10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

/X/ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended October 1, 2013

OR

/  / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                              to             

Commission file number 0-21423

BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California	33-0485615
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

7755 Center Avenue, Suite 300

Huntington Beach, California 92647

(714) 500-2400

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including

area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every interactive data file required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

þ    Large accelerated filer	¨    Accelerated filer
¨   Non-accelerated filer (do not check if smaller reporting company)	¨    Smaller reporting company

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No þ.

As of November 1, 2013, there were 28,227,620 shares of Common Stock of the Registrant outstanding.

BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

Form 10-Q

For the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013

		Page
PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Consolidated Financial Statements
	Consolidated Balance Sheets – October 1, 2013 (Unaudited) and January 1, 2013		1
	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income – Thirteen and Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 1, 2013 and October 2, 2012		2
	Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 1, 2013 and October 2, 2012		3
	Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements		4
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		9
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk		23
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		23
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		24
Item 1A.	Risk Factors		24
Item 6.	Exhibits		24
	SIGNATURES		25

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

	October 1, 2013		January 1, 2013
	(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$15,296		$15,074
Marketable securities		15,155		18,316
Accounts and other receivables		9,906		18,929
Inventories		6,917		6,061
Prepaids and other current assets		7,576		8,619
Deferred income taxes		17,100		15,721
Total current assets		71,950		82,720
Property and equipment, net		503,543		457,499
Long-term marketable securities		7,268		7,534
Goodwill		4,673		4,673
Notes receivable		–		110
Other assets, net		16,146		14,340
Total assets		$603,580		$566,876
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$21,014		$25,665
Accrued expenses		62,740		56,819
Total current liabilities		83,754		82,484
Deferred income taxes		42,340		40,847
Deferred rent		21,599		18,645
Deferred lease incentives		50,692		48,422
Other liabilities		8,098		4,644
Total liabilities		206,483		195,042
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 28,223 and 28,072 shares issued and outstanding as of October 1, 2013 and January 1, 2013, respectively		181,669		180,940
Capital surplus		42,828		38,812
Retained earnings		172,600		152,082
Total shareholders’ equity		397,097		371,834
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$603,580		$566,876

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share data)

	For The Thirteen Weeks Ended				For The Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	October 1,		October 2,		October 1,		October 2,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Revenues		$188,245		$175,220		$575,357		$523,520
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales		46,651		43,230		141,392		129,470
Labor and benefits		67,232		61,324		201,114		181,686
Occupancy and operating		43,731		38,412		127,258		110,146
General and administrative		11,366		10,445		36,691		32,339
Depreciation and amortization		12,465		10,562		35,874		30,148
Restaurant opening		3,235		2,394		6,285		6,041
Loss on disposal of assets		79		–		648		451
Legal settlements		–		–		–		350
Total costs and expenses		184,759		166,367		549,262		490,631
Income from operations		3,486		8,853		26,095		32,889
Other income (expense):
Interest income		41		66		146		214
Interest expense		(10)		(10)		(30)		(44)
Gain on investment settlement		–		–		–		289
Other income, net		278		198		738		628
Total other income		309		254		854		1,087
Income before income taxes		3,795		9,107		26,949		33,976
Income tax expense		147		2,268		6,431		9,555
Net income		$3,648		$6,839		$20,518		$24,421
Net income per share:
Basic		$0.13		$0.24		$0.73		$0.87
Diluted		$0.13		$0.24		$0.71		$0.85
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic		28,206		28,004		28,174		27,971
Diluted		28,922		28,850		28,895		28,859

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

	For The Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	October 1, 2013		October 2, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$20,518		$24,421
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		35,874		30,148
Deferred income taxes		114		4,269
Stock-based compensation expense		3,331		3,241
Loss on disposal of assets		648		451
Gain on investment settlement		–		(289)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables		9,330		3,608
Inventories		(856)		(103)
Prepaids and other current assets		1,043		1,691
Other assets, net		(1,875)		(2,740)
Accounts payable		5,089		4,496
Accrued expenses		5,921		1,439
Deferred rent		2,954		2,733
Deferred lease incentives		2,270		2,738
Other liabilities		567		1,825
Landlord contribution for tenant improvements, net		(225)		1,404
Net cash provided by operating activities		84,703		79,332
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(93,121)		(85,772)
Proceeds from sale of assets		3,971		–
Proceeds from marketable securities sold		23,041		30,683
Purchases of marketable securities		(19,614)		(29,451)
Collection of notes receivable		28		195
Net cash used in investing activities		(85,695)		(84,345)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation		771		740
Taxes paid on vested stock units under employee plans		(286)		(53)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		729		1,319
Net cash provided by financing activities		1,214		2,006
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		222		(3,007)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		15,074		22,391
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$15,296		$19,384
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes		$4,616		$2,374
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Fixed assets acquired by accounts payable		$237		$1,201
Stock-based compensation capitalized		$200		$148

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (referred to herein as the “Company” or in the first person notations “we,” “us” and “our”) and our wholly owned subsidiaries. The financial statements presented herein include all material adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the period. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions for the reporting periods covered by the financial statements. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted pursuant to requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). A description of our accounting policies and other financial information is included in our audited consolidated financial statements as filed with the SEC on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2013. We believe that the disclosures included in our accompanying interim financial statements and footnotes are adequate to make the information not misleading, but should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K. The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2013, has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of prior period’s financial statement amounts have been made to conform to the current period’s format.

2.  MARKETABLE SECURITIES

Our investment policy restricts the investment of our excess cash balances to instruments with historically minimal volatility, such as money market funds, U.S. Treasury and direct agency obligations, municipal and bank securities, and investment-grade corporate debt securities. All highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase are classified as cash equivalents and included with cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Marketable securities, which we have the intent and ability to hold until maturity, are classified as held-to-maturity securities and reported at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Marketable securities, in the form of municipal variable rate demand notes with expected put dates prior to the contractual maturity of the underlying debt security and backed by financial institutions in the form of a letter of credit or liquidity facility, are classified as available-for-sale securities. These securities are reported at fair value, using a market approach and classified as Level 2 fair value measurements, as further described in Note 3. Any unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities would be recorded in other comprehensive income. As of October 1, 2013, and January 1, 2013, there were no unrealized gains or losses with respect to available-for-sale securities.

