EXHIBIT 32.1

                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

      I, Robert J. Nugent, Chief Executive Officer of JACK IN THE BOX INC. (the
"Registrant"), do hereby certify in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, based on my
knowledge:

      (1)   the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Registrant, to which this
            certification is attached as an exhibit (the "Report"), fully
            complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities
            Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m); and

      (2)   the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
            material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
            of the Registrant.



Dated:  December 17, 2004              /S/ROBERT J. NUGNET
                                       --------------------
                                       Robert J. Nugent
                                       Chief Executive Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other
document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that
appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement
required by Section 906, has been provided to Jack in the Box Inc. and will be
retained by Jack in the Box Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange
Commission or its staff upon request.