Dustin Thompson

Director of Franchise Development & Marketing · Jack in the Box

Dustin Thompson, MBA, CFE, is Director of Franchise Development & Marketing at Jack in the Box Inc., where he leads franchise recruitment, lead generation, and growth strategy for the Jack in the Box brand nationwide. With a career spanning the franchise industry, he helps entrepreneurs bring beloved restaurant brands to their communities.

"The thing I enjoy most about franchising is getting to see people fulfill their dreams — bringing the brand they love to life in their own community, and creating jobs while they do it."

Dustin Thompson grew up inside the franchising world before he ever worked in it. His mother spent more than two decades with a single franchisor, and as a kid Dustin tagged along to grand openings — watching first-time owners cut ribbons and turn a lifelong dream into a storefront. That early exposure shaped a career he describes as more than three decades immersed in franchising, directly and indirectly.

He started professionally right out of college as an intern and worked his way up across multiple departments and roles. Along the way he built deep expertise in franchise recruitment marketing, lead and demand generation, candidate qualification, and the full development journey — from a prospect's first call through real estate, construction, and the day the doors finally open.

Today, as Director of Franchise Development & Marketing at Jack in the Box Inc., Dustin leads franchise development and marketing for Jack in the Box where he works with prospective operators across the country.

He's a frequent spokesperson for the brand's expansion and a believer that franchising, at its core, is a support business: the franchisor is there at every step — development, real estate, construction, and on through marketing and daily operations once a store is open.

Dustin is a regular speaker on franchise development panels and was recently honored with the 2026 Franchise Thought Leadership Award.

Credentials and Affiliations

MBA, Kennesaw State University

Certified Franchise Executive (2016)

2026 Franchise Thought Leadership Award Winner