BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Jul. 09, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature of operations	Nature of operations — Jack in the Box Inc. (the “Company”), together with its consolidated subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick-service restaurants under the Jack in the Box® and Del Taco® restaurant brands.
Basis of presentation	Basis of presentation — The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 2, 2022 (“2022 Form 10-K”). The accounting policies used in preparing these condensed consolidated financial statements are the same as those described in our 2022 Form 10-K. In our opinion, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial condition and results of operations for these interim periods have been included. Operating results for one interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for any other interim period or for the full year.
Fiscal year	Fiscal year — The Company’s fiscal year is 52 or 53 weeks ending the Sunday closest to September 30. Our Del Taco subsidiary operates on a fiscal year ending the Tuesday closest to September 30. Fiscal years 2023 and 2022 include 52 weeks. Our first quarter includes 16 weeks and all other quarters include 12 weeks. All comparisons between 2023 and 2022 refer to the 12 weeks (“quarter”) and 40 weeks (year-to-date”) ended July 9, 2023 and July 10, 2022, respectively, unless otherwise indicated.
Use of estimates	Use of estimates — In preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, management is required to make certain assumptions and estimates that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and the disclosure of contingencies. In making these assumptions and estimates, management may from time to time seek advice and consider information provided by actuaries and other experts in a particular area. Actual amounts could differ materially from these estimates.
Advertising costs	Advertising costs — The Company administers marketing funds at each of its restaurant brands that include contractual contributions. In 2023 and 2022, marketing fund contributions from Jack in the Box franchise and company-operated restaurants were approximately 5.0% of sales, and marketing fund contributions from Del Taco franchise and company-operated restaurants were approximately 4.0% of sales. Year-to-date incremental contributions made by the Company for Jack in the Box brand were less than $0.1 million in 2023. No incremental contributions were made in 2022. Total contributions made by the Company are included in “Selling, general, and administrative expenses” in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of earnings and for the quarter and year-to-date totaled $9.0 million and $30.3 million, respectively, in 2023 and $9.8 million and $22.9 million, respectively, in 2022.
Allowance for credit losses	Allowance for credit losses — The Company closely monitors the financial condition of its franchisees and estimates the allowance for credit losses based on the lifetime expected loss on receivables. These estimates are based on historical collection experience with franchisees as well as other factors, including current market conditions and events. Credit quality is monitored through the timing of payments compared to predefined aging criteria and known facts regarding the financial condition of the franchisee or customer. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after recovery efforts have ceased.
Business combinations	Business combinations — The Company accounts for acquisitions using the acquisition method of accounting. Accordingly, assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets, is recorded as goodwill.
Recent accounting pronouncements	Recent accounting pronouncements — The Company reviewed all recently issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they were either not applicable or not expected to have a significant impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy	Goodwill and trademarks — Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired, if any. We generally record goodwill in connection with the acquisition of restaurants from franchisees or the acquisition of another business. Likewise, upon the sale of restaurants to franchisees, goodwill is decremented. The amount of goodwill written-off is determined as the fair value of the business disposed of as a percentage of the fair value of the reporting unit prior to the disposal. If the business disposed of was never fully integrated into the reporting unit after its acquisition, and thus the benefits of the acquired goodwill were never realized, the current carrying amount of the acquired goodwill is written off. Goodwill is not amortized and has been assigned to reporting units for purposes of impairment testing. The Company’s two restaurant brands, Jack in the Box and Del Taco, are both operating segments and reporting units. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment by determining whether the fair value of our reporting units exceed their carrying values. The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if events and circumstances warrant. Historically, this testing has been performed as of at the end of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year; however, the Company determined that the testing date should be moved up to be performed during the third quarter of each fiscal year. The Company does not consider this change to be material and believes the timing of assessment is preferable as it better aligns with its planning and forecasting process and also provides additional time to complete the annual assessment in advance of quarterly reporting deadlines. The change in assessment date did not delay, accelerate, or cause avoidance of a potential impairment charge. Our impairment analyses first include a qualitative assessment to determine whether events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Significant factors considered in this assessment include, but are not limited to, macro-economic conditions, market and industry conditions, cost considerations, the competitive environment, share price fluctuations, overall financial performance, and results of past impairment tests. If the qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying value, we perform a quantitative impairment test. In performing a quantitative test for impairment of goodwill, we primarily use the income approach method of valuation that includes the discounted cash flow method and the market approach that includes the guideline public company method to determine the fair value of the reporting unit. Significant assumptions made by management to estimate fair value under the discounted cash flow method include future cash flow assumptions, which may differ from actual cash flows due to, among other things, economic conditions, or changes in operating performance. The discount rate is our estimate of the required rate of return that a third-party buyer would expect to receive when purchasing a business from us that constitutes a reporting unit. We believe the discount rate is commensurate with the risk and uncertainty inherent in the forecasted cash flows. Significant assumptions used to determine fair value under the guideline public company method include the selection of guideline companies and the valuation multiples applied. In the process of a quantitative test, if necessary, of the Del Taco trademark intangible asset, we primarily use the relief from royalty method under the income approach method of valuation. Significant assumptions used to determine fair value under the relief from royalty method include future trends in sales, a royalty rate, an estimated income tax rate, and a discount rate to be applied to the forecast revenue stream. During the third quarter of 2023, we performed a qualitative test for the fair value of the Jack in the Box reporting unit, noting that the fair value was substantially in excess of its respective carrying value. We performed quantitative tests over the Del Taco reporting unit using the approaches described above. The fair value of the Del Taco reporting unit and of the Del Taco indefinite-lived trademarks were in excess of their carrying values by approximately 9% and 13%, respectively, as of the testing date.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Jul. 09, 2023

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of operations — Jack in the Box Inc. (the “Company”), together with its consolidated subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick-service restaurants under the Jack in the Box® and Del Taco® restaurant brands.

