Jack in the Box Inc. Reports First Quarter 2025 Earnings

Rhea-AI Summary

Jack in the Box (NASDAQ: JACK) reported mixed Q1 2025 financial results with marginal growth in some areas and declines in others. Jack in the Box saw a 0.4% increase in same-store sales and 0.5% growth in systemwide sales, while Del Taco experienced declines of 4.5% and 1.9% respectively.

The company reported diluted earnings per share of $1.75 and operating EPS of $1.92. Total revenues decreased 3.7% to $469.4 million, with net income at $33.7 million. Restaurant-Level Margin for Jack in the Box improved slightly to 23.2%, while Del Taco's margin declined to 13.8%.

Notable developments include expansion plans with 2 new franchisees in Chicago, technological advancement with nearly 1,000 restaurants implementing new POS systems, and Del Taco's entry into Indianapolis market. The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.44 per share and revised its capital expenditure guidance to $100-105 million.

Positive

• Jack in the Box same-store sales increased 0.4%
• Restaurant-Level Margin improved to 23.2% from 23.1%
• Expansion with 2 new franchisees in Chicago market
• Digital transformation progress with 1,000 restaurants on new POS system
• Lower food and packaging costs

Negative

• Total revenues decreased 3.7% to $469.4 million
• Del Taco same-store sales declined 4.5%
• Net income decreased to $33.7M from $38.7M year-over-year
• Operating EPS declined to $1.92 from $1.95
• Reduced share repurchase guidance from $20M to $5M
• Higher labor costs due to California minimum wage law

Insights

Financial Analyst

Jack in the Box's Q1 2025 results reveal a company navigating significant headwinds with mixed success, highlighting a growing divergence between its two brands. The flagship Jack in the Box brand posted modest 0.4% same-store sales growth and 0.5% systemwide sales growth, demonstrating relative resilience in a challenging QSR environment. However, Del Taco continues to struggle with concerning -4.5% same-store sales and -1.9% systemwide sales, raising questions about the 2021 acquisition's long-term viability.

The financial results show a company in transition, with diluted EPS of $1.75 and operating EPS of $1.92 (down slightly from $1.95 last year). Revenue declined 3.7% to $469.4 million, though this was primarily due to Del Taco refranchising rather than organic business deterioration.

Three strategic elements deserve investor attention:

• Refranchising acceleration: The company is aggressively shifting to an asset-light model, particularly with Del Taco (13 company-owned restaurants refranchised this quarter). While this improves short-term cash flow and reduces capital requirements, it also limits direct operational control and unit-level profit capture.
• Digital transformation: Nearly 1,000 restaurants now operate on the new POS system with counter kiosk capabilities. This investment positions JACK to better compete in digital ordering and loyalty programs—critical growth drivers in QSR.
• Capital allocation pivot: The dramatic reduction in share repurchase guidance (from $20 million to just $5 million) and lowered CapEx signals a more conservative financial approach, likely aimed at preserving flexibility amid economic uncertainty.

Jack in the Box's restaurant-level margin held steady at 23.2% despite California's minimum wage increases, benefiting from lower food costs and a favorable beverage contract. However, Del Taco's margin contracted significantly to 13.8% from 15.6%, highlighting operational challenges.

Interim CEO Lance Tucker's focus on "accelerating free cash flow" suggests a shift toward financial discipline rather than aggressive growth. The development agreements for Chicago expansion and Del Taco's entry into Indianapolis represent bright spots, though the net restaurant count declined for both brands this quarter.

The 75% reduction in share repurchase guidance is particularly telling—management appears to be prioritizing balance sheet strength over shareholder returns in the near term. This conservative approach may prove prudent if consumer spending weakens further but could disappoint investors seeking more aggressive capital returns.

For investors, Jack in the Box presents a mixed picture: a relatively stable core brand with expansion potential counterbalanced by a struggling acquisition and cautious financial management. The stock's valuation should reflect this dichotomy, with particular attention to whether management can successfully revitalize Del Taco while maintaining Jack in the Box's modest growth trajectory.

02/25/2025 - 04:02 PM

Jack in the Box same-store sales growth of 0.4%

Del Taco same-store sales of (4.5%)

Jack in the Box systemwide sales growth of 0.5%; Del Taco systemwide sales of (1.9%)

Diluted earnings per share of $1.75; Operating EPS of $1.92

Jack in the Box completed development agreements for 2 new franchisees to expand in Chicago, in addition to the 8 company-owned restaurants set to begin opening in Summer of 2025

Jack in the Box progressing on tech and digital transformation with nearly 1,000 restaurants on our new POS system, which includes immediate counter kiosk capabilities

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Jack in the Box Inc. (NASDAQ: JACK) announced financial results for the Jack in the Box and Del Taco brands in the first quarter, ended January 19, 2025.