We determine the appropriate classification of our marketable securities at the time of purchase and reevaluate the held-to-maturity or available-for-sale designations as of each balance sheet date. Marketable securities are classified as either short-term or long-term based on each instrument’s underlying contractual maturity date or the expected put date. Marketable securities with maturities or expected put dates of 12 months or less are classified as short-term and marketable securities with maturities or expected put dates greater than 12 months are classified as long-term. Gains or losses are determined on the specific identification cost method and recorded in earnings when realized.

Investments in marketable securities consist of the following (in thousands):

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	October 1, 2013				January 1, 2013
	Fair Value		Average   Maturity (1)		Fair Value		Average   Maturity (1)
Available-for-sale
Short-term marketable securities:
Municipal variable rate demand notes		$2,810		<1 month		$650		<1 month
	October 1, 2013				January 1, 2013
	Amortized Cost		Average Maturity (1)		Amortized Cost		Average Maturity (1)
Held-to-maturity
Short-term marketable securities:
Municipal securities, U.S. Treasury and direct agency obligations		$12,345		5 months		$13,587		7 months
Domestic corporate obligations		–				4,079		6 months
		$12,345				$17,666
Long-term marketable securities:
Municipal securities and direct agency obligations		6,217		16 months		$5,392		16 months
Domestic corporate obligations		1,051		13 months		2,142		22 months
		$7,268				$7,534

(1) Average maturity is determined from the respective balance sheet dates and reported in the table as the lesser of the original maturity date or the expected put date for each investment type.

3.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, a framework for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities was established by defining a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. These tiers include:

• Level 1: Defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

• Level 2: Defined as pricing inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies. These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, volatility factors, and current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures.

• Level 3: Defined as pricing inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.

At October 1, 2013, we had approximately $37.7 million of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities. Our marketable securities are held by institutional brokers, classified as held-to-maturity securities and reported at amortized cost, which approximates fair value (effectively Level 2), or variable rate demand notes classified as available-for-sale securities and reported at fair value. We have placed a majority of our temporary excess cash with major financial institutions and institutional brokers that, in turn, invest in instruments with historically minimal volatility, such as money market funds, U.S. Treasury and direct agency obligations, municipal and bank securities, and investment-grade corporate debt securities. Our investment policy limits the amount of exposure to any one institution or investment. We have not experienced any losses on these marketable securities to date, and we believe that we are not exposed to significant risk of loss on these marketable securities.

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4.  LONG-TERM DEBT

Line of Credit

On February 17, 2012, we entered into a $75 million unsecured revolving line of credit (“Line of Credit”) with a major financial institution. The Line of Credit expires on January 31, 2017, and may be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We utilize the Line of Credit principally for letters of credit that are required to support certain self-insurance programs and for working capital and construction requirements as needed. As of October 1, 2013, there were no funded borrowings outstanding under the Line of Credit and there were outstanding letters of credit totaling approximately $9.2 million. The Line of Credit bears interest at either LIBOR plus a percentage not to exceed 1.50%, or at a rate ranging from the financial institution’s prime rate to 0.75% below the financial institution’s prime rate based on a Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio as defined in the Line of Credit agreement. The Line of Credit agreement requires compliance with a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, a Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio and certain non-financial covenants. At October 1, 2013, we were in compliance with these covenants.

5.  NET INCOME PER SHARE

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options issued by us to sell common stock at set prices were exercised and if restrictions on restricted stock units issued by us were to lapse (collectively equity awards). The consolidated financial statements present basic and diluted net income per share.

The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share computations and the number of dilutive equity awards (stock options and restricted stock units) that were included in the dilutive net income per share computation (in thousands):

	For The Thirteen Weeks Ended				For The Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	October 1, 2013		October 2, 2012		October 1, 2013		October 2, 2012
Numerator:
Net income for basic and diluted net income per share		$3,648		$6,839		$20,518		$24,421
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic		28,206		28,004		28,174		27,971
Dilutive effect of equity awards		716		846		721		888
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted		28,922		28,850		28,895		28,859

For the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013 and October 2, 2012, there were approximately 0.7 million and 0.3 million shares of common stock equivalents, respectively, that have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because they are anti-dilutive. For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013 and October 2, 2012, there were approximately 0.7 million and 0.2 million shares of common stock equivalents, respectively, that have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because they are anti-dilutive.

6.  RELATED PARTY

As of October 1, 2013, we believe that Jacmar Companies and their affiliates (collectively referred to herein as “Jacmar”) owned approximately 11.2% of our outstanding common stock. In addition, James Dal Pozzo, the Chief Executive Officer of Jacmar, is a member of our Board of Directors. Jacmar, through its affiliation with Distribution Market Advantage, Inc. (“DMA”), a national foodservice distribution consortium whose participants are prominent regional foodservice distributors, is currently our largest supplier of food, beverage, paper products and supplies. We began using DMA for our national foodservice distribution in July 2006. In July 2012, we finalized a new five-year agreement with DMA, after conducting another extensive competitive bidding process. Jacmar services our restaurants in California and Nevada, while other DMA distributors service our restaurants in all other states. We also understand that Jacmar and its affiliates are the controlling shareholders of the Shakey’s pizza parlor chain. We believe that Jacmar sells products to us at prices comparable to those offered by unrelated third parties based on our competitive bidding process. Jacmar supplied us with $61.3 million and $58.6 million of food, beverage, paper products and supplies for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013 and October 2, 2012, respectively, which represents 22.8% and 24.4% of our total costs of sales and operating and occupancy costs, respectively. We had trade payables related to these products of $4.9 million and $3.7 million, at October 1, 2013 and January 1, 2013, respectively. Jacmar does not provide us with any produce, liquor, wine or beer products, all of which are provided by other vendors and are included in total cost of sales.

