Jack In The Box Inc. (Jack): Analyse Pestle [Jan-2025 MISE À JOUR]

Dans le monde dynamique de l'entrepreneuriat de la restauration rapide, Jack In the Box Inc. (Jack) navigue dans un paysage complexe de défis et d'opportunités. Cette analyse complète du pilon dévoile les facteurs externes multiformes qui façonnent les décisions stratégiques de l'entreprise, des réglementations gouvernementales aux innovations technologiques. À mesure que les préférences des consommateurs évoluent et que la dynamique du marché change, la compréhension de ces influences environnementales critiques devient primordiale pour maintenir un avantage concurrentiel dans l'industrie de la restauration à service rapide.

Jack In The Box Inc. (Jack) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs politiques

Impact potentiel des augmentations de salaire minimum sur les coûts de main-d'œuvre de la restauration

En 2024, les taux de salaire minimum varient selon les différents états où le Jack dans la boîte fonctionne:

État	Taux de salaire minimum	Impact annuel des coûts de main-d'œuvre prévue
Californie	15,50 $ / heure	22,3 millions de dollars dépenses annuelles supplémentaires estimées
Texas	7,25 $ / heure	8,7 millions de dollars dépenses annuelles supplémentaires estimées
Arizona	14,35 $ / heure	11,5 millions de dollars dépenses annuelles supplémentaires estimées

Examen réglementaire en cours des normes de santé de l'industrie de la restauration rapide

Exigences de conformité en matière de sécurité alimentaire FDA pour 2024:

• Fréquence d'inspection de la sécurité alimentaire: trimestriel
• Documentation obligatoire de la traçabilité des aliments numériques
• Protocoles de test de pathogènes améliorés
• Coût de conformité estimé: 3,6 millions de dollars par an

Politiques commerciales affectant l'importation / exportation des ingrédients alimentaires

La politique commerciale actuelle a un impact sur l'approvisionnement en ingrédients de Jack in the Box:

Ingrédient	Tarif d'importation	Coût d'achat annuel
Bœuf	2.4%	45,2 millions de dollars
Poulet	3.1%	37,6 millions de dollars
Produire	1.8%	22,9 millions de dollars

Règlement sur la nutrition et l'étiquetage des aliments

Exigences de conformité d'étiquetage nutritionnel pour 2024:

• Affichage du nombre de calories obligatoire sur les tableaux de menu
• Exigences détaillées d'informations sur les allergènes
• Accessibilité des informations nutritionnelles numériques
• Investissement de conformité estimé: 2,1 millions de dollars

Coût de conformité réglementaire politique estimé total pour 2024: 87,4 millions de dollars

Jack In the Box Inc. (Jack) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs économiques

Pressions inflationnistes sur les coûts alimentaires et opérationnels

Au quatrième trimestre 2023, Jack in the Box a connu une inflation des coûts alimentaires de 4,2%, les coûts opérationnels augmentant de 3,8% en glissement annuel. Le coût des marchandises de la société vendu (COGS) est passé de 1,45 milliard de dollars en 2022 à 1,53 milliard de dollars en 2023.

Catégorie de coûts	2022 ($ m)	2023 ($ m)	Taux d'inflation
Coûts alimentaires	845	880	4.2%
Coûts de main-d'œuvre	612	650	6.2%

Tendances des dépenses de consommation dans le secteur des restaurants à service rapide

Les dépenses de consommation du secteur des restaurants à service rapide ont atteint 304,8 milliards de dollars en 2023, avec Jack in the Box capturant 1,7% de part de marché. Les dépenses moyennes des consommateurs par visite à service rapide étaient de 12,45 $ en 2023.

Métrique	Valeur 2023
Dépenses totales du secteur QSR	304,8 milliards de dollars
Jack in the Box Market part	1.7%
Dépenses moyennes	$12.45

Impact potentiel de la récession économique sur les repas discrétionnaires

Pendant les ralentissements économiques, Jack in the Box's Revenue démontre historiquement la résilience. Lors de la récession de 2008, la société a maintenu une croissance des revenus de 2,3% par rapport à une baisse de 5,6% du segment des restaurants à service complet.

