Is Jack in the Box Opening in Florida?

By Dustin Thompson, Director of Franchise Development and Marketing at Jack in the Box

Last updated: June 22, 2026

Key Takeaways

• Yes, Jack in the Box is coming to Florida. We opened our first Florida restaurant in Longwood on February 19, 2026, with our next Orlando-area restaurant planned for later in 2026.
• The Greater Orlando region is our current development focus, and we are actively recruiting franchisees in markets across the state.
• Florida is the third most populous state in the country and ranks second nationally for franchise growth in 2026, according to the IFA Franchising Economic Outlook.
• To qualify, you need a minimum of $750,000 in liquid assets and a minimum net worth of $1.5 million.
• The estimated initial investment per restaurant is $1,909,500 to $4,041,500, excluding land, financing, and certain other costs, per Item 7 of our Franchise Disclosure Document.
• Florida is an active development market, so qualifying franchisees may be eligible for our development incentives.

Is Jack in the Box Coming to Florida?

Yes. Jack in the Box is back in Florida, and we are looking for new franchise partners to help us grow here.

I am Dustin Thompson, and I run franchise development and marketing for Jack in the Box. This is the question I field more than almost any other from prospective owners, so I want to answer it plainly and give you the real numbers behind it.

We opened our first Florida restaurant in Longwood on February 19, 2026. That was our first day serving guests in the state in roughly three decades, and the response told us what we already suspected: people here have been waiting for us. Our next restaurant is planned for the Orlando area later this year, and we are not stopping there.

If you live anywhere from Jacksonville to Tampa to Miami and you have wondered whether you could own a piece of this, the short version is that the door is open.

Does Jack in the Box Have Locations in Florida?

We have one restaurant open in Longwood today, and we have a growing development pipeline across the Greater Orlando area. Our focus right now is filling out Central Florida, then expanding outward.

Here are the Orlando-area markets where our real estate planning shows strong fit:

• Leesburg
• Ocala
• Daytona Beach
• Deltona
• DeLand
• Edgewater
• Palm Coast
• St. Johns
• Cocoa
• Melbourne
• Palm Bay

Beyond Central Florida, we are hearing from prospective owners in Jacksonville, Tampa, Gainesville, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and the Panhandle. If your preferred market is not on the list above, reach out to our team and we will run a closer look at the location.

Why Is Jack in the Box Betting on Florida?

The simple answer is that the people are here, and the economics follow the people.

Florida is the third most populous state in the country, with roughly 23.4 million residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The growth is not slowing either. U.S. Census Bureau data shows the Orlando metro added about 37,690 residents in a single year, making it the fastest-growing metro area in the state.

That kind of population gain is exactly what a quick-service brand wants to see, and the franchise industry agrees. Florida ranks second nationally for franchise growth in 2026, behind only Texas, in the International Franchise Association's 2026 Franchising Economic Outlook produced by FRANdata. The report names the Southeast as one of the two strongest regions in the country for franchised business expansion.

I have watched site-selection conversations for years, and I can tell you that when population growth, household formation, and franchise momentum point at the same map, that is not a coincidence. That is a window. Florida is in one right now.

What Are the Requirements to Open a Jack in the Box in Florida?

You will need to meet both business and financial requirements before we move forward.

On the business side, our strongest candidates tend to share a few traits:

• Strong business acumen
• Restaurant experience (preferred, not required)
• Genuine passion for the Jack in the Box brand
• The ability to meet our financial requirements
• A commitment to follow brand guidelines and standards
• An entrepreneurial drive

On the financial side, here is what we look for. Note that Jack in the Box is built around multi-unit ownership, so most candidates commit to a development agreement of three to five restaurants.

The royalty and marketing fees fund the support, supply chain, and national brand presence that come with operating under our name. You can review the full liquidity picture in our guide to the Jack in the Box franchise liquidity requirement.

How Much Does a Jack in the Box Franchise Cost in Florida?

The estimated initial investment for a single Jack in the Box restaurant is $1,909,500 to $4,041,500, excluding land, financing, and certain other costs. That range comes straight from Item 7 of our Franchise Disclosure Document, and it covers nearly everything it takes to open the doors.

Here is how that number breaks down across the major cost components.

A few line items worth understanding:

• Initial franchise fee: $50,000 per restaurant
• Building improvements: up to $1,250,400
• Furniture, fixtures, and equipment: up to $967,000
• Three months of additional operating funds: up to $458,600

These figures are based on franchised and company restaurant development costs to open our MK12 prototypical buildings in fiscal years 2023 to 2025. Land is not included in the range and varies widely depending on the size of the site, the location, and whether you buy or lease.

The reason the range is so wide is real estate. A site in a dense Orlando corridor carries a different cost profile than a pad in a growing suburb, and your build is shaped by lot size, lot shape, and which of our prototype buildings fits the parcel.

What Incentives Does Jack in the Box Offer Florida Franchisees?

Florida is an active development market for us, which matters because it can open the door to development support for qualifying owners. You can see the full list on our page covering Jack in the Box franchise incentives, but here are the highlights.

We offer a Development Incentive Program that provides $150,000 at 0% interest for franchisees who commit to three or more restaurants. Qualifying markets may also be eligible for a reduced royalty of 2% during the first five years of operation. Military veterans can receive a 25% reduction on the initial franchise fee through our participation in VetFran.

If you are weighing whether to start with one restaurant or commit to a territory, our overview of the benefits of multi-unit franchising is a useful next read.

How Do You Become a Jack in the Box Franchisee in Florida?

The process starts with a conversation. Here is the path most candidates follow:

1. Submit an inquiry through our website so we can learn about your goals and your target market.
2. Review your business background and financial qualifications against the requirements above.
3. Discuss available territory and complete your Franchise Disclosure Document review.
4. Move into site selection, approval, and development planning.

If you are exploring the category more broadly first, our guides on how to buy a fast-food franchise and the best burger businesses to start give you a wider frame before you commit.

When you are ready, contact our development team and we will reach out with the next steps.

The Bottom Line on Jack in the Box in Florida

Florida is one of the strongest franchise markets in the country right now, and Jack in the Box is back and growing. We have a restaurant open in Longwood, more on the way in the Orlando area, and real opportunity left for owners who want to build something across the state.

At Jack in the Box, we work alongside our franchisees through every step of getting a restaurant open and running.

A few resources worth bookmarking:

• How Much Does a Jack in the Box Franchise Cost?
• Benefits of Multi-Unit Franchising with Jack in the Box
• Does Jack in the Box Offer Franchise Incentives?

To see the full list of open territory, view our available markets.