BJ's Restaurants (BJRI) Opens Outlet In Pennsylvania

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ:BJRI) opened its new restaurant in Lancaster, PA on Jun 6, 2016. The 7,300 square feet restaurant on U.S. Route 30 and Harrisburg Pike Road at Park City Mall can accommodate 225 guests.

The restaurant features BJ’s extensive menu, including BJ’s signature deep-dish pizza, award-winning handcrafted beer and famous Pizookie dessert. Moreover, BJ’s contemporary décor creates the ideal environment for dining.

Among the casual dining chains, BJ’s Restaurants is one of the few that have been expanding its footprint aggressively. Given the strengthening U.S. economy and resurging consumer confidence, management has further accelerated unit openings and expects to maintain the trend this year. With capacity growth, BJ’s Restaurants is gaining scale, which will generate cost efficiency.

Due to lesser food wastage and improved labour productivity, these new restaurants generate higher margins. Given its operational efficiency and launch of new higher return restaurant prototypes, the company’s margins are likely to increase.

The company opened a restaurant in Pensacola, FL in Apr 2016 and in Lafayette, LA in Mar 2016. BJ's Restaurant targets to open 18 to 19 new restaurants this year in the U.S.

BJ's Restaurants, Inc. currently owns and operates 173 casual dining restaurants under the BJ's Restaurant & Brewery, BJ's Restaurant & Brew house, BJ's Pizza & Grill and BJ’s Grill brand names.

BJ’s Restaurants carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Other Stocks to Consider

Investors interested in the restaurant industry can also consider Famous Dave's of America Inc. (NASDAQ:DAVE) , Restaurant Brands International Inc. QSR, and Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TAST) .While Famous Dave's and Restaurant Brands International sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Carrols Restaurant carries a Zacks Rank #2.