BJ's Restaurants Swings to Profit, Boosts Shareholder Returns
Ticker: BJRI · Form: 10-Q · Filed: Nov 5, 2025 · CIK: 1013488
Sentiment: bullish
Topics: Restaurant Industry, Earnings Beat, Share Repurchase, Debt Management, Casual Dining, Financial Performance, SEC Filing
Related Tickers: BJRI, DRI, TXRH, CAKE
TL;DR
**BJRI is back in the black and buying back shares aggressively, signaling a strong recovery and a bullish outlook for the stock.**
AI Summary
BJ's Restaurants, Inc. (BJRI) reported a significant turnaround in net income for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2025, reaching $465,000, compared to a net loss of $2.927 million in the prior-year period. For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025, net income surged to $36.165 million, a substantial increase from $21.953 million in the same period of 2024. Revenues also saw growth, rising to $330.157 million for the thirteen-week period from $325.702 million, and to $1.043 billion for the thirty-nine-week period from $1.012 billion. The company's operating income improved, moving from a loss of $2.608 million to a loss of $997,000 for the thirteen weeks, and from an income of $18.871 million to $35.167 million for the thirty-nine weeks. Key business changes include a new Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement on May 30, 2025, extending maturity to May 30, 2030, and modifying interest rates, with $89.5 million borrowed and $106.2 million available as of September 30, 2025. The company also repurchased $62.405 million of common stock during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025, significantly higher than $17.083 million in the prior year, indicating a focus on shareholder returns. Risks include ongoing operational costs, with labor and benefits increasing to $377.369 million for the thirty-nine weeks, and occupancy and operating costs rising to $244.800 million. The strategic outlook appears focused on managing debt and optimizing capital structure while continuing to grow revenue.
Why It Matters
BJRI's return to profitability and increased revenue growth signals a potential recovery in the casual dining sector, which is crucial for investors looking for signs of consumer spending resilience. The significant increase in share repurchases, totaling $62.405 million, demonstrates management's confidence and commitment to enhancing shareholder value, potentially attracting value investors. For employees, sustained profitability could lead to job security and growth opportunities, while customers might see continued investment in restaurant experience. In a competitive restaurant market, BJRI's ability to improve net income and manage costs, despite rising labor expenses, positions it favorably against peers struggling with inflationary pressures.
Risk Assessment
Risk Level: medium — The company's long-term debt increased to $89.5 million as of September 30, 2025, from $66.5 million at December 31, 2024, indicating increased leverage. While the company is in compliance with debt covenants, the significant increase in borrowings on its credit facility to $803.187 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025, compared to $646.100 million in the prior year, suggests reliance on debt for operations and capital allocation, which could be a risk if economic conditions worsen.
Analyst Insight
Investors should consider BJRI's improved profitability and aggressive share repurchase program as positive indicators. However, they should also monitor the increasing long-term debt and operational costs. A 'hold' position is advisable, with a close watch on future earnings reports and debt management strategies to assess the sustainability of this recovery.
Financial Highlights
- debt To Equity
- 0.25
- revenue
- $1.043B
- operating Margin
- 3.4%
- total Assets
- $1.022B
- total Debt
- $89.5M
- net Income
- $36.165M
- eps
- $1.58
- gross Margin
- 25.1%
- cash Position
- $25.431M
- revenue Growth
- +3.1%
Revenue Breakdown
| Segment | Revenue | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | $1.043B | +3.1% |
Key Numbers
- $465K — Net Income (13 weeks) (Swung from a $2.927M loss in Q3 2024 to a $465K profit in Q3 2025.)
- $36.165M — Net Income (39 weeks) (Increased from $21.953M in 2024 to $36.165M in 2025.)
- $1.043B — Total Revenues (39 weeks) (Increased from $1.012B in 2024 to $1.043B in 2025.)
- $62.405M — Common Stock Repurchases (39 weeks) (Significantly higher than $17.083M in the prior year, indicating increased shareholder returns.)
- $89.5M — Long-Term Debt (Increased from $66.5M at Dec 31, 2024, reflecting higher leverage.)
- $106.2M — Credit Facility Availability (Remaining available to borrow as of September 30, 2025.)
- 5.9% — Weighted Average Interest Rate (Decreased from 6.9% in the prior year, reducing interest expense.)
- $0.02 — Diluted EPS (13 weeks) (Improved from a loss of $0.13 in the prior year.)
- $1.58 — Diluted EPS (39 weeks) (Increased from $0.92 in the prior year.)