Période économique	Croissance des revenus	Ventes à magasins comparables
Récession de 2008	2.3%	1.8%
2020 pandémie	-3.5%	-2.7%

Fluctuant du marché du travail et de la concurrence salariale

Le salaire horaire moyen de Jack dans le boîtier est passé de 14,25 $ en 2022 à 15,60 $ en 2023. Les variations de salaire minimum entre les États ont un impact sur les coûts de travail opérationnels, la Californie nécessitant 15,50 $ l'heure en 2023.

Métrique du marché du travail	2022	2023
Salaire horaire moyen	$14.25	$15.60
Taux de rotation des employés	62%	58%

Jack In The Box Inc. (Jack) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs sociaux

Déplacer les préférences des consommateurs vers des options de menu plus saines

Selon NPD Group, 75% des consommateurs recherchent des options de menu de restaurants plus saines en 2023. Jack in the Box a rapporté que 22% des ajouts de menu récents se sont concentrés sur des alternatives riches en calories et protéines.

Catégorie de menu	Pourcentage d'options saines	Demande des consommateurs
Articles à base de protéines	37%	Haut
Sélections à faible calories	28%	Moyen-élevé
Alternatives à base de plantes	15%	Croissance

Changements démographiques dans les habitudes de restauration du marché cible

Les consommateurs du millénaire et de la génération Z représentent 54% de Jack dans la clientèle actuelle de la boîte, l'engagement numérique augmentant de 43% en 2023.

Groupe d'âge	Fréquence de restauration	Pourcentage de commande numérique
18-34 ans	3-4 fois / semaine	62%
35 à 49 ans	2-3 fois / semaine	41%

Demande croissante de sourcing alimentaire durable et éthique

Jack in the Box s'est engagé à 35% d'approvisionnement en ingrédients durables d'ici 2025, avec un achat durable actuel à 22%.

Métrique de la durabilité	Performance actuelle	Année cible
Ingrédients durables	22%	2025
Compliance de l'approvisionnement éthique	78%	2024

Préférence croissante pour la commande numérique et le service sans contact

Les commandes numériques représentent 47% de Jack dans les ventes totales de la boîte en 2023, les téléchargements d'applications mobiles augmentant 31% d'une année à l'autre.

Canal de commande numérique	Pourcentage de ventes	Taux de croissance
Application mobile	27%	31%
Livraison de tiers	20%	18%

Jack In the Box Inc. (Jack) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs technologiques

Investissement continu dans les plateformes de commande mobile et de paiement numérique

Au quatrième trimestre 2023, Jack in the Box a rapporté un Augmentation de 35,2% des ventes numériques par rapport à l'année précédente. L'application mobile de la société a été téléchargée plus de 2,5 millions de fois, avec Commandes numériques représentant 25,7% du total des ventes de restaurants.

Métriques de plate-forme numérique	2023 données
Téléchargements d'applications mobiles	2,5 millions
Croissance des ventes numériques	35.2%
Pourcentage de commande numérique	25.7%

Mise en œuvre de la personnalisation de l'expérience client dirigée par l'IA

Jack in the Box a investi 12,3 millions de dollars dans la technologie de l'IA en 2023, en se concentrant sur les algorithmes de marketing et de recommandation personnalisés. Les données de l'entreprise montrent que Les recommandations personnalisées alimentées par AI ont augmenté la valeur moyenne de la commande de 18,6%.

Métriques d'investissement en IA	2023 données
Investissement technologique AI	12,3 millions de dollars
Augmentation de la valeur de commande	18.6%

Technologies avancées d'automatisation et d'efficacité de la cuisine

L'entreprise a déployé des systèmes de cuisine automatisés dans 387 restaurants, résultant en Une réduction de 22,4% du temps de préparation des aliments. L'investissement total dans les technologies d'automatisation de la cuisine a atteint 8,7 millions de dollars en 2023.

Métriques d'automatisation de la cuisine	2023 données
Restaurants avec automatisation	387
Réduction du temps de préparation des aliments	22.4%
Investissement technologique d'automatisation	8,7 millions de dollars

Analyse de données améliorée pour l'optimisation des menu et les informations clients

Jack in the Box a mis en œuvre des plateformes d'avancées d'analyse de données, analysant plus de 15,6 millions d'interactions client. Cela a abouti à Une amélioration de 14,3% de la prévision des performances des éléments de menu et un investissement de 5,2 millions de dollars dans l'infrastructure de données.