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7.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

We have two stock-based compensation plans – the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan and the 1996 Stock Option Plan – under which we may issue shares of our common stock to team members, officers, directors and consultants. Upon effectiveness of the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), the 1996 Stock Option Plan was closed for purposes of new grants. Both of these plans have been approved by our shareholders. Under the Plan, we have granted incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, and restricted stock units (“RSUs”). Shares subject to stock options and stock appreciation rights are charged against the Plan share reserve on the basis of one share for each one share granted while shares subject to other types of awards, including restricted stock units, are currently charged against the Plan share reserve on the basis of 1.5 shares for each one share granted. The Plan also contains other limits with respect to the terms of different types of incentive awards and with respect to the number of shares subject to awards that can be granted to a team member during any fiscal year. All options granted under the Plan expire within 10 years of their date of grant.

Under the Plan, we issue RSUs as a component of the annual equity grant award to officers and other team members and in connection with the BJ’s Gold Standard Stock Ownership Program (the “GSSOP”). The GSSOP is a longer-term equity incentive program that utilizes Company RSUs or stock options and is dependent on each participant’s extended service with us in their respective positions and remaining in good standing during that service period (i.e., five years).

The Plan permits us to set the vesting terms and exercise period for awards at our discretion. Stock options generally vest at 20% per year or cliff vest, either ratably in years three through five or 100% in year five, and expire ten years from date of grant. RSUs generally vest at 20% per year for non-GSSOP RSU grantees and generally cliff vest either at 33% on the third anniversary and 67% on the fifth anniversary or at 100% after the fifth anniversary for GSSOP participants.

The following table presents information related to stock-based compensation (in thousands):

	For The Thirteen Weeks Ended				For The Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	October 1,		October 2,		October 1,		October 2,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Labor and benefits stock-based compensation		$406		$323		$1,032		$874
General and administrative stock-based compensation		$541		$806		$2,299		$2,367
Capitalized stock-based compensation (1)		$96		$49		$200		$148

(1) Capitalized stock-based compensation is included in “Property and equipment, net” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Stock Options

The fair value of each stock option grant issued is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

	For the Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	October 1, 2013		October 2, 2012
Expected volatility		36.5%		37.6%
Risk free interest rate		0.8%		0.7%
Expected option life		5 years		5 years
Dividend yield		0%		0%
Fair value of options granted		$11.04		$15.13

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U.S. GAAP requires us to make certain assumptions and judgments regarding the grant date fair value. These judgments include expected volatility, risk free interest rate, expected option life, dividend yield and vesting percentage. These estimations and judgments are determined by us using many different variables that, in many cases, are outside of our control. The changes in these variables or trends, including stock price volatility and risk free interest rate, may significantly impact the grant date fair value resulting in a significant impact to our financial results.

The exercise price of the stock options under our stock-based compensation plans shall be equal to or exceed 100% of the fair market value of the shares at the date of option grant. Stock option activity during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, was as follows:

	Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
	Shares   (in thousands)		Weighted   Average Exercise Price		Shares   (in thousands)		Weighted   Average Exercise Price
Outstanding options at January 1, 2013		2,025		$22.08		1,403		$17.76
Granted		186		$33.74
Exercised		(49)		$14.91
Forfeited		(56)		$40.98
Outstanding options at October 1, 2013		2,106		$22.78		1,432		$18.23

As of October 1, 2013, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock options was $5.1 million, which is generally expected to be recognized over the next five years.

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock unit activity during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, was as follows:

	Shares   (in thousands)		Weighted Average   Fair Value
Outstanding RSUs at January 1, 2013		486		$28.14
Granted		115		$34.05
Vested or released		(86)		$17.00
Forfeited		(54)		$34.48
Outstanding RSUs at October 1, 2013		461		$30.97

The fair value of the RSUs is the quoted market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of each RSU is expensed ratably over the period during which the restrictions are expected to lapse (i.e., five years). As of October 1, 2013, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted shares was approximately $7.6 million, which is generally expected to be recognized over the next five years.

8. INCOME TAXES

As of October 1, 2013, unrecognized tax benefits recorded was approximately $0.2 million, of which approximately $0.1 million, if reversed, would impact our effective tax rate. We anticipate a decrease of $0.1 million to our liability for unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve-month period due to the settlement of potential outstanding liabilities. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

Balance at January 1, 2013	$897
Reductions based on statute expirations and audit settlements	(679)
Balance at October 1, 2013	$218

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Our uncertain tax positions are related to tax years that remain subject to examination by tax agencies. As of October 1, 2013, the earliest tax year still subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service is 2010. The earliest year still subject to examination by a significant state or local taxing jurisdiction is 2008.

9.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are subject to private lawsuits, administrative proceedings and demands that arise in the ordinary course of our business and which typically involve claims from guests, employees and others related to operational, employment, real estate and intellectual property issues common to the foodservice industry. A number of these claims may exist at any given time. We are self-insured for a portion of our general liability insurance and our employee workers’ compensation programs. We maintain coverage with a third party insurer to limit our total exposure for these programs. We believe that most of our guest claims will be covered by our general liability insurance, subject to coverage limits and the portion of such claims that are self-insured. Punitive damages awards and employee unfair practice claims, however, are not covered by our general liability insurance. To date, we have not been ordered to pay punitive damages with respect to any claims, but there can be no assurance that punitive damages will not be awarded with respect to any future claims. We could be affected by adverse publicity resulting from allegations in lawsuits, claims and proceedings, regardless of whether these allegations are valid or whether we are ultimately determined to be liable. We currently believe that the final disposition of these types of lawsuits, proceedings and claims will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. It is possible, however, that our future results of operations for a particular quarter or fiscal year could be impacted by changes in circumstances relating to lawsuits, proceedings or claims.

Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLOSURE

Certain information included in this Form 10-Q and other materials filed or to be filed by us with the SEC (as well as information included in oral or written statements made by us or on our behalf) may contain “forward-looking” statements about our current and expected performance trends, growth plans, business goals and other matters. These statements may be contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in our press releases, in other written communications, and in oral statements made by or with the approval of one of our authorized officers. Words or phrases such as “believe,” “plan,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “intend,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “should,” and similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking” statements. These statements, and any other statements that are not historical facts, are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as codified in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time (the “Act”). The cautionary statements made in this Form 10-Q should be read as being applicable to all related “forward-looking” statements wherever they appear in this Form 10-Q.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. Except for the historical information contained herein, the discussion in this Form 10-Q contains certain “forward-looking” statements that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, such as statements of our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. The risks described in this Form 10-Q, as well as the risks identified in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2013, are not the only risks we face. These statements reflect our current perspectives and outlook with respect to the Company’s future expansion plans, key business initiatives, expected operating conditions and other factors. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment, and new risks emerge from time to time. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are currently unaware of, or that we currently deem immaterial, also may become important factors that affect us. It is not possible for us to predict the impact of all of these factors on our business, financial condition or results of operations or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any “forward-looking” statements. Given the volatility of the operating environment and its associated risks and uncertainties, investors should not rely on “forward-looking” statements as any prediction or guarantee of actual results.

