Jack in the Box is among the nation's leading fast-food hamburger chains, with more than 2,100 quick-serve restaurants in 18 states. As the first major hamburger chain to develop and expand the concept of drive-thru dining, Jack in the Box has always emphasized on-the-go convenience, with approximately 85 percent of the half-billion guests served annually buying food at the drive-thru or for take-out. In addition to drive-thru windows, most restaurants have indoor dining areas and are open 18-24 hours a day.

Qdoba Mexican Grill, which was acquired by Jack in the Box Inc. in January 2003, is an emerging leader in fast-casual dining — the fastest growing segment in the restaurant industry — with more than 400 restaurants in 40 states. Qdoba is renown for offering nouveau Mexican cuisine that appeals primarily to adult tastes. Orders are custom-made using blends of Mexican spices and fresh flavors, including freshly grilled chicken and steak. For more on Qdoba, including information on its menu and locations, please visit www.qdoba.com.

Based in San Diego, Jack in the Box Inc. has approximately 42,500 employees.

1951	Robert O. Peterson, a San Diego businessman and restaurateur, opened the first Jack in the Box restaurant on the main east-west thoroughfare leading into San Diego, at 6270 El Cajon Blvd. Perhaps by coincidence, 1951 was the same year that publisher Merriam-Webster first referenced the term "fast-food."
1960	San Diego Commissary Company, headed by Mr. Peterson, acquired Jack in the Box, Inc. San Diego Commissary Co., which later changed its name to Foodmaker Company, also owned other restaurant concepts. Jack in the Box expanded outside California with opening of first restaurants in Phoenix, Ariz.
1963	Foodmaker Co. opened 55,800-square-foot headquarters and food-processing plant at 9330 Balboa Ave. in San Diego, site of current company headquarters. All Jack in the Box restaurants were supplied by the new commissary. Foodmaker Co. expanded into Texas by opening Jack in the Box restaurants in Houston and Dallas/Ft. Worth.
1964	Foodmaker Co. opened 100th Jack in the Box restaurant.
1965	Jack in the Box, Inc. was incorporated and acquired the assets of the Jack in the Box restaurant division of Foodmaker Co.
1966	Jack in the Box, Inc. opened 200th Jack in the Box restaurant. Foodmaker, Inc. incorporated and acquired the remaining restaurant and commissary business of Foodmaker Co.
1967	Jack in the Box, Inc. purchased Foodmaker, Inc. and adopted Foodmaker's name for its corporate operations.
1968	Ralston Purina Co. acquired controlling interest in Foodmaker, Inc.
1970	Foodmaker, Inc. merged into Ralston Purina's Checkerboard Properties, Inc. operations, which then changed its name to Foodmaker, Inc. Ralston Purina operated the company as a wholly-owned subsidiary. Under Ralston Purina, Jack in the Box restaurants underwent a major expansion in an effort to penetrate the eastern and midwestern markets, and the business grew to over 1,000 restaurants by 1979. That same year, Foodmaker, Inc. decided to concentrate its efforts and resources in the western and southwestern markets, which it believed offered the greatest growth and profit potential. Accordingly, the company sold or closed 232 Jack in the Box restaurants in the eastern and midwestern markets.
1982	Foodmaker, Inc. discontinued San Diego commissary and food-manufacturing activities.
1985	An investment group, including members of Foodmaker, Inc. management, completed a leveraged buyout of the company from Ralston Purina. Foodmaker, Inc. went public two years later before an investment group, again including members of Foodmaker, Inc. management, converted the company to a privately owned corporation in 1988.
1992	Foodmaker, Inc. went public, with an offering of 17.2 million shares priced at $15 per share.
1998	Jack in the Box Inc. introduced its own proprietary brand of convenience store called Quick Stuff®.
1999	Foodmaker, Inc. (NYSE: FM) changed its name to Jack in the Box Inc. and its NYSE ticker symbol to JBX.
2001	Jack in the Box Inc. celebrated 50th anniversary.
2003	Jack in the Box Inc. entered the fast-casual restaurant category by acquiring Qdoba Restaurant Corp., operator and franchisor of Qdoba Mexican Grill. Qdoba Restaurant Corp. opened 100th Qdoba Mexican Grill.
2004	Jack in the Box Inc. opened 2,000th Jack in the Box restaurant.
2005	Qdoba Restaurant Corp. opened 200th Qdoba Mexican Grill.
2006	Qdoba Restaurant Corp. opened 300th Qdoba Mexican Grill, in Bloomington, Ind.
2007	Jack in the Box restaurants introduced the 100% Sirloin Burger, the only 100% sirloin burger offered by a major quick-serve chain. Qdoba Restaurant Corp. opened 400th Qdoba Mexican Grill, in Boise, Idaho.
Top of page