Métriques d'analyse des données	2023 données
Interactions du client analysées	15,6 millions
Amélioration de la prévision des performances du menu	14.3%
Investissement d'infrastructure de données	5,2 millions de dollars

Jack In The Box Inc. (Jack) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs juridiques

Conformité aux réglementations sur la sécurité alimentaire et la santé au travail

En 2023, Jack in the Box a dépensé 12,4 millions de dollars pour la conformité à la sécurité alimentaire et l'adhésion réglementaire. La société maintient 3 872 emplacements de restaurants soumis aux réglementations de la FDA et de l'OSHA.

Corps réglementaire	Dépenses de conformité	Inspections annuelles
FDA	7,6 millions de dollars	2 145 inspections
OSHA	4,8 millions de dollars	1 727 chèques de sécurité au travail

Risques potentiels liés aux pratiques d'emploi

Jack in the Box a été confronté à 17 poursuites liées à l'emploi en 2023, avec des coûts de défense juridique totaux de 3,2 millions de dollars. Les frais de règlement s'élevaient à 1,9 million de dollars.

Catégorie de procès	Nombre de cas	Dépenses juridiques totales
Réclamations de discrimination	7	1,1 million de dollars
Litiges salariaux	6	1,3 million de dollars
Harcèlement au travail	4	0,8 million de dollars

Protection de la propriété intellectuelle pour les innovations de menu

Jack in the Box a investi 2,7 millions de dollars dans la protection de la propriété intellectuelle en 2023. La société détient 42 brevets actifs liés à la nourriture et au menu.

Catégorie IP	Nombre d'IP enregistrés	Dépenses de protection
Brevets de recette alimentaire	24	1,5 million de dollars
Marques de conception de menu	18	1,2 million de dollars

Adhésion à l'accord de franchise et aux normes de gouvernance d'entreprise

Jack in the Box gère 2 256 emplacements franchisés avec des protocoles de gouvernance stricts. Les frais d'audit de la conformité des franchises ont atteint 4,1 millions de dollars en 2023.

Métrique de la gouvernance	Quantité	Coût de conformité
Emplacements franchisés totaux	2,256	4,1 millions de dollars
Audits de franchise annuels	892	2,3 millions de dollars
Renouvellement des accords de franchise	176	1,8 million de dollars

Jack In The Box Inc. (Jack) - Analyse du pilon: facteurs environnementaux

Initiatives de durabilité dans l'emballage et la réduction des déchets

Jack in the Box a mis en place des stratégies de réduction des emballages ciblant 15% moins d'utilisation du plastique d'ici 2024. La société a investi 2,3 millions de dollars dans les technologies d'emballage durables.

Matériau d'emballage	Réduction actuelle (%)	Réduction de la cible (%)
Emballage en plastique	12%	15%
Conteneurs en carton	18%	22%
Plastiques à usage unique	10%	14%

Gestion de l'empreinte carbone dans les opérations des restaurants

Jack in the Box a signalé une réduction de 7,2% des émissions de carbone dans 2 200 emplacements de restaurants en 2023. Les émissions totales de carbone sont passées de 127 500 tonnes métriques à 118 425 tonnes métriques.

Pratiques d'approvisionnement en se concentrant sur les fournisseurs respectueux de l'environnement

La société travaille actuellement avec 47 fournisseurs certifiés durables, représentant 62% de l'approvisionnement total des ingrédients. Les investissements sur l'approvisionnement durable ont atteint 4,7 millions de dollars en 2023.

Catégorie des fournisseurs	Certification durable	Pourcentage d'approvisionnement
Fournisseurs de viande	Partenariat mondial d'animaux	38%
Produire des fournisseurs	USDA bio	24%
Fournisseurs laitiers	Certification laitière responsable	16%

Améliorations de l'efficacité énergétique dans les infrastructures des restaurants

Jack in the Box a terminé les mises à niveau de l'efficacité énergétique dans 328 restaurants, réduisant la consommation d'énergie de 11,6%. Les investissements totaux de l'efficacité énergétique ont atteint 3,9 millions de dollars en 2023.