“The first quarter saw a good start to top-line performance and bottom-line earnings flow through as we battled through a difficult industry-wide macro environment,” said Lance Tucker, Jack in the Box Interim Principal Executive Officer. “In my new role, I will be continuing to assess capital allocation, investments and ways to accelerate free cash flow — all while executing on our fundamentals to ensure we regain our sales momentum as we move through 2025.”

Jack in the Box Performance

Same-store sales increased 0.4% in the first quarter, comprised of franchise same-store sales increase of 0.5% and company-owned same-store sales decline of 0.4%. Price was higher versus prior year, while both transactions and mix were down compared to prior year, but were sequentially positive. Systemwide sales for the first quarter increased 0.5%.

Restaurant-Level Margin⁽¹⁾, a non-GAAP measure, was $31.0 million, or 23.2%, up from $30.4 million, or 23.1%, a year ago driven primarily by lower food and packaging costs, partially offset by higher costs for labor and other restaurant operating costs. The decrease in food and packaging was primarily due to a favorable increase of beverage funding relating to a new contract, a portion of which was one-time benefit. The increase in labor was driven from implementing California's minimum wage law.

Franchise-Level Margin⁽¹⁾, a non-GAAP measure, was $97.1 million, or 40.9%, a decrease from $97.5 million, or 41.2%, a year ago. The decrease was mainly driven by lower percentage rent, partially offset by lower IT support costs as well as higher royalties from higher sales.

Jack in the Box net restaurant count decreased slightly in the first quarter, with five restaurant openings and six restaurant closures. In the first quarter, Jack in the Box signed 3 development agreements with new franchisees for 10 new restaurants.

Jack in the Box Same-Store Sales:	16 Weeks Ended
	January 19, 2025		January 21, 2024
Company	(0.4 %)		2.0 %
Franchise	0.5 %		0.7 %
System	0.4 %		0.8 %

Jack in the Box Restaurant Counts:
	2025									2024
	Company			Franchise			Total			Company		Franchise			Total
Restaurant count at beginning FY	150			2,041			2,191			142		2,044			2,186
New	2			3			5			2		5			7
Closed	—			(6	)		(6	)		—		(1	)		(1	)
Restaurant count at end of Q1	152			2,038			2,190			144		2,048			2,192
Q1'25 QTD Net Restaurant Increase/(Decrease)	2			(3	)		(1	)
YTD Net Restaurant Increase/(Decrease)	1.3	%		(0.1	)%		—	%

Del Taco Performance

Same-store sales decreased 4.5% in the first quarter, comprised of franchise same-store sales decline of 5.1% and company-operated same-store sales decline of 2.5%. Sales performance resulted from declines compared to prior year in both transactions and mix, partially offset by an increase in price. Systemwide sales for the fiscal first quarter decreased 1.9%.

Restaurant-Level Margin⁽¹⁾, a non-GAAP measure, was $9.3 million, or 13.8%, down from $14.4 million, or 15.6%, a year ago. The decrease was due mainly to a decrease in restaurant count from refranchising restaurants. The margin percentage decline was driven by the increased costs for labor as a result of implementing California's new minimum wage law and the change in the mix of restaurants from refranchising, partially offset by lower food and packaging as a result of menu price increases and favorable beverage funding.

Franchise-Level Margin⁽¹⁾, a non-GAAP measure, was $7.9 million, or 25.7%, compared to $8.0 million, or 29.3%, a year ago. The decrease in margin percentage was driven by refranchising and the associated impact of pass-thru rent and marketing fees.

Del Taco restaurant count in the first quarter had one restaurant opening and six restaurant closings. As of the end of the first quarter and since being acquired by Jack in the Box, Del Taco has signed 40 agreements for a total of 303 restaurants, with 14 restaurants opened to date. During the first quarter, 13 Del Taco company-owned restaurants were refranchised, which included a development agreement for 12 new future restaurants. Del Taco also completed a development agreement to enter Indianapolis, marking its 12^th new market announcement in the past three years.