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“Forward-looking” statements include, among others, statements concerning:

— our restaurant concept, its competitive advantages and our strategies for its continued evolution and expansion;

— the rate and scope of our planned future restaurant development;

— the estimated total domestic capacity for our restaurants;

— anticipated dates on which we will commence or complete the development and opening of new restaurants;

— expectations as to the timing and success of any expansion of our independent third party brewing strategy for our proprietary craft beers and sodas;

— expectations for consumer spending on casual dining restaurant occasions;

— expectations as to the availability and costs of key commodities used in our restaurants and brewing operations;

— expectations as to our menu price increases and their effect, if any, on revenue and results of operations;

— expectations as to the effectiveness of our planned operational, menu, marketing and capital expenditure initiatives;

— expectations as to our capital requirements and actual or available borrowings on our line of credit;

— expectations as to our future revenues, operating costs and expenses; and,

— other statements of expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated developments and other matters that are not historical facts.

These “forward-looking” statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including financial, regulatory, consumer behavior, demographic, industry growth and trend projections, that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements. Some, but not all, significant factors that could prevent us from achieving our stated goals include, but are not limited to:

— Our success depends substantially on the favorable image, credibility and value of the BJ’s brand and our reputation for offering guests a higher quality, more differentiated total dining experience at a good value.

— Any deterioration in general economic conditions may affect consumer spending and may adversely affect our revenues, operating results and liquidity.

— If we do not successfully expand our restaurant operations, our growth rate and results of operations would be adversely affected.

— Our ability to open new restaurants on schedule in accordance with our targeted capacity growth rate may be adversely affected by delays or problems associated with securing suitable restaurant locations and leases, recruiting and training qualified managers and hourly team members to correctly operate our new restaurants and by other factors, some of which are beyond our control and the timing of which is difficult to forecast accurately.

— Access to sources of capital and our ability to raise capital in the future may be limited, which could adversely affect our business and our expansion plans.

— Any deterioration in general economic conditions could also have a material adverse impact on our landlords or on businesses neighboring our locations, which could adversely affect our revenues and results of operations.

— Any failure of our existing or new restaurants to achieve expected results could have a negative impact on our consolidated revenues and financial results, including a potential impairment of the long-lived assets of certain restaurants.

— Our growth may strain our infrastructure and resources, which could slow our development of new restaurants and adversely affect our ability to manage our existing restaurants.

— Any decision to either reduce or accelerate the pace of openings may positively or adversely affect our comparative financial performance.

— Our future operating results may fluctuate significantly due to our relatively small number of existing restaurants and the expenses required to open new restaurants.

— A significant number of our restaurants are concentrated in California, Texas and Florida, which makes us particularly sensitive to economic, regulatory, weather and other risk factors and conditions that are more prevalent in those states.

— Our operations are susceptible to changes in our food, labor and related employee benefits (including, but not limited to, group health insurance coverage for our team members), energy and supply costs which could adversely affect our profitability.

— Our costs to construct new restaurants are susceptible to both material and labor cost fluctuations which could adversely affect our return on investment results for new restaurants.

— Our increasing dependence on independent third party brewers could have an adverse effect on our operations if they cease to supply us with our proprietary craft beer and sodas.

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— Government laws and regulations affecting the operation of our restaurants, including (but not limited to) those that apply to the acquisition and maintenance of our brewing and retail liquor licenses, minimum wages, consumer health and safety, group health insurance coverage, nutritional disclosures, and employment-related documentation requirements could increase our operating costs, cause unexpected disruptions to our operations and restrict our growth.

— Our internal brewing, independent third party brewing and beer distribution arrangements are subject to periodic reviews and audits by various federal, state and local governmental and regulatory agencies and could be adversely affected either as a result of different interpretations of the laws and regulations that govern such arrangements or by new laws and regulations enacted to be promulgated by such governments or agencies. In this regard, our relationship with third party brewers is currently being reviewed by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. While the matter remains open, in order to assure compliance with Texas rules, it is possible that we may be required to produce proprietary beer for our Texas restaurants through internal breweries which will need to be built and operated by us in Texas.

For a more detailed description of these risk factors and other considerations, see Part II, Item 1A – “Risk Factors” of this Form 10-Q and the risk factors identified in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2013.

GENERAL

As of October 1, 2013, we owned and operated 140 restaurants located in 15 states: California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Ohio, Washington, Oklahoma, Oregon, Kentucky, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana and New Mexico. Our restaurants operate under the BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery®, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse®, BJ’s Pizza & Grill®, or BJ’s Grill® names. Our menu features our BJ’s award-winning, signature deep-dish pizza, our hand-tossed style pizza, our proprietary craft beers and other beers, as well as a wide selection of appetizers, entrees, pastas, sandwiches, specialty salads and desserts, including our Pizookie® dessert. Our BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery® restaurants feature on-premise brewing facilities where BJ’s proprietary craft beers are produced for some of our restaurants. Currently, three of our restaurants have active brewing operations on-premise, while the remainder of our proprietary beer requirements is provided by independent third party brewers using our proprietary recipes. Our five BJ’s Pizza & Grill® restaurants are a smaller-format, full-service restaurant when compared to our large format BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse® and BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery® locations and reflect the original format of the BJ’s restaurant concept that was first introduced in 1978. Our BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse® format currently represents our primary expansion vehicle. BJ’s Grill® is a smaller footprint restaurant that is currently intended to serve as a live research and development restaurant, where certain food, beverage, facility, technological and operational enhancements are tested for potential application to our larger restaurants.

