BJ's Restaurants names two new independent directors
BJ's Restaurants, Inc. (BJRI) announced the appointment of Christopher W. Brandt and James D. White as independent members of its Board of Directors, effective September 3, 2026.
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
BJ's Restaurants, Inc. (BJRI) announced the appointment of Christopher W. Brandt and James D. White as independent members of its Board of Directors, effective September 3, 2026. Brandt will join the Governance and Nominating Committee and White will join the Compensation Committee.
In connection with these appointments, the number of authorized directors was increased from eight to ten under the company’s bylaws. A press release dated September 9, 2026, provided additional background on the new directors, highlighting Brandt’s senior brand and marketing roles at major restaurant and consumer companies and White’s prior service as Chair, President and CEO of Jamba Juice and as a public company director.
The company describes itself as a national casual dining brand founded in 1978, with more than 200 restaurants across 31 states and over 270 brewing medals since 1996, emphasizing its brewhouse heritage and award-winning beer program.
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Filing Explained
The filing adds that the two newly appointed non-employee directors will receive board compensation under terms incorporated from the company’s June 23, 2026 filing; this report does not state the compensation amounts.
8-K Event Classification
4 items: 5.02, 5.03, 8.01, 9.01
4 items
Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers
Governance
Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.
Item 5.03
Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year
Governance
The company amended its charter documents, bylaws, or changed its fiscal year.
Item 8.01
Other Events
Other
Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, or exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Effective appointment date: September 3, 2026
Board size after change: 10 directors
Prior board size: 8 directors
+5 more
8 metrics
Effective appointment date
September 3, 2026
Date Christopher W. Brandt and James D. White joined the Board of Directors
Board size after change
10 directors
Number of company board members after increasing authorized directors from eight to ten
Prior board size
8 directors
Number of authorized directors before the amendment to the bylaws
Restaurants in operation
More than 200 restaurants
Company-operated restaurant count across the United States
States of operation
31 states
Number of U.S. states in which BJ’s operates restaurants
Brewing medals earned
Over 270 medals
Awards earned by BJ’s beer program since 1996
Founding year
1978
Year BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. was founded
Press release date
September 9, 2026
Date of the company press release announcing the board appointments
Key Terms
independent directors, Governance and Nominating Committee, Compensation Committee, Articles of Incorporation, +2 more
6 terms
independent directors regulatory
"announced the appointment of Christopher W. Brandt and James D. White to the Company’s Board of Directors as independent directors"
Members of a company’s board who do not have significant business, family, or financial ties to the company and are not part of its management; they are chosen to provide impartial oversight of strategy, financial reporting, executive pay and risk. They matter to investors because independent directors act like an objective referee, helping ensure decisions favor shareholders’ long-term interests rather than insiders, which can strengthen trust and reduce the chance of mismanagement or conflicts of interest.
Governance and Nominating Committee regulatory
"Mr. Brandt will serve as a member of the Governance and Nominating Committee"
A governance and nominating committee is a group of board members responsible for setting the company’s rules for ethical behavior, board structure, and director selection. Think of it as a combined hiring panel and rule-maker that chooses qualified board candidates, plans leadership succession, and ensures the board operates transparently — actions that directly affect oversight quality, risk management, and long-term value for investors.
Compensation Committee regulatory
"Mr. White will serve as a member of the Compensation Committee of the Board"
A compensation committee is a group within a company's leadership responsible for setting and reviewing how much top executives and employees are paid, including salaries, bonuses, and benefits. It matters to investors because fair and effective pay decisions can influence a company's performance, leadership motivation, and overall governance, helping ensure that the company’s management is aligned with shareholders’ interests.
Articles of Incorporation regulatory
"Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year"
A formal legal document filed with a government authority that creates a corporation and sets its basic rules — for example the company name, business purpose, how many ownership shares can exist, and who can receive legal notices. It matters to investors because it defines ownership structure, voting rights, and limits on liability, shaping who controls the company and how future shares or dividends can affect an investor’s stake; think of it as the company’s birth certificate and rulebook.
Bylaws regulatory
"the number of authorized directors was increased from eight to ten pursuant to Article III, Section 2 of the Company's Bylaws"
Corporate bylaws are a company's internal rulebook that explains how the business is run day to day — who makes decisions, how directors and officers are chosen, how shareholder meetings are conducted, and procedures for changes or conflicts. For investors, bylaws matter because they shape governance and control, influence how quickly and easily leadership or strategy can change, and can protect or limit shareholder rights much like house rules affect how a household operates.
NASDAQ Global Select Market market
"Common Stock, No Par Value | | BJRI | | NASDAQ Global Select Market"
A Nasdaq Global Select Market listing is the highest tier of stocks on the Nasdaq exchange, reserved for companies that meet the strictest financial, reporting and governance standards. For investors, it acts like a premium quality label—signaling larger, more transparent and better-governed companies that tend to offer greater liquidity and lower perceived risk compared with lower-tier listings, making it easier to buy, sell and evaluate shares.
FAQ
What board changes did BJRI announce on September 9, 2026?
BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. appointed Christopher W. Brandt and James D. White as independent directors, effective September 3, 2026, and increased the number of authorized directors from eight to ten in connection with these appointments.
What committee roles will the new BJRI directors hold?
Christopher W. Brandt will serve on the Board’s Governance and Nominating Committee, while James D. White will serve on the Compensation Committee, as part of their roles as non-employee directors of BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.
How large is BJRI’s board of directors after the new appointments?
Following the appointments of Christopher W. Brandt and James D. White, the board size at BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. increased to ten members, up from eight, pursuant to Article III, Section 2 of the company’s bylaws.
What is the business profile of BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (BJRI)?
BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. is a national casual dining brand founded in 1978, operating more than 200 restaurants across 31 states, with deep brewhouse roots and an award-winning beer program featuring over 270 medals earned since 1996.
What prior experience does Christopher W. Brandt bring to BJRI’s board?
Christopher W. Brandt is a former senior executive of Chipotle Mexican Grill, where he served as President, Chief Brand Officer, and Chief Marketing Officer from 2018 to 2026, and previously held brand and marketing leadership roles at Bloomin’ Brands, Taco Bell, Odwalla/The Coca-Cola Company, and General Mills.
What prior experience does James D. White bring to BJRI’s board?
James D. White previously served as Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jamba Juice from 2008 to 2016, held senior roles at Safeway, Gillette and Nestlé-Purina PetCare, co-founded JDWhite Design Labs in 2020, and serves on the boards of CAVA Group, The Simply Good Foods Company, and The Honest Company.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
