Latest news with #JackInTheBox
Business Insider
15 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Jack In The Box (JACK) was downgraded to a Hold Rating at Stifel Nicolaus
In a report released yesterday, Chris O`Cull from Stifel Nicolaus downgraded Jack In The Box (JACK – Research Report) to a Hold, with a price target of $20.00. The company's shares closed last Wednesday at $17.06. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter According to TipRanks, O`Cull is a 5-star analyst with an average return of 14.4% and a 58.00% success rate. O`Cull covers the Consumer Cyclical sector, focusing on stocks such as Jack In The Box, Papa John's International, and Darden Restaurants. Jack In The Box has an analyst consensus of Hold, with a price target consensus of $29.69.
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Why Private Equity Is Coming For Casual Dining
Arlington Heights, IL, USA - August 14, 2024: Olive Garden is a popular American casual dining ... More restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine. You can't charge $18 for a mediocre burger anymore and expect to survive, especially with private equity circling. The era of casual dining has come to an end. Nostalgia isn't enough to keep the doors open, and the cracks are turning into collapses. TGI Fridays just filed for bankruptcy. Jack in the Box is flailing. Others are quietly shrinking, stuck between rising costs, outdated models, and changing consumer expectations. To most, it looks like an industry in terminal decline. However, investors who are paying attention perceive a sector that is poised for transformation. Behind the failing units and flatlined comps lie brands with real equity, untapped assets, and inefficient structures screaming for reinvention. For private equity, activist investors, and special situation specialists, this isn't a graveyard, it's a treasure map. The restaurant industry is being repriced. And those who know how to restructure from the inside out are already sharpening their knives. Restaurant chains can be highly profitable when managed with discipline. Many operate on asset-light, franchise-heavy models that throw off steady income with minimal capital intensity. Others sit on under-monetized real estate or legacy leases that, if unlocked, can reshape the balance sheet. And while their operations may be stale, their brand equity still carries psychological weight with consumers. That's a dream set up for private equity and special situation investors. Why? The sector is overflowing with fragmentation, inefficiency, and strategic bloat, which are the very traits that smart capital seeks when hunting for mispriced opportunities. Most public restaurant chains today are overly complex, mismanaged, or stuck in a strategic identity crisis. The stock prices reflect that. But behind the scenes, there's real potential not for a revival of the old model, but for a reinvention of what these businesses could be with the right financial structure and operational reset. The gap between public market valuations and private market potential is again widening, and for those with the tools to execute it, the upside is being served right now. Our previous idea with the Cheesecake Factory was a winner. Once a cornerstone of American casual dining, TGI Fridays now faces bankruptcy. Private ownership wasn't enough to save it. Why? The reasons include a stale concept, slow innovation, and operational complacency. The brand didn't evolve, and the market moved on. Jack in the Box isn't faring much better. Despite decades of existence, Jack in the Box's sales remain stagnant, its strategy appears confused, and investors are becoming increasingly uneasy. The problem extends beyond performance; it also involves a vacuum in leadership and identity. Then there's Red Lobster. Red Lobster's recent bankruptcy serves as a prime example of financial engineering gone wrong. But look closer: it still has name recognition, real estate value, and a loyal customer base. Mismanagement, not irrelevance, sank the ship. The pattern is clear. These aren't businesses that failed because dining is dead. Leadership stagnated, complexity escalated, and there was no accountability. None of these collapses were inevitable. With aligned incentives and operational clarity, many of these names could have been restructured, not written off. A view of TGI Fridays on the New Mersey Retail Park, in Speke, Liverpool, one of 35 of the chains ... More restaurants to close with immediate affect with the loss of 1,000 jobs. TGI Fridays will remain on UK high streets following a rescue deal for the chain. Breal Capital and Calveton UK have acquired 51 restaurants after the group's previous operator fell into administration. Picture date: Monday October 7, 2024. (Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images) Red Lobster's recent bankruptcy serves as a prime example of not wanting things to be flawless. They seek undervalued assets, scalable operations, and straightforward revenue streams. The restaurant industry currently possesses all three of these characteristics. Many of these chains still have strong brand awareness, large franchise networks, and even hidden real estate value. However, high costs, outdated menus, and unclear strategic priorities conceal these strengths. A typical playbook shows the same problems: inadequate capital allocation, too many buybacks while innovation slows down, and franchising plans that aren't consistent or scalable. The chance? You don't have to