BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. Reports Fiscal Second Quarter 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

BJ's Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ: BJRI) reported its fiscal 2024 second quarter results, showing a slight 0.1% increase in total revenues to $349.9 million. Despite a 0.6% decline in comparable restaurant sales, net income rose to $17.2 million from $11.9 million year-over-year, with diluted net income per share increasing to $0.72 from $0.50. Adjusted EBITDA improved to $36.1 million, up from $31.8 million in the same quarter last year.

The company saw improved sales trends throughout the quarter, particularly around key celebrations like Mother's Day and Father's Day. Restaurant level operating margins increased by 100 basis points to 15.5%. BJ's remains on track with its expansion plans, having opened one new restaurant in the first half of 2024 and planning two more in the second half. The company also continues its remodel initiative and share repurchase program, having bought back approximately 255,000 shares at a cost of $8.8 million during Q2 2024.

Positive

• Net income increased to $17.2 million from $11.9 million year-over-year
• Diluted net income per share rose to $0.72 from $0.50
• Adjusted EBITDA improved to $36.1 million, up 13% year-over-year
• Restaurant level operating margins increased by 100 basis points to 15.5%
• Company on track to open two additional restaurants in the second half of 2024
• New restaurant prototype budgeted at approximately $1 million less than prior prototype

Negative

• Comparable restaurant sales declined 0.6%
• Softer sales start in April

Insights

Financial Analyst

BJ's Restaurants' Q2 2024 results reveal a mixed bag of performance indicators. Total revenues increased marginally by 0.1% to $349.9 million, while comparable restaurant sales declined by 0.6%. This suggests the company is struggling to drive organic growth in existing locations, relying on new restaurant openings to boost overall revenue.

The standout figure is the net income of $17.2 million, up from $11.9 million in Q2 2023, representing a substantial 44.5% increase. This improvement in profitability, despite flat revenue growth, indicates successful cost management and efficiency initiatives. The diluted EPS of $0.72 vs $0.50 last year further underscores this point.

Adjusted EBITDA rose by 13.5% to $36.1 million and restaurant level operating margins improved by 100 basis points to 15.5%. These metrics suggest that BJ's is effectively leveraging its existing assets and controlling costs, which is important in the competitive restaurant industry.

The company's capital allocation strategy, focusing on growth initiatives and share repurchases, appears balanced. However, investors should note that BJ's repurchased $8.8 million worth of shares in Q2, which might indicate management believes the stock is undervalued.

While the company's ability to generate free cash flow is positive, the slowing comparable sales growth and reliance on special occasions for sales records may be concerning for long-term growth prospects. The success of the new restaurant prototype and remodel initiative will be critical to watch in coming quarters.

Market Research Analyst

BJ's Restaurants' Q2 performance highlights some interesting market trends. The company's success during key celebratory occasions like Mother's Day, Father's Day and graduations indicates a strong positioning in the 'special dining out' segment. This could be a double-edged sword - while it's great for driving high-value traffic, it may also suggest a struggle to maintain consistent everyday dining appeal.

The slight decline in comparable restaurant sales (-0.6%) against a backdrop of inflationary pressures in the restaurant industry is worth noting. It suggests BJ's may be facing challenges in maintaining customer frequency or average check size, possibly due to increased competition or shifts in consumer dining habits.

The company's focus on restaurant remodels and a new, more efficient prototype is a smart move in the current market. With approximately half of BJ's restaurants set to be either a newer prototype or recently remodeled by the end of 2024, the company is positioning itself well to attract both current and new guests. This strategy aligns with industry trends of creating more engaging and efficient dining spaces.

However, the reliance on these physical improvements to drive growth, rather than menu innovation or digital initiatives, may be a potential risk in an increasingly tech-driven restaurant landscape. As competitors invest heavily in digital ordering, loyalty programs and off-premise dining solutions, BJ's will need to ensure it's not falling behind in these areas.

The company's ability to improve profitability in a challenging sales environment is commendable, but sustained top-line growth will be important for long-term success in the competitive casual dining sector.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., July 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ: BJRI) today reported financial results for its fiscal 2024 second quarter ended Tuesday, July 2, 2024.