Our revenues are comprised of food and beverage sales at our restaurants. Revenues from restaurant sales are recognized when payment is tendered at the point of sale. Revenues from our gift cards are recognized upon redemption in our restaurants. Gift card breakage is recognized as other income on our Consolidated Statements of Income. Gift card breakage is recorded when the likelihood of the redemption of the gift cards becomes remote, which is typically after 24 months from original gift card issuance.

In calculating comparable company-owned restaurant sales, we include a restaurant in the comparable base once it has been open for 18 months. Guest traffic for our restaurants is estimated based on values assigned to certain menu items or individual guest tickets.

Cost of sales is comprised of food and beverage costs, including the cost to produce and distribute our proprietary craft beer, soda and ciders. The components of cost of sales are variable and typically fluctuate directly with sales volumes. Labor and benefit costs include direct hourly and management wages, bonuses and payroll taxes and fringe benefits for restaurant employees, including stock-based compensation that is directly related to restaurant level team members.

Occupancy and operating expenses include restaurant supplies, credit card fees, marketing costs, fixed rent, percentage rent, common area maintenance charges, utilities, real estate taxes, repairs and maintenance and other related restaurant costs.

General and administrative costs include all corporate, field supervision and administrative functions that support existing operations and provide infrastructure to facilitate our future growth. Components of this category include corporate management, field supervision and corporate hourly staff salaries and related employee benefits (including stock-based compensation expense and cash-based incentive compensation), travel and relocation costs, information systems, the cost to recruit and train new restaurant management employees, corporate rent, certain brand marketing-related expenses and legal, professional and consulting fees.

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Depreciation and amortization principally include depreciation on capital expenditures for restaurants.

Restaurant opening expenses, which are expensed as incurred, consist of the costs of hiring and training the initial hourly work force for each new restaurant, travel, the cost of food and supplies used in training, grand opening promotional costs, the cost of the initial stocking of operating supplies and other direct costs related to the opening of a restaurant, including rent during the construction and in-restaurant training period.

While we currently expect to pursue the renewal of substantially all of our expiring restaurant leases, no guarantee can be given that such leases will be renewed or, if renewed, that rents will not increase substantially.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income expressed as percentages of total revenues. The results of operations for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013 and October 2, 2012, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year. Percentages reflected below may not reconcile due to rounding.

	For The Thirteen Weeks Ended				For The Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	October 1,		October 2,		October 1,		October 2,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Revenues		100.0%		100.0%		100.0%		100.0%
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales		24.8		24.7		24.6		24.7
Labor and benefits		35.7		35.0		35.0		34.7
Occupancy and operating		23.2		21.9		22.1		21.0
General and administrative		6.0		6.0		6.4		6.2
Depreciation and amortization		6.6		6.0		6.2		5.8
Restaurant opening		1.7		1.4		1.1		1.2
Loss on disposal of fixed assets		-		-		0.1		0.1
Legal settlements		-		-		-		0.1
Total costs and expenses		98.1		94.9		95.5		93.7
Income from operations		1.9		5.1		4.5		6.3
Other income (expense):
Interest income		-		-		-		-
Interest expense		-		-		-		-
Gain on investment settlement		-		-		-		0.1
Other income, net		0.1		0.1		0.1		0.1
Total other income		0.2		0.1		0.1		0.2
Income before income taxes		2.0		5.2		4.7		6.5
Income tax expense		0.1		1.3		1.1		1.8
Net income		1.9%		3.9%		3.6%		4.7%

Thirteen Weeks Ended October 1, 2013 (third quarter of 2013) Compared to Thirteen Weeks Ended October 2, 2012 (third quarter of 2012).

Revenues. Total revenues increased by $13.0 million, or 7.4%, to $188.2 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013, from $175.2 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2012. The increase in revenues primarily consisted of an increase of approximately $16.5 million in sales from new restaurants not yet in our comparable restaurant sales base, partially offset by an approximate 2.2%, or $3.5 million decrease in comparable restaurant sales. The decrease in comparable restaurant sales resulted from a reduction in guest traffic, partially offset by an effective menu price increase of approximately 2.1%.

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Our restaurants, like most in casual dining, are impacted by inflationary pressures for the costs of certain commodities, labor and other operating expenses. We attempt to offset the impact of inflation on our cost structure with purchasing economies of scale, productivity and efficiency improvements, menu merchandising and menu price increases. If our guests do not accept our menu price increases, either by reducing their visits to our restaurants or by changing their purchasing patterns at our restaurants, the expected benefit of any menu price increase could be negated and our operating margins could be adversely impacted. To help protect guest traffic and to respond to the actions of our competitors, we may consider the promotion of selective menu offerings or introduce new menu offerings at reduced or lower price points which could have the effect of further reducing any benefit from menu price increases. Additionally, other factors outside of our control, such as inclement weather, shifts in the holiday calendar, competitive restaurant intrusions into our trade areas, heavy promotional and discounting activities by our competitors, including the large national competitors that have the resources to spend significantly on marketing and advertising, general economic and competitive conditions and other factors, as described in the “Risk Factors” section in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2013, can impact comparable restaurant sales.

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales increased by $3.4 million, or 7.9%, to $46.7 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013, from $43.2 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2012. This increase was primarily due to the opening of 16 new restaurants since the thirteen weeks ended October 2, 2012. As a percentage of revenues, cost of sales increased to 24.8% for the current thirteen week period from 24.7% for the prior year comparable thirteen week period. The slight percentage increase was primarily related to an unfavorable menu mix shift, offset by increased menu pricing and a slight decrease in commodity costs.

We do anticipate that cost of sales in our new restaurants will typically be higher during the first several months of operations than in our mature restaurants, as our restaurant management teams become accustomed to optimally predicting, managing and servicing sales volumes at our new restaurants. Accordingly, a comparatively large number of new restaurant openings in any single period may significantly impact total cost of sales comparisons for our entire business. Additionally, restaurants opened in new markets may initially experience higher commodity costs than our established restaurants, where we have greater market penetration that generally results in greater purchasing and distribution economies of scale.