- 21,134,781 — Shares Outstanding (As of November 3, 2025, reflecting impact of repurchases.)
Key Players & Entities
- BJ's Restaurants, Inc. (company) — Registrant of the 10-Q filing
- Bank of America, N.A. (company) — Party to the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
- JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (company) — Party to the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
- $465,000 (dollar_amount) — Net income for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2025
- $2.927 million (dollar_amount) — Net loss for the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2024
- $36.165 million (dollar_amount) — Net income for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025
- $21.953 million (dollar_amount) — Net income for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2024
- $62.405 million (dollar_amount) — Repurchase of common stock for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025
- $89.5 million (dollar_amount) — Long-term debt outstanding as of September 30, 2025
- $106.2 million (dollar_amount) — Available to borrow under the Credit Facility as of September 30, 2025
FAQ
What were BJ's Restaurants' revenues for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025?
BJ's Restaurants, Inc. reported revenues of $1,043,727,000 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025, an increase from $1,012,963,000 for the same period in 2024.
How did BJRI's net income change for the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2025?
For the thirteen weeks ended September 30, 2025, BJRI reported a net income of $465,000, a significant improvement from a net loss of $2,927,000 for the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2024.
What is the current status of BJ's Restaurants' credit facility?
As of September 30, 2025, BJ's Restaurants had borrowings of $89.5 million and letters of credit of $19.3 million outstanding under its Credit Facility, leaving $106.2 million available to borrow. The facility matures on May 30, 2030.
How much common stock did BJ's Restaurants repurchase in the first thirty-nine weeks of 2025?
BJ's Restaurants repurchased $62,405,000 of common stock during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025, which is a substantial increase compared to $17,083,000 in the prior year.
What was the weighted average interest rate on BJRI's credit facility?
The weighted average interest rate on BJRI's credit facility was approximately 5.9% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025, down from approximately 6.9% for the same period in 2024.
What new accounting standards is BJ's Restaurants evaluating?
BJ's Restaurants is evaluating the impact of ASU 2024-03, Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and ASU 2025-06, Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027.
What were the basic and diluted net income per share for BJRI for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025?
For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025, BJRI reported basic net income per share of $1.62 and diluted net income per share of $1.58.
How much cash did BJ's Restaurants generate from operating activities?
BJ's Restaurants generated $91,960,000 in net cash from operating activities for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025, an increase from $69,842,000 in the prior year period.
What are the key components of BJRI's restaurant operating costs?
For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025, key restaurant operating costs included cost of sales at $262,527,000, labor and benefits at $377,369,000, and occupancy and operating costs at $244,800,000.
Is BJ's Restaurants in compliance with its debt covenants?
Yes, as of September 30, 2025, BJ's Restaurants, Inc. was in compliance with all covenants contained in its Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.
Risk Factors
- Rising Labor and Occupancy Costs [medium — operational]: Labor and benefits increased to $377.369 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025, up from $372.048 million in the prior year. Occupancy and operating costs also rose to $244.800 million from $236.746 million. These increases put pressure on operating margins.
- Debt Management and Interest Rate Fluctuations [medium — financial]: Long-term debt increased to $89.5 million as of September 30, 2025, from $66.5 million at December 31, 2024. While the new credit agreement modified interest rates, ongoing debt obligations and potential interest rate changes pose a financial risk.
- Competition in the Casual Dining Sector [high — market]: BJRI operates in a highly competitive casual dining market. Changes in consumer preferences, economic conditions, and competitor actions can significantly impact revenue and profitability.
- Restaurant Opening Costs [low — operational]: While restaurant opening costs decreased to $663,000 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025, from $2,005,000 in the prior year, significant investments in new locations can impact short-term profitability.
- Stock Repurchase Program [medium — financial]: The company repurchased $62.405 million of common stock in the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025. While this returns capital to shareholders, it reduces available cash and could impact future investment capacity if not managed prudently.
Industry Context
BJ's Restaurants operates in the highly competitive casual dining sector, facing pressure from various restaurant formats, including fast-casual and full-service establishments. Industry trends show a continued focus on value, convenience, and unique dining experiences. The sector is also navigating evolving consumer preferences towards healthier options and digital ordering.
Regulatory Implications
BJRI is subject to standard food safety regulations, labor laws, and financial reporting requirements. Changes in minimum wage laws or health code standards could impact operating costs and require operational adjustments. Compliance with SEC regulations for public companies is ongoing.
