Franchisee Terry Shindle is a relative newcomer to Jack in the Box. In 2006, he acquired 16 Jack in the Box restaurants in Southern California.

What attracted you to Jack in the Box?

I thought the timing was right to take advantage of the company's strategic decision to aggressively increase the percentage of franchise ownership in the system and its willingness to sell company restaurants to help expedite a qualified franchisee's growth. I was also impressed with the company's ability to support its franchisees through its state-of-the-art Innovation Center, where employees are working on new products, equipment and restaurant designs to keep us ahead of the competition. And, of course, Jack in the Box is widely recognized for its high food-safety standards.

What makes Jack in the Box an attractive business opportunity for a franchisee?

Not only are there tremendous opportunities to develop restaurants in existing and new markets, but the company goes to great lengths to protect the integrity of the Jack in the Box brand, which helps protect our investment as franchisees. For example, the interview process with prospective franchisees is extremely thorough and background qualifications are quite high.

What kind of franchisor is Jack in the Box Inc.? How is the company to work with?

Jack in the Box understands the importance of a culture that truly supports its franchisees' success. There is a commitment from management, including at the very top of the organization, to develop a strong relationship with its franchise community through open communications. They listen to the franchisees, value our opinions, and are open to change.

What do you think the future holds for Jack in the Box?

The senior management of Jack in the Box is implementing a well-conceived strategic plan and is committed to building a successful brand. Strong, experienced leadership combined with a commitment to build the brand and franchise relationships should bode well for the company and its franchisees as Jack in the Box continues to grow.

And what does the future hold for Terry Shindle?

I'm building three new Jack in the Box restaurants in 2008, another two in 2009, and am negotiating with the company to build more in 2009 and 2010.