Shipping Containers for Sale in Tallahassee, FL

March 6, 2026Updated March 7, 2026, 12:34 p.m. ET

After more than four decades away, Jack in the Box has returned to Florida, just in time for the iconic chain's 75th anniversary.

The first new location of the 24-hour fast-food chain opened in Longwood in February, one of 10 stores planned for the Orlando area. One of five proposed Tallahassee locations is slated to open on March 9, and another Orlando location is scheduled to open in May, according to the Jack in the Box website.

The popular restaurant chain poked its big, round, white head back into the Sunshine State last year with big plans. Currently, their franchisee page lists 11 Florida markets the company would like to move into, with another 18 cities in the Sunshine State listed as "future opportunities."

“Expanding into Florida, one of the nation's largest and fastest-growing states, aligns perfectly with our strategic plan for the Southeast,” Tim Linderman, chief development officer, said in a 2025 release. “We're thrilled to bring our iconic brand to Tallahassee, our next new market, and further develop our presence in Orlando.”

The chain, famous for its vast and ever-changing menu, controversial commercials, and ping-pong-ball-headed mascot, recently sold the Del Taco line it bought in 2022 and plans to close 150 to 200 Jack in the Box restaurants, mostly older franchised stores, in the next year or so.

There are currently about 2,100 Jack in the Box locations across 25 states, with more than 400 more locations planned for the next three years, the company said.

Where can I find Jack in the Box locations in Florida?

As of March 6, only one is open, in Longwood at 815 W State Road 434. The next ones to open will be in:

Here's what you need to know before you go.

Jack in the Box has a wide-ranging menu

Jack in the Box was a burger place (18 cents each in 1951!), but from the beginning, the best-selling item at the restaurant chain, based an hour away from Tijuana, was tacos. In 2017, the Wall Street Journal reported that Americans ate 554 million Jack in the Box tacos each year. The company even bought Del Taco in 2022, although it sold it again last year.

Over the years, Jack in the Box has offered several Americanized versions of foods from around the world, such as egg rolls, poppers, breakfast burritos, and Asian fried chicken.

The chain also frequently experiments with new menu items, such as Philly cheesesteaks, pitas, shrimp, gyros, pizza bites, breakfast bowls, the Cinnabon Iced Cinnacoffee, and a wide variety of milkshake flavors.

The Jack in the Box Wiki lists over 340 menu items the chain has offered at one time or another.

Currently, the lineup includes hamburgers and cheeseburgers, french fries (regular and curly), potato wedges (plain, loaded and "Hot Mess"), onion rings, stuffed jalapeños, all kinds of fried chicken (strips and poppers), egg rolls, hard-shell tacos, stuffed jalapenos, various salads, breakfast burritos, sausage croissants, milkshakes and mini churros. And more.

In honor of its 75th birthday, Jack in the Box brought back the Chicken Supreme Munchie Meal and the Hot Mess Burger. It also released Jibbi, a new backpack charm resembling the cult-favorite Labubu charms.

Breakfast is served all day, and at night, you can "Build Your Own Munchie" meal.

Major holidays get limited-time milkshakes such as the Basic Witch Shake, the Egg Nog Shake, and the Pumpkin Spice Shake. There are also Angry Monster Tacos, pumpkin croissant bites and other seasonal offerings.

The Jack in the Box founder pioneered the drive-thru

If you've ever pulled through a drive-thru to grab a bite, you should thank Jack in the Box and its founder, Robert O. Peterson.

In the 1940s, Peterson owned two small chains of drive-in restaurants in San Diego, one called Topsy's and the other Oscar's. At that time, "drive-in" meant you parked and someone called a carhop would come to your car, take your order, and bring your food to you. But according to Mashed, in 1951, Peterson decided to try something new.

