BJ’s Restaurants Inc.’s efforts to re-ignite sales sparked increases in traffic during the third quarter, the company said Thurdsay.
The Huntington Beach, Calif.-based casual-dining operator reported a nearly 78-percent increase in net income for the Sept. 30-ended quarter. The chain had positive same-store sales for the first time in five quarters, driven in part by a 0.7-percent increase in guest counts that was partially offset by a lower average check.
BJ’s has been working on its menu to improve perceptions of affordability and food quality, as well as improving speed and hospitality with mobile ordering.
“The 2014 third quarter represented the third consecutive quarter of progress following the implementation of our initiatives aimed at re-igniting sales and improving our operating performance,” Greg Trojan, BJ’s president and chief executive, said in a statement. “Our progress in increasing guest counts is particularly notable, as we already have industry-leading guest traffic levels in the casual-dining sector. Continued success in building comparable restaurant sales should meaningfully improve our future financial performance given the operating leverage in our business model.”
BJ’s ended the quarter with 154 casual-dining restaurants under the BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, BJ’s Pizza & Grill and BJ’s Grill brands.
3Q NET INCOME
Result: $6.5 million, or 23 cents per share% Increase: 77.7% (from $3.7 million, or 13 cents per share)
3Q REVENUE
Result: $206.5 million% Increase: 9.7% (from $188.2 million)
3Q SAME-STORE SALES
% Increase systemwide: 0.3%Source: Company report
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