# UFO-Shaped Burgers Jack in the Box is Testing a Unique New Burger Format Called Cosmic Jacks By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2026-08-21 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cosmic-jacks References: [brandeating](https://www.brandeating.com/2026/08/jack-in-box-tests-ufo-shaped-burgers.html)  Jack in the Box wants to take your taste buds to outer space with its new UFO-shaped burgers and sandwiches called 'Cosmic Jacks.' Just as the name suggests, the new Cosmic Jacks boast a unique flying saucer shape with sealed edges and a generously stuffed center. Interestingly, the new burger shape is achieved using modified ice cream sandwich-making equipment. And while the taste is similar to a traditional sandwich or burger, the sealed edges help to reduce mess and make for a more convenient on-the-go option. As for flavors, the new Cosmic Jacks currently come in three varieties: the Bacon Ultimate Cosmic Jack, the Philly Chili Crunch Cosmic Jack, and the [Loaded Breakfast Cosmic Jack](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/breakfast-jack-wraps). The only catch is that the new UFO-shaped burgers are a test run currently available from just one location in Inglewood, California. Image Credit: Jack in the Box ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 8.3/10 - Popularity: 76% | Activity: 81% | Freshness: 92% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Novelty Burger Formats:** Playful food shapes create fresh differentiation in crowded fast-food menus while turning familiar ingredients into more shareable, collectible dining experiences. - **Mess-free Portability:** Sealed-edge sandwiches reflect growing demand for cleaner handheld meals that suit commuting, delivery, and on-the-go snacking occasions. - **Repurposed Food Equipment:** Adapting machinery from other food categories enables rapid menu experimentation and unconventional product formats without fully custom production systems. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fast Food:** Quick-service restaurants can use distinctive product architecture to generate buzz, test premium flavors, and refresh legacy menu categories. - **Food Manufacturing:** Cross-category production techniques open pathways for scalable stuffed, sealed, and shaped foods that blend convenience with visual novelty. - **Food Delivery:** Less-mess meal designs improve transport durability and consumption convenience, supporting products optimized for mobile ordering and off-premise dining. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Beverage-Focused Meal Collabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coca-cola-starlight-munchie-meal.md) - [Spicy Collaboration QSR Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-ones-munchie-meal.md) - [Pint-Sized Smash Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smashed-jack-sliders.md) - [Brunch-Themed QSR Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jack-in-the-box-meals.md) - [Indulgent Oversized Smash Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/big-smashed-jack-burger.md) - [Spice-Driven QSR Series Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jack-in-the-box-hot-ones-menu.md) - [Smoky Double Cheeseburgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smoke-show-cheeseburgers.md) - [Artisanal Bread Smash Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sourdough-smashed-jack.md) - [Philly-Style Beef Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/phillystyle-bonus-jack.md)