A few years before that, Petersen had seen an Alaskan restaurant called Chatterbox use a two-way intercom system to place orders. He bought the rights to use it and converted one of his Topsy's locations into a new place, Jack in the Box. It became the first fast-food restaurant to allow intercom orders straight to the kitchen, according to History.com, and he quickly converted all his other restaurants into Jack in the Box locations

Jack in the Box has a secret menu

There are several things you can get if you know what to order. According to cozymeal.com, Jack in the Box secret menu items currently include:

Note that items are subject to availability and may vary by location.

Jack in the Box has an ... unusual mascot

Is there a rule that fast food mascots should be playful and slightly unsettling?

The first Jack in the Box used a theme similar to the original Topsy's, which was circus-themed and featured a giant white clown head on the roof. When the new place opened, "Jack" became the face of it.

Jack was dropped from advertising in the 1980s when the franchise decided to go after the adult market with an upscale menu and a new name ("Monterey’s Jack"). The commercial featured employees blowing up the clown head.

But after the rebranding failed to take off — and the company was trying to recover from its part in an E. coli outbreak, see below — Jack returned in another explosive commercial, this time as a white clown head atop a business suit blowing up the company boardroom. Since the highly successful reboot, he has been the focus of the company's edgy, slightly sinister, award-winning advertising campaigns.

Jack in the Box commercials have mocked other fast food chains, promoted fake bands such as the Spicy Crispy Girls and the Meaty Cheesy Boys, presented highlights from a fake football team called the Carnivores which defeated opposing teams such as the Vegans, launched a presidential campaign, and even partnered with Ryan Reynolds in 2023 to promote his company Mint Mobile and their new mint milkshake. In a 2009 Super Bowl ad, Jack was hit by a bus, and the company launched a successful campaign for hangintherejack.com, where people could download coupons to "show your support for Jack."

But the company has been criticized for its anti-vegan commercials, ads with not-so-hidden adult undertones, including an innuendo-filled commercial promoting their new bowls that came out during the "Me Too" movement, and a 1997 ad where Jack violently assaults someone who has insulted the franchise's food.

Jack in the Box caused an E. coli outbreak that left four children dead

In 1993, 73 different Jack in the Box locations were linked to an E. coli outbreak that sickened over 700 people in four states, leading to 171 hospitalizations and the deaths of four children.

"Further investigation revealed that Foodmaker, Inc., parent company of Jack in the Box, had been warned by local health departments and its own employees that its hamburgers were being undercooked, but had decided that cooking them to the required 155 degrees made them too tough," said food safety expert Bill Marler, who represented many of the people affected. Settlements reached over $50 million, "the largest payment related to foodborne illness at the time," Marler said, and ultimately the company lost approximately $160 million both in court and from lost sales.

A documentary on the outbreak, "Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food," was released on Netflix.

Jack in the Box used to be in Florida

At one point in the late 1970s, Jack in the Box had more than 1,000 restaurants all over the country.

But Burgerbeast.com reports that in 1979, Jack in the Box's then-parent company, Ralston-Purina, closed or sold all of their restaurants in the Southeast to focus on the West and Southwest. All the Florida locations — Tallahassee, Sanford, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Bradenton and Orlando — were shut down by 1980.

C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.

If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.

Squall line pushes through, Tornado Watch remains

As the squall line pushes through, the Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the Tallahassee area has ended but a Tornado Watch and Wind Advisory remain until 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. respectively.

As of 1 p.m., outages in Tallahassee have ticked up to about 2,500 in the dark. Most of the powerless are customers affect by outages along North Meridian Road and near the convergence of Centerville and Miccosukee Roads.

Many of the power outages in Talquin-served areas have been dealt with and only about 1,000 customers remain without power. The majority of outages remain in the Woodville area.

Power outages climbing across north Florida and in Tallahassee

Sunday's severe weather event extends across north Florida and into the peninsula and central Florida. According to our power outage tracker, almost 15,000 customers are without power as of 12:15 p.m.. About 35% of customers are offline in Liberty County and about 15% are in the dark in Gadsden County.

In Leon County, almost 4,000 customers are off the grid. The Talquin cooperative has more than 5,000 outages, about 10% of its customers without power. Tallahassee Utilities, meanwhile, is sitting at about 2,000 outages, according to the city's outage map. The vast majority are part of an outage in southwest Tallahassee near Roberts Ave.

Track the latest power outages with our outage map here.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning extended across Leon County

Alongside a giant thunder boom in northeast Tallahassee, almost all of Leon County is now under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 12:45 p.m. Winds of up to 60 mph and pea-sized hail are possible.

"At 1142 AM EST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 6 miles west of Pelham to near Midway to 19 miles northwest of Carrabelle, moving east at 40 mph."

"Remain alert for a possible tornado!" NWS forecasters wrote in the alert. "Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. If you spot a tornado go at once into the basement or small central room in a sturdy structure. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building."

National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center says threat level edging upward

In an 11:15 a.m. alert, The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center warned that there has been "some increase in the damaging-wind and localized tornado threat is expected into early afternoon." Forecasters have tracked an "increase in lightning activity noted over the last 2-3 hours."

The agency says if a tornado spawns, it could pack 85 to 115 mph winds. Non-tornadic gusts could reach between 55 and 70 mph.

Meanwhile, the Severe Thunderstorm Warning, which includes parts of Leon County, has been extended till 12:30 p.m. Crawfordville and coastal Franklin and Wakulla counties are now also under a warning with the possibility of pea-sized hail and 60 mph winds.

The latest radar from Tallahassee

Parts of Leon County under Severe Thunderstorm Warning

As a squall line approaches, Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and Tornado Warnings are going up. At 10:45, a tornado warning was issued for Chattahoochee and parts of south Georgia. The alert for a radar indicated tornado and the possibility of pea-sized hail was to last until 11:15 a.m.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was also hoisted for western Leon County, all of Gadsden County, much of Liberty County and Chattahoochee. The warning, which includes the possibility of 60 mph winds, also extends into south Georgia, and lasts until noon.

Forecasters say heavy winds could damage roofs, siding and trees. Locations in Tallahassee, Quincy, Havana, Blountstown, Bainbridge, Midway, Cairo, Whigham, Stonemill Creek, Chattahoochee, Greensboro, West Bainbridge, Tyndall Air Force Base, Orange, Wewahitchka, Sneads, Gretna, Bristol, Grand Ridge, and Attapulgus.

ORIGINAL STORY

Tallahassee and much of the Florida Big Bend are expected to see a round of potentially severe weather Sunday morning into the early afternoon as a fast‑moving line of thunderstorms sweeps east across the region, according to the National Weather Service.

At 8:40 a.m., a large swath of the Big Bend, including Leon County, were placed under a Tornado Watch until 3 p.m.

Forecasters have placed Tallahassee under a Slight Risk (Level 2 of 5) for severe weather, with damaging wind gusts and a few embedded tornadoes the primary concerns. The threat will be highest as a solid line of storms moves through the city late Sunday morning.

Timing: late morning for Tallahassee

The main line of storms is expected to reach the Tallahassee area between about 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with the most likely arrival window centered around late morning. Conditions are expected to improve by early afternoon as the line pushes east toward the Suwannee Valley.

Ahead of the storms, gusty south winds will already be noticeable Sunday morning, with frequent gusts of 30 to 40 mph possible even outside of thunderstorms. Those winds could arrive before daybreak and persist into the afternoon.

While the strongest storms will move through relatively quickly, forecasters say impacts could be significant during the short window when the line is overhead.

Primary impacts: wind, brief tornado threat

The National Weather Service says damaging wind gusts in excess of 60 mph are the main hazard with Sunday’s storms. These winds could bring down tree limbs, damage roofs and siding, and cause spotty power outages, particularly where trees are already weakened.

A few tornadoes are also possible, especially within the line of storms as it crosses the Big Bend and south‑central Georgia. The tornado threat remains conditional but could increase if storms are able to tap into slightly warmer, more unstable air ahead of the line.

Forecasters note that while atmospheric instability is limited, strong wind shear in the atmosphere is sufficient to support rotating storms, making it important for residents to stay weather‑aware even if storms do not initially look intense.

