Lenox's New Mayor Is Ready To Host Jack In The Box

Mayor Tim Baldermann said Friday that the West Coast fast-food chain had asked to come to New Lenox, but he wasn’t sure about much more.

July 5, 2024 11:53 AM CDT | Update July 5, 2024 12:15 PM CDT

NEW LENOX, IL — Rumor has it that California-based Jack in the Box is making a comeback in Illinois, with locations in several suburbs, including New Lenox. Mayor Tim Baldermann said Friday he hasn’t heard much about their arrival, but confirmed they’ve inquired with the Village.

The chain announced its return to the Chicago area this week, citing plans to open in several suburbs, including New Lenox, Tinley Park, Naperville, Plainfield, Carol Stream, Lake in the Hills, Countryside, with an additional location in Chicago near Midway. The openings are slated for 2025, with some extending into 2026, the company said. It has been more than 40 years since the chain last operated in Chicago and Illinois, the company said in a statement. The company hopes to open 125 stores in the Chicago market.

It’s not yet clear where in New Lenox they plan to open, Mayor Tim Baldermann said, and he doesn’t have many details yet.

“They have reached out to our office to inquire about procedures and business codes,” Baldermann told Patch. “We look forward to learning more about their plans to open in New Lenox.”

Jack in the Box is known for its iconic menu that features customer favorites like burgers, tacos, chicken sandwiches, milkshakes, breakfast and late-night snacks.

“Development sites will include traditional independent restaurants, drive-through outlets, conversions of existing buildings and dark kitchens,” the company said in a statement.

The new locations will offer dine-in, drive-thru and mobile ordering options and will be open 24 hours a day.

“We introduced services that would become industry standards, like drive-through, breakfast sandwiches and grab-and-go salads,” the company said on its website. “We now offer one of the most extensive and distinctive menus in fast food. Everything from burgers to tacos to egg rolls. Every craving is welcome here.”

Hamburgers are “the heart” of its menu, the chain’s website says. The chain currently has 2,100 locations in 21 states, according to its website. In June, executives announced continued expansion in Florida, in addition to its first locations in Georgia and Kentucky. The company also plans to expand to Michigan, Arkansas, Montana and Wyoming, according to its website.

Jack in the Box promotes franchise opportunities available throughout the city of Chicago as well as in markets across the country. If you would like to learn more about owning your own Jack in the Box franchise, please visit www.jackintheboxfranchising.com.