Basis of presentation

Basis of presentation — The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 2, 2022 (“2022 Form 10-K”). The accounting policies used in preparing these condensed consolidated financial statements are the same as those described in our 2022 Form 10-K.

In our opinion, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial condition and results of operations for these interim periods have been included. Operating results for one interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for any other interim period or for the full year.

Fiscal year

Fiscal year — The Company’s fiscal year is 52 or 53 weeks ending the Sunday closest to September 30. Our Del Taco subsidiary operates on a fiscal year ending the Tuesday closest to September 30. Fiscal years 2023 and 2022 include 52 weeks. Our first quarter includes 16 weeks and all other quarters include 12 weeks. All comparisons between 2023 and 2022 refer to the 12 weeks (“quarter”) and 40 weeks (year-to-date”) ended July 9, 2023 and July 10, 2022, respectively, unless otherwise indicated.

Use of estimates

Use of estimates — In preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, management is required to make certain assumptions and estimates that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and the disclosure of contingencies. In making these assumptions and estimates, management may from time to time seek advice and consider information provided by actuaries and other experts in a particular area. Actual amounts could differ materially from these estimates.

Advertising costs

Advertising costs — The Company administers marketing funds at each of its restaurant brands that include contractual contributions. In 2023 and 2022, marketing fund contributions from Jack in the Box franchise and company-operated restaurants were approximately 5.0% of sales, and marketing fund contributions from Del Taco franchise and company-operated restaurants were approximately 4.0% of sales. Year-to-date incremental contributions made by the Company for Jack in the Box brand were less than $0.1 million in 2023. No incremental contributions were made in 2022.

Total contributions made by the Company are included in “Selling, general, and administrative expenses” in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of earnings and for the quarter and year-to-date totaled $9.0 million and $30.3 million, respectively, in 2023 and $9.8 million and $22.9 million, respectively, in 2022.

Allowance for credit losses

Allowance for credit losses — The Company closely monitors the financial condition of its franchisees and estimates the allowance for credit losses based on the lifetime expected loss on receivables. These estimates are based on historical collection experience with franchisees as well as other factors, including current market conditions and events. Credit quality is monitored through the timing of payments compared to predefined aging criteria and known facts regarding the financial condition of the franchisee or customer. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after recovery efforts have ceased.

Business combinations

Business combinations — The Company accounts for acquisitions using the acquisition method of accounting. Accordingly, assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets, is recorded as goodwill.

Recent accounting pronouncements

Recent accounting pronouncements — The Company reviewed all recently issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they were either not applicable or not expected to have a significant impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy

Goodwill and trademarks — Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired, if any. We generally record goodwill in connection with the acquisition of restaurants from franchisees or the acquisition of another business. Likewise, upon the sale of restaurants to franchisees, goodwill is decremented. The amount of goodwill written-off is determined as the fair value of the business disposed of as a percentage of the fair value of the reporting unit prior to the disposal. If the business disposed of was never fully integrated into the reporting unit after its acquisition, and thus the benefits of the acquired goodwill were never realized, the current carrying amount of the acquired goodwill is written off.

Goodwill is not amortized and has been assigned to reporting units for purposes of impairment testing. The Company’s two restaurant brands, Jack in the Box and Del Taco, are both operating segments and reporting units. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment by determining whether the fair value of our reporting units exceed their carrying values.

The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if events and circumstances warrant. Historically, this testing has been performed as of at the end of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year; however, the Company determined that the testing date should be moved up to be performed during the third quarter of each fiscal year. The Company does not consider this change to be material and believes the timing of assessment is preferable as it better aligns with its planning and forecasting process and also provides additional time to complete the annual assessment in advance of quarterly reporting deadlines. The change in assessment date did not delay, accelerate, or cause avoidance of a potential impairment charge.

Our impairment analyses first include a qualitative assessment to determine whether events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Significant factors considered in this assessment include, but are not limited to, macro-economic conditions, market and industry conditions, cost considerations, the competitive environment, share price fluctuations, overall financial performance, and results of past impairment tests. If the qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying value, we perform a quantitative impairment test.

In performing a quantitative test for impairment of goodwill, we primarily use the income approach method of valuation that includes the discounted cash flow method and the market approach that includes the guideline public company method to determine the fair value of the reporting unit. Significant assumptions made by management to estimate fair value under the discounted cash flow method include future cash flow assumptions, which may differ from actual cash flows due to, among other things, economic conditions, or changes in operating performance. The discount rate is our estimate of the required rate of return that a third-party buyer would expect to receive when purchasing a business from us that constitutes a reporting unit. We believe the discount rate is commensurate with the risk and uncertainty inherent in the forecasted cash flows. Significant assumptions used to determine fair value under the guideline public company method include the selection of guideline companies and the valuation multiples applied.

In the process of a quantitative test, if necessary, of the Del Taco trademark intangible asset, we primarily use the relief from royalty method under the income approach method of valuation. Significant assumptions used to determine fair value under the relief from royalty method include future trends in sales, a royalty rate, an estimated income tax rate, and a discount rate to be applied to the forecast revenue stream.

During the third quarter of 2023, we performed a qualitative test for the fair value of the Jack in the Box reporting unit, noting that the fair value was substantially in excess of its respective carrying value. We performed quantitative tests over the Del Taco reporting unit using the approaches described above. The fair value of the Del Taco reporting unit and of the Del Taco indefinite-lived trademarks were in excess of their carrying values by approximately 9% and 13%, respectively, as of the testing date.