Wind Advisory in effect

Outside of thunderstorms, a Wind Advisory is in effect for Tallahassee and the surrounding Florida Big Bend from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Sustained winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph or higher, are expected. Those winds could make driving difficult for high‑profile vehicles and may blow around unsecured outdoor items such as trash cans, patio furniture and temporary signs.

Residents are urged to secure loose objects and prepare for the possibility of brief power interruptions.

Rain helpful, but not a drought fix

Forecasters have dialed back the amount of rain expected. Rainfall totals of three‑quarters of an inch to about 1.25 inches are likely across the Tallahassee area. While the rain will be beneficial, forecasters say it will not be enough to significantly improve longer‑term dry conditions.

“That’s about the amount of rain we need in a given week to keep from increasing the rainfall deficit across the region, so not much drought relief is expected with today's system,” forecasters wrote in their morning discussion. “Our next chance for rain isn’t until Thursday.”

Flooding is not expected to be a major concern due to the fast‑moving nature of the system.

Coastal and marine impacts

Dangerous conditions are expected along the coast, even after storms move inland.

Small Craft Advisories are in effect for the northeastern Gulf, with hazardous marine conditions expected through Sunday and into Monday. A High Risk of Rip Currents is in place at area beaches, and a High Surf Advisory remains posted for the Emerald Coast.

Beachgoers are urged to stay out of the water, as rip currents can be life‑threatening even for experienced swimmers.

Stay alert

Because storms may arrive while many people are attending church services or running errands late Sunday morning, forecasters stress the importance of having multiple ways to receive weather warnings, including weather radios, smartphone alerts and local media.

Conditions should gradually improve later Sunday afternoon, though breezy winds may linger.

Portions of this weather report were generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor.

Tallahassee may be home to the Legislature, Governor’s Mansion, Florida State University and Florida A&M, but a new study says it comes up short when compared to other state capitals.

WalletHub, a personal finance firm, recently issued its list of best state capitals to live in, and Tallahassee ranked 30th.

WalletHub analysts compared 48 total factors, such as affordability, economic stability, quality of life, education and health care. They used the indicators to establish a state capital index score.

Austin, Texas, finished first with a state capital index score of 64.17. It was ranked first in both economic well-being and quality of education and health. Austin was fourth in affordability and 10th in quality of life.

Raleigh, North Carolina, came in second, followed by Atlanta at No. 3, Madison, Wisconsin, at No. 4, and Boise, Idaho, at No. 5.

“A state’s capital city is more than just the seat of its government — it’s also often the center of its economic activity. Some state capitals boast incredible job markets, high average salaries, world-class universities, and an abundance of attractions,” said Chip Lupo, an economic analyst for WalletHub.

“Unfortunately, others have populations that are struggling financially, failing public education systems and poor public health systems. States should aim to make their capital city a shining example of the best they have to offer.”

Tallahassee earned a state capital index score of 49.56. Its ranking of quality of education and health were a bit better, coming in at 16th. The quality of life in the North Florida hub came in at 18th.

But Tallahassee’s economic well-being was in the lower rung of state capitals, ranked No. 37. The city also ranked just No. 34 for affordability.

Jackson, Mississippi, was ranked the worst state capital, at 50th. Augusta, Maine, was No. 49, followed by Trenton, New Jersey, at No. 48, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at No. 47, and Little Rock, Arkansas, at No. 46.

Florida – Cold air settles low across lawns and rooftops this morning, leaving Tallahassee unusually quiet under clear skies. The chill is sharp for North Florida standards, with frost clinging to exposed surfaces as temperatures hover near freezing.

According to the National Weather Service, early-morning readings sit around 30 degrees at Tallahassee International Airport, with calm winds allowing cold air to pool near the ground. Sunshine quickly takes over, pushing afternoon highs into the mid-60s. While no widespread travel issues are expected, drivers should watch for isolated slick spots on bridges and shaded roadways during the early commute.

