overall (franchise same-store sales -1.2%; company-owned -0.9%), reflecting a decline in transactions partially offset by menu price increases and continuing multiple quarters of comps weakness.

Company Guidance

On the call management updated FY2026 guidance and JACK on Track progress: they now expect ~2,100 restaurants, restaurant-level margin of ~16.5% (assuming mid‑single‑digit commodity inflation and low‑single‑digit wage inflation), franchise‑level margin of about $265M, SG&A of $112M–$115M (ex‑COLI), and adjusted EBITDA of $225M–$230M; capital expenditures were $44.1M YTD through Q3 and interest expense for the year is expected to be roughly $81M. They reported total debt of $1.5B, net debt/adjusted EBITDA leverage of 6.3x (down from 6.9x), $244M of debt reduction since JACK on Track launched, $26.7M of real‑estate sale proceeds YTD (≈$1M in Q4 to date), and 40 restaurant closures YTD with an additional 10–20 expected in Q4 (closure cadence likely to continue into 2027); management noted each franchise closure impacts franchise‑level margin by about $80k.

Jack In The Box Financial Statement Overview

Summary

Overall financial profile is weak due to high financial risk: negative equity across periods and very high debt relative to assets, alongside sharply weaker cash generation versus 2021–2023. While TTM profitability improved (positive net margin) and operating/FCF remain positive, revenue contraction and the durability of the rebound remain uncertain.

Income Statement

44Neutral

Balance Sheet

18Very Negative

Cash Flow

36Negative
Financial statement breakdown
BreakdownTTMSep 2025Sep 2024Sep 2023Sep 2022Sep 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.19B1.47B1.57B1.69B1.47B1.14B
Gross Profit334.24M419.92M462.98M508.14M433.31M411.60M
EBITDA204.79M36.19M137.59M336.25M304.07M335.56M
Net Income33.70M-80.72M-36.70M130.83M115.78M165.75M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.90B2.59B2.74B3.00B2.92B1.75B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments46.32M51.53M24.75M157.65M108.89M55.35M
Total Debt2.48B3.12B3.18B3.16B3.17B2.23B
Total Liabilities2.80B3.53B3.59B3.72B3.66B2.57B
Stockholders Equity-901.29M-938.27M-851.80M-718.33M-736.19M-817.88M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow12.21M74.14M-46.66M140.05M116.41M160.11M
Operating Cash Flow74.24M162.36M68.82M215.01M162.88M201.12M
Investing Cash Flow174.98M-74.69M-69.37M42.22M-578.59M-20.93M
Financing Cash Flow-245.55M-60.03M-131.19M-207.36M478.18M-343.55M

Jack In The Box Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis SentimentPositive
Last Price14.37

Price Trends

50DMA13.41Positive
100DMA14.54Negative
200DMA14.46Negative

Market Momentum

MACD0.04Negative
RSI63.11Neutral
STOCH85.27Negative

Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For JACK, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 14.37 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 12.29, above the 50-day MA of 13.41, and below the 200-day MA of 14.46, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.04 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 63.11 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 85.27 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for JACK.

Jack In The Box Risk Analysis

Jack In The Box disclosed 35 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Jack In The Box reported the most risks in the "Production" category.

Higher RiskSector Avg.Lower RiskFinance & CorporateTech & InnovationLegal & RegulatoryProductionAbility to SellMacro & Political
Production - Risks related to the company’s ability to manufacture goods and services

Latest Risks Added

0 New Risks

Jack In The Box Peers Comparison

Overall Rating

UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)

Financial Indicators

JACK against its peers
NameOverall RatingMarket CapP/E RatioROEDividend YieldRevenue GrowthEPS Growth
MCDMCD75Outperform$186.14B22.69-561.20%2.66%6.30%5.37%
EATEAT74Outperform$8.62B18.97122.98%―6.07%16.71%
LOCOLOCO68Neutral$473.23M13.9611.68%―4.40%39.48%
GTIMGTIM65Neutral$13.73M6.216.62%―-5.81%78.41%
Sector *61Neutral$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
JACKJACK47Neutral$254.51M8.26-3.65%―-20.21%―
WENWEN45Neutral$1.39B11.59109.00%6.41%-0.98%-31.26%

* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average

Performance Comparison

0%50%100%JACKEATGTIMMCDWENLOCODec '25Jan '26Feb '26Mar '26Apr '26May '26Jun '26Jul '26Aug '26Sep '26Oct '26Nov '26
JACK and its peers over the selected period
Show on chartTickerCompany NamePriceChange% Change
JACKJack In The Box14.37-1.56-9.79%
EATBrinker International220.44118.15115.50%
GTIMGood Times Restaurants1.310.010.77%
MCDMcDonald's Corporation280.22-10.71-3.68%
WENWendy's Company7.65-0.65-7.82%
LOCOEl Pollo LoCo Holdings16.476.1259.13%

Jack In The Box Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board ChangesRegulatory Filings and Compliance

Jack in the Box Extends Investor Pact, Adds Director

Positive
Sep 21, 2026

On September 17, 2026, Jack in the Box Inc. amended its nomination and cooperation agreement with GreenWood Investors, extending the pact through the 2028 annual meeting window and maintaining standstill and voting provisions. The company also commit...

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes

Jack in the Box Names New President, CEO Successor

Positive
Aug 20, 2026

On August 18, 2026, Jack in the Box’s board appointed Taylor Montgomery as President, effective September 14, 2026, in a newly created role overseeing brand strategy, sustainable sales growth and franchisee profitability. The move forms a centr...

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.

Date of analysis: Sep 22, 2026