What’s happening with Jack in the Box? Here’s why some Fresno-area locations are closed

What’s up with the closed Jack in the Box restaurants?

Three are closed right now. Enough people are wondering what’s going on that we sought out some answers for you.

1. First, the Jack in the Box on Shaw Avenue near Highway 168 is closed temporarily. One of its “closed for remodeling” signs isn’t visible from Shaw, but that’s what’s happening inside those barriers, confirmed Brian Luscomb, Jack in the Box vice president of corporate communications and government affairs.

It may be a while before this one reopens, however. The restaurant is gutted. Part of its roof is gone, its windows are gone, ductwork is hanging everywhere. Several large trash bins are on site and a Bobcat was working earlier this week on an area of pavement that had been torn up.

For those of you thinking, “yea, more parking for Dog House Grill” across the street, not so fast. Much of Jack in the Box’s parking lot is blocked off.

2. The Jack in the Box at 1132 Clovis Ave., just north of Barstow Avenue, closed Sept. 30. Its lease expired and the owner decided not to renew it, according to Jack in the Box.

It won’t be empty for long, said Mark Henry, a senior vice president at Colliers International, the real estate firm representing the property owner.

“It’s rare that a free standing built drive-thru restaurant becomes available,” he said.

There is already interest in the space from a “national food tenant” and others, he added.

3. Whatever happened to the Jack in the Box at Ashlan Avenue and Highway 99? It’s gone. Been closed for about three years, actually. It was torn down to make way for high-speed rail.

But don’t panic, Jack in the Box fans, there are still 13 other locations in Fresno and Clovis, along with at least one in almost every central San Joaquin Valley city.