Fiscal Second Quarter 2024 Compared to Fiscal Second Quarter 2023

• Total revenues increased 0.1% to $349.9 million
• Comparable restaurant sales declined 0.6%
• Total restaurant operating weeks increased 0.4%
• Net income of $17.2 million, compared to $11.9 million; diluted net income per share of $0.72, compared to $0.50
• Adjusted EBITDA of $36.1 million, compared to $31.8 million
  

“Our second quarter results demonstrate continued success with the growth and productivity initiatives that we outlined during last year’s Investor Day,” commented Greg Levin, Chief Executive Officer and President. “After a softer sales start in April, comparable restaurant sales improved throughout the second quarter as guests chose BJ’s for their most important celebrations. Approximately half of our restaurants set sales records during the quarter, particularly around Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and graduations. The improving sales trend, coupled with our productivity initiatives, drove restaurant level operating margins higher by 100 basis points to 15.5% and Adjusted EBITDA higher by $4.3 million, or 13%, on a year-over-year basis.

“Our $70 million to $75 million capital expenditures target for 2024 will result in significant free cash flow generation this year,” Levin continued. “With this free cash flow, our capital allocation priorities will focus on continued investment in growth initiatives with attractive financial returns, while returning capital to shareholders through share repurchases,” concluded Levin.

BJ’s opened one new restaurant in the first half of 2024 and remains on track to open two additional restaurants in the second half of the year. All future BJ’s will feature a new restaurant prototype budgeted at approximately $1 million less than the prior prototype, while providing greater operating efficiencies and incorporating the best elements of BJ’s ongoing restaurant remodel initiative, including a new bar statement with the guest-favorite 130" television as a centerpiece. New restaurant openings are complemented by BJ’s remodel initiative, which continues to deliver attractive financial returns driven by improved guest traffic trends. By the end of 2024, approximately half of BJ’s restaurants will be either a newer prototype or recently remodeled, further elevating the attractiveness of the BJ’s concept to current and new guests.

During the second quarter of 2024, the Company repurchased and retired approximately 255,000 shares of its common stock at a cost of approximately $8.8 million. The Company currently has approximately $52 million available under its authorized $550 million share repurchase program.

Investor Conference Call and Webcast

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. will conduct a conference call on its second quarter 2024 earnings release today, July 25, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). Management will discuss the financial results and host a question and answer session. In addition, a live audio webcast of the call will be accessible to the public on the “Investors” page of the Company’s website located at http://www.bjsrestaurants.com, and a recording of the webcast will be archived on the site for 30 days following the live event. Please allow 15 minutes to register and download and install any necessary software.

About BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. is a national brand with brewhouse roots where Craft Matters^®. BJ’s broad menu has something for everyone: slow-roasted entrees, like prime rib, BJ’s EnLIGHTened Entrees^® including Cherry Chipotle Glazed Salmon, signature deep-dish pizza and the often imitated, but never replicated world-famous Pizookie^® dessert. The winner of the 2024 Vibe Vista Award for Best Overall Beverage Program for Multi-Unit Chain Restaurants and the most decorated restaurant-brewery in the country, BJ’s has been a pioneer in the craft brewing world since 1996 and takes pride in serving BJ’s award-winning proprietary handcrafted beers, brewed at its brewing operations in four states and by independent third-party craft brewers. The BJ’s experience offers high-quality ingredients, bold flavors, moderate prices, sincere service, and a cool, contemporary atmosphere. Founded in 1978, BJ’s owns and operates over 200 casual dining restaurants in 31 states. All restaurants offer dine-in, take-out, delivery and large party catering. For more BJ’s information, visit http://www.bjsrestaurants.com.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer

Certain statements in the preceding paragraphs and all other statements that are not purely historical constitute “forward-looking” statements for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Such statements include, but are not limited to, those regarding expected comparable restaurant sales and margins, total potential domestic capacity, the success of various sales-building and productivity initiatives, future guest traffic trends, on and off-premise sales trends, cost savings initiatives and the number and timing of new restaurants expected to be opened in future periods. These “forward-looking” statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results to be materially different from those projected or anticipated. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) any inability or failure to successfully and sufficiently raise menu prices to offset rising costs, (ii) any inability to manage new restaurant openings, (iii) construction delays, (iv) wage inflation and competitive labor market conditions which may result in staffing shortages, (v) the impact of any union organizing efforts at our restaurants and our responses to such efforts, (vi) increases in minimum wage and other employment related costs, including compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and minimum salary requirements for exempt team members, (vii) the effect of credit and equity market disruptions on our ability to finance our continued expansion on acceptable terms, (viii) food quality and health concerns and the effect of negative publicity about us, our restaurants, other restaurants, or others across the food supply chain, due to food borne illness or other illnesses or other reasons, whether or not accurate, (ix) factors that impact California, Texas and Florida, where a substantial number of our restaurants are located, (x) restaurant and brewery industry competition, (xi) impact of certain brewing business considerations, including without limitation, dependence upon suppliers, third party contractors and distributors, and related hazards, (xii) consumer spending trends in general for casual dining occasions, (xiii) potential uninsured losses and liabilities due to limitations on insurance coverage, (xiv) fluctuating commodity costs and availability of food in general and certain raw materials related to the brewing of our craft beers and energy requirements, (xv) trademark and service-mark risks, (xvi) government regulations and licensing costs, including beer and liquor regulations, (xvii) loss of key personnel, (xviii) inability to secure acceptable sites, (xix) legal proceedings, (xx) the success of our key sales-building and related operational initiatives, (xxi) any failure of our information technology or security breaches with respect to our electronic systems and data, and (xxii) numerous other matters discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its recent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. The “forward-looking” statements contained in this press release are based on current assumptions and expectations, and BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or alter its “forward-looking” statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information, please contact Tom Houdek of BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. at (714) 500-2400 or JCIR at (212) 835-8500 or at bjri@jcir.com.

