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JACK vs WEN
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Jack in the Box (JACK) vs. The Wendy's Company (WEN) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both JACK and WEN operate in the quick-service restaurant sector and have faced same-store sales pressure in recent market activity amid broader consumer spending caution.
- JACK reported a mixed third-quarter 2026 result with an earnings per share (EPS) beat but revenue shortfall and a 1.1% same-store sales decline, while executing leadership transitions and promotional initiatives.
- WEN continues to navigate multiple quarters of sales declines, including a notable franchisee bankruptcy filing, contributing to elevated short interest and volatility in recent weeks.
- Market capitalization differs significantly, with WEN at approximately $1.3 billion compared to JACK near $254 million, reflecting scale and investor positioning contrasts.
- Relative performance shows both stocks trading well below 52-week highs, with JACK exhibiting sharper year-to-date declines around 30% versus WEN near 18%.
- Sector exposure remains concentrated in U.S. fast-food burgers, where promotional activity, franchisee health, and operational efficiency serve as primary differentiators in current sentiment.
Introduction
Jack in the Box (JACK) and The Wendy's Company (WEN) represent two publicly traded participants in the quick-service restaurant industry, each with established domestic footprints and exposure to similar macroeconomic and consumer trends. This comparison examines their business profiles, recent operational results, and market positioning to assist institutional and individual investors evaluating relative value within the consumer discretionary sector. Traders monitoring momentum signals, franchise system dynamics, or sector rotation may find the analysis relevant for portfolio allocation decisions. The focus remains on verifiable developments and observable metrics rather than forward projections.
JACK Overview and Recent Performance
Jack in the Box Inc. operates a system of quick-service restaurants primarily in the western and southwestern United States, offering a broad menu that includes burgers, chicken, and limited-time promotions. In recent market activity, the stock has traded near $13.25 with a market capitalization of approximately $254 million following a period of significant volatility. The company reported third-quarter 2026 results featuring an operating EPS beat alongside a modest revenue miss and a 1.1% same-store sales decline. Subsequent developments include new menu collaborations such as The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror promotion and leadership appointments, including a president and CEO-designee. These elements have influenced sentiment amid ongoing efforts to simplify operations and address franchisee profitability.
WEN Overview and Recent Performance
The Wendy's Company manages a national and international quick-service restaurant network focused on burgers with an emphasis on fresh, never-frozen beef. In recent market activity, shares have traded near $6.85 with a market capitalization of roughly $1.3 billion. The company has experienced multiple quarters of same-store sales declines, compounded by a major U.S. franchisee filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Additional factors include the pause of potential activist-led strategic reviews and ongoing promotional campaigns such as limited-time meals. These developments have contributed to price pressure and elevated short interest while the firm maintains a dividend yield near 4%.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Jack in the Box and Wendy's both function as franchisor-led quick-service restaurant operators with heavy reliance on U.S. consumer traffic, yet differ in scale and geographic concentration. WEN maintains a larger national presence and higher average unit volumes, while JACK operates a smaller system with greater regional focus. Growth drivers for both center on menu innovation and operational improvements, though recent momentum has been constrained by comparable same-store sales softness. Risk factors include franchisee financial health—highlighted by Wendy's bankruptcy filing—and elevated leverage at JACK. Market sentiment reflects broader sector caution, with JACK showing sharper price depreciation and WEN retaining a dividend component that may appeal to income-oriented investors.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, relative stability amid sector pressures, and positioning following recent catalysts, Tickeron’s AI models currently assign a modestly higher probabilistic preference to WEN over JACK. Wendy's larger scale and dividend support provide a buffer in comparative assessments, while Jack in the Box exhibits more pronounced recent volatility and operational adjustments. This assessment reflects pattern recognition across available data rather than a definitive outlook.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is JACK is a StrongBuy and WEN is a StrongBuy.
JACK | WEN | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 63 | 53 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 10 Undervalued | 5 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 1 | 13 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 63 | 81 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 77 | 36 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
WEN's Valuation (5) in the Restaurants industry is in the same range as JACK (10). This means that WEN’s stock grew similarly to JACK’s over the last 12 months.
WEN's Profit vs Risk Rating (100) in the Restaurants industry is in the same range as JACK (100). This means that WEN’s stock grew similarly to JACK’s over the last 12 months.
JACK's SMR Rating (1) in the Restaurants industry is in the same range as WEN (13). This means that JACK’s stock grew similarly to WEN’s over the last 12 months.
JACK's Price Growth Rating (63) in the Restaurants industry is in the same range as WEN (81). This means that JACK’s stock grew similarly to WEN’s over the last 12 months.
WEN's P/E Growth Rating (36) in the Restaurants industry is somewhat better than the same rating for JACK (77). This means that WEN’s stock grew somewhat faster than JACK’s over the last 12 months.
| JACK | WEN | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 58% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 80% | 4 days ago 64% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 81% | 4 days ago 69% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 80% | 2 days ago 66% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 77% | 2 days ago 68% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 74% | N/A |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 79% | 2 days ago 63% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 61% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 73% | 2 days ago 77% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
JACK’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green while WEN’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- JACK’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- WEN’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
JACK’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WEN’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- JACK’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 6 bearish.
- WEN’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
JACK (@Restaurants) experienced а -4.95% price change this week, while WEN (@Restaurants) price change was -3.92% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Restaurants industry was +1.86%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -6.94%, and the average quarterly price growth was +6.59%.
Reported Earning Dates
JACK is expected to report earnings on Nov 25, 2026.
WEN is expected to report earnings on Nov 11, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Restaurants (+1.86% weekly)The industry includes companies that operate full-service restaurants, fast food restaurants, cafeterias and snack bars. McDonald`s Corporation, Starbucks Corporation, YUM! Brands, Inc. and Restaurant Brands International Inc. are some of the largest U.S. restaurant-owning companies in terms of market capitalization. While restaurant spending could be viewed as discretionary for consumers, some companies in the business have been able to weather economic cycles by establishing strong loyalty among customers over the years. Many of them also have a strong global presence as well.
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JACK and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, JACK has been loosely correlated with WEN. These tickers have moved in lockstep 49% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if JACK jumps, then WEN could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To JACK | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JACK | 100% | -4.16% | ||
| WEN - JACK | 49% Loosely correlated | -2.04% | ||
| CBRL - JACK | 41% Loosely correlated | -1.71% | ||
| BLMN - JACK | 40% Loosely correlated | +8.13% | ||
| BRCB - JACK | 38% Loosely correlated | -1.96% | ||
| FWRG - JACK | 37% Loosely correlated | +0.59% | ||
More | ||||
WEN and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, WEN has been loosely correlated with JACK. These tickers have moved in lockstep 49% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if WEN jumps, then JACK could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To WEN | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEN | 100% | -2.04% | ||
| JACK - WEN | 49% Loosely correlated | -4.16% | ||
| FRSH - WEN | 44% Loosely correlated | +2.81% | ||
| PTLO - WEN | 40% Loosely correlated | N/A | ||
| DAVE - WEN | 35% Loosely correlated | +5.62% | ||
| RICK - WEN | 34% Loosely correlated | -0.07% | ||
More | ||||