We provide our guests a large variety of menu items and, as a result, we are not overly dependent on a single group of commodities. However, based on current trends and expectations, we believe the overall cost environment for food commodities will likely continue to be subject to upward pressure for the remainder of 2013 and into 2014, primarily due to domestic and worldwide agricultural, supply/demand and other macroeconomic factors that are outside of our control. While we continue to work with our suppliers to control food costs, and while we have taken steps to enter into agreements for some of the commodities used in our restaurant operations, there can be no assurance that future supplies and costs for such commodities will not significantly increase due to weather and other market conditions outside of our control. Additionally, there are some commodities that we are unable to contract for long periods of time, such as fluid dairy items, fresh seafood and many produce items, or where we have currently chosen not to contract for long periods of time. There are also certain commodity items, such as certain produce items and certain seafood items, in which the contracts principally consist of “collar” agreements whereby the costs are subject to floors and ceilings. It is our current intention to attempt to offset our expected commodity cost increases through cost savings and productivity/efficiency initiatives and menu mix shifts, coupled with selective menu price increases. However, there can be no assurance that we will be entirely successful in this respect.

The cost to produce and distribute our proprietary craft beer is included in our cost of sales. In addition to internal brewing at certain of our restaurant locations, we currently have qualified three independent third party brewers to produce our high-quality craft beer. During fiscal 2013, we anticipate that our qualified independent third party brewers will produce approximately 75% of our estimated requirement of approximately 70,000 barrels of our proprietary craft beer. We also use independent third party brewers to produce substantially all of our craft soda and cider products, the costs of which are also included in our cost of sales.

Labor and Benefits. Labor and benefit costs for our restaurants increased by $5.9 million, or 9.6%, to $67.2 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013, from $61.3 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2012. This increase was primarily due to the opening of 16 new restaurants since the thirteen weeks ended October 2, 2012. As a percentage of revenues, labor and benefit costs increased to 35.7% for the current thirteen week period from 35.0% for the prior year comparable thirteen week period. The percentage increase was primarily related to the deleveraging of the fixed portion of management related labor and benefits as a result of lower comparable restaurant sales. Included in labor and benefits for the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013 and October 2, 2012 was approximately $0.4 million and $0.3 million, or 0.2% of revenues, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense related to equity awards granted in accordance with our Gold Standard Stock Ownership Program for certain restaurant management team members.

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Our restaurants can be affected by increases in federal and state minimum wages, workers’ compensation insurance, federal and state unemployment insurance taxes and other government regulations including overtime laws and mandated health insurance requirements. Some states have annual minimum wage increases correlated with either state or federal increases in the consumer price index. Additionally, California plans on increasing its minimum wage from $8 an hour to $9 an hour on July 1, 2014, and then to $10 an hour beginning on July 1, 2015. In the past, we have been able to react to changes in our key operating costs, including minimum wage increases, by gradually increasing our menu prices and improving our productivity in our restaurants. However, we cannot guarantee that all or any future cost increases can be offset by increased menu prices or that increased menu prices will be accepted by our restaurant guests without any resulting changes in their visit frequencies or purchasing patterns.

For new restaurants, labor expenses will typically be higher than normal during the first several months of operations, if not longer in some cases, until our restaurant management team at each new restaurant becomes more accustomed to optimally predicting, managing and servicing the sales volumes expected at our new restaurants. Accordingly, a comparatively large number of new restaurant openings in any single quarter may significantly impact labor cost comparisons for the entire Company.

Occupancy and Operating. Occupancy and operating expenses increased by $5.3 million, or 13.8%, to $43.7 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013, from $38.4 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2012. This increase was primarily due to the opening of 16 new restaurants since the thirteen weeks ended October 2, 2012. As a percentage of revenues, occupancy and operating expenses increased to 23.2% for the current thirteen week period from 21.9% for the prior year comparable thirteen week period. This percentage increase was principally due to planned additional marketing (0.8%), including expanded television testing in select markets, coupled with increased facilities and general liability insurance costs (0.4%) and the deleveraging of the fixed component of these expenses as a result of lower comparable restaurant sales.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by $0.9 million, or 8.8%, to $11.4 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013, from $10.4 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2012. The increase in general and administrative costs was primarily due to higher field supervision and restaurant support costs, partially offset by a reversal of approximately $1.5 million related to estimated 2013 cash-based incentive compensation accrued in prior quarters that, based on our actual performance to date, is currently not expected to be earned. Also included in general and administrative costs for the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013 and October 2, 2012 was approximately $0.5 million and $0.8 million, or 0.3% and 0.5% of revenues, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense. As a percentage of revenues, general and administrative expenses were 6.0% for both the current and prior year thirteen week period.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased by $1.9 million, or 18.0%, to $12.5 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013, compared to $10.6 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2012. As a percentage of revenues, depreciation and amortization increased to 6.6% for the current thirteen week period from 6.0% for the prior year period. This percentage increase was principally a result of increased construction costs for new restaurants and depreciation on our new operating toolsets, restaurant remodels and initiatives, coupled with the deleveraging of the fixed component of these expenses as a result of lower comparable restaurant sales.

Restaurant Opening. Restaurant opening expense was $3.2 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013, compared to $2.4 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2012. This increase is primarily due to opening costs related to six restaurant openings during the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013, compared to four restaurant openings during the thirteen weeks ended October 2, 2012.

Our opening costs will fluctuate from period to period, depending upon, but not limited to, the number of restaurant openings, the size and concept of the restaurants being opened, the location of the restaurants and the complexity of the staff hiring and training process. Restaurant opening expenses for any given quarter will typically include expenses associated with restaurants opened during the quarter as well as expenses related to restaurants opened towards the end of the prior quarter and restaurants opening in subsequent quarters.

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Loss on Disposal of Assets. The loss on disposal of assets was $0.08 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013, related to the disposal of certain unproductive restaurant assets.

Interest Income. Interest income was $0.04 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013, compared to $0.07 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2012.

Interest Expense. Interest expense was $0.01 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013 and the comparable thirteen week period of 2012.

Other Income, Net. Other income, net, was $0.3 million during the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013, compared to $0.2 million during the comparable thirteen week period of 2012.

Income Tax Expense. Our effective income tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013, was 3.9% compared to 24.9% for the comparable thirteen week period of 2012. The effective income tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013, differed from the statutory income tax rate primarily due to tax credits and lower than expected pre-tax income. We currently estimate our effective tax rate to be approximately 25% for fiscal 2013. However, our actual effective tax rate for fiscal 2013 may be different than our current estimate due to actual revenues, pre-tax income and tax credits achieved during the year and the deductibility of any subsequent disqualified dispositions related to incentive stock options.

