Jack-In-The-Box Returns To Illinois After Decades-Here’s Where

In the interests of full disclosure, I'm forced to admit that I have never eaten at a Jack-in-the-Box restaurant. I've never had their food, and really don't know much about what makes them popular. Plus, the last one in Illinois closed back in 1980, so it would have be a while if I had ever been in one.

What I have learned is that Jack-in-the-Box (the first store opened in San Diego in 1951) pioneered a concept that every single fast food drive-thru (and even many fast casual restaurants) uses every single day in every single city in every state.

The drive-thru two-way intercom.

The idea of a drive-thru wasn't a new concept, but Robert O. Peterson, the founder of Jack-in-the-Box, revolutionized it by adding a two-way intercom for direct contact between the kitchen and the customer. It was incredibly successful, and became an industry standard.

Jack-in-the-Box also was the first fast-food restaurant to serve breakfast sandwiches (1969) and portable salads (1982).

As Of April Of This Year, Jack-In-The-Box Has Around 2,200 Locations In 22 States, Mostly On The West Coast--But The Chain Is Planning On Expanding

According to published reports, that expansion will result in new Jack-in-the-Box restaurants being built in Florida (they've never had Jack-in-the-Box there), Arkansas, Wyoming, Montana, Michigan, and right here in Illinois where we've been Jack-less for over 40 years.

Not for long.

Jack-in-the-Box has plans to open eight to ten stores in the Chicago area (the first one this year), and their strategic plan calls for over 125 new locations throughout the wider Chicagoland region, including a location near Midway Airport. The locations mentioned include Tinley Park, New Lenox, Naperville, Carol Stream, and Lake in the Hills.

The first one will not be in any of those spots.

The First New Jack-In-The-Box In Illinois In Over 40 Years Will Be In Plainfield

According to the Jack-in-the-Box website, a new store is getting set to open at 2101 Route 59 in Plainfield in July, after moving back the previous opening date scheduled for this month.

When you scroll down the webpage, you'll notice that one more Illinois location is listed under "Nearby Locations," and that address is 672 East Lincoln Highway in New Lenox. The New Lenox location is scheduled for opening in August.