First Chicago-Area Jack In The Box To Open This Summer

LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL — Jack in the Box will be returning to Illinois this summer, with the opening of 10 new restaurants in the coming months, including one in Lake in the Hills, company officials said.

Construction drawings for the building at 320 North Randall Road in Lake in the Hills were approved in recent months, said John Svalenka, director of community development for the village of Lake in the Hills, told Patch on Tuesday. But the company has not yet submitted a building permit to the village.

It's unclear at this point when exactly the Randall Road Jack in the Box will open.

"The village has reviewed and approved the construction drawings, and we’ll be able to issue the required building permits after the general contractor and subcontractors are identified and registered with the village," Svalenka said. "Our understanding is that Jack in the Box is close to completing the process of accepting bids and hiring contractors, but they have not provided any details about specific dates.:

Jack in the Box earmarked Lake in the Hills among the suburban locales for a new restaurant as the chain, which is best known for its burgers, returns to Illinois for the first time in 40 to 50 years, the company said in a news release last summer.

Ultimately, the company hopes to open 125 stores in the Chicago market, and will start with locations in Lake in the Hills, Tinley Park, New Lenox, Naperville, Plainfield, Carol Stream and Countryside, with an additional Chicago location near Midway.

"This strategic expansion into Chicago allows us to not only satisfy long-standing customer demand for our brand, but also to become a key member in the region’s thriving restaurant scene," said Darin Harris, CEO of Jack in the Box. "We’re excited to bring our unique menu where customers can order any item at any time—day or night and we’re confident Jack in the Box will quickly become a favorite local destination."

In an announcement in late February, Jack in the Box officials said they'd completed development agreements for two new franchisees to expand in Chicago as well as eight company-owned restaurants. The restaurants will begin opening this summer, company officials said.

In mid-January, Casey Middleton, communications manager for Jack in the Box, said the company did not have "concrete updates to share" on the Lake in the Hills opening. More information will be shared as the opening draws closer, she said.

Jack in the Box is known for its burgers, tacos, chicken sandwiches, milkshakes, breakfast, and late-night snacking options. The new locations will offer dine-in, drive-thru, and mobile ordering options and will be open 24 hours per day.

"We’ve spearheaded conveniences that would become industry standards like the drive-thru, breakfast sandwiches and portable salads," the company said on its website. "Now we feature one of the largest and most distinctive menus in the quick-serve restaurant space. Everything from burgers to tacos to egg rolls. All cravings are welcome here."

Burgers "make up the core" of its menu, the chain's website reads.

The chain currently has 2,100 locations across 21 states, according to its website.

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