Jack in the Box Reports 6.7% Same-Store Sales Drop
- Sales Decline: Jack in the Box reported a 6.7% drop in same-store sales for the latest quarter, marking the third consecutive quarter of significant declines, indicating a combination of reduced customer traffic and rising prices that could pressure future revenues.
- Margin Compression: Restaurant-level margins fell from 23.2% a year ago to 16.1%, primarily due to rising labor costs and increased food packaging expenses, highlighting severe challenges in cost control that may impact long-term profitability.
- Franchise Profit Decline: Franchise margins decreased from 40.9% to 38.6%, reflecting lower sales leading to reduced fees and rents, indicating difficulties in maintaining profitability within the franchise network that could hinder future expansion plans.
- Cautiously Optimistic Outlook: Despite challenges, Jack in the Box reiterated its 2026 same-store sales guidance, expecting a range of -1% to +1%, while planning to open 20 new restaurants and close 50 to 100 underperforming locations, demonstrating strategic adjustments and confidence in market recovery.
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- Sales Decline: Jack in the Box reported a 6.7% drop in same-store sales for the latest quarter, marking the third consecutive quarter of significant declines, indicating a combination of reduced customer traffic and rising prices that could pressure future revenues.
- Margin Compression: Restaurant-level margins fell from 23.2% a year ago to 16.1%, primarily due to rising labor costs and increased food packaging expenses, highlighting severe challenges in cost control that may impact long-term profitability.
- Franchise Profit Decline: Franchise margins decreased from 40.9% to 38.6%, reflecting lower sales leading to reduced fees and rents, indicating difficulties in maintaining profitability within the franchise network that could hinder future expansion plans.
- Cautiously Optimistic Outlook: Despite challenges, Jack in the Box reiterated its 2026 same-store sales guidance, expecting a range of -1% to +1%, while planning to open 20 new restaurants and close 50 to 100 underperforming locations, demonstrating strategic adjustments and confidence in market recovery.
- Same-Store Sales Decline: Jack in the Box's same-store sales fell by 6.7% in Q1, marking the third consecutive quarter of significant declines, primarily due to reduced foot traffic and rising prices, indicating increased pressure in a competitive market.
- Margin Compression: Restaurant-level margins dropped from 23.2% a year ago to 16.1%, largely driven by rising labor costs and a surge in beef prices, which has further squeezed the company's profitability.
- Franchise Margin Decline: The franchise margin decreased from 40.9% to 38.6%, reflecting lower sales that resulted in reduced fees and rents from franchisees, negatively impacting overall revenue.
- Stable Future Guidance: Despite challenges, Jack in the Box reiterated its 2026 guidance, expecting same-store sales to range between -1% and +1%, while planning to open 20 new restaurants and close 50 to 100 underperforming locations to improve long-term performance.
Comparison of Companies: The article compares Jack in the Box and McDonald's, highlighting that while McDonald's has successfully leaned into digital strategies and gained market share, Jack in the Box has faced executive missteps leading to reduced shareholder value and increased debt.
Potential for Recovery: Analysts remain optimistic about Jack in the Box's potential turnaround, suggesting that corrective measures could reclaim lost glory and improve shareholder value, despite recent fiscal challenges.
Market Outlook: The stock's performance is under scrutiny, with a critical support level identified that could indicate a turning point for recovery, while analysts predict a potential rebound in share prices if operational improvements are realized.
Investment Recommendations: The article concludes with insights on investment strategies, suggesting that certain stocks are currently recommended for purchase, indicating a belief in their potential for growth amidst broader market fluctuations.

- Disastrous Performance: JACK's Q1 fiscal 2026 same-store sales plummeted by 6.7%, a stark contrast to the 0.4% gain from the previous year, indicating a severe deterioration in operational performance that could further erode investor confidence.
- Declining Profitability: Adjusted EBITDA fell approximately 23% year-over-year, with the EBITDA margin dropping to 19.5%, down 400 basis points from the same period last year, suggesting potential long-term financial instability for the company.
- Shareholder Value Loss: Since David Goebel joined the board in 2009, shareholders have lost over $800 million in market value, while he has received over $3.7 million in compensation, highlighting a troubling disparity between executive pay and shareholder returns that may incite shareholder dissent.
- Urgent Call to Action: Biglari Capital urges all shareholders to vote against Goebel's re-election at the upcoming annual meeting, asserting that his continued leadership could cause irreparable harm to the company, necessitating a change in board leadership to restore shareholder confidence.
- Beverage Innovation: Jack in the Box officially launches a nationwide matcha beverage lineup, becoming one of the first QSRs in the U.S. to feature matcha drinks, aiming to transform a café staple into an everyday option to attract younger consumers.
- Market Positioning: The introduction of matcha beverages not only showcases Jack in the Box's forward-thinking approach to beverage innovation but also reflects its focus on global flavors and café culture, catering to the evolving tastes of Millennials and Gen Z.
- Product Features: The new Matcha Platform includes Matcha Iced Latte and OREO® Matcha Shake, made with real matcha to ensure consistent flavor, color, and performance in every cup, enhancing the overall customer experience.
- Brand Strategy: Executive Chef Ciaran Duffy emphasizes that the matcha offerings are not just about novelty but about maintaining the unique flavor of matcha at scale, thereby increasing the brand's appeal in the highly competitive fast-food market.
- Disappointing Performance: Jack In The Box reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $1.00, missing expectations by $0.11, with revenue of $349.52 million reflecting a 5.8% year-over-year decline, indicating significant competitive pressures in the market.
- Same-Store Sales Decline: The company experienced a 6.7% decrease in same-store sales during Q1, with franchise same-store sales down 7.0% and company-owned sales down 4.7%, highlighting weak consumer demand and challenging market conditions.
- Net Restaurant Count Decrease: Despite opening 6 new restaurants, Jack In The Box closed 14 locations in Q1, resulting in a net decrease in restaurant count, which may hinder future market share and growth potential.
- Financial Guidance Update: The company reiterated its guidance for the fiscal year ending September 27, 2026, expecting same-store sales to range from -1% to +1%, with Q1 results anticipated to remain pressured, reflecting uncertainty in future growth prospects.