Across the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend, this marks the final gasp of a brief winter pattern. Conditions turn milder on Monday, with highs climbing near 70 under bright skies. Winds shift slightly southerly, helping warmer air move in.

By Tuesday, a noticeable change arrives. Morning fog may reduce visibility on local roads, especially near low-lying areas and waterways. Skies clear by midday, and temperatures surge into the low to mid-70s. Humidity also increases, signaling a transition toward a more unsettled midweek pattern.

Wednesday and Thursday stay warm, with highs reaching the mid to upper 70s. Clouds increase, and scattered showers become possible by afternoon, though rain coverage remains limited for now. Wet pavement during cooler evening hours could still catch drivers off guard, even as the overall trend turns warmer.

Looking ahead, meteorologists are watching a broader February shift. The 6–10 day outlook favors above-normal temperatures across much of Florida, hinting at a sustained springlike stretch heading deeper into next week.

Five-Day Outlook for Tallahassee, FLToday: Sunny, cold start, high near 65°F.Monday: Sunny, warmer, high near 70°F.Tuesday: Morning fog, then sunny, high near 73°F.Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, chance of showers, high near 75°F.Thursday: Partly sunny, chance of showers, high near 76°F.

How cold will it be in north Florida? The National Weather Service in Tallahassee is sharing the warning signs of hypothermia.

While the icy effects of a massive winter storm blanket the nation, Sunshine State officials issued a rare combined extreme cold warning and freeze warning overnight. The Jan. 26 warning applies to Inland Gulf, Gadsden, Leon, Coastal Gulf, Northern Liberty, Dougherty, Lee, Baker, Mitchell, Decatur and Grady counties.

As part of the warning, meteorologists offered a litany of tips for dealing with the bitter cold and freezing weather, which looks to cling to the area through the entire week.

"Wear protective clothing such as a hat, facemask and heavy gloves or mittens if you have plans to be outdoors. Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside," forecasters wrote. "Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing."

They also shared out the warning signs for hypothermia on their Facebook page.

Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, causing core temperature to fall below what the body needs to function normally.

“Mild cases occur when internal temperature falls to 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (32 to 35 degrees Celsius), moderate cases are when it hits 82 to 90 degrees F (28 to 32 degrees C), severe cases are when internal temperature is in the 77 to 82 degrees F (25 to 28 degrees C) range, and extreme cases are when your temperature falls below 77 degrees Fahrenheit or 25 degrees Celsius,” Dr. Laleh Gharahbaghian, an emergency medicine physician at Stanford Health Care, told USA TODAY. Such drops can quickly disrupt how the brain, heart and nervous system function.

The National Weather Service says confusion, shivering, difficulty speaking, sleepiness and stiff muscles are all signs of the potentially life-threating condition.

What are NWS meteorologists saying?

At 12:36 a.m. Jan. 26, the NWS issued a statement including the following information:

Similar warnings are likely through the week with temps in the lower 30s and 20s expected all the way to next Tuesday. Wind chills will be in the single digits to teens in some cases.

"This level of cold is dangerous for those who do not have access to adequate warmth," the National Weather Service writes in a morning update.

Experts say mind the four Ps to protect human and animal life and property

Temps this cold can be hazardous to your health. Here are some tips to stay safe – and warm.

Pets: Bring animals inside and ensure water does not freeze

Even being covered in fur isn't solid protection from temperatures like these.

Protecting pipes: Which pipes freeze most often?

Water in pipes begins to solidify into ice once temperatures dip below freezing, at 32 degrees or below. The American Red Cross says the pipes most likely to freeze in homes include:

How to prevent pipes from freezing

Many people take precautions before the first cold front, since outdoor faucets are often unused until spring. If you haven't prepared yet, or still need to use your faucets, here's how to protect them:

Protecting plants and sensitive vegetation

A cold snap like this can cause widespread damage to crops and plants. Here are some tips for homeowners and residents:

USA TODAY, Leon County and the City of Tallahassee contributed to this report. This weather report includes automatically generated information from the National Weather Service.