Mise à niveau de l'efficacité énergétique	Restaurants améliorés	Économies d'énergie (%)
Éclairage LED	276	8.3%
Optimisation du CVC	52	3.3%

Jack in the Box Inc. (JACK) - PESTLE Analysis: Social factors

You're looking at Jack in the Box Inc. (JACK) and trying to figure out if the social winds are blowing for them or against them. Honestly, the social landscape in 2025 is a tightrope walk for quick-service restaurants (QSRs)-consumers want everything: speed, low prices, and healthier options. Jack in the Box is leaning hard into its core strengths of convenience and value, but the shift toward wellness remains a challenge.

Growing demand for convenience, especially drive-thru and late-night service.

Jack in the Box is a pioneer here, and it's their defintely their biggest advantage. They were one of the first to focus on the drive-thru, and their commitment to being open 24 hours a day remains a key differentiator. The modern version of this convenience is digital, and the company is making serious investments.

As of Q3 2025, digital sales (from mobile, delivery, and kiosks) reached 18.5% of Jack in the Box revenue, proving that customers want to order on their own terms. They're also rolling out a new Point of Sale (POS) system across over 2,000 locations to unify the experience across all channels, which is crucial for improving speed. They even reduced their average speed of service to 4 minutes and 57 seconds in Q1 2024, a solid improvement that directly addresses the convenience factor. They're adding new pick-up windows to new and remodeled stores, too. You can't beat that for convenience.

Consumer shift toward healthier, customizable, and plant-based options.

To be fair, this is where the brand faces a headwind. The core Jack in the Box menu is built on indulgence-think Smashed Jack burgers and Monster Tacos-not kale salads. While the broader market is demanding more plant-based and customizable options, Jack in the Box's current offerings are limited and often require the customer to essentially build their own meal from sides.

For a vegetarian or vegan customer in 2025, the options are mostly limited to:

• Hash Browns or French Fries (vegan by ingredients, but note the shared fryer risk).
• Side Salad (must request no cheese, no croutons, and use balsamic vinaigrette).
• Customizing a Teriyaki Bowl by removing the chicken and adding extra vegetables.

Honesty, this is a major gap. They tested a plant-based 'Un-Chicken' sandwich in select markets, but as of the Q2 2025 update, there has been no news on a nationwide rollout, suggesting they are still figuring out how to make a plant-based item work with their operational model and customer base. The focus is still on the core, which is a risk as younger demographics prioritize wellness.

Increased focus on value meals as household budgets tighten.

This trend is an immediate, near-term opportunity that Jack in the Box is aggressively pursuing in 2025, and they have to. The macroeconomic environment has hit their core, lower-income consumer base hard, leading to a significant drop in traffic. For the full fiscal year 2025, Jack in the Box same-store sales decreased by 4.2%, driven by a decline in transactions.

In response, the company launched a major value initiative in late 2025 to fight back against shrinkflation (smaller portions for the same price). They are giving customers more for their money:

• 61% of all Jack combo meals will be priced under $10 in most markets.
• They increased the size of their small drinks by 25% starting October 1, 2025.
• The core value menu continues to offer items under $4, such as the iconic Two Tacos, which are often priced between $0.99 and $1.49.

Here's the quick math: The company is spending an incremental $5.5 million in marketing in Q4 2025, specifically to promote these value meals and bring back price-sensitive customers.

Demographic changes favoring urban and suburban quick-service locations.

The US population continues to grow and shift, creating new opportunities for QSR expansion, particularly in the suburbs and new urban centers. Jack in the Box is actively pursuing a growth strategy to capitalize on this, which includes a net reduction of underperforming units to clear the path for new, better-located stores.

In fiscal year 2025, the company opened 31 new restaurants but closed 86 as part of a strategic cleanup, including 38 under the 'JACK on Track' block closure program. This is a necessary, if painful, step to improve the overall health of the system.

The growth focus is on new markets, most notably their re-entry into the Chicago market in 2025, where they plan to open eight corporate-operated stores initially, with a long-term potential for up to 125 total units in the city and surrounding suburbs. They are also expanding into states like Florida, Kentucky, and Utah, using a variety of formats, including traditional drive-thrus, end-caps, and even 'dark kitchens' to serve dense areas.

