Introduction to Jack in the Box Renovations
Two Jack in the Box fast food restaurants that have been open for a cumulative 100 years in Dallas’ Lakewood area are getting a redo. The restaurant on Gaston Avenue, just down the street from Lakewood Country Club, is closed for now while its franchisee pays to have the structure rebuilt from the ground up. After that restaurant reopens, which is estimated for October 2025, franchisee Chris Aslam will close and remodel a nearby East Dallas Jack in the Box, at Mockingbird Lane and Abrams Road.
While restaurants come and go among the estimated 16,000 eateries in the Dallas-Fort Worth region, these two Jack in the Boxes have been staples in East Dallas for decades. The Gaston location came first, in the summer of 1969.
“I wanted to see this piece of Lakewood history survive for the next 50 years,” Aslam said. He operates about 75 fast-food franchises, the majority of which are Jack in the Boxes in North Texas.
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Reasons Behind the Renovation
While these Jack in the Box restaurants in East Dallas are not among Aslam’s highest-profit fast-food joints, he’s choosing to rip both down to the studs because the aging buildings need “love and care” if they’re going to live on, Aslam said.
“I’m from Dallas. There’s just a pride of ownership there.”
Said another way: “They’re old, they’re tired. It’s just time for a new situation,” the franchisee said.
Jack in the Box’s corporate office incentivized some of the construction. When the fast-food company celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2026, Aslam plans to display the original menu board, which includes the long-gone, retro jack-in-the-box clown.
As a story in The Advocate recounts, “there’s a lot of history” with the Lakewood Jack in the Box.
Is it Rare to Rebuild a Franchised Fast-Food Joint?
Yes, Aslam said.
The Gaston Jack in the Box was a corporate-owned store for much of its life, until Aslam’s company Tribox bought it and franchised it about 15 years ago.
“When a franchisee buys it, they pay money for it already,” the franchisee said. “When you tear it down, you have to pay twice for it.”
So why do it, we asked?
“If you ask anyone in East Dallas, they’re going to have a story about this Jack in the Box on Gaston,” he said.
Renovation Plans for the Jack in the Box on Mockingbird
Aslam expects to start rebuilding his second Jack in the Box in East Dallas, on Mockingbird Lane and Abrams Road, in the first quarter of 2026.
Aslam’s dad owned bought the franchise in the late 1980s. As a kid, Aslam used to play in the upstairs office.
The restaurant remodel will be similar in design to the Gaston Avenue redo. New drive-throughs will be installed, and the plumbing and electrical will be all new.
Aslam expects the remodel to take about 90 days.
Jack in the Box at 6308 Gaston Ave., Dallas, is closed for renovations. It’s expected to reopen in fall 2025. A Jack in the Box at 6355 E. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, is expected to close in early 2026 for a remodel.
Conclusion
The renovation of the two Jack in the Box restaurants in East Dallas is a significant investment for the franchisee, Chris Aslam. The decision to rebuild the restaurants from the ground up is a testament to the importance of preserving the history and legacy of these iconic eateries. With the renovations, the restaurants will be able to serve the community for many years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are the Jack in the Box restaurants being renovated?
A: The restaurants are being renovated because they are old and tired, and need “love and care” to continue serving the community.
Q: How long will the renovations take?
A: The renovations are expected to take about 90 days for each restaurant.
Q: Will the restaurants be closed during the renovations?
A: Yes, the restaurants will be closed during the renovations. The Jack in the Box on Gaston Avenue is currently closed, and the Jack in the Box on Mockingbird Lane is expected to close in early 2026.
Q: What can customers expect from the renovated restaurants?
A: Customers can expect new drive-throughs, new plumbing and electrical, and a similar design to the Gaston Avenue redo.