come up with a new way to do things. You merely need to clean up the model, make operations more efficient, and put growth ahead of financial engineering. That includes changing the prices on the menu to match what customers want and to show how much money the business can really make with better management. This is not a consumer collapse, which is beneficial. The restaurant industry currently possesses all three of these characteristics. desire a clear, high-quality experience. Brands that simplify their operations, maintain focus, and deliver quality services will succeed in the future. They should refrain from trying to cater to everyone's needs. In summary, the restaurant business remains intact. It just needs someone with the willpower to fix it. Ottawa, Canada - May 12, 2024: Red Lobster location on Merivale Rd. The casual dining restaurant ... More chain, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, announced in April that it was searching for a new buyer or a possible bankruptcy filing. 1. Stale Stock Price With Strong Brand Recognition → A lagging share price doesn't mean the brand is dead. If it still resonates with consumers, there's room for a strategic reset. 2. Franchise-Focused Model That's Mismanaged → Franchises generate recurring, high-margin cash flows. Poor oversight or inconsistent execution is a fixable flaw—one activist's love. 3. Insider Ownership Trends Or Quiet Accumulation → Watch for insider buying or outside investors quietly building a position. It often signals someone sees untapped value. 4. Declining Same-Store Sales Without Structural Decline → A short-term sales dip is a red flag—but only if it's a trend. If the concept still works, operational fixes can drive a rebound. 5. Inefficient Capital Allocation Or Corporate Bloat → If cash is flowing into buybacks or debt service instead of innovation, it's an open invitation for change. Even across the Atlantic, activist investor Irenic Capital has taken a 2% stake in SSP Group, the operator of Upper Crust and other travel food outlets. The hedge fund is pressuring management to improve margins, suggesting the stock could be worth twice its current valuation. The move sets the stage for a potential private equity takeover, echoing a broader trend: undervalued consumer-facing brands with operational inefficiencies are now prime targets for strategic resets. The market hasn't fully considered the value of many of these struggling restaurant brands yet. But that window won't stay open for long. When private equity and activist investors start circling again, multiples will change, and the chance to buy before restructuring starts will go away rapidly. Smart investors are already looking for inefficiencies, poorly allocated cash, too many layers in a company, and assets that aren't being used to their full potential. Only the most disciplined or forward-thinking capital will respond quickly when interest rates are high. Everyone else will be late and must pay more for something they could have had for less. What will happen to the businesses that refuse to change? They won't simply vanish; instead, they'll undergo dismantling, sale, or render useless. This sector is already starting to change shape. The only question to consider is who will enter the market early enough to take advantage of it?
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
BTS' J-Hope Reveals His Ideal Type On Sana's Show: ‘I Prefer Someone Unlike Me'
Last Updated: In the teaser, Sana curiously asks the Jack In The Box rapper what kind of woman he's drawn to. BTS' J-Hope is all set to appear on the upcoming episode of Sana's Fridge Interview, a light-hearted and revealing talk show hosted by TWICE's Sana. The teaser clip of the episode has already gone viral on social media, especially among BTS ARMYs, for one adorable reason—J-Hope finally opened up about his ideal woman. In the teaser, Sana curiously asks the Jack In The Box rapper what kind of woman he's drawn to. Without missing a beat, J-Hope replies, 'My ideal type is, I think, I prefer someone a bit different from me." Giving a quirky example, he says, 'For example, if I say what's inside this pear drink, I'd just say, 'Oh, there is pear inside.' But the other person would explain it from a different perspective." Although Sana's reaction was muted in the teaser, J-Hope's response to her unseen reply has fans in splits. He is seen bursting into laughter and trying to get up from his chair, only for it to stick to him, resulting in an unintentionally hilarious moment. Fans online are already calling it one of the funniest moments on the show yet. One fan commented on X (formerly Twitter), 'This is the hardest I've seen Sana laugh on this show LMAOOO. Hobi please, can we be NORMAL?" Another user added, 'Not Sana losing her mind over Hobi hahahahahahah. Man is effortlessly funny." Another teaser from the same episode had already sparked buzz among fans, as it featured Sana affectionately calling J-Hope 'Oppa", a Korean term used to address older male friends or love interests. The clip sent fans into a frenzy, igniting speculation and admiration across K-pop fandoms. The full episode featuring J-Hope will premiere on Sana's Fridge Interview on June 19 at 7:00 PM KST. With laughter, charm, and personal revelations already teased, it promises to be a must-watch for fans of both BTS and TWICE. First Published: June 18, 2025, 23:08 IST
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Is Jack In The Box (JACK) Down 19% Since Last Earnings Report?
