Qdoba is not the only concept that will add units next year. The company's 2,049-restaurant namesake chain has 45 to 55 new units planned, and Quick Stuff, its 44-location convenience-store will open 13 to 15 new doors.

"By sharing the development costs among the three businesses, we can build restaurants in high-traffic areas that might otherwise be too costly for a stand-alone restaurant," said Linda Lang, Jack in the Box's chairman and CEO, during the company's quarterly conference call. Fifteen of the 49 new Jack in the Boxes opened this year had Quick Stuff units attached to them.

Earlier this year Jack in the Box scrapped its fast-casual JBX Grill concept and closed the nine locations it had in operation. But executives have said that some of its offerings, like burgers with ciabatta bread, will carry over successfully into Jack in the Box restaurants.