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 1, 2013 (third quarter to date of 2013) Compared to Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 2, 2012 (third quarter to date of 2012).

Revenues. Total revenues increased by $51.8 million, or 9.9%, to $575.4 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, from $523.5 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2012. The increase in revenues consisted of approximately $54.6 million in sales from new restaurants not yet in our comparable restaurant sales base and an approximate 0.6%, or $2.8 million decrease in comparable restaurant sales. The decrease in comparable restaurant sales resulted from a reduction of guest traffic, partially offset by an estimated effective menu price increase of approximately 2.7%.

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales increased by $11.9 million, or 9.2%, to $141.4 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, from $129.5 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2012. This increase was primarily due to the opening of 16 new restaurants since the thirty-nine weeks ended October 2, 2012. As a percentage of revenues, cost of sales decreased to 24.6% for the current thirty-nine week period from 24.7% for the prior year comparable thirty-nine week period. The percentage decrease was primarily related to increased menu pricing and improved kitchen productivity resulting in lower theoretical to actual food cost variances, offsetting a slight increase in commodity costs and an unfavorable menu mix shift.

Labor and Benefits. Labor and benefit costs for our restaurants increased by $19.4 million, or 10.7%, to $201.1 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, from $181.7 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2012. This increase was primarily due to the opening of 16 new restaurants since the thirty-nine weeks ended October 2, 2012. As a percentage of revenues, labor and benefit costs increased to 35.0% for the current thirty-nine week period from 34.7% for the prior year comparable thirty-nine week period. The percentage increase was primarily related to the deleveraging of the fixed portion of management related labor and benefits, as a result of lower comparable restaurant sales. Included in labor and benefits for each of the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013 and October 2, 2012, was approximately $1.0 million and $0.9 million, or 0.2% of revenues, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense related to equity awards granted in accordance with our Gold Standard Stock Ownership Program for certain restaurant management team members.

Occupancy and Operating. Occupancy and operating expenses increased by $17.1 million, or 15.5%, to $127.3 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, from $110.1 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2012. This increase was primarily due to the opening of 16 new restaurants since the thirty-nine weeks ended October 2, 2012. As a percentage of revenues, occupancy and operating expenses increased to 22.1% for the current thirty-nine week period from 21.0% for the prior year comparable thirty-nine week period. This percentage increase was principally due to planned additional marketing (0.6%), including expanded television testing in select markets, coupled with increased facilities and general liability insurance costs (0.3%) and our deleverage of the fixed component of these expenses as a result of lower comparable restaurant sales.

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General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased by $4.4 million, or 13.5%, to $36.7 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, from $32.3 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2012. The increase in general and administrative costs was primarily due to higher field supervision and restaurant support costs. Also included in general and administrative costs in each of the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013 and October 2, 2012, was approximately $2.3 million and $2.4 million, or 0.4% and 0.5% of revenues, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense. As a percentage of revenues, general and administrative expenses increased to 6.4% for the current thirty-nine week period from 6.2% for the prior year comparable thirty-nine week period. This percentage increase was primarily due to increased field supervision and restaurant support costs, coupled with the deleveraging of the fixed component of these expenses as a result of lower comparable restaurant sales.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased by $5.7 million, or 19.0%, to $35.9 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, compared to $30.1 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2012. As a percentage of revenues, depreciation and amortization increased to 6.2% for the current thirty-nine week period from 5.8% for the prior year period. This percentage increase was principally a result of increased construction costs for new restaurants and depreciation on our new operating toolsets, restaurant remodels and initiatives, coupled with the deleveraging of the fixed component of these expenses as a result of lower comparable restaurant sales.

Restaurant Opening. Restaurant opening expense was $6.3 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, compared to $6.0 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2012. This increase is primarily due to the timing of opening costs related to our expected fourth quarter restaurant openings.

Loss on Disposal of Assets. The loss on disposal of assets was $0.6 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, compared to $0.5 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2012. For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, these costs primarily related to the write off of the remaining net book value of assets related to the closure and relocation of our smaller-format restaurant in Eugene, Oregon, coupled with the disposal of certain unproductive restaurant assets. For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 2, 2012, these costs related to the write off of the remaining net book value of assets related to the closure and relocation of our smaller-format restaurant in Boulder, Colorado, coupled with the disposal of certain unproductive restaurant assets.

Legal Settlements. Legal settlement expenses of approximately $0.4 million, or 0.1% of revenues, during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 2, 2012, related to the settlement of a trademark infringement civil action. We had no legal settlement expenses during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013.

Interest Income. Interest income was $0.1 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, compared to $0.02 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2012.

Interest Expense. Interest expense was $0.03 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, compared to $0.04 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2012.

Gain on Investment Settlement. Gain on investment settlement of approximately $0.3 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 2, 2012, related to the settlement agreement reached in December 2009 with our former broker-dealer for the full liquidation of our auction rate securities investment portfolio. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, we were entitled to potential future recoveries of our loss on that portfolio based on the performance of those auction rate securities through December 2012. In connection with this settlement, during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 2, 2012, certain of these aforementioned securities were redeemed at par, resulting in additional cash recoveries. We had no gain on investment settlement during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013.

Other Income, Net. Other income, net, was $0.07 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, compared to $0.06 million during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2012.

