Jack in the Box To Close 120 Locations in 2025 (Is Yours One?)

The fast-food chain Jack in the Box plans to close around 120 U.S. restaurants by the end of 2025 to cut costs and lower the company's debt. These closures aren't isolated to one company. Legacy brands, like Jack in the Box, have been assessing which stores are worth keeping open and which should close in response to rising costs and consumers' habits.

Many Americans are looking to save money when eating out or even cooking at home, if the experience of eating out isn't worth their money.

With nearly 2,200 restaurants in 22 states, these closures will impact thousands of customers. Could your local Jack in the Box be among them? Here's what's happening and what it means for you.

Jack in the Box announced plans to close up to 200 locations, with approximately 80-120 of these happening by the end of 2025. This decision is part of the company's "JACK on Track" strategy, introduced under new CEO Lance Tucker, who took over on March 31, 2025.

The "JACK on Track" initiative should help streamline operations and improve financial health. In a press release, Tucker explained the three main areas the company strives to work on, including addressing the balance sheet, closing underperforming restaurants, and returning to simplicity.

Jack in the Box is also considering selling its Del Taco brand, which it just bought in 2022. With around 600 Del Taco restaurants in the U.S., many will have to find a new favorite Mexican-American fast food chain.

The Jack in the Box restaurant closures are happening because of financial and operational struggles, including a decline in same-store sales when compared to the previous year. Tucker told WBTV the company wants to pay off $300 million in debt within two years, and closing underperforming locations is necessary for making it happen.

These challenges stem from a lack of performance in some locations and rising operational costs nationwide. The goal of the "JACK on Track" initiative is to help alleviate these problems so the company can grow.

A full, official list of Jack in the Box closures hasn't been released, but some locations are more likely to be closed than others. One of the risk factors is the age of the stores. Locations with outdated interiors or those that haven't received recent upgrades like other stores are also signs that they're targeted for closure.

Legacy market locations, where Jack in the Box has operated for a long time and has many older locations, are likely to close if they're underperforming, outdated, or nearing the end of a franchise agreement. This is especially true on the West Coast, in California, Texas, and other areas.

So far, two closures have taken place in Washington state, specifically locations on University Way Northeast in Seattle and West Valley Highway in Tukwila. About 26 employees were affected, and the closures took effect on September 10. 

If you're worried your local Jack in the Box might close, you can watch for signs of an upcoming closure. Reduced hours, outdated interiors, or low traffic may be an early sign that a store is at risk of being on the list, whether it's a corporate or franchise-owned restaurant matters, too.

Until an official list of closures gets released, you likely won't know for sure about your local Jack in the Box. Watch for information while you're there and look for changes that hint they'll be closing soon.

The Jack in the Box closures reflect trends in the fast-food industry. These restaurants are becoming more efficient, focused on streamlining and profitability, shifting their strategies to compete with newer restaurants.

Companies, including Jack in the Box, are investing in technology like upgraded POS systems, mobile apps, and self-service kiosks, which are all becoming essential for competing. When underperforming locations cost the company more money than they earn or aren't worth upgrading, they'll likely be on the list for closure.

As changes occur in the fast food industry, some brands are closing locations, while others are expanding into new markets for calculated growth, offering new items to target customer preferences.

Jack in the Box's plan to close up to 120 locations by the end of the year is a way for them to get ahead financially and efficiently, and to stay competitive. You can watch for changes at your location for hints of a pending closure.

Despite these changes for the Jack in the Box brand, they have also had recent growth, with new restaurants opening in Michigan, Georgia, and Illinois. As they invest in their digital strategy, be on the lookout for upgrades and expansion.