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in thousands except for per share data)
	Second Quarter Ended											Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2024					July 4, 2023						July 2, 2024					July 4, 2023
Revenues	$	349,927		100.0	%	$	349,670		100.0	%		$	687,261		100.0	%	$	690,950		100.0	%
Restaurant operating costs (excluding depreciation and amortization):
Cost of sales		89,836		25.7			90,614		25.9				174,789		25.4			181,491		26.3
Labor and benefits		126,309		36.1			126,522		36.2				251,330		36.6			254,855		36.9
Occupancy and operating		79,566		22.7			81,912		23.4				156,424		22.8			161,058		23.3
General and administrative		20,604		5.9			21,194		6.1				43,601		6.3			40,900		5.9
Depreciation and amortization		18,163		5.2			17,708		5.1				36,036		5.2			35,320		5.1
Restaurant opening		300		0.1			378		0.1				890		0.1			1,222		0.2
Loss on disposal and impairment of assets, net		1,928		0.6			1,130		0.3				2,712		0.4			3,276		0.5
Total costs and expenses		336,706		96.2			339,458		97.1				665,782		96.9			678,122		98.1
Income from operations		13,221		3.8			10,212		2.9				21,479		3.1			12,828		1.9
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense, net		(1,259	)	(0.4	)		(1,108	)	(0.3	)			(2,670	)	(0.4	)		(2,229	)	(0.3	)
Other income, net		2,772		0.8			622		0.2				3,468		0.5			818		0.1
Total other income (expense)		1,513		0.4			(486	)	(0.1	)			798		0.1			(1,411	)	(0.2	)
Income before income taxes		14,734		4.2			9,726		2.8				22,277		3.2			11,417		1.7
Income tax benefit		(2,423	)	(0.7	)		(2,206	)	(0.6	)			(2,603	)	(0.4	)		(3,996	)	(0.6	)
Net income	$	17,157		4.9	%	$	11,932		3.4	%		$	24,880		3.6	%	$	15,413		2.2	%
Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.74				$	0.51					$	1.07				$	0.66
Diluted	$	0.72				$	0.50					$	1.04				$	0.64
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic		23,309					23,539						23,313					23,510
Diluted		23,921					23,971						23,954					23,961

Percentages reflected above may not reconcile due to rounding.

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.
Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Information
(Dollars in thousands)
	July 2, 2024 (unaudited)				January 2, 2024
Cash and cash equivalents	$	16,185			$	29,070
Total assets	$	1,044,136			$	1,058,454
Total debt	$	63,500			$	68,000
Shareholders’ equity	$	386,489			$	365,761

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.
Unaudited Supplemental Information
(Dollars in thousands)
	Second Quarter Ended											Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2024					July 4, 2023						July 2, 2024					July 4, 2023
Stock-based compensation (1)
Labor and benefits	$	529		0.2	%	$	410		0.1	%		$	1,037		0.2	%	$	1,276		0.2	%
General and administrative		2,237		0.6			2,368		0.7				4,206		0.6			4,144		0.6
Total stock-based compensation	$	2,766		0.8	%	$	2,778		0.8	%		$	5,243		0.8	%	$	5,420		0.8	%
Operating Data
Comparable restaurant sales % change		(0.6	)%				4.7	%					(1.1	)%				6.8	%
Restaurants opened during period		-					1						1					2
Restaurants open at period-end		216 (2)					216 (2)						216 (2)					216 (3)
Restaurant operating weeks		2,821					2,808						5,629					5,616

(1) Percentages represent percent of total revenues and may not reconcile due to rounding.
(2) During the period, one restaurant was permanently closed.
(3) During the period, two restaurants were permanently closed.

Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company is reporting certain non-GAAP financial results and related reconciliations to the corresponding GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, or a substitute for, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. These measures should only be used to evaluate the Company’s results of operations in conjunction with corresponding GAAP measures.

Restaurant Level Operating Margin

Restaurant level operating margin, a non-GAAP financial measure, is equal to the revenues generated by our restaurants less their direct operating costs which consist of cost of sales, labor and benefits, and occupancy and operating costs. This performance measure primarily includes the costs that restaurant level managers can directly control and excludes other operating costs that are essential to conduct the Company’s business, as detailed in the table below. Management uses restaurant level operating margin as a supplemental measure of restaurant performance. Management believes restaurant level operating margin is useful to investors in that it highlights trends in our core business that may not otherwise be apparent to investors when relying solely on GAAP financial measures. Because other companies may calculate restaurant level operating margin differently than we do, restaurant level operating margin as presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

A reconciliation of income from operations to restaurant level operating margin for the second quarter ended July 2, 2024, and July 4, 2023, is set forth below:

Supplemental Financial Information – Restaurant Level Operating Margin
(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)
	Second Quarter Ended											Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2024					July 4, 2023						July 2, 2024					July 4, 2023
Income from operations	$	13,221		3.8	%	$	10,212		2.9	%		$	21,479		3.1	%	$	12,828		1.9	%
General and administrative		20,604		5.9			21,194		6.1				43,601		6.3			40,900		5.9
Depreciation and amortization		18,163		5.2			17,708		5.1				36,036		5.2			35,320		5.1
Restaurant opening		300		0.1			378		0.1				890		0.1			1,222		0.2
Loss on disposal and impairment of assets, net		1,928		0.6			1,130		0.3				2,712		0.4			3,276		0.5
Restaurant level operating margin	$	54,216		15.5	%	$	50,622		14.5	%		$	104,718		15.2	%	$	93,546		13.5	%

Percentages above represent percent of total revenues and may not reconcile due to rounding.

Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”)

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that represents the sum of net income adjusted for certain expenses and gains/losses detailed within the reconciliation below. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance. Management believes these measures are useful to investors in that they highlight cash flow and trends in our core business that may not otherwise be apparent to investors when relying solely on GAAP financial measures. Because other companies may calculate these measures differently than we do, Adjusted EBITDA as presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
        
A reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter ended July 2, 2024, and July 4, 2023, is set forth below:

Supplemental Financial Information – Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA
(Unaudited, dollars in thousands)
	Second Quarter Ended											Six Months Ended
	July 2, 2024					July 4, 2023						July 2, 2024					July 4, 2023
Net income	$	17,157		4.9	%	$	11,932		3.4	%		$	24,880		3.6	%	$	15,413		2.2	%
Interest expense, net		1,259		0.4			1,108		0.3				2,670		0.4			2,229		0.3
Income tax benefit		(2,423	)	(0.7	)		(2,206	)	(0.6	)			(2,603	)	(0.4	)		(3,996	)	(0.6	)
Depreciation and amortization		18,163		5.2			17,708		5.1				36,036		5.2			35,320		5.1
Stock-based compensation expense		2,766		0.8			2,778		0.8				5,243		0.8			5,420		0.8
Other income, net		(2,772	)	(0.8	)		(622	)	(0.2	)			(3,468	)	(0.5	)		(818	)	(0.1	)
Loss on disposal and impairment of assets, net		1,928		0.6			1,130		0.3				2,712		0.4			3,276		0.5
Adjusted EBITDA	$	36,078		10.3	%	$	31,828		9.1	%		$	65,470		9.5	%	$	56,844		8.2	%

Percentages above represent percent of total revenues and may not reconcile due to rounding.

FAQ

What were BJ's Restaurants' (BJRI) total revenues for Q2 2024?

BJ's Restaurants' total revenues for Q2 2024 increased 0.1% to $349.9 million.

How did BJ's Restaurants' (BJRI) net income change in Q2 2024 compared to Q2 2023?

BJ's Restaurants' net income increased to $17.2 million in Q2 2024, compared to $11.9 million in Q2 2023.

What was BJ's Restaurants' (BJRI) diluted net income per share for Q2 2024?

BJ's Restaurants' diluted net income per share for Q2 2024 was $0.72, compared to $0.50 in Q2 2023.

How many new restaurants did BJ's Restaurants (BJRI) open in the first half of 2024?

BJ's Restaurants opened one new restaurant in the first half of 2024.

How many shares did BJ's Restaurants (BJRI) repurchase in Q2 2024?

BJ's Restaurants repurchased and retired approximately 255,000 shares of its common stock in Q2 2024.