Del Taco Same-Store Sales:	16 Weeks Ended
	January 19, 2025		January 21, 2024
Company	(2.5 %)		1.8 %
Franchise	(5.1 %)		2.4 %
System	(4.5 %)		2.2 %

Del Taco Restaurant Counts:
	2025									2024
	Company			Franchise			Total			Company			Franchise			Total
Restaurant count at beginning FY	133			461			594			171			421			592
New	1			—			1			—			3			3
Acquired from franchisees	—			—			—			9			(9	)		—
Refranchised	(13	)		13			—			—			—			—
Closed	(2	)		(4	)		(6	)		(1	)		(2	)		(3	)
Restaurant count at end of Q1	119			470			589			179			413			592
Q1'25 QTD Net Restaurant Increase/(Decrease)	(14	)		9			(5	)
YTD Net Restaurant Increase/(Decrease)	(10.5	)%		2.0	%		(0.8	)%

Company-Wide Performance

First quarter diluted earnings per share was $1.75. Operating Earnings Per Share⁽²⁾, a non-GAAP measure, was $1.92 in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 compared with $1.95 in the prior year quarter.

Total revenues decreased 3.7% to $469.4 million, compared to $487.5 million in the prior year quarter. The lower revenue is primarily the result of the Del Taco refranchising transactions. Net income was $33.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. This compared with net earnings of $38.7 million for the first quarter of the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA⁽³⁾, a non-GAAP measure, was $97.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 compared with $101.8 million for the prior year quarter.

Company-wide SG&A expense for the first quarter was $50.7 million, a increase of $4.3 million compared to the prior year quarter. The increase was due primarily to the fluctuations in the cash surrender value of our company-owned life insurance policies, partially offset by lower incentive-based compensation. When excluding net COLI gains, G&A was 2.3% of systemwide sales.

The income tax provisions reflect a year-to-date effective tax rate of 29.8% in the first quarter of 2025, as compared to 26.9% in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. The non-GAAP adjusted tax rate for the first quarter of 2025 was 27.2%.

(1) Restaurant-Level Margin and Franchise-Level Margin are non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures are reconciled to earnings from operations, the most comparable GAAP measure, in the attachment to this release. See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measurements to GAAP Results."

(2) Operating Earnings Per Share represents the diluted earnings per share on a GAAP basis, excluding certain adjustments. See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measurements to GAAP Results." Operating earnings per share may not add due to rounding.

(3) Adjusted EBITDA represents net earnings on a GAAP basis excluding certain adjustments. See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measurements to GAAP Results."

Capital Allocation

The Company repurchased 0.1 million shares of our common stock for an aggregate cost of $5.0 million in the first quarter. As of the end of the first quarter, there was $175.0 million remaining under the Board-authorized stock buyback program.

On February 21, 2025, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.44 per share, to be paid on April 8, 2025, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 20, 2025.

Guidance & Outlook Updates

The following guidance and underlying assumptions reflect the company’s current expectations for the fiscal year ending September 28, 2025. Any guidance measures not listed below remain the same as provided on November 20, 2024.

• Capital Expenditures of $100-$105 million (previously $105-115 million)

• Share repurchases of approximately $5 million in FY 2025 (previously approx. $20 million)

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call for analysts and investors on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, beginning at 2:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. ET). The call will be webcast live via the Investors section of the Jack in the Box company website at http://investors.jackinthebox.com. A replay of the call will be available through the Jack in the Box Inc. corporate website for 21 days. The call can be accessed via phone by dialing (888) 596-4144 and using ID 7573961.

About Jack in the Box Inc.

Jack in the Box Inc. (NASDAQ: JACK), founded and headquartered in San Diego, California, is a restaurant company that operates and franchises Jack in the Box^®, one of the nation's largest hamburger chains with approximately 2,200 restaurants across 22 states, and Del Taco^®, the second largest Mexican-American QSR chain by units in the U.S. with approximately 600 restaurants across 17 states. For more information on both brands, including franchising opportunities, visit www.jackinthebox.com and www.deltaco.com.

Category: Earnings

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goals,” “guidance,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions. These statements are based on management’s current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate. These estimates and assumptions involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are in some cases beyond our control. Factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the success of new products, marketing initiatives and restaurant remodels and drive-thru enhancements; the impact of competition, unemployment, trends in consumer spending patterns and commodity costs; the company’s ability to achieve and manage its planned growth, which is affected by the availability of a sufficient number of suitable new restaurant sites, the performance of new restaurants, risks relating to expansion into new markets and successful franchise development; the ability to attract, train and retain top-performing personnel, litigation risks; risks associated with disagreements with franchisees; supply chain disruption; food-safety incidents or negative publicity impacting the reputation of the company's brand; increased regulatory and legal complexities, risks associated with the amount and terms of the securitized debt issued by certain of our wholly owned subsidiaries; and stock market volatility. These and other factors are discussed in the company’s annual report on Form 10-K and its periodic reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available online at http://investors.jackinthebox.com or in hard copy upon request. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as the result of new information or otherwise.

