Tim May
2008-03-21 05:23:16 UTC
Since I just praised the Big Hamburger at Carl's Jr. and compared it
favorably to the Jack in the Box basic hamburger (which I think is
named the Jumbo Jack, but I could be mistaken), I feel obligated to
mention the new "served all day" breakfast sandwiches at JiTB.
On a trip to JiTB a few weeks ago, I ordered a basic hamburger and also
a breakfast sausage (and a water, as I usually do). I didn't care that
it was 3 pm.
The breakfast sausage sandwich (99 cents) was excellent. Perfectly
cooked, moist, yadda yadda yadda. The burger was good, too.
Such a deal for $1.98 plus tax!
I'm impressed by the business model of Jack in the Box. A small,
crowded kitchen, usually fully visible from the ordering counter. And
usually a fairly small seating area. Helps control costs.
By comparison, the Wendy's place nearest me has a kitchen that is
completely hidden from view, a seating area with probably 30 tables (at
least 5 rows by 6 columns). Too big, too few customers, non-memorable
food, even for fast food.
The Jack in the Boxes I know of have more customers than the Wendy's
stores do. (For reference: JiTB in Watsonville, 2 of them, in Santa
Cruz, 1 of them. Wendy's in Watsonville, 1 of them.)
(I so seldom go into McDonald's or BK that I won't quote crowdedness
numbers. And about In-N-Out, well, I have written about these. They are
nearly always crowded and have a truly great business model.
Regrettably, they have not yet arrived within 25 miles of where I
live.)
My current tally of business models:
Great Business Models:
-- In-N-Out, for burgers--simple menu, delicous, slightly expensive,
but worth it (privately held, so no stock investment...I wonder why?)
-- Subway, for sandwiches--extremely inexpensive, healthful, for the
$2.99 deals (privately held, so no stock investment...I wonder why?)
Good Business Models:
-- Jack in the Box, burgers--good for basics, tacos are good, breakfast
menu served all day is a stroke of genius (ObMcDonald's customer: "What
do you mean you stopped serving breakfast 10 minutes ago!?") The 3
JiTBs in my area have a lot of traffic.
-- Carl's Jr, for the basics like Big Hamburgers, not so great for the
Six Dollar Burgers and Green Burrito (or whatever) Mexican menu
-- KFC -- I have to say, the KFCs near me seem to be thriving. Probably
a good move that they are bringing back the mention of "Kentucky Fried
Chicken," as people are tired of the political correctness--they _know_
they are eating fried chicken and that is finger-licking delicious
(TM), so why try to hide this fact?
Declining or Bad Business Models
-- Quizno's, for overpriced, foo-foo, "toasted" sandwiches (Togo's is
also likely declining, but it's sort of a regional brand, so I won't
get into it in detail....see comments over the years by me on Togo's)
-- Wendy's...the square burgers thing is not very enticing...stores are
mostly empty
-- McDonald's -- every single one I see that is within shouting
distance of an In-N-Out is basically deserted...even ones I see that
are isolated often have empty parking lots...if I were to be an
investor in fast food places, I'd sell this one short.
-- Burger King -- see McDonald's
Too Soon to Tell Business Models
-- Taco Bell -- most have a lot of in-n-out traffic, no pun intended,
and they fill a niche
Not Rated Business Models
-- Sonic (none near me in past 28 years), Chick-Fil-A (huh?), El Pollo
Loco (none near me currently), and any of the Mexican chains like
Chipotle or Baja Fresh
-- no pizza places are rated
So there it is. In-N-Out, Jack in the Box, and Carl's Jr. offer good
value for the money, especially if "numbered meals" are avoided. Except
for In-N-Out, where I usually splurge and order the Double-Double,
fries, and soda.
--Tim May
favorably to the Jack in the Box basic hamburger (which I think is
named the Jumbo Jack, but I could be mistaken), I feel obligated to
mention the new "served all day" breakfast sandwiches at JiTB.
On a trip to JiTB a few weeks ago, I ordered a basic hamburger and also
a breakfast sausage (and a water, as I usually do). I didn't care that
it was 3 pm.
The breakfast sausage sandwich (99 cents) was excellent. Perfectly
cooked, moist, yadda yadda yadda. The burger was good, too.
Such a deal for $1.98 plus tax!
I'm impressed by the business model of Jack in the Box. A small,
crowded kitchen, usually fully visible from the ordering counter. And
usually a fairly small seating area. Helps control costs.
By comparison, the Wendy's place nearest me has a kitchen that is
completely hidden from view, a seating area with probably 30 tables (at
least 5 rows by 6 columns). Too big, too few customers, non-memorable
food, even for fast food.
The Jack in the Boxes I know of have more customers than the Wendy's
stores do. (For reference: JiTB in Watsonville, 2 of them, in Santa
Cruz, 1 of them. Wendy's in Watsonville, 1 of them.)
(I so seldom go into McDonald's or BK that I won't quote crowdedness
numbers. And about In-N-Out, well, I have written about these. They are
nearly always crowded and have a truly great business model.
Regrettably, they have not yet arrived within 25 miles of where I
live.)
My current tally of business models:
Great Business Models:
-- In-N-Out, for burgers--simple menu, delicous, slightly expensive,
but worth it (privately held, so no stock investment...I wonder why?)
-- Subway, for sandwiches--extremely inexpensive, healthful, for the
$2.99 deals (privately held, so no stock investment...I wonder why?)
Good Business Models:
-- Jack in the Box, burgers--good for basics, tacos are good, breakfast
menu served all day is a stroke of genius (ObMcDonald's customer: "What
do you mean you stopped serving breakfast 10 minutes ago!?") The 3
JiTBs in my area have a lot of traffic.
-- Carl's Jr, for the basics like Big Hamburgers, not so great for the
Six Dollar Burgers and Green Burrito (or whatever) Mexican menu
-- KFC -- I have to say, the KFCs near me seem to be thriving. Probably
a good move that they are bringing back the mention of "Kentucky Fried
Chicken," as people are tired of the political correctness--they _know_
they are eating fried chicken and that is finger-licking delicious
(TM), so why try to hide this fact?
Declining or Bad Business Models
-- Quizno's, for overpriced, foo-foo, "toasted" sandwiches (Togo's is
also likely declining, but it's sort of a regional brand, so I won't
get into it in detail....see comments over the years by me on Togo's)
-- Wendy's...the square burgers thing is not very enticing...stores are
mostly empty
-- McDonald's -- every single one I see that is within shouting
distance of an In-N-Out is basically deserted...even ones I see that
are isolated often have empty parking lots...if I were to be an
investor in fast food places, I'd sell this one short.
-- Burger King -- see McDonald's
Too Soon to Tell Business Models
-- Taco Bell -- most have a lot of in-n-out traffic, no pun intended,
and they fill a niche
Not Rated Business Models
-- Sonic (none near me in past 28 years), Chick-Fil-A (huh?), El Pollo
Loco (none near me currently), and any of the Mexican chains like
Chipotle or Baja Fresh
-- no pizza places are rated
So there it is. In-N-Out, Jack in the Box, and Carl's Jr. offer good
value for the money, especially if "numbered meals" are avoided. Except
for In-N-Out, where I usually splurge and order the Double-Double,
fries, and soda.
--Tim May