BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. Redefines EnLIGHTened Menu as ‘Healthy’ Takes on New Meaning in the New Year

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Jan. 17, 2017 -- BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ:BJRI), a first-mover with its EnLIGHTened Entrees®, is now redefining the category to include more nutrient-rich superfoods, vegetarian and gluten-free options. The mission: to ensure the EnLIGHTened menu offers something for everyone.

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc., a first-mover with its EnLIGHTened Entrees®, is now redefining the category to include more nutrient-rich superfoods, vegetarian and gluten-free options. BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. selected a group of ruthlessly honest kids to serve as its tasting panel. The diminutive diners were invited to try five BJ’s EnLIGHTened Entrees® and give their feedback on camera.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

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“There’s been a movement of people wanting to understand what they eat and how it makes them feel. As a result, 'healthy' has taken on new meaning,” said Scott Rodriguez, Vice President of Culinary and Kitchen Innovation at BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. “Whether it’s going meatless, avoiding gluten or keeping an eye on calories, we’ve curated menu items to help make those better-for-you choices a little bit easier.”

To test the EnLIGHTened mission, BJ’s turned to Generation Z and selected a group of ruthlessly honest kids to serve as its tasting panel. The diminutive diners were invited to try five BJ’s EnLIGHTened Entrees® and give their feedback on camera.

BJ's worked with DDB San Francisco to turn the kids' critiques into an exceptionally cute video series in which the kids try to guess what they are eating. One boy thinks the Peruvian quinoa in the Roasted Chicken and Spinach Quinoa Bowl is “dirt balls” while another makes a strong case that the Cherry Chipotle Glazed Salmon is actually “Megalodon.”

“Their facial expressions, empty plates and candid remarks tell you everything you need to know about our BJ’s EnLIGHTened Entrees®,” added Kevin Mayer, EVP, Chief Marketing Officer of BJ's Restaurants, Inc. “There really is something for everyone.”

As written in the menu, the EnLIGHTened movement goes beyond cutting calories. “It’s not about taking things out; it’s about putting the right things in,” said Greg Trojan, President and CEO of BJ's Restaurants, Inc. “We’re committed to transparency that empowers the allergy-conscious, the calorie-conscious, the health-conscious and everyone in between.”

The EnLIGHTened menu includes whole foods and superfoods that are dense in nutrients and loaded with vegetables and grains. Initially introduced in May 2011, the EnLIGHTened menu continues to grow in breadth and popularity. BJ’s offers nearly 20 EnLIGHTened Entrees® along with EnLIGHTened Cocktails® that have fewer than 140 calories. The proprietary BJ’s LightSwitch® Lager—a gold medalist at the highly renowned Great American Beer Festival—is just 100 calories per 12-ounce serving.

With these healthy offerings and more flavorful choices, guests can keep their New Year’s Resolutions while enjoying the BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse® signature quality.

About BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.
BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. currently owns and operates 187 casual dining restaurants under the BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse®, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery®, BJ’s Pizza & Grill® and BJ’s Grill® brand names. BJ’s Restaurants offer an innovative and broad menu featuring award-winning, signature deep-dish pizza complemented with generously portioned salads, appetizers, sandwiches, soups, pastas, entrees and desserts, including the Pizookie® dessert. Quality, flavor, value, moderate prices and sincere service remain distinct attributes of the BJ’s experience.  All restaurants feature BJ’s critically acclaimed proprietary craft beers, which are produced at several of the Company’s Restaurant & Brewery locations, its two brewpubs in Texas and by independent third party craft brewers. 

The Company’s restaurants are located in the 24 states of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Visit BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. on the Web at http://www.bjsrestaurants.com for locations and additional information.

Media Contact:
Lauren Hendeles
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602-750-5934