Would Selling Del Taco Prove Profitable for Jack in the Box?

In an aggressive restructuring effort, Jack in the Box has announced plans to shutter nearly 200 restaurants while actively exploring the sale of Del Taco, which it acquired just three years ago. While these moves signal an attempt to consolidate resources and regain strategic focus, they also expose structural weaknesses within Jack in the Box’s portfolio and raise critical questions about the long-term viability of its business model.

An Acquisition That Never Delivered

Per a company press release, Jack in the Box purchased Del Taco for around $585 million in 2022. The fast-food giant positioned the acquisition as a synergistic play that would expand its market share and leverage operational efficiencies. However, post-acquisition performance has consistently lagged expectations.

According to Restaurant Business Magazine, same-store sales at Del Taco declined 3.6% in the most recent quarter, while Jack in the Box locations fell by 4.4%. The underperformance does not simply reflect macroeconomic pressures; it points to a failure to realize scale efficiencies, brand differentiation, or market penetration advantages that justified the acquisition price.

Jack in the Box’s exploration of “strategic alternatives” for Del Taco — including an outright sale — is a tacit admission that the merger thesis has collapsed. Suspending all financial guidance tied to Del Taco underscores the brand’s uncertain future.

Jack in the Box’s Operational Pressures

Beyond Del Taco, Jack in the Box itself faces mounting operational challenges. According to Fox 10 News, the company’s “JACK on Track” plan calls for the closure of 80 to 120 locations by the end of 2025, with more closures anticipated thereafter as franchise agreements expire. The affected stores are generally older units — some more than 30 years old — indicative of a brand grappling with aging infrastructure and shifting consumer preferences.

Moreover, Jack in the Box’s decision to transition to an asset-light, franchise-driven model mirrors industry trends and highlights capital constraints. By selling company-owned real estate and curtailing new builds, Jack in the Box seeks to free up cash flow to stabilize operations, but at the cost of reducing its direct control over brand execution.

Del Taco: A Misaligned Asset

At a strategic level, Del Taco is increasingly appearing misaligned compared to Jack in the Box itself. While Jack in the Box has traditionally occupied a quirky, late-night burger-and-tacos niche, Del Taco operates as a more traditional quick-service Mexican brand, competing directly with Taco Bell and regional fast-casual upstarts like Torchy’s Tacos, Chipotle, and Velvet Taco.

This brand misalignment and intense competitive pressures have prevented Del Taco from achieving breakout growth under Jack in the Box’s ownership. Without a distinct brand identity or pricing power, Del Taco is caught in the middle — too big to pivot quickly, too small to dominate.

In addition, the economics of a potential Del Taco sale are unfavorable. Given current underperformance and broader restaurant sector headwinds, Jack in the Box may have to accept a discounted valuation below its original purchase price.

Financial Market Implications

Skepticism is already reflected in the market. According to InvestingPro data, Jack in the Box’s stock price has declined by over 50% in the past year, reflecting doubts about management’s ability to drive growth or realize returns on capital.

Divesting Del Taco could provide a short-term liquidity boost, potentially used for debt reduction, share buybacks, or reinvestment into the Jack in the Box brand. However, it also removes a growth lever at a time when Jack in the Box’s same-store sales are stagnant and its core customer demographic is aging.

Selling Del Taco would likely improve the balance sheet but weaken the growth narrative. Jack in the Box risks becoming a smaller, slower-moving brand in a hyper-competitive market.

Strategic Risk Assessment

Selling Del Taco does not guarantee operational turnaround for the fast-food chain. The potential risks Jack in the Box faces post-sale include:

• Brand fatigue: Jack in the Box has struggled to refresh its brand image, particularly among Gen Z consumers who favor newer, health-forward concepts.
• Menu stagnation: Core menu innovation has lagged behind peers like Wendy’s and McDonald’s, limiting customer frequency and average ticket growth.
• Franchisee relations: Franchisees drive systemwide sales and remain wary after years of inconsistent corporate support and supply chain disruptions.

Moreover, exiting the Mexican fast-food category could cede significant market share to competitors at a time when Mexican cuisine remains a high-growth sector within fast-casual dining.

Operational focus is essential, but divestiture without innovation is a zero-sum game.

Tactical Win, Strategic Uncertainty

The potential sell-off of Del Taco would represent a tactical retreat: streamlining operations, reducing debt, and shoring up short-term profitability. However, the move risks being perceived as reactive rather than strategic unless Jack in the Box simultaneously addresses its core brand vulnerabilities.

Simply put, a healthier balance sheet will not automatically fix an aging brand or attract a new generation of consumers.

The success of Jack in the Box’s new strategy will depend less on what it sells and more on what it builds next.