Jack in the Box

Robert O. Peterson founded Jack in the Box in San Diego in 1951. Topsy's Drive-In, a small chain of eateries, was already owned by Peterson. Peterson's restaurants had a circus theme by the end of the 1940s, which he continued when he opened the first Jack in the Box.

Jack in the Box was one of the first drive-thru restaurants to use the intercom system, which Peterson purchased from George Manos in 1947. Peterson improved on the intercom system and created the first two-way intercom system, which is still used by every fast food drive-thru today.

Over the next few decades, Peterson grew Jack in the Box until he sold it to Ralston Purina Co. in 1968. Jack in the Box began franchising under Ralston Purina, and by the end of the 1970s, the chain had 1,000 locations.

Currently owned by Apollo Global Management, Jack in the Box is well-known for its eccentric mascot and wide selection of foods designed to satiate any craving.

Although Jack had always been a trademark of Jack in the Box (as the clown perched atop the drive-through intercom and the top of the store's roof), he first appeared as the company's fictitious founder, CEO, and ad pitchman in 1995.

Year Founded: February 21, 1951

Founder(s): Robert Oscar Peterson

Year Franchising Started: early 1970s

Current No. of Locations: 2,200

Headquarters: San Diego, California, USA

Website: https://www.jackinthebox.com