Many restaurants are prospering, but Jack in the Box’s second fiscal quarter was actually that chain’s best second quarter in 16 years. Company-owned units were up 7.4% in comp sales and the franchisees did even better with a 9.4% increase. Also, at sibling Qdoba, system wide comps grew 8.3%. With Jack units already more than 2200, the chain will add only about 15-20 new locations this year although Qdoba should open about 50-60 new stores to add to the current 600 store roster……The MillerPulse survey for April found that restaurant same-store sales were up 3.3%, but traffic still lagged at down 0.1%. “Flattish traffic is better than where it’s been, but we’ve got to get into more positive territory,” survey co-founder Larry Miller commented……J.C. Penney continued its comeback, reporting a 3.4% same-store increase for its fiscal first quarter. It also raised the forecast for the rest of the year, now expecting a 4-5% comp store increase……Kohl’s reported a 1.4% quarterly same-store gain but as that was up against a 3.4% decline in the same quarter last year, the increase was below what had been expected. The Wall Street Journal suggests middle-market retailers such as Kohl’s are squeezed on the high end by stores like Macy’s and on the lower end by Walmart and Target……Macy’s will alter the merchandise available in about 150 of its best stores, adding some higher-end items and removing some clearance goods to make more room for new products……Usual practice in the automotive business is for factories to shut down for a few weeks in the summer to facilitate changeovers for new models and tooling. Automotive News reports, however, that Fiat Chrysler will keep some of its most important plants open all summer, mostly to continue production on some Jeep and Dodge models……Roark Capital has acquired Pet Supermarket, currently with 155 stores in 11 states. While much of Roark’s portfolio consists of restaurants (Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s, Moe’s, and Arby’s among others), it does own a pet chain in Canada……The remaining RadioShack stores will not have to change their name—Standard General, the group that owns the stores that are left, won the separate bankruptcy court auction for the brand and other intellectual property……Midwest supermarket owner Roundy’s reported a blended 1.6% decrease in same-store sales with transactions down 1.9%. Roundy’s operates stores under the Pick ‘n Save, Copps, Metro Market and Mariano’s banners……The annual study from Market Force found Trader Joe’s to be consumers’ favorite food store for the third straight year. ALDI was the winner in the value category. Publix was overall runner-up but won in several categories including fast checkouts, cleanliness and ease of finding items.