Jack in the Box franchise
Jack in the Box is a quick-service chain on the West Coast and in the South, serving burgers, tacos, curly fries and late-night food. Its menu runs from breakfast to after midnight at many restaurants. At the end of 2025 there were 2,136 Jack in the Box locations in the US, 1,985 franchised and 151 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $1.91M–$4.04M
- Franchise fee
- $50,000
- Royalty
- 5%
- Locations, 2025
- 2,136−49 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- Franchisor based in
- San Diego, California
- Agreement length
- 20 years
- Financing
- None offered
From Different Rules, LLC’s 2026 filing.
How much a Jack in the Box franchise costs
Opening a Jack in the Box restaurant you build costs an estimated $1,909,500 to $4,041,500. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: Different Rules, LLC, 2026 filing, page 36
Jack in the Box franchise fee
The franchise fee is $50,000, for a 20-year term ($25,000 at a non-traditional location). You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: Different Rules, LLC, 2026 filing, page 22
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 5% of gross sales, paid monthly (weekly at non-traditional locations). |
|---|---|
| Brand or marketing fund | 5% of gross sales |
Source: Different Rules, LLC, 2026 filing, page 26
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Jack in the Box publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it gives average, median, high and low gross sales plus some operating costs for franchised restaurants. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: Different Rules, LLC, 2026 filing, page 79
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2,043 (+9) | 142 | 14 |
| 2024 | 2,040 (−3) | 150 | 25 |
| 2025 | 1,985 (−55) | 151 | 75 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: Different Rules, LLC, 2026 filing, page 85
How Jack in the Box compares
Of the 11 burger franchises on this site, Jack in the Box is the 10th cheapest to open and the 5th largest by number of locations.
| Measure | Jack in the Box | Typical burger |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $1.91M | $1.39M |
| Royalty | 5% | 4.8% |
| Closed or left per year | 1.9% | 1.9% |
| Change in franchised locations, 3 yrs | −2.4% | −2.4% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 9 of 11 |
Typical is the median across the 11 brands in burger franchises.
Other burger franchises
Jack in the Box franchise questions
Does Jack in the Box help with financing?
No. Jack in the Box does not offer financing or guarantee loans or leases, so buyers arrange their own, usually a bank or SBA loan.
How long is a Jack in the Box franchise agreement?
The initial term is 20 years. Renewal is usually possible if you're in good standing, often for a fee and a remodel.
Is Jack in the Box growing or shrinking?
Over the last 3 years 65 franchised locations opened and 114 closed or left, a net change of −2.4%. About 1.9% of locations closed or left each year. That is in line with the 1.9% typical for burger franchises.
How does Jack in the Box compare with other burger franchises?
Of the 11 burger franchises here, Jack in the Box is the 10th cheapest to open (low end $1.91M against a $1.39M median) and the 5th largest by number of locations. Its 5% royalty is in line with the 4.8% median.
Does Jack in the Box say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it gives average, median, high and low gross sales plus some operating costs for franchised restaurants. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is Jack in the Box based?
Different Rules, LLC is based in San Diego, California.