Restaurant owned by Jack in the Box parent wants to come to Lexington
Lexington could become the first Kentucky location of a California-based restaurant chain known for its fresh and flavorful tacos.
Del Taco, which has headquarters in Lake Forest, Calif., is hoping to open up to five locations in the Lexington market, said Dustin Thompson, director of franchise marketing and development.
The restaurant, which serves house-made guacamole, pico de gallo, slow-steeped beans and freshly grated cheese with its menu of Mexican-inspired tacos and burgers, is owned by the same parent company that owns Jack in the Box.
Thompson said they are still hoping to open up to seven Jack in the Box locations in Lexington, too. Plans were announced in 2023 to bring Jack in the Box to Kentucky, and there are now at least three open in Louisville, but none so far in Lexington.
When is Jack in the Box coming?
Thompson said the company is still looking for the right franchisees to pilot the brands here, likely separate operators for the two concepts, he said.
They are looking for someone with business acumen and prefer restaurant experience, he said.
Once they find the right partner, Thompson said, they hope to open the first restaurants within 24 months.
“We’re really excited about the Lexington market,” Thompson said. “Both brands are unique. Jack in the Box is a 24-hour concept, and any menu item can be ordered any time of day.”
So you can get a burger, fries and shake at 3 a.m. and breakfast at 3 p.m., he said.
Van Ingram, Jack in the Box vice president for franchise development, said in 2023 that Jack in the Box hopes to bring up to five new restaurant locations inside New Circle Road, plus 10 to 15 more outside, including in nearby cities like Richmond, Winchester, Georgetown, London, Frankfort and Morehead.
Target areas in Lexington include the Nicholasville Road corridor, Hamburg area, near the UK campus, on Tates Creek near Man o’ War and on New Circle in the Bryan Station/Russell Cave road area.
Ingram said Lexington’s demographics and growth make it “an ideal market” ripe for Jack in the Box’s unique menu, which is wide-ranging from sirloin beef burgers and sandwiches to popcorn chicken, tiny tacos (a cult favorite), curly fries and egg rolls.
What sets Del Taco apart from other Mexican chains?
Del Taco, which focuses on fast and fresh Mexican food, is open from 10 a.m. to late night, with extended hours on weekends. Most locations have drive-thrus.
“It’s a great product, with the speed of a quick-service restaurant,” Thompson said.
Del Taco is already gaining traction in the region. The brand recently announced a 10-store deal for Indianapolis, is building out restaurants in Columbus, Ohio, and from the East Coast hub in Atlanta has already moved into Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
“So Lexington is congruent and adjacent to those markets,” he said.