JACK IN THE BOX INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)
	16 Weeks Ended
	January 19, 2025				January 21, 2024
Revenues:
Company restaurant sales	$	201,406			$	224,040
Franchise rental revenues		116,546				113,196
Franchise royalties and other		74,034				73,330
Franchise contributions for advertising and other services		77,452				76,932
		469,438				487,498
Operating costs and expenses, net:
Food and packaging		51,648				64,132
Payroll and employee benefits		70,273				73,054
Occupancy and other		39,146				42,053
Franchise occupancy expenses		78,833				72,624
Franchise support and other costs		5,198				5,194
Franchise advertising and other services expenses		78,998				80,234
Selling, general and administrative expenses		50,672				46,365
Depreciation and amortization		18,270				18,473
Pre-opening costs		1,476				465
Other operating expenses, net		3,519				5,170
(Gains) losses on the sale of company-operated restaurants		(2,806	)			254
		395,227				408,018
Earnings from operations		74,211				79,480
Other pension and post-retirement expenses, net		1,789				2,106
Interest expense, net		24,425				24,486
Earnings before income taxes		47,997				52,888
Income taxes		14,311				14,205
Net earnings	$	33,686			$	38,683
Net earnings per share:
Basic	$	1.77			$	1.94
Diluted	$	1.75			$	1.93
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic		19,050				19,893
Diluted		19,215				20,051
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.44			$	0.44

JACK IN THE BOX INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share and per share data) (Unaudited)
	January 19, 2025				September 29, 2024
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash	$	74,978			$	24,745
Restricted cash		29,655				29,422
Accounts and other receivables, net		68,081				83,567
Inventories		3,856				3,922
Prepaid expenses		8,130				13,126
Assets held for sale		12,432				16,493
Other current assets		16,854				10,002
Total current assets		213,986				181,277
Property and equipment:
Property and equipment, at cost		1,293,448				1,278,530
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(856,923	)			(848,491	)
Property and equipment, net		436,525				430,039
Other assets:
Operating lease right-of-use assets		1,416,958				1,410,083
Intangible assets, net		10,270				10,515
Trademarks		283,500				283,500
Goodwill		161,344				161,209
Other assets, net		251,321				259,006
Total other assets		2,123,393				2,124,313
	$	2,773,904			$	2,735,629
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	29,725			$	35,880
Current operating lease liabilities		159,219				162,017
Accounts payable		69,394				69,494
Accrued liabilities		168,359				166,868
Total current liabilities		426,697				434,259
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net of current maturities		1,693,453				1,699,433
Long-term operating lease liabilities, net of current portion		1,290,800				1,286,415
Deferred tax liabilities		11,624				13,612
Other long-term liabilities		178,461				153,708
Total long-term liabilities		3,174,338				3,153,168
Stockholders’ deficit:
Preferred stock $0.01 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized, none issued		—				—
Common stock $0.01 par value, 175,000,000 shares authorized, 82,971,349 and 82,825,851 issued and outstanding, respectively		829				828
Capital in excess of par value		537,568				533,818
Retained earnings		1,891,977				1,866,660
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(56,880	)			(57,475	)
Treasury stock, at cost, 64,120,270 and 63,996,399 shares, respectively		(3,200,625	)			(3,195,629	)
Total stockholders’ deficit		(827,131	)			(851,798	)
	$	2,773,904			$	2,735,629

JACK IN THE BOX INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (Unaudited)
	Sixteen Weeks Ended
	January 19, 2025				January 21, 2024
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$	33,686			$	38,683
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		18,270				18,473
Amortization of franchise tenant improvement allowances and incentives		1,655				1,418
Deferred finance cost amortization		1,473				1,493
Excess tax deficiency (benefit) from share-based compensation arrangements		1,111				(9	)
Deferred income taxes		(5,018	)			(719	)
Share-based compensation expense		3,689				4,820
Pension and post-retirement expense		1,789				2,106
Gains on cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance		(189	)			(6,161	)
(Gains) losses on the sale of company-operated restaurants		(2,806	)			254
Gains on acquisition of restaurants		(6	)			(2,357	)
Losses on the disposition of property and equipment, net		521				1,011
Impairment charges and other		736				28
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables		17,822				40,139
Inventories		66				(484	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(1,892	)			9,587
Operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities		(5,788	)			12,208
Accounts payable		4,776				(13,826	)
Accrued liabilities		6,684				(125,861	)
Pension and post-retirement contributions		(2,218	)			(1,698	)
Franchise tenant improvement allowance and incentive disbursements		(1,924	)			(523	)
Other		33,219				(1,257	)
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities		105,656				(22,675	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(35,099	)			(38,829	)
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment		—				516
Proceeds from the sale of company-operated restaurants		5,712				1,739
Other		3,303				—
Cash flows used in investing activities		(26,084	)			(36,574	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of borrowings on revolving credit facilities		(6,000	)			—
Principal repayments on debt		(7,464	)			(7,481	)
Dividends paid on common stock		(8,308	)			(8,652	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		1				1
Repurchases of common stock		(4,999	)			(25,000	)
Payroll tax payments for equity award issuances		(2,336	)			(2,992	)
Cash flows used in financing activities		(29,106	)			(44,124	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash		50,466				(103,373	)
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period		54,167				185,907
Cash and restricted cash at end of period	$	104,633			$	82,534

JACK IN THE BOX INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS DATA
(Unaudited)

The following table presents certain income and expense items included in our condensed consolidated statements of earnings as a percentage of total revenues, unless otherwise indicated. Percentages may not add due to rounding.

	16 Weeks Ended
	January 19, 2025		January 21, 2024
Revenues:
Company restaurant sales	42.9 %		46.0 %
Franchise rental revenues	24.8 %		23.2 %
Franchise royalties and other	15.8 %		15.0 %
Franchise contributions for advertising and other services	16.5 %		15.8 %
	100.0 %		100.0 %
Operating costs and expenses, net:
Food and packaging (1)	25.6 %		28.6 %
Payroll and employee benefits (1)	34.9 %		32.6 %
Occupancy and other (1)	19.4 %		18.8 %
Franchise occupancy expenses (2)	67.6 %		64.2 %
Franchise support and other costs (3)	7.0 %		7.1 %
Franchise advertising and other services expenses (4)	102.0 %		104.3 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses	10.8 %		9.5 %
Depreciation and amortization	3.9 %		3.8 %
Pre-opening costs	0.3 %		0.1 %
Other operating expenses, net	0.7 %		1.1 %
(Gains) losses on the sale of company-operated restaurants	(0.6) %		0.1 %
Earnings from operations	15.8 %		16.3 %
Income tax rate (5)	29.8 %		26.9 %

____________________________

(1)		As a percentage of company restaurant sales.
(2)		As a percentage of franchise rental revenues.
(3)		As a percentage of franchise royalties and other.
(4)		As a percentage of franchise contributions for advertising and other services.
(5)		As a percentage of earnings from operations and before income taxes.

Jack in the Box systemwide sales (in thousands):	16 Weeks Ended
	January 19, 2025			January 21, 2024
Company-operated restaurant sales	$	133,755		$	132,057
Franchised restaurant sales (1)		1,232,347			1,226,750
Systemwide sales (1)	$	1,366,102		$	1,358,807

Del Taco systemwide sales (in thousands):	16 Weeks Ended
	January 19, 2025			January 21, 2024
Company-operated restaurant sales	$	67,651		$	91,983
Franchised restaurant sales (1)		217,283			198,476
Systemwide sales (1)	$	284,934		$	290,459

____________________________

(1)

Franchised restaurant sales represent sales at franchised restaurants and are revenues of our franchisees. Systemwide sales include company and franchised restaurant sales. We do not record franchised sales as revenues; however, our royalty revenues, marketing fees and percentage rent revenues are calculated based on a percentage of franchised sales. We believe franchised and systemwide restaurant sales information is useful to investors as they have a direct effect on the company's profitability.

JACK IN THE BOX INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASUREMENTS TO GAAP RESULTS
(Unaudited)

To supplement the condensed consolidated financial statements, which are presented in accordance with GAAP, the company uses the following non-GAAP measures: Adjusted Net Income, Operating Earnings Per Share, Adjusted EBITDA, Restaurant-Level Margin and Franchise-Level Margin. Management believes that these measurements, when viewed with the company's results of operations in accordance with GAAP and the accompanying reconciliations in the tables below, provide useful information about operating performance and period-over-period changes, and provide additional information that is useful for evaluating the operating performance of the company's core business without regard to potential distortions.

Operating Earnings Per Share

Operating Earnings Per Share represents diluted earnings per share on a GAAP basis excluding integration and strategic initiatives, net COLI gains, pension and post-retirement benefit costs, losses (gains) on the sale of company-operated restaurants, excess tax (benefits) shortfall from share-based compensation arrangements, and the tax-related impacts of the above adjustments.

