Jack In The Box Buys Del Taco For $575 Million
As someone who grew up in Orange County surrounded by Del Tacos in the 1980’s and 90’s—before they expanded to other parts of California, and then other states in the southwest—I’ve always felt a special bond with the fast food chain, and in fact consider it to be the very best fast food chain there ever was, and anyone who thinks otherwise is clueless. (For example, people who think that Taco Bell is better than Del Taco are literally insane.) So, this is fucking heartbreaking:
Three years after ditching Qdoba Mexican Eats, Jack in the Box is scooping up Del Taco in a $575 million deal. The deal, which is expected to close early next year, doubles down on Jack in the Box’s success with tacos.
Jack in the Box serves an eclectic array of food from burgers to egg rolls, but the chain has made something of a name for itself with its tacos – and despite getting mixed reviews, they’ve long been atop-selling item for the brand.
Del Taco could be seen as the reverse: It specializes in tacos, quesadillas and other American-style Mexican fare, but it also sells American dishes like burgers.
Together, the California-based brands will have over 2,800 restaurants in 25 states and will be better positioned to compete with large quick-service restaurants, the companies said.
Jack in the Box was founded in and remains headquartered in San Diego. Del Taco is headquartered in Orange County.
“Joining forces will provide additional resources to drive innovation to create more unique, innovative menu items and exceptional guest experiences,” Jack in the Box CEO Darin Harris said during a Monday analyst call discussing the deal. “This will allow Jack and Del Taco to better engage with their existing guests and reach new ones.”
I don’t trust Jack In The Box at all to do right by Del Taco, so like everything else that is pure and good from my childhood, Del Taco is now dead. Also, calling Jack In The Box’s plastic husks—which are filled with what reminds me of cat diarrhea—”tacos” is in insult to tacos.
[ABC: Jack in the Box to buy Del Taco in $575 million deal]