Jack in the Box Inc. (JACK) - Key Social Factor Metrics (FY 2025)

Social Factor Trend	Metric/Value	Implication
Value Focus (Tight Budgets)	FY 2025 Same-Store Sales Decrease: 4.2%	Indicates significant pressure from price-sensitive consumers and transaction declines.
Value Focus (Response)	Combos under $10: 61% of menu	Direct, aggressive strategy to recapture value-seeking traffic in late 2025.
Convenience (Digital)	Digital Sales (Q3 2025): 18.5% of revenue	Strong adoption of mobile/kiosk ordering, validating tech investment.
Demographic Expansion	FY 2025 Net Restaurant Change: (55) (31 opened, 86 closed)	Strategic closure of underperforming units to fund growth in new, high-potential markets like Chicago.

Jack in the Box Inc. (JACK) - PESTLE Analysis: Technological factors

You're looking at Jack in the Box's technological landscape, and honestly, it's all about fighting the labor squeeze and speeding up the drive-thru. The quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector is in a full-blown tech race, and Jack in the Box is defintely pushing hard on automation and data to keep its margins healthy. This isn't just about a slicker app; it's a fundamental shift in how they operate, touching everything from ordering to the kitchen line.

The core focus for 2025 is on reducing transaction time and labor dependency, which directly impacts the bottom line. Here's the quick math: shaving 15 seconds off the average drive-thru time can translate into a significant bump in throughput, especially at peak hours.

Investment in AI-powered voice ordering and automated drive-thrus.

Jack in the Box is aggressively rolling out artificial intelligence (AI) voice ordering systems, a critical move given that a massive portion of their sales-around 70%-still comes through the drive-thru. This technology, often referred to as conversational AI, aims to replace human order-takers, improving accuracy and speed.

The company has been piloting this technology with partners like Presto Automation, and the goal for the 2025 fiscal year is to have it installed in a substantial number of corporate and franchised locations. The initial results from early tests showed order accuracy rates climbing above 95%, plus a measurable reduction in the average order time. This shift is essential for managing the rising minimum wage pressures across key US markets.

Key benefits of the AI drive-thru implementation:

• Improve order accuracy, reducing food waste and remakes.
• Maintain consistent service quality regardless of staffing levels.
• Free up human employees for complex tasks like food preparation.
• Enable 24/7 service without premium night-shift wages.

Expansion of the mobile app and loyalty program for personalized offers.

The mobile app and the Jack Pack Rewards loyalty program are no longer just a convenience; they are a direct-to-consumer data pipeline. Jack in the Box is heavily investing in the app's functionality to drive higher-margin digital sales. The digital sales mix, which includes app, web, and third-party delivery, has been a major growth driver, projected to exceed 15% of total sales by the end of 2025.

The loyalty program is the engine for personalization. By tracking customer purchase history, the company can deploy hyper-targeted offers-like a discount on a specific breakfast item to a customer who only buys lunch-which boosts visit frequency and average ticket size. This targeted approach is far more cost-effective than broad, untargeted promotions.

Use of data analytics to optimize menu pricing and staffing levels.

Data analytics is the invisible hand guiding strategic decisions. Jack in the Box uses advanced analytics platforms to implement dynamic pricing (adjusting prices based on demand, time of day, and competitor pricing) and to optimize labor scheduling. This is how they maximize profit per transaction without alienating customers.

For labor optimization, the systems analyze historical sales data, weather patterns, and local events to predict demand with high accuracy, often down to 15-minute intervals. This allows managers to staff precisely, reducing unnecessary labor costs. The goal is to keep labor costs as a percentage of sales below a certain target, often around 25% for the industry.

Analytics Optimization Area	Strategic Goal	Projected Impact (FY 2025)
Dynamic Menu Pricing	Maximize revenue per transaction	Potential 3% lift in average ticket size
Labor Scheduling	Reduce non-productive labor hours	Targeted 1.5% reduction in labor cost as % of sales
Inventory Forecasting	Minimize food waste and stockouts	Expected 5% improvement in food cost margin

Kitchen automation to improve speed and reduce labor dependency.

The back-of-house is the next frontier for automation. As labor costs continue to climb, Jack in the Box is exploring and piloting various forms of kitchen automation to improve consistency and throughput. This includes automated fryers, robotic arms for repetitive tasks like drink dispensing, and advanced cooking technology that requires less human oversight.

While full-scale robotic kitchens are still a few years out, the near-term focus is on modular automation that handles the most labor-intensive and high-turnover tasks. This helps reduce training time for new employees and ensures a consistent product quality, which is critical for customer retention. The investment here is a long-term play to future-proof operations against unpredictable labor markets.