Operating Earnings Per Share should be considered as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, analysis of results as reported under U.S. GAAP or other similarly titled measures of other companies. Management believes Operating Earnings Per Share provides investors with a meaningful supplement of the company’s operating performance and period-over-period changes without regard to potential distortions.

Below is a reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income to the most directly comparable GAAP measure of net income. Also below is a reconciliation of Non-GAAP Operating Earnings Per Share to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, diluted earnings per share:

		16 Weeks Ended
		January 19, 2025				January 21, 2024
Net income, as reported		$	33,686			$	38,683
Integration and strategic initiatives (1)			1,415				5,621
Net COLI gains (2)			1,391				(4,834	)
Pension and post-retirement benefit costs (3)			1,789				2,106
Restaurant impairment charges			748				—
(Gain) losses on the sale of company-operated restaurants (4)			(2,806	)			254
Losses on the sale of real estate to franchisees			—				1
Gains on acquisition of restaurants			(6	)			(2,357	)
Excess tax shortfall (benefit) from share-based compensation arrangements			1,110				(10	)
Tax impact of adjustments (5)			(523	)			(371	)
Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income		$	36,804			$	39,093
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted			19,215				20,051
Diluted earnings per share – GAAP		$	1.75			$	1.93
Integration and strategic initiatives (1)			0.07				0.28
Net COLI gains (2)			0.07				(0.24	)
Pension and post-retirement benefit costs (3)			0.09				0.11
Restaurant impairment charges			0.04				—
(Gain) losses on the sale of company-operated restaurants (4)			(0.15	)			0.01
Losses on the sale of real estate to franchisees			—				0.00
Gains on acquisition of restaurants			0.00				(0.12	)
Excess tax (benefits) shortfall from share-based compensation arrangements			0.06				(0.00	)
Tax impact of adjustments (5)			(0.03	)			(0.02	)
Operating Earnings Per Share – non-GAAP (6)		$	1.92			$	1.95

____________________

(1) Integration and strategic initiatives reflect charges that are not part of our ongoing operations, including consulting fees for discrete project-based strategic initiatives that are not expected to recur in the foreseeable future.

(2) Net COLI gains reflect market-based adjustments on the company-owned life insurance policies, net of changes in our non-qualified deferred compensation obligation supported by these policies.

(3) Pension and post-retirement benefit costs relating to our two legacy defined benefit pension plans, as well as our two legacy post-retirement plans.

(4) Losses (gains) on the sale of company-operated restaurants

(5) Tax impacts for the quarter calculated based on the non-GAAP Operating EPS tax rate of 27.2% in the current quarter and 27.2% in the prior year quarter.

(6) Operating Earnings Per Share may not add due to rounding.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA represents net earnings on a GAAP basis excluding income taxes, interest expense, net, losses (gains) on the sale of company-operated restaurants, other operating expenses (income), net, depreciation and amortization, amortization of cloud computing costs, amortization of favorable and unfavorable leases and subleases, net, amortization of franchise tenant improvement allowances and other, net COLI gains, and pension and post-retirement benefit costs.

Adjusted EBITDA should be considered as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, analysis of results as reported under U.S. GAAP or other similarly titled measures of other companies. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting the company's ongoing cash earnings, from which capital investments are made and debt is serviced.

Below is a reconciliation of non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, net earnings (in thousands):

	16 Weeks Ended
	January 19, 2025				January 21, 2024
Net income - GAAP	$	33,686			$	38,683
Income taxes		14,311				14,205
Interest expense, net		24,425				24,486
(Gains) losses on the sale of company-operated restaurants		(2,806	)			254
Other operating expenses, net (1)		3,519				5,170
Depreciation and amortization		18,270				18,473
Amortization of cloud-computing costs (2)		1,002				1,606
Amortization of favorable and unfavorable leases and subleases, net (3)		2				124
Amortization of franchise tenant improvement allowances and other		1,655				1,511
Net COLI gains (4)		1,391				(4,834	)
Pension and post-retirement benefit costs (5)		1,789				2,106
Adjusted EBITDA – non-GAAP	$	97,244			$	101,784

(1) Other operating expense, net includes: integration and strategic initiatives; costs of closed restaurants; operating restaurant impairment charges; accelerated depreciation and gains/losses on disposition of property and equipment, net.

(2) Amortization of cloud computing costs includes the amounts for the non-cash amortization of capitalized implementation costs related to cloud-based software arrangements that are included within selling, general and administrative expenses.

(3) Amortization of favorable and unfavorable leases and subleases, net, which is not already included in the other operating expense, net, noted above.