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Jack In The Box (JACK). Shares have lost about 19% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Jack In The Box due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts. It turns out, fresh estimates have trended downward during the past month. Currently, Jack In The Box has a subpar Growth Score of D, however its Momentum Score is doing a lot better with an A. Following the exact same course, the stock was allocated a grade of A on the value side, putting it in the top quintile for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. It's no surprise Jack In The Box has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). We expect a below average return from the stock in the next few months. Jack In The Box is part of the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry. Over the past month, Cheesecake Factory (CAKE), a stock from the same industry, has gained 6.8%. The company reported its results for the quarter ended March 2025 more than a month ago. Cheesecake Factory reported revenues of $927.2 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +4%. EPS of $0.93 for the same period compares with $0.73 a year ago. For the current quarter, Cheesecake Factory is expected to post earnings of $1.05 per share, indicating a change of -3.7% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -1.6% over the last 30 days. The overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions translate into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Cheesecake Factory. Also, the stock has a VGM Score of A. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Janus Henderson Sustainable & Impact Core Bond ETF (JACK) : Free Stock Analysis Report The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (CAKE) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
Pink Villa
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
J-Hope Killin' It Girl teaser OUT: BTS member turns to dark theme for collab with GloRilla, watch
J-Hope seems to be turning over a new leaf for his upcoming release, third single Killin' It Girl, and the new teaser has only raised hopes about what awaits. The new song is set for a drop on BTS' 12th debut anniversary day, June 13 and brings on another collaboration for the ARSON hitmaker. He will be working together with GloRilla, known for the chart-favorite Sticky alongside Tyler, The Creator, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne. Turning to a black and white theme, the Killin' It Girl music video seems to be nothing like what the BTS member has done before. It's much darker and possibly hard-hitting than his previously light and fun-loving tracks. And while he's no stranger to dark, having explored the other side of his musical mind in the album Jack In The Box, this one is expected to link a possibly complimentary or romantic angle to it. What's the Killin' It Girl teaser about? The music video teaser shows the Chicken Noodle Soup singer lying down in the middle of a street, as businesses run around him. With people hustling and bustling, he sticks out like a sore thumb, and with a twist of a camera comes up on the screen. Eyes up, brimming with dark liner and a tense look in them, this looks like another one of his bangers. J-Hope's Killin' It Girl will hit the screens on June 13 at 1 pm KST (0 am ET, 9:30 am IST), alongside a music video, in which the fans are hoping to see GloRilla in action with the BTS member. On the same day, the rapper is set to conduct day 1 of his HOPE ON THE STAGE FINAL tour, bringing an end to a sold-out series of concerts that began earlier this year. Having toured North America and Asia, the final leg will be held in his homeland of South Korea. It is expected that the other BTS members, Jin, RM, V, Jimin, and Jungkook, will join him on the stage or appear in the audience to support the singer's ending shows. By then, these 5 would have also wrapped up their military service, much like J-Hope himself, gearing up for a full group reunion once SUGA completes his alternative duty on June 21.
