AI Analysis | Feedback

Like The Cheesecake Factory, but with its own brewpub.

A Cheesecake Factory known for house-brewed beers and signature Pizookies.

AI Analysis | Feedback

• Restaurant Dining Service: Provides a full-service, casual dining experience including prepared meals, appetizers, and a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption.
• Off-Premise Food and Beverage Service: Offers menu items for convenient pick-up or delivery, allowing customers to enjoy their food and drinks outside the restaurant.
• Gift Cards: Prepaid stored-value cards redeemable for food, beverages, and merchandise at their restaurant locations.

AI Analysis | Feedback

BJ's Restaurants (symbol: BJRI) operates a chain of casual dining restaurants. As such, it sells primarily to **individuals**, not other companies.

Here are up to three categories of customers that BJ's Restaurants primarily serves:

1. Families and Social Groups: This category includes customers dining with family members (including children) or friends for various occasions such as lunch, dinner, celebrations, or casual get-togethers. They appreciate BJ's diverse menu, which offers options like pizzas, burgers, pasta, salads, and more, catering to a wide range of tastes and ages within a group.

2. Younger Adults and Professionals: This segment often comprises Millennials and Gen Z individuals, and young professionals. They are attracted to BJ's contemporary casual dining experience, extensive craft beer selection (their "BJ's Brewhouse" concept), and a menu that balances indulgent comfort food with lighter, healthier options. They may visit for lunch, dinner, or happy hour.

3. Casual Diners Seeking Variety and Value: This broad category encompasses individuals and couples from the local community looking for a reliable, comfortable dining experience with a wide array of food and beverage options. They value the extensive menu choices, consistent quality, and perceived value for money, making BJ's a go-to spot for everyday meals or a relaxed evening out.

AI Analysis | Feedback

• McLane Foodservice, Inc. (a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. [BRK.A, BRK.B])
• Reyes Beverage Group
• JBS USA Food Company (a subsidiary of JBS S.A. [JBSS3 on B3])
• Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN)
• Golden State Foods

AI Analysis | Feedback

Lyle D. Tick Chief Executive Officer and President

Lyle D. Tick was appointed Chief Executive Officer and President of BJ's Restaurants, Inc., with his appointment as CEO and President effective June 5, 2025. He also assumed the roles of President and Chief Concept Officer effective September 9, 2024. Prior to joining BJ's Restaurants, Mr. Tick served as President and Chief Executive Officer of On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina starting in December 2023. From 2018 to 2023, he was the Brand President of Buffalo Wild Wings, where he was recognized for significant brand revitalization efforts, including a "Best Menu Revamp" award in 2020. His background also includes a tenure as Managing Director, Boots Retail USA for Walgreens Boots Alliance, where he expanded the beauty brands business, and global and North American marketing leadership roles at Bacardi, contributing to the growth of the Grey Goose brand.

Thomas A. Houdek Chief Financial Officer

Thomas A. Houdek currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of BJ's Restaurants, Inc., a role he held from 2021 to 2025, with his resignation effective June 20, 2025. He will be succeeded by Todd Wilson, who is appointed Chief Financial Officer effective December 15, 2025. Mr. Houdek's previous experience includes serving as Strategy Director at KFC Corp. in 2019, Director of Strategic Planning & Marketing Analysis at Taco Bell Corp. from 2017 to 2019, and Manager of Mergers & Acquisitions at Yum! Brands, Inc. from 2014 to 2015. He earned his undergraduate degree from DePaul University and his Masters in Business Administration from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Heidi E. Rogers Senior Vice President, Marketing

Heidi E. Rogers is the Senior Vice President of Marketing for BJ's Restaurants, a position she has held since 2021. She joined the company in 2014 and has held several marketing roles, including VP of Marketing from 2018 to 2021, Director of Marketing from 2016 to 2018, and Senior Marketing Manager from 2014 to 2015. Prior to her time at BJ's, Ms. Rogers worked as a Managing Director for O'Leary and Partners from 2013 to 2014, and spent over 12 years with Doner in various account management capacities from 2000 to 2012. She studied Communications at Iowa State University.

Gregory S. Lynds Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer

Gregory S. Lynds has served as the Chief Development Officer of BJ's Restaurants, Inc. since July 2003, and also holds the title of Executive Vice President.

Christopher P. Pinsak Executive Vice President and Chief Restaurant Operations Officer

Christopher P. Pinsak serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Restaurant Operations Officer for BJ's Restaurants, Inc..

AI Analysis | Feedback

Key Risks to BJ's Restaurants (BJRI)

BJ's Restaurants (BJRI) faces several significant risks, primarily stemming from the highly competitive casual dining market, escalating operational costs, and challenges in maintaining comparable sales growth.

1. Competitive Pressures and Shifting Consumer Spending Habits: The U.S. restaurant industry is intensely competitive, with numerous brands vying for market share. BJ's Restaurants competes on factors such as food quality, price, service, brand recognition, and dining experience. Economic uncertainties and potential headwinds can significantly influence consumer dining habits and discretionary spending, leading to reduced guest traffic and softer comparable restaurant sales. Consumers are becoming more cautious with their spending and are increasingly seeking value, which can impact casual dining choices.

2. Rising Operational Costs: The company is exposed to substantial increases in key operating resources, including labor, food, commodities, and energy. Minimum wage increases at federal, state, and local levels, along with competitive labor market conditions, contribute to wage pressure and potential staffing shortages, thereby increasing labor costs. Furthermore, potential tariffs on imported food can drive up commodity costs, directly impacting profit margins. While BJ's Restaurants endeavors to offset these rising costs through menu price adjustments and efficiency measures, there is a risk that such increases could adversely affect guest traffic if prices become too high.

3. Challenges in Comparable Sales Growth and Execution Risks: Despite achieving strong earnings performance, BJ's Restaurants has experienced persistent challenges in meeting comparable sales targets. This disconnect raises concerns about the sustainability of earnings growth without corresponding increases in top-line revenue. Delays in opening new restaurant units also elevate the importance of comparable sales performance for near-term results. The company also faces execution risks associated with its growth initiatives and strategic plans.

AI Analysis | Feedback

The accelerating shift in consumer dining preferences towards convenient, off-premise, and specialized dining experiences, exemplified by the sustained growth of fast-casual chains, virtual brands, and sophisticated meal kit services, which collectively challenge the traditional full-service casual dining model.

AI Analysis | Feedback

The addressable market for BJ's Restaurants (BJRI) primarily falls within the U.S. full-service restaurant market.

The United States full-service restaurant market is projected to be approximately USD 360.91 billion in 2025. This market is expected to grow to USD 617.47 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.33%.

Another estimate indicates the U.S. full-service restaurant sector was valued at USD 336.22 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 807.83 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 10.23% from 2025 to 2033.

BJ's Restaurants operates as a casual dining restaurant chain, offering a diverse menu including deep-dish pizzas, craft beers, appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The company operates over 200 restaurants across 29 states in the United States, with a significant presence in California, Texas, and Florida.

AI Analysis | Feedback

1. Menu Innovation and Product Launches: BJ's Restaurants anticipates driving incremental sales and increasing customer traffic and frequency through ongoing menu innovation. Key initiatives include the continued success of the Pizookie Meal Deal as an everyday value platform, the launch of a refreshed pizza platform, and the introduction of new seasonal Pizookies.
2. Operational Efficiency and Enhanced Guest Experience: The company is focused on improving restaurant-level profitability and attracting customers through various operational initiatives. These include "table stakes" and simplification efforts, the "outlier program," and investments in an AI-driven labor model to optimize efficiency and reduce costs. Improved guest satisfaction is also a key factor in driving traffic.
3. Strategic Marketing and Brand Engagement: Successful marketing strategies, particularly leveraging social media and seasonal promotions, are expected to enhance brand visibility and customer interaction. This increased engagement aims to drive traffic and reinforce the brand's appeal.
4. New Restaurant Openings and Remodels: BJ's Restaurants plans to accelerate new unit growth, targeting two new restaurant openings in the second half of 2026, with further acceleration expected in 2027-2028. Additionally, ongoing remodels of existing restaurants, including approximately 20 in 2025 and continued programs in 2026, are designed to refresh the brand's image and improve customer appeal.

AI Analysis | Feedback

Share Repurchases

• In October 2025, BJ's Restaurants' Board of Directors approved an increase of $75 million to its share repurchase program, bringing the total authorized repurchases to $675 million.
• For fiscal year 2025, the company projects share repurchases to be between $65 million and $80 million.
• During the first thirty-nine weeks of 2025, BJ's Restaurants repurchased approximately 1.8 million shares for $62.4 million.

Share Issuance

• In May 2020, the company completed a private sale of $70 million of its common stock to T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and Act III Holdings, LLC.
• In January 2021, an additional $30.0 million of common stock was sold through an "at-the-market" offering program.

Inbound Investments

• BJ's Restaurants received a significant inbound investment of $70 million in May 2020 through a private placement of common stock to certain institutional investors.

Capital Expenditures

• BJ's Restaurants anticipates capital expenditures of $65 million to $75 million for fiscal year 2025.
• From fiscal years ending December 2020 to 2024, the median capital expenditures were $76.9 million, with a peak of $98.914 million in January 2024 and a low of $42.189 million in December 2021.
• The primary focus of capital expenditures includes restaurant remodels, the rollout of an AI-driven labor model, and developing a refreshed prototype to restart unit growth, targeting up to two new restaurant openings in the second half of 2026.