Jack in the Box brings back former CFO

The San Diego-based fast-food chain is turning to its former finance chief at a time when sales and revenue are down


Jack in the Box brings back former CFO + ' Main Photo'

San Diego-based restaurant chain Jack in the Box is filling the role of chief financial officer with a familiar face.

Lance Tucker, who previously served as Jack in the Box’s CFO before leaving in 2020, will take on the role again in the new year. The company announced Tuesday that Tucker will take on the CFO role effective Jan. 13.

The company will lean on his experience and familiarity with the business at a time when its sales and profits are down.

Jack in the Box is one of the nation’s largest hamburger chains with approximately 2,200 restaurants across 23 states. It also owns Del Taco, the second-largest Mexican American fast-food restaurant chain in the U.S.

“We are thrilled to welcome back Lance to the Jack in the Box family,” said CEO Darin Harris in the announcement. “His strong leadership qualities have proven to be a great fit with our executive team. Also, Lance’s strategic expertise will strengthen our financial foundation and drive our goals forward.”

Jack in the Box previously announced that its current finance chief, Brian Scott, is leaving the company on Nov. 20. He joined the restaurant chain a little over a year ago in August.

Scott is leaving to take on the CFO and chief operating officer role at AMN Healthcare, a medical staffing company with offices in San Diego, where he previously worked for 17 years.

Dawn Hooper, Jack in the Box’s senior vice president and controller, will serve as interim CFO until Tucker takes on the full-time role in January.

I am excited to return to Jack in the Box and rejoin a team that shares my passion for innovation and excellence,” Tucker said in the announcement. “With the company’s momentum and the strengthened relationship with our franchisees, I really look forward to the opportunity to collaborate more closely with them, listening to their unique challenges and opportunities. Together, we’ll build upon our established foundation that prioritizes their growth, financial goals, and adaptability in a competitive market.”

Most recently, Tucker served as CFO of Davidson Hospitality Group, which manages hotels including the Hilton Garden Inn in Carlsbad, Margaritaville Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter and Mission Bay’s Paradise Point Resort, to name a few.

Prior to joining Jack in the Box in 2018, Tucker garnered about 20 years of experience in financial leadership at pizza chain Papa John’s and other finance companies.

At Jack in the Box, Tucker will be paid a $200,000 signing bonus, an annual base salary of $650,000 and restricted stock with a long-term incentive value of $500,000. He’ll also be eligible for bonuses tied to performance such as stocks and a payment worth 75% of his base salary.

During the most recent quarter, Jack in the Box reported a $122.3 million net loss, compared with a $29 million profit in the same period of 2023. Sales and revenue from its restaurants were also down year over year during the third quarter.

Jack in the Box is scheduled to report its fourth-quarter earnings on Nov. 20.