What Investors Should Do
- Monitor operating cost trends, particularly labor and occupancy expenses, to assess margin sustainability.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the increased share repurchase program in driving shareholder value versus its impact on liquidity.
- Assess the company's ability to manage its increased long-term debt ($89.5M) and leverage in the current interest rate environment.
- Analyze revenue growth drivers and same-restaurant sales performance to gauge underlying business health.
Key Dates
- 2025-05-30: Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement — Extended debt maturity to May 30, 2030, and modified interest rates, providing financial flexibility.
- 2025-09-30: End of Third Quarter — Reported significant net income turnaround and revenue growth, with $89.5 million in long-term debt and $106.2 million available credit.
- 2025-11-03: Shares Outstanding Date — Reported 21,134,781 shares outstanding, reflecting the impact of substantial stock repurchases.
Glossary
- Diluted EPS
- Earnings per share calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares, including the dilutive effect of stock options and other potential common shares. (Indicates the profitability on a per-share basis, reflecting the impact of all potential shares.)
- Operating Lease Obligations
- Liabilities arising from lease agreements for assets used in operations, recognized under accounting standards that require these leases to be reflected on the balance sheet. (Represents a significant financial commitment for the company's restaurant locations.)
- Capital Surplus
- An equity account representing the amount paid by investors for stock above its par value. (Part of the company's equity structure, reflecting historical stock issuance.)
- Equity Method Investment
- An accounting method used to report investments in other companies over which the investor has significant influence but not control. (Represents a smaller portion of the company's assets, indicating strategic partnerships or minority stakes.)
- Goodwill
- An intangible asset that arises when a company acquires another company for a price greater than the fair value of its net identifiable assets. (Represents the value of acquired brands or synergies, in this case, $4.673 million.)
Year-Over-Year Comparison
BJ's Restaurants, Inc. has demonstrated a significant financial recovery compared to the prior year. Revenue for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025, increased by 3.1% to $1.043 billion from $1.012 billion. Net income swung from a substantial loss to a profit of $36.165 million, with diluted EPS rising to $1.58 from $0.92. Operating income also improved considerably. However, operating costs, including labor and occupancy, have seen an increase, and long-term debt has risen to $89.5 million, indicating a shift in financial structure and ongoing cost management challenges.
Filing Stats: 4,441 words · 18 min read · ~15 pages · Grade level 14 · Accepted 2025-11-05 12:28:08
Filing Documents
- bjri-20250930.htm (10-Q) — 1829KB
- bjri-ex31.htm (EX-31) — 38KB
- bjri-ex32.htm (EX-32) — 10KB
- 0001193125-25-266346.txt ( ) — 6785KB
- bjri-20250930.xsd (EX-101.SCH) — 852KB
- bjri-20250930_htm.xml (XML) — 1165KB
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 14 Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 20 Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Controls and Procedures 20 Item 5. Other Information 20 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
Legal Proceedings 21 Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors 21 Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 21 Item 6. Exhibits 22
FINANCI AL INFORMATION
PART I. FINANCI AL INFORMATION
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Item 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BJ'S RESTAURANTS, INC. CONSOLIDATED B ALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) September 30, 2025 December 31, 2024 (unaudited) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 25,431 $ 26,096 Accounts and other receivables, net 16,070 20,402 Inventories, net 12,506 12,768 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 16,623 20,299 Total current assets 70,630 79,565 Property and equipment, net 513,701 510,581 Operating lease assets 318,264 336,936 Goodwill 4,673 4,673 Equity method investment 4,193 4,266 Deferred income taxes, net 65,211 62,318 Other assets, net 45,373 42,725 Total assets $ 1,022,045 $ 1,041,064 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 45,024 $ 51,011 Accrued expenses 105,168 105,316 Current operating lease obligations 43,542 39,982 Total current liabilities 193,734 196,309 Long-term operating lease obligations 367,808 394,129 Long-term debt 89,500 66,500 Other liabilities 14,805 14,109 Total liabilities 665,847 671,047 Commitments and contingencies Shareholders' equity: Preferred stock, 5,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding — — Common stock, no par value, 125,000 shares authorized and 21,232 and 22,697 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively — — Capital surplus 74,291 77,576 Retained earnings 281,907 292,441 Total shareholders' equity 356,198 370,017 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 1,022,045 $ 1,041,064 See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. 1 BJ'S RESTAURANTS, INC. UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share data) For the Thirteen Weeks Ended For the Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 30, 2025 October 1, 2024 September 30, 2025