How BJ's Restaurants built a stronger foundation for its next phase of growth

BJ's Restaurants is looking toward the future. | Photo courtesy of BJ's Restaurants

BJ’s Restaurants just spent the past two years focusing on the basics and building a strong foundation for future growth. Along the way, the casual-dining chain built up momentum and is now celebrating its ninth straight quarter of same-store sales and traffic growth, up 8.1% and 8.3%, respectively, for the third quarter ended Sept. 29.

Two years ago, the Huntington Beach, California-based company outlined a four-pillar strategy with the goal of increasing sales, improving unit-level economics and laying the groundwork for future expansion. During that time frame, BJ’s CEO Lyle Tick said the company grew average unit volumes by 10%, to $500,000, and increased average store-level profits by 24%, to $1.1 million.

“Over the past two years, we have clarified our positioning, organized behind our four strategic pillars, and refined our growth drivers, all focused on building a stronger BJ's and delivering sustainable and profitable growth,” Tick said during the third quarter earnings call.

BJ's is moving from a defensive approach to a more proactive investment strategy across its existing fleet of 219 restaurants. That includes addressing facility and equipment needs to ensure locations are equipped to support the company's next phase of growth. The company is also switching from a responsive equipment maintenance program to a preventative one to head off issues before they begin.

“We've made material progress on our deferred facilities work with a focus on sharpening our replace versus repair strategy to ensure we are solving and not band-aiding problems,” Tick said.

After getting the basics down, BJ’s executives said the company is ready for its next chapter. The company is continuing to steadily build its store development pipeline, with “a handful” of restaurants planned in 2027.

BJ’s is also working on its second new store prototype in two years, with stores that have a more contemporary look, updated brand elements, and flexibility for smaller sizes or restaurant conversions instead of just always building from scratch. The last two units opening in 2026 — one in Joilet, Illinois, and one in Buckeye, Arizona — will showcase these changes.

“We continue to build our pipeline and expect to open a handful of additional units in 2027 as we continue to refine the prototype and apply a right-size, right place, right cost approach to our next chapter of unit growth,” Tick said.

Contact Joanna at joanna.fantozzi@informa.com

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