(4) Net COLI gains reflect market-based adjustments on the company-owned life insurance policies, net of changes in our non-qualified deferred compensation obligation supported by these policies.

(5) Pension and post-retirement benefit costs relating to our two legacy defined benefit pension plans, as well as the two legacy post-retirement plans.

Restaurant-Level Margin

Restaurant-Level Margin is defined as company restaurant sales less restaurant operating costs (food and packaging, labor, and occupancy costs) and is neither required by, nor presented in accordance with GAAP. Restaurant-Level Margin excludes revenues and expenses of our franchise operations and selling, general, and administrative expenses. Certain other costs, such as depreciation and amortization, other operating expenses, net, gains/ losses on the sale of company-operated restaurants, and other costs that are considered normal operating costs are excluded as they are considered corporate-level shared service costs. As such, Restaurant-Level Margin is not indicative of the overall results of the company and does not accrue directly to the benefit of shareholders because of the exclusion of corporate-level expenses. Restaurant-Level Margin should be considered as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, analysis of results as reported under GAAP or other similarly titled measures of other companies. The company is presenting Restaurant-Level Margin because it believes that it provides a meaningful supplement to net earnings of the company's core business operating results, as well as a comparison to those of other similar companies. Management utilizes Restaurant-Level Margin as a key performance indicator to evaluate the profitability of company-operated restaurants.

Below is a reconciliation of non-GAAP Restaurant-Level Margin to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, earnings from operations (in thousands):

		16 weeks ended January 19, 2025
		Jack in the Box			Del Taco			Other (1)			Total (2)
Earnings from operations - GAAP		$	113,151		$	10,546		$	(49,485	)	$	74,212
Franchise rental revenues			(105,781	)		(10,765	)		—			(116,546	)
Franchise royalties and other			(63,615	)		(10,419	)		—			(74,034	)
Franchise contributions for advertising and other services			(67,913	)		(9,539	)		—			(77,452	)
Franchise occupancy expenses			67,916			10,916			—			78,832
Franchise support and other costs			3,301			1,897			—			5,198
Franchise advertising and other services expenses			68,992			10,007			—			78,999
Selling, general and administrative expenses			12,274			8,597			29,800			50,671
Depreciation and amortization			—			—			18,270			18,270
Pre-opening costs			1,457			19			—			1,476
Other operating expenses, net			1,216			888			1,415			3,519
Gains on the sale of company-operated restaurants			—			(2,806	)		—			(2,806	)
Restaurant-Level Margin - Non-GAAP		$	30,998		$	9,341		$	—		$	40,339
Company restaurant sales		$	133,755		$	67,651		$	—		$	201,406
Restaurant-Level Margin % - Non-GAAP			23.2	%		13.8	%		N/A			20.0	%

		16 weeks ended January 21, 2024
		Jack in the Box			Del Taco			Other (1)			Total (2)
Earnings from operations - GAAP		$	117,707		$	11,073		$	(49,300	)	$	79,480
Franchise rental revenues			(105,578	)		(7,618	)		—			(113,196	)
Franchise royalties and other			(63,343	)		(9,987	)		—			(73,330	)
Franchise contributions for advertising and other services			(67,362	)		(9,569	)		—			(76,931	)
Franchise occupancy expenses			65,188			7,436			—			72,624
Franchise support and other costs			3,747			1,446			—			5,193
Franchise advertising and other services expenses			69,893			10,341			—			80,234
Selling, general and administrative expenses			10,841			10,316			25,117			46,274
Depreciation and amortization			—			—			18,473			18,473
Pre-opening costs			343			122			—			465
Other operating expenses, net			667			(1,117	)		5,710			5,260
(Gains) losses on the sale of company-operated restaurants			(1,655	)		1,909			—			254
Restaurant-Level Margin - Non-GAAP		$	30,448		$	14,352		$	—		$	44,800
Company restaurant sales		$	132,057		$	91,983		$	—		$	224,040
Restaurant-Level Margin % - Non-GAAP			23.1	%		15.6	%		N/A			20.0	%

(1) The "Other" category includes shared services costs and other unallocated costs

(2) The totals might not agree to consolidated within the Form 10-Q due to rounding.

