The Jack in the Box buzz in Lake Nona just got a new twist and locals are watching closely to see what happens next. The popular San Diego based fast food brand has officially sold the nearly one acre property in Lake Nona that once belonged to Del Taco. The land had remained empty for years and many residents wondered whether it would ever turn into a new drive-thru spot.

Jack in the Box originally acquired Del Taco in a massive $585 million deal back in 2022. Fast forward to this October and the company announced that it had sold Del Taco to Yadav Enterprises Inc. for $115 million. The move was described as a way to strengthen Jack in the Box’s finances and return the company to a more streamlined business model.

That brings us back to Lake Nona. According to Orange County public records, an entity tied to real estate developer Gregg Hill of Hill Gray Seven in Winter Park purchased the Lake Nona parcel on November fourth for $3.7 million. When contacted for comment, Jack in the Box shared that there are no updates at this time regarding the Orlando property or any new openings planned for Central Florida.

This is a noticeable shift from what was said earlier this year. Back in July, Dustin Thompson, the director of franchise marketing and development at Jack in the Box, told the Orlando Business Journal that the company expected its first Central Florida location to open before the end of the year. That goal was part of a three-year expansion plan to grow east of the Mississippi and finally introduce the brand to Florida.

As of now, the company’s official website lists only two Florida locations on the way. Both are scheduled to open in February, one in Longwood and the other on South John Young Parkway in Orlando. A third location in Kissimmee was approved for construction in May, although it is not yet listed on the company website.

What does this mean for Lake Nona? At the moment, no one is quite sure. Hill could not be reached for comment and no development plans have been announced. For now, the land remains in limbo leaving residents curious about what could eventually rise on this high-visibility corner of our growing community.

We will keep an eye on it and bring you updates as soon as anything changes.

Lake Nona Social
Latest posts by Lake Nona Social (see all)