San Diego’s Jack in the Box said it is returning to the Chicago market with plans to open eight company-operated stores as part of an ongoing expansion.

The first Jack location is scheduled to open in 2025, marking the brand’s reintroduction to Chicago after more than four decades.

According to a news release, the company has identified more than 125 sites for expansion into the area.

The news follows the company’s announcement in June that it is entering the George market for the first time.

Jack operates 2,200 restaurants in 22 states, along with an additional 600 eateries in 16 states under the Del Taco Mexican-American nameplate. 

The company has recently been expanding into new markets in Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Utah and Wyoming as well as Mexico.

And speaking of popular fast-food purveyors, OC-based taqueria chain Taco Bell is unveiling an interesting project — an “early retirement” community where everyone can live like a retiree in

San Diego for a few days next month.

According to a news release, guests will participate in a variety of senior-like leisure activities ranging from morning tee times to afternoon aerobics and pickleball matches.

“The Cantinas is about embracing the lifestyle you crave, without waiting for retirement age,” said Taco Bell marketing executive Taylor Montgomery, “The community welcomes all generations

to live their ‘Más’ however they desire, embodying Taco Bell’s inclusive spirit.”

Access to The Cantinas will be available to Taco Bell Rewards Members, offering different admission options such as weekend memberships with overnight accommodations or day passes for

full-day enjoyment of amenities.

Bookings and updates on The Cantinas event can be found here or through the Taco Bell App, starting July 16 for Taco Bell Rewards Members.

San Diego-based private higher-education provider Alliant International University is launching an online course for students interested in pursuing a master of science in nursing.

Alliant said it caters to nurses “who are eager to bridge the impending leadership gap, as many nurse executives, primarily from the baby boomer generation, approach retirement.”

“Launching a new program in a school we recently established speaks to Alliant’s commitment to addressing the changing needs in healthcare and education,” said CEO and President Andy Vaughn.

Private equity firm General Atlantic says it has made a $5 million investment in fast-growing San Diego non-alcoholic beer maker Athletic Brewing Co.

In a news release, Athletic said it plans to use the cash raises “to drive continued long-term growth, including through the recently announced purchase of a third U.S. brewing facility and

the ongoing expansion of its world-class non-alcoholic beer at retailers across the globe.”

The six-year-old brewer says it has developed a proprietary brewing method to make fermented non-alcoholic brews indistinguishable from its “full-strength alcohol competitors.”

The brewer has grown from one of the smallest breweries in America, producing just 875 barrels in 2018, to a top 20 U.S. brewery selling more than 258,000 barrels last year.

Citing a poll, the release said that 41% of Americans are moderating their alcohol consumption, which opens the market for non-alcoholic offerings.

The board at Calidi Biotherapeutics, a San Diego company developing cancer treatments, has OK’d a 10-1 reverse stock split, which will take place on July 15.

Once the split is completed, the company’s stock will continue to trade under the symbol CLDI on the New York Stock Exchange.

San Diego-based startup Term Labs said it has recently received a $5.5 investment round, which was led by VC firm Electric Capital.

Term Labs is developing technology “to provide scalable, transparent fixed-rate lending on blockchains.”

According to a news release, the company said the funding will help the company “bring stability and predictability to on-chain lending.”

La Jolla’s venerable restaurant George’s at the Cove will celebrate its 40th birthday on Aug. 9.

Founder George Hauer and owner/operator Trey Foshee will be on hand to deliver a few words and cut the requisite celebratory cake.

A bit of good news for homebuyers in the region who have been hit with inventory shortages and rising prices.

The median listing price of a home in June in San Diego declined 3.8% year over year, according to a just-out report from online residential real estate site Realtor.com.

According to the housing data, the number of homes actively for sale grew for an eighth straight month, increasing by nearly 37% year-over-year, while the median home spent 45 days on the

market, an increase of two days compared to last year.

Seattle resident Cedric X. Bryant became chief executive officer of the San Diego-based American Council on Exercise (ACE), a non-profit education and certification provider for health

coaches and exercise professionals.

Bryant said he will focus on science-backed education to support health and exercise professionals, utilizing emerging fitness technology and he will seek to leverage recent technology such

as AI “to help health and fitness professionals seamlessly interact with and support individuals and communities who are in pursuit of long-term sustainable health goals.”

Bryant has authored more than 300 articles, co-authored or edited more than 40 books, and is frequently cited in multiple publications, including the New York Times and U.S. News and World

Report, according to a news release. 

The Ramona Chamber of Commerce said it will hold its annual Ramona County Fair July 26-28,

The old-timey gathering will feature such traditional county fair activities as amusement rides, food booths, and commercial vendors hawking their wares and services.

“The fair is one of the finest things we do for the community,” said Bob Krysak, president of the  Chamber. “It has a small-town country feel, which is very appealing, and there’s so much

for everyone to do. It’s magical, and a wonderful experience for all.”

Tom York is a Carlsbad-based independent journalist who specializes in writing about business and the economy. If you have news tips you’d like to share, send them to [email protected].

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