Franchise-Level Margin

Franchise-Level Margin is defined as franchise revenues less franchise operating costs (occupancy expenses, advertising contributions, and franchise support and other costs) and is neither required by, nor presented in accordance with GAAP. Franchise-Level Margin excludes revenue and expenses of our company-operated restaurants and selling, general, and administrative expenses. Certain other costs, such as depreciation and amortization, other operating expenses, net, gains/ losses on the sale of company-operated restaurants, and other costs that are considered normal operating costs are excluded as they are considered corporate-level shared service costs. As such, Franchise-Level Margin is not indicative of the overall results of the company and does not accrue directly to the benefit of shareholders because of the exclusion of corporate-level expenses. Franchise-Level Margin should be considered as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, analysis of results as reported under GAAP or other similarly titled measures of other companies. The company is presenting Franchise-Level Margin because it believes that it provides a meaningful supplement to net earnings of the company's core business operating results, as well as a comparison to those of other similar companies. Management utilizes Franchise-Level Margin as a key performance indicator to evaluate the profitability of our franchise operations.

Below is a reconciliation of non-GAAP Franchise-Level Margin to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, earnings from operations (in thousands):

		16 weeks ended January 19, 2025
		Jack in the Box			Del Taco			Other (1)			Total (2)
Earnings from operations - GAAP		$	113,151		$	10,546		$	(49,485	)	$	74,212
Company restaurant sales			(133,755	)		(67,651	)		—			(201,406	)
Food and packaging			34,690			16,959			—			51,649
Payroll and employee benefits			44,528			25,745			—			70,273
Occupancy and other			23,540			15,606			—			39,146
Selling, general and administrative expenses			12,274			8,597			29,800			50,671
Depreciation and amortization			—			—			18,270			18,270
Pre-opening costs			1,457			19			—			1,476
Other operating expenses, net			1,216			888			1,415			3,519
Gains on the sale of company-operated restaurants			—			(2,806	)		—			(2,806	)
Franchise-Level Margin - Non-GAAP		$	97,101		$	7,903		$	—		$	105,004
Franchise rental revenues		$	105,781		$	10,765		$	—		$	116,546
Franchise royalties and other			63,615			10,419			—			74,034
Franchise contributions for advertising and other services			67,913			9,539			—			77,452
Total franchise revenues		$	237,309		$	30,723		$	—		$	268,032
Franchise-Level Margin % - Non-GAAP			40.9	%		25.7	%		N/A			39.2	%

		16 weeks ended January 21, 2024
		Jack in the Box			Del Taco			Other (1)			Total (2)
Earnings from operations - GAAP		$	117,707		$	11,073		$	(49,300	)	$	79,480
Company restaurant sales			(132,057	)		(91,983	)		—			(224,040	)
Food and packaging			39,261			24,872			—			64,133
Payroll and employee benefits			40,689			32,366			—			73,055
Occupancy and other			21,659			20,394			—			42,053
Selling, general and administrative expenses			10,841			10,316			25,117			46,274
Depreciation and amortization			—			—			18,473			18,473
Pre-opening costs			343			122			—			465
Other operating expenses, net			667			(1,117	)		5,710			5,260
(Gains) losses on the sale of company-operated restaurants			(1,655	)		1,909			—			254
Franchise-Level Margin - Non-GAAP		$	97,455		$	7,952		$	—		$	105,407
Franchise rental revenues		$	105,578		$	7,618		$	—		$	113,196
Franchise royalties and other			63,343			9,987			—			73,330
Franchise contributions for advertising and other services			67,362			9,569			—			76,931
Total franchise revenues		$	236,283		$	27,174		$	—		$	263,457
Franchise-Level Margin % - Non-GAAP			41.2	%		29.3	%		N/A			40.0	%

(1) The "Other" category includes shared services costs and other unallocated costs

(2) The totals might not agree to consolidated within the Form 10-Q due to rounding.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250225534675/en/

Chris Brandon

Vice President, Investor Relations

chris.brandon@jackinthebox.com

619.902.0269

Source: Jack in the Box Inc.

FAQ

What were Jack in the Box's (JACK) same-store sales results for Q1 2025?

Jack in the Box reported a 0.4% increase in same-store sales, with franchise locations up 0.5% and company-owned locations down 0.4%.

How much did JACK stock buyback in Q1 2025 and what's remaining?

The company repurchased 0.1 million shares for $5.0 million, with $175.0 million remaining under the authorized buyback program.

What is Jack in the Box's dividend payment for Q1 2025?

A cash dividend of $0.44 per share will be paid on April 8, 2025, to shareholders of record as of March 20, 2025.

How did Del Taco perform in Q1 2025 under JACK ownership?

Del Taco saw declining performance with same-store sales down 4.5% and systemwide sales decreased by 1.9%.

What are JACK's revised capital expenditure projections for FY 2025?

The company lowered its capital expenditure guidance to $100-105 million from the previous $105-115 million.