BJ's Restaurants
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Casual dining, Brewery |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Jim Kozen, Leonard Allenstein |
| Headquarters | Huntington Beach, California , United States |
Area served | 29 states (as of 2022) |
Key people | Greg Levin (CEO) |
| Products | Pizzas, craft beers, appetizers, main courses, pastas, sandwiches, salads, desserts |
BJ's Restaurants, Inc. is a U.S.-based dining chain with its main office located in Huntington Beach, California. The enterprise operates multiple brand concepts, including BJ's Restaurant & Brewery, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, BJ's Grill, and BJ's Pizza & Grill.
History
Established in 1978 by Jim Kozen and Leonard Allenstein, the company originally launched as BJ's Chicago Pizzeria in Santa Ana, California. Initially named BJ Grunts, the title was altered due to trademark issues. Shortly after inception, early backers Mike Phillips and Bill Cunningham acquired half of the business. Following the opening of the seventh outlet, Kozen and Allenstein departed from the company. In 1991, Phillips and Cunningham sold their interests to accountants Paul Motenko and Jerry Hennessy.
By 1996, BJ’s had expanded to seven locations spanning from San Diego to Los Angeles. That same year marked the company's initial public offering, generating $9.4 million in capital. Additionally, BJ’s purchased 26 Pietro's Pizza establishments for $2.8 million through a combination of cash and debt assumption; some of these were either sold off or rebranded as BJ’s Pizza. Also in 1996, BJ’s introduced a microbrewery at its Brea site, broadening its product range.
During 2010 and 2011, the National Retail Federation identified BJ’s as one of the top 10 fastest-growing restaurant chains in the United States based on annual sales growth. By 2013, the company operated 11 brewery restaurants producing approximately 60,000 barrels yearly while serving 136 outlets across 15 states. Notably, its BJ’s Hefelightzen beer secured a gold medal at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival.
Greg Levin assumed the role of CEO in 2021, steering key growth strategies. As of December 2022, BJ’s managed 215 dining establishments distributed over 29 states.
The corporation’s model integrates casual dining with proprietary microbrewing to set itself apart within a competitive marketplace. Its ongoing growth highlights proficient leadership and a robust presence in the casual dining sector.
Offerings
The menu at BJ’s features a variety of items including pizzas, craft beers, appetizers, main courses, pastas, sandwiches, salads, and desserts such as their renowned Pizookie. Several locations maintain microbreweries that supply beer to other restaurants within the chain.
Awards and recognition
BJ’s Big Fish IPA earned a gold medal at the 2006 Great American Beer Festival in the American-style Strong Pale Ale category. This brew draws inspiration from Piranha Pale Ale, which received a silver medal in 2002. In 1996, BJ’s Jeremiah Red was awarded silver in the strong ales division. Furthermore, BJ’s Belgian-style wheat beer garnered a Gold Medal from the North American Beer Awards.