SAN DIEGO, CA --(Marketwired - April 01, 2016) - Starting April 1, 100 Jack in the Box^® restaurants in the San Diego area will expand their fundraising efforts to support March of Dimes, San Diego. Jack in the Box employees, franchisees, and guests are joining forces to increase their impact on ending the number one killer of babies -- premature birth. Premature birth and its complications are now the leading global cause of death for children under five years old. Babies who survive an early birth may have lifelong health problems such as cerebral palsy, vision and hearing loss, and learning disabilities. 1 in 10 babies are born preterm in the U.S., which has one of the highest premature birth rates of any high-resource country.

Jack in the Box is a longtime supporter of March of Dimes through the Jack in the Box Foundation and employee volunteerism at local March for Babies^® walks -- March of Dimes largest fundraising events. This year, Jack in the Box restaurants are increasing the organization's fundraising efforts by launching an in-restaurant fundraising campaign to allow guests to donate to March of Dimes. From April 1 through April 30, Jack in the Box guests in San Diego will be offered an opportunity to add a $1 donation to their order. All guests making a donation will receive a circular cut-out in recognition of their donation, which they can either take, or sign and leave for display inside the restaurant. The cut-out features a picture of John Carlo, a surviving twin whose brother did not survive the challenges of his preterm birth.

"We are proud to support March of Dimes as one of our community partners," said Lenny Comma, CEO of Jack in the Box. "In addition to providing financial support, Jack in the Box encourages employees and franchisees to get personally involved in their communities by volunteering. That's why you'll see me, my family and so many of our employees at the upcoming March for Babies walk in Balboa Park on Saturday, April 23."

"Giving back to the community who supports our restaurants is very important to me," said Zak Samaan, Jack in the Box franchisee and owner of MZM Foods, Inc. "I know our support of the work of March of Dimes touches all babies and is making a difference in the lives of my employees and guests."

"We are so grateful for the Jack in the Box Foundation and the employees and franchisees of Jack in the Box," said Alexandra Loker, March of Dimes San Diego Market Leader. "Jack in the Box is the top corporate sponsor of our San Diego March for Babies event. Since 2005, Jack in the Box efforts have raised over $800,000 in support of March of Dimes' mission to improve the health of all babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. We are excited at this new opportunity for Jack in the Box guests to get involved in giving every baby a fighting chance."

About March of Dimes

Each year nearly 4,000,000 babies are born in the United States and March of Dimes touches each one of them through research, education, support, and advocacy. March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Premature birth and its complications are now the leading global cause of death for children under five years old. Premature birth costs the United States more than $26 billion annually, according to the Institute of Medicine. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.org or for resources in Spanish, nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. A wealth of educational video resources is available on our YouTube channel.

About March of Dimes California

In 2015, the March of Dimes funded 26 research grants totaling $6 million to California research institutions including UC Irvine and $4 million to the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center at Stanford University, the first of five national trans-disciplinary research centers. In 2015, more than $300,000 in community service grant funds will be given to local California organizations in support of the March of Dimes mission. Fundraising special events held in California, such as the annual March for Babies^® walks, Signature Chefs Auctions; and, the March of Dimes Celebration of Babies^®: A Hollywood Luncheon; raise millions of dollars to fund research, advocacy, community programs, education, and support for moms, babies and families in our communities. Follow our California efforts on Facebook and Twitter.

About Jack in the Box Inc. and The Jack in the Box Foundation

Jack in the Box Inc. (NASDAQ: JACK), based in San Diego, is a restaurant company that operates and franchises Jack in the Box^® restaurants, one of the nation's largest hamburger chains, with more than 2,200 restaurants in 21 states and Guam. The company created the Jack in the Box Foundation in 1998 to focus its charitable giving efforts and make a greater impact in Jack in the Box^® restaurant communities. The Jack in the Box Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization funded by donations from Jack in the Box Inc., its employees, franchisees, vendors and guests. For more information about Jack in the Box, visit jackinthebox.com, or connect with Jack on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Vine.

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