Profit soared 76 percent at BJ’s Restaurants Inc. and same-store sales increased 5.6 percent in the second quarter, driven by robust traffic and healthy check growth from big-ticket items.
Revenue increased 8.2 percent to $287.6 million for second quarter ended July 3. The Huntington Beach, Calif.-based casual-dining chain posted net income of $16.9 million, or 79 cents per share, up from $9.6 million, or 44 cents per share, in the previous year’s same period. Restaurant traffic increased 2.5 percent during the quarter.
CEO Greg Trojan said the chain, which specializes in deep-dish pizza, is outperforming the industry with the help of several programs including its Slow Roast dishes. The one-year-old menu includes prime rib and double bone-in pork chops offered at a premium price for the brand but one that’s competitive when compared to fine-dining menus. Gains are also being generated by the expansion of off-premise delivery and the company’s new Daily Brewhouse specials. The latter is a menu of daily specials on favorite restaurant items, including half-off any large deep-dish pizza on Monday.
Trojan said 42 of the company’s 200 restaurants set daily record sales during the quarter. Another 23 units set weekly sales records, “demonstrating robust and consistent growth across our entire restaurant base,” Trojan said in a statement.
“These results are a testament to the strength of the BJ’s brand, the broad attraction to our unique concept, and the continued execution by our team members in delivering Gold Standard service and hospitality for our guests every day,” he said in a statement.
Going forward, BJ’s plans to build on the momentum of its brewhouse specials and slow roast platform by testing new items. It also plans continued focus on off-premise sales and leveraging the data from the company’s refreshed loyalty program.
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