# Lance Tucker

> Lance F. Tucker is a restaurant and hospitality finance executive who served as CEO of Jack in the Box from March 31, 2025 to May 8, 2026. A Transylvania University accounting graduate, he previously held senior roles at Papa John’s, Evergreen Real Estate, CKE Restaurants and Davidson Hospitality Group. His Jack in the Box tenure included the JACK on Track plan, the Del Taco divestiture and debt reduction.

- **Role:** Restaurant and hospitality executive; finance executive
- **Organizations:** Jack in the Box (former CEO, director and CFO), Papa John’s International (former finance and administrative executive), CKE Restaurants (former CFO), Davidson Hospitality Group (former CFO), Evergreen Real Estate (former CFO), Ernst & Young (former senior accountant)
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, Transylvania University
- **Known for:** Rose from director of finance to CFO, treasurer and chief administrative officer at Papa John’s., Helped implement Jack in the Box’s securitization during his first CFO tenure, according to its 2024 return announcement., Led Jack in the Box when it completed the Del Taco divestiture in December 2025.

## Career timeline

- **1991** — Graduated from Transylvania University.
- **Before 1994** — Worked as a senior accountant at Ernst & Young.
- **1994–1999** — Director of Finance at Papa John’s International.
- **1999–2003** — Finance leadership roles in education, technology consulting, online retail and real estate development.
- **2003–2009** — CFO of Evergreen Real Estate in Louisville.
- **2009–2011** — Returned to Papa John’s in chief-of-staff and strategic-planning roles.
- **2011–2018** — CFO and Treasurer at Papa John’s; also became Chief Administrative Officer.
- **2018–2020** — Executive Vice President and CFO of Jack in the Box.
- **2020–2022** — CFO of CKE Restaurants.
- **2022–2025** — CFO of Davidson Hospitality Group before returning to Jack in the Box in January 2025.
- **2025-01-13** — Started second CFO tenure at Jack in the Box.
- **2025-02-24** — Became interim principal executive officer.
- **2025-03-31** — Appointed permanent CEO and director of Jack in the Box.
- **2025-04-23** — Introduced JACK on Track.
- **2025-12-22** — Jack in the Box completed the Del Taco sale during his CEO tenure.
- **2026-05-08** — Ceased serving as Jack in the Box CEO; successor announced May 13.
- **2026-05-27** — Resigned from the board in connection with separation and consulting arrangements.

## Achievements

- Rose from director of finance to CFO, treasurer and chief administrative officer at Papa John’s.
- Helped implement Jack in the Box’s securitization during his first CFO tenure, according to its 2024 return announcement.
- Led Jack in the Box when it completed the Del Taco divestiture in December 2025.
- Led Jack in the Box when it announced a $105 million debt repayment in January 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-05** — Ceased serving as CEO effective May 8; Mark King was announced as interim CEO on May 13.
- **2026-05** — Resigned from the Jack in the Box board effective May 27 as separation and consulting arrangements were finalized.
- **2026-01** — Jack in the Box announced a $105 million debt repayment during Tucker’s CEO tenure.
- **2025-12** — Jack in the Box completed its sale of Del Taco to Yadav Enterprises.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-tucker-23905210

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/lance-tucker
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23