Earnings

BJ’s Raises Full-Year Sales Outlook After 8.1% Comp Gain

The Tip Desk · November 11, 2026 · 2 min read

Comparable restaurant sales rose 8.1% in the fiscal third quarter as the company lifted full-year comparable-sales guidance to an increase of approximately 4.7%.

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (BJRI) reported an 8.1% increase in comparable restaurant sales for the fiscal third quarter ended September 29, 2026, accelerating from 6.5% in the second quarter and 2.4% in the first quarter.

The casual-dining operator said the quarter marked a ninth consecutive period of sales and traffic growth, with traffic also up approximately 8%. Total revenues increased 8.6% to $358.6 million.

Restaurant level operating profit was $52.9 million, up 27.9% from a year earlier. Restaurant level operating profit margin expanded to 14.7% from 12.5%, a 220-basis-point year-over-year increase, after a 20-basis-point year-over-year rise to 17.2% in the second quarter. Adjusted EBITDA rose 48.6% to $31.4 million.

GAAP income from operations swung to a $5.2 million profit from a $1.0 million loss a year earlier. Diluted net income per share was $0.24 versus $0.02, and adjusted diluted net income per share was $0.33 versus $0.04.

Chief Executive Officer Lyle Tick said the company remained confident in its strategic growth drivers and would continue to invest in team members, menu innovation, and the guest experience across 219 restaurants.

The company raised fiscal 2026 comparable restaurant sales guidance to an increase of approximately 4.7%, from a prior outlook of 3.0% to 4.0%. Restaurant level operating profit guidance moved to $233 million to $237 million from $228 million to $235 million. Adjusted EBITDA guidance was lifted to $149 million to $154 million from $145 million to $152 million. Capital expenditures were lowered to approximately $80 million from $85 million to $95 million. Share repurchases remain authorized at up to $50 million, depending on market conditions.

During the third quarter the company repurchased and retired about 17,000 shares for approximately $1.0 million, after about 64,000 shares for $2.4 million in the second quarter. As of November 5, 2026, about $84.5 million remained available under the authorized program.

Total debt was $16.0 million at September 29, 2026, compared with $85.0 million at December 30, 2025. Cash and cash equivalents were $12.9 million. Shareholders’ equity was $410.2 million.

The company said it would continue to invest in team members, advance menu innovation, and enhance the guest experience. Tick’s comments framed the quarter as further progress in unlocking the brand’s potential, with both comparable sales and traffic up approximately 8% and restaurant level operating profit margin up 220 basis points year over year.

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