The shift to automation is not just about cost; it's about capacity. If you can automate the repetitive tasks, your existing team can handle higher volumes during rush hour, so you don't miss out on sales.

Jack in the Box Inc. (JACK) - PESTLE Analysis: Legal factors

Complex and varying state-level labor laws, especially in key markets.

You're operating a Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) chain, so labor law compliance is defintely your biggest legal headache, especially in core states like California where Jack in the Box Inc. has a heavy concentration of restaurants. The state's new fast-food minimum wage law, Assembly Bill (AB) 1228, is the single most impactful piece of legislation in 2025.

This law raised the minimum wage for fast-food workers at chains with 60 or more locations nationwide to $20 per hour, effective April 1, 2024. Since more than 40% of all Jack in the Box locations-over 900 restaurants-are in California, this is a massive operational shift. The company estimated this change would increase wages at its corporate restaurants by 10% to 12% in the near term, forcing a plan to raise companywide prices by 6% to 8% to offset the cost.

Beyond the $20 fast-food rate, the general California state minimum wage also increased to $16.50 per hour as of January 1, 2025, and local city ordinances often mandate even higher rates. Plus, new state laws like the reforms to the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) mean you need to be meticulous with wage statements and compliance to avoid costly representative actions, even with new caps on penalties for employers who take all reasonable steps to comply.

Franchise disclosure and relationship regulations requiring compliance.

The vast majority of Jack in the Box restaurants are franchised, so the legal relationship with your operators is constantly governed by a patchwork of federal and state regulations, most notably the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Franchise Rule. This requires the rigorous annual update and distribution of a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), which for Jack in the Box is an extensive document exceeding 600 pages.

Compliance hinges on strict adherence to disclosure timing, including the mandatory 14-day and 7-day disclosure periods before any agreement can be signed. Furthermore, state-specific franchise relationship laws, particularly in states like California, Hawaii, and Illinois, impose substantive standards that limit the franchisor's ability to terminate or alter franchise arrangements, which adds a layer of complexity to managing the franchise system.

Here's the quick math on the core franchise fees for a new operator in the 2025 fiscal year:

Fee Type	Amount/Rate	Basis
Initial Franchise Fee	$50,000	Per restaurant, for a 20-year term.
Estimated Initial Investment	$1,910,500 - $4,032,100	Excluding land and financing.
Ongoing Royalty Fee	5%	Of Gross Sales.
Ongoing Marketing Fee	5%	Of Gross Sales.

Food safety and public health standards that require constant auditing.

Food safety is a non-negotiable legal and public trust issue, especially in the QSR sector. Jack in the Box Inc. has long relied on a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) system, which is a science-based food-safety-management system, for all its restaurants and suppliers. This system requires constant auditing.

The company maintains compliance through a robust, multi-layered auditing process:

• On-site audits by internal Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance staff.
• Unannounced inspections by independent third-party auditors throughout the year.
• Regular sampling and testing of ingredients at the Food Safety Lab for microbiological, chemical, and physical compliance.

In 2025, new federal regulations have heightened the compliance burden. The FDA has updated its food labeling compliance program, notably recognizing sesame as the ninth major allergen that must be clearly labeled, requiring immediate changes to ingredient sourcing, preparation protocols, and menu disclosures. You must ensure your entire supply chain and all restaurant-level procedures reflect these updated federal standards.

Data privacy laws (e.g., CCPA) governing customer information collection.

As a major consumer-facing company that collects customer data through its loyalty programs, mobile app, and online ordering, Jack in the Box Inc. is a clear target for data privacy compliance, especially under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

The latest CCPA regulations, approved in late 2025, introduce significant new legal obligations that will roll out over the next few years:

• Risk Assessments: Required before initiating any processing that presents a significant privacy risk, with compliance for new activities starting January 1, 2026.
• Cybersecurity Audits: Businesses must conduct annual audits, with the first certification deadlines starting April 1, 2028, depending on revenue size.
• Automated Decision-Making Technology (ADMT): New rules governing the use of ADMT for significant decisions (like hiring or compensation) take effect on January 1, 2027, requiring pre-use notice and consumer rights to opt out or appeal.

This means your legal and IT teams need to start mapping the use of any AI or machine learning in HR or marketing now. You also need to update your privacy policy to disclose the categories of personal information shared with service providers and contractors in the preceding 12 months, a new requirement that is effective in the near term. The legal landscape is moving fast; compliance is a continuous process, not a one-time fix.

Jack in the Box Inc. (JACK) - PESTLE Analysis: Environmental factors

Pressure to reduce single-use plastic and improve packaging sustainability.

You're seeing intense public and regulatory pressure on quick-service restaurants (QSRs) to ditch single-use plastics, and Jack in the Box is defintely responding, though the pace is deliberate. The company has a clear, long-term goal to cut virgin plastic in its packaging by 20% by 2030, benchmarked against 2020 levels. Here's the quick math: as of September 2024, the proportion of virgin plastic remains high at approximately 92% of packaging, meaning the bulk of the work is still ahead.

Still, the company has made a significant, system-wide change by transitioning its packaging suite to be 100% PFAs-free (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) as of 2023. This removes a major chemical risk. Also, the shift to sustainable fiber is progressing well, with approximately 87.24% of fiber packaging material sourced from recycled or certified sustainable sources as of September 2024. Plus, over half of the packaging spend is now on compostable materials.

• FY2024 Compostable Spend: Approximately 52.84% of total food packaging spend went toward compostable materials.
• Virgin Plastic Goal: Reduce by 20% by 2030 (from 2020 baseline).
• PFAs Status: 100% PFAs-free systemwide since 2023.

Franchisee mandates for energy-efficient equipment and reduced utility use.

For a heavily franchised model like Jack in the Box, environmental action often hinges on franchisee buy-in, which requires a strong financial case. The corporate office in San Diego leads by example, generating significant solar electricity and promoting energy-efficient practices like the transition to LED lighting and the installation of electric vehicle charging stations across its system. However, specific, system-wide mandates for franchisees on energy-efficient equipment with a measurable 2025 utility reduction target are not explicitly detailed in public reports.

The real risk here is the rising cost of compliance for the entire industry. Broader federal and state regulations, like those mandating stricter energy efficiency standards for commercial cooling appliances, create a future cost burden for all restaurant owners, including Jack in the Box franchisees, which could require costly electrical or structural upgrades to older stores, even if the strict standards for walk-in coolers don't start until 2029.

Supply chain scrutiny regarding sustainable sourcing of beef and other inputs.

Supply chain sustainability is a major investor focus, especially for a burger chain where beef is a primary input. While Jack in the Box requires its beef and pork suppliers to adhere to industry guidelines from organizations like the North American Meat Institute and pass third-party animal welfare audits, the company's public disclosures lack specific, quantitative metrics on sustainable or regenerative beef sourcing for 2025. This is a material information gap for investors focused on Scope 3 emissions.

Where the company has set a hard, near-term goal is in its egg supply. Jack in the Box is committed to transitioning 100% of its egg supply to cage-free eggs by the end of 2025. This is a clear, measurable target that demonstrates progress on a specific animal welfare issue. As of the end of 2024, the company was on track, with approximately 87% to 89% of its egg supply being cage-free.

Corporate reporting on greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2, and 3).

Jack in the Box has made a recent, significant step in disclosing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, largely due to shareholder pressure. The company published its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions data for the Fiscal Year 2023, which covers direct emissions and emissions from purchased electricity, respectively. This disclosure established the baseline for its reduction targets.

The company's long-term commitment is to reduce its combined Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 50% by the end of 2043. What this estimate hides, however, is the lack of Scope 3 reporting, which for a QSR is the majority of its carbon footprint, coming from the value chain-especially beef. Morningstar Sustainalytics currently assesses Jack in the Box as severely misaligned with the 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming target, a direct result of this incomplete disclosure and the aggressive long-term nature of the goals.

Here are the key targets and recent data points:

Metric	Base Year/Period	Value/Target	Timeline/Goal
Scope 1 & 2 GHG Emissions Reduction	FY2023 Baseline	12.5% Reduction	End of 2028 (Short Term)
Scope 1 & 2 GHG Emissions Reduction	FY2023 Baseline	25% Reduction	End of 2033 (Medium Term)
Cage-Free Egg Sourcing	End of 2024 Estimate	87% to 89% Cage-Free	100% by End of 2025
Total Consolidated Water Usage	FY2024	Approximately 138.5 million gallons	N/A