BJ's Restaurants posts seventh straight quarter of growth

BJ’s Restaurants reported another quarter of positive same-store sales and traffic in what is quickly becoming routine for the 200-unit casual-dining chain.

Same-store sales rose 2.4% year over year in the quarter ended March 31, driven by a 2.2% increase in traffic. That included a strong Valentine’s Day, with half of the system setting single-day sales records.

It was the chain’s seventh straight quarter of same-store sales and traffic growth, and BJ’s has emerged as one of casual-dining’s biggest success stories over that stretch. In the first quarter, it outpaced the broader category by 120 basis points on sales and nearly 400 basis points on traffic, per Black Box Intelligence data.

Turnaround Efforts

The consistent performance is the result of a multi-layered turnaround effort led by CEO Lyle Tick, who joined BJ’s in September 2024.

Since then, the chain has focused on improving operations and core menu items like pizza and burgers while also adding a value-priced entry point with the $13 Pizookie Meal Deal. It has also boosted the profile of its Pizookies with rotating seasonal flavors designed to make a splash on social media.

These changes continue to resonate with customers. Burger sales are up 30% since the addition of the All-American Smash Burger last summer, while pizza sales are up 20% following the launch of a revamped recipe late last year. Pizookies, meanwhile, are driving both sales and traffic, especially from younger customers. And the chain is receiving higher marks from customers on food and value.

Consumer Behavior

BJ’s has yet to notice any changes in consumer behavior since gas prices began to spike following the start of the Iran war in March. Sales and traffic were consistent throughout the first quarter, and BJ’s has widened its gap to other casual-dining chains in the current period, Tick said during an earnings call Tuesday.

“Obviously, we're keeping a very close eye on our consumer and their behavior,” he said. “We really have seen a resilient consumer and resilient behavior.”

The company continues to expect same-store sales growth of 1% to 3% for the full year.

Menu Updates

And with the turnaround plan working as intended, BJ’s is now starting to drill down into other areas of the menu. It recently launched a Wagyu burger starting at $19.99 for customers willing to spend a little extra, and is also testing a new, higher-priced tier of the Pizookie Meal Deal featuring more premium entrees.

The chain is hoping that adding some pricier options while maintaining its entry-level price points will give it another way to build sales over time. In the first quarter, BJ’s average check was flat to slightly positive year over year.

“As we go throughout the year, we would expect to continue to see normalization there, and then some opportunity to have mix or check play a larger role” in growth, Tick said in an interview Wednesday.

Chicken sandwiches are also getting an update. The chain is re-engineering its classic crispy chicken sandwich and introducing a sweet-and-spicy Korean version that includes pickled veggies. It will also add a new “all-American”-style chicken sandwich to the Pizookie Meal Deal lineup, replacing a lower-selling existing option.

Later this year, BJ’s will mark another milestone with the opening of two new restaurants, in Buckeye, Arizona, and Joliet, Illinois, featuring a new store prototype. It’s the first step in BJ’s plan to ramp up development in the coming years, starting with mid-single-digit openings in 2027 and then double digits in 2028.

For the quarter, Huntington Beach, California-based BJ’s generated total revenues of $358.1 million, a 2.9% increase year over year. Restaurant-level operating margins stood pat at 16%. Net income was $9 million, down about a third from last year.

BJ's stock was up about 3.6% as of midday Wednesday.