BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

Operations

BJ's Restaurants feels the pinch of lost draft sales

The casual chain reserved $1.8 million from its second-quarter earnings to cover the cost of throwing away unsold suds.

Marketing

Restaurants aim for their own sort of Olympic gold

With delivery more prevalent than it's been during earlier games, several promotions are focusing on off-premise orders placed digitally.

The nine-year veteran will be succeeded by President and CFO Greg Levin. Thomas Houdek will become financial chief.

The casual chain says business is rebounding faster than it can hire employees to handle the workload.

Operators are packaging catering programs in new ways to win back lost business. Individually boxed meals are seen as a safer solution as people slowly return to the office or are in need of a quick lunch to grab-and-go. Cracker Barrel, BJs and El Pollo Loco recently introduced or upgraded boxed meal catering.

The subscription program is now available in all of the casual chain's Calfornia stores, with units elsewhere likely to participate later in the year.

With large gatherings limited, operators are downsizing catering packages to feed football fans on Feb. 7.

The rise in per-restaurant revenue came despite the continuing suspension of indoor dining in California, the casual chain's largest market.

Operators are counting on holiday gift cards to boost revenue but sales are down.

Members of the “club” pay $30 for $75 in takeout and on-site benefits.

  • Page 3