Jack in the Box Inc. JACK reported lower-than-expected results in second-quarter fiscal 2018. On Mar 21, 2018, the company accomplished the sell-out of its subsidiary — Qdoba Restaurant Corporation — to private equity firm Apollo Global Management, LLC.Adjusted earnings from continuing operations came in at 80 cents per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 86 cents. The bottom-line figure also decreased nearly 7% year over year. Total sales of $209.8 million lagged the consensus mark of $213 million and decreased 21.1% on a year-over-year basis.Following its earnings release on May 16, shares of the company decreased 3% in after-hours trading. In a year’s time, Jack in the Box lost 12.1% against the industry’s gain of 4.3%.Jack in the Box Comps DiscussionComps at Jack in the Box’s stores inched up 0.9% compared to the prior-year quarter’s decline of 2.4%. In the first-quarter fiscal 2018, the company had reported comps growth of 0.2% driven by average check growth of 2.6%, partially offset by a 1.7% decline in transactions.Same-store sales at franchised stores slipped 0.2% compared with a decline of 0.4% in the year-ago quarter and 0.3% in the previous quarter. System-wide same-store sales dipped 0.1%, narrower than the decline of 0.8% in the prior-year quarter and 0.2% in the first-quarter fiscal 2018. Operating HighlightsThe company’s consolidated restaurant operating margin was 22.7%, up 300 basis points (bps) year over year.Restaurant-level EBITDA increased 250 bps from the year-ago quarter to 26.4%. The upside was owing to benefits from refranchising, partially offset by commodity inflation as well as higher repairs and maintenance costs.In the fiscal second quarter, franchise operating margin was 51.5%, down 160 bps year over year. Franchise EBITDA was 59.8%, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 140 bps. The downside can be attributed to a decrease in franchise-operated restaurant comps and rise in costs in the current quarter.Balance SheetAs of Apr 15, 2018, cash totaled $1.2 million compared with $4.5 million as of Oct 1, 2017 (end of fourth-quarter and fiscal 2017). Inventories in the second quarter amounted to $2.6 million, down from $3.4 million at the end of fiscal 2017.Long-term debt was $900.4 million as of Apr 15, 2018 compared with $1,080 million at the end of fiscal 2017. Cash flows from operating activities declined to $29.3 million in the second quarter compared with $11.5 million at the prior-year quarter end.Additionally, Jack in the Box resumed share buyback program in the second quarter and repurchased $100 million of stocks. The company also authorized $200 million of share repurchase program.Jack In The Box Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Jack In The Box Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Jack In The Box Inc. Quote Third-Quarter Fiscal 2018 GuidanceFor the fiscal third quarter, comps are expected in the range of flat to up 1% at Jack in the Box system restaurants compared with a 0.2% decline in the year-ago quarter.Fiscal 2018 OutlookComps at Jack in the Box system restaurants are envisioned to be in the range of flat to up 1% compared with the prior projection of 1-2% increase. Meanwhile, the company continues to expect Restaurant-Level EBITDA within the 26-27% band.For fiscal 2018, adjusted EBITDA is anticipated between approximately $260 million and $270 million. Capital expenditures are estimated roughly in the range of $30-$35 million.Zacks Rank & Peer ReleasesJack in the Box carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Darden DRI reported mixed third-quarter fiscal 2018 results, wherein earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate but sales lagged the same. Adjusted earnings of $1.71 per share increased 29.5% year over year on the back of increased sales.Restaurant Brands’ QSR first-quarter 2018 earnings and sales outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Earnings under the previous accounting standard came in at 67 cents, improving 86.1% year over year.Chipotle’s CMG first-quarter 2018 earnings surpassed analysts’ expectations, while sales came in line with the same. Adjusted earnings of $2.13 per share surged 33.1% from the year-ago quarter, courtesy of improved sales and lower food costs.Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars?Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge.With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.It's not the one you think.See This Ticker Free >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG): Free Stock Analysis Report Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI): Free Stock Analysis Report Jack In The Box Inc. (JACK): Free Stock Analysis Report Restaurant Brands International Inc. (QSR): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research