Summary of BJ's Restaurants FY Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: BJ's Restaurants (NasdaqGS: BJRI) - **Date of Conference**: September 10, 2025 Key Points Business Strategy and Performance - The CEO, Lyle Tick, emphasized the focus on strengthening the foundations of the business over the past year, aiming for a more consistent and sustainable operation [6][7] - The Pizookie Meal Deal, priced at $13, has become a significant traffic driver, accounting for approximately 15% of weekly business and nearly 20% on specific weekdays [10] - The company is exploring ways to evolve the Pizookie Meal Deal, including potential upgrades and new menu items [12][14] Menu Innovations - The company is revamping its pizza offerings, which are considered a core platform. The new pizza will launch in November, featuring a complete overhaul of the crust and ingredients to enhance quality [20][29] - The focus areas for the menu include pizza, Pizzookies, craft beverages, and shareables, with plans to streamline offerings by reducing the number of SKUs [31][32] - Seasonal items and customer feedback are being integrated into the menu strategy to keep offerings fresh and relevant [33] Operational Improvements - The company has implemented an Activity-Based Labor Model (ABLM) to optimize labor costs and improve guest satisfaction, with plans to expand this model to 20% of restaurants [38][40] - Operational metrics have shown improvement, with a focus on reducing errors in food preparation and order processing, leading to a double-digit decrease in food and beverage comps [36][37] Financial Outlook - Current store-level margins are projected to be in the mid-15% range, with potential for upside as operational efficiencies improve [43][44] - The CEO indicated that the focus is on growing sales and profit dollars rather than hitting specific percentage margin goals [45] Marketing Strategy - The marketing team has been effective in driving traffic through targeted campaigns, particularly around the Pizookie Meal Deal and new product launches [46][47] - Future marketing efforts will focus on building a consistent presence in social and influencer marketing, rather than competing on share of voice with larger brands [49] Store Development - The company is working on prototype stores to ensure that physical spaces reflect the brand's DNA and are adaptable to different market needs [53][55] - There is a focus on right-sizing stores based on market demand, with successful smaller footprint locations being identified [56] Off-Premise Business - The off-premise segment is seen as a growth opportunity, with plans to improve operational efficiency and menu offerings to better serve this channel starting in 2026 [58][60] Additional Insights - The company is committed to culinary excellence, particularly in pizza preparation, which has been a focus of employee training and operational standards [27] - The CEO expressed excitement about the potential for new product introductions and seasonal offerings to enhance customer engagement [33][59]