Income Tax Expense. Our effective income tax rate for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, was 23.9% compared to 28.1% for the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2012. The effective income tax rate for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, differed from the statutory income tax rate primarily due to the expiration of statutes related to certain expenses that were previously reserved, coupled with tax credits. We currently estimate our effective tax rate to be approximately 25% for fiscal 2013. However, our actual effective tax rate for fiscal 2013 may be different than our current estimate due to actual revenues, pre-tax income and tax credits achieved during the year and the deductibility of any subsequent disqualified dispositions related to incentive stock options.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, a summary of our key liquidity measurements (dollar amounts in thousands):

	October 1, 2013		January 1, 2013
Cash and cash equivalents		$15,296		$15,074
Total marketable securities		$22,423		$25,850
Net working capital		($11,804)		$236
Current ratio		0.9:1.0		1.0:1.0
	For The Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	October 1, 2013		October 2, 2012
Cash provided by operating activities		$84,703		$79,332
Capital expenditures		$93,121		$85,772

Our fundamental corporate finance philosophy is to maintain a conservative balance sheet in order to support our long-term restaurant expansion plan with sufficient financial flexibility; to provide the financial resources necessary to protect and enhance the competitiveness of our restaurant and brewing operations; to provide our restaurant landlords with confidence as to our intent and ability to honor all of our financial obligations under our restaurant leases; and, to provide a prudent level of financial capacity to manage the risks and uncertainties of conducting our business operations on a larger-scale. We obtain financial resources principally from our ongoing operations, supplemented by our cash and investment balances on hand, employee stock option exercises and tenant improvement allowances from our landlords. Additionally, in the past we have obtained capital resources from public stock offerings. As an additional source of liquidity, we have a $75 million credit facility in place that expires on January 31, 2017.

Our capital requirements are principally related to our restaurant expansion plans and restaurant enhancements and initiatives. While our ability to achieve our growth plans is dependent on a variety of factors, some of which are outside of our control, our primary growth objective is to achieve a low double digit increase in total restaurant operating weeks during fiscal 2013 and 2014 from the development and opening of new restaurants, coupled with the carryover impact of partial-year 2012 and 2013 openings, respectively. Depending on the expected level of future new restaurant development and expected tenant improvement allowances that we receive from our landlords, as well as our other planned capital investments including ongoing maintenance capital expenditures, our base of established restaurant operations may not yet be large enough to generate enough cash flow from operations to totally fund our planned expansion over the longer run. We currently estimate the total domestic capacity to be at least 425 BJ’s restaurants. Accordingly, we will continue to actively monitor overall conditions in the capital markets with respect to the potential sources and timing of additional financing for our planned future expansion. However, there can be no assurance that such financing will be available when required or available on terms acceptable to us. If we are unable to secure additional capital resources, we may be required to reduce our longer-term planned rate of expansion.

Similar to many restaurant chains, we typically utilize operating lease arrangements (principally ground leases) for the majority of our restaurant locations. We believe our operating lease arrangements continue to provide appropriate leverage for our capital structure in a financially efficient manner. However, we are not limited to the use of lease arrangements as our only method of opening new restaurants and from time to time have purchased the underlying land for new restaurants. While our operating lease obligations are not currently required to be reflected as indebtedness on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, the minimum rents and other related lease obligations, such as common area expenses, under our lease agreements must be satisfied by cash flows from our ongoing operations. Accordingly, our lease arrangements reduce, to some extent, our capacity to utilize funded indebtedness in our capital structure.

We also require capital resources to evolve, maintain and increase the productive capacity of our existing base of restaurants and brewery operations and to further expand and strengthen the capabilities of our corporate and information technology infrastructures. Our requirement for working capital is not significant since our restaurant guests pay for their food and beverage purchases in cash or credit cards at the time of the sale. Thus, we are able to sell many of our inventory items before we have to pay our suppliers for such items.

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We typically seek to lease our restaurant locations for primary periods of 15 to 20 years under operating lease arrangements. Our rent structures vary from lease to lease, but generally provide for the payment of both minimum and contingent (percentage) rent based on sales, as well as other expenses related to the leases (for example, our pro-rata share of common area maintenance, property tax and insurance expenses). Many of our lease arrangements include the opportunity to secure tenant improvement allowances to partially offset the cost of developing and opening the related restaurants. Generally, landlords recover the cost of such allowances from increased minimum rents. However, there can be no assurance that such allowances will be available to us on each project. From time to time, we may also decide to purchase the underlying land for a new restaurant if that is the only way to secure a highly desirable site. Currently, we own the land that underlies six of our operating restaurants. It is not our current strategy to own a large number of land parcels that underlie our restaurants. Therefore, in many cases we subsequently enter into sale-leaseback arrangements for land parcels that we may purchase. We disburse cash for certain site-related work, buildings, leasehold improvements, furnishings, fixtures and equipment to build our leased and owned premises. We own substantially all of the equipment, furniture and trade fixtures in our restaurants and currently plan to do so in the future.

Our cash flows from operating activities, as detailed in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, provided $84.7 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, representing a $5.4 million increase from the $79.3 million provided by during the comparable thirty-nine week period of 2012. The increase in cash from operating activities for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, in comparison to the thirty-nine weeks ended October 2, 2012, is primarily due to greater depreciation expense as a result of more restaurants in operation, coupled with the timing of receivables and accrued expenses, offset by the changes in deferred income taxes.

For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, total capital expenditures were approximately $93.1 million, of which expenditures for the purchase of the underlying land for new restaurants as well as the acquisition of restaurant and brewery equipment and leasehold improvements to construct new restaurants were $78.3 million. These expenditures were primarily related to the construction of our 11 new restaurants that opened during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, as well as expenditures related to restaurants expected to open later in fiscal 2013. In addition, total capital expenditures related to the maintenance and key productivity initiatives of existing restaurants and expenditures for restaurant and corporate systems were $11.7 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

We have a $75 million unsecured revolving line of credit (“Line of Credit”) that expires on January 31, 2017, and may be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We utilize the Line of Credit principally for letters of credit that are required to support certain of our self-insurance programs and for working capital and construction requirements as needed. Borrowings under the Line of Credit will bear interest at either LIBOR plus a percentage not to exceed 1.50%, or at a rate ranging from the financial institution’s prime rate to 0.75% below the financial institution’s prime rate based on a Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio as defined in the Line of Credit agreement. The Line of Credit agreement also requires compliance with a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, a Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio and certain non-financial covenants. While we have the Line of Credit in place and it can be currently drawn upon, it is possible that creditors could place limitations or restrictions on our ability to borrow from the Line of Credit.

Our capital expenditures during fiscal 2013 will continue to be significant as we currently plan to open 17 new restaurants, including one relocation of an existing restaurant, in addition to our necessary restaurant-level maintenance and key initiative-related capital expenditures. As of November 4, 2013, we have entered into six signed leases for new restaurant locations expected to open in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, four of which have already opened. We expect to open 17 to 19 new restaurants in fiscal 2014, of which we have currently entered into six signed leases. We expect to enter into additional leases or purchase agreements for restaurