East County News Service

April 27, 2025 (San Diego) – Jack in the Box has announced plans to close 150-200 underperforming restaurants this year and next, to improve the company’s cash flow.

The locally-owned fast food chain opened the nation’s first drive-through hamburger outlet in 1951 at 6270 El Cajon Blvd. in San Diego (photo, left). Soon after, Jack in the Box outlets popped up across San Diego and East County locations such as La Mesa and El Cajon, ultimately going national.

Today, Jack in the Box owns approximately 2,200 restaurants across 22 states, as well as operating around 600 Del Taco restaurants in 17 states. The company is also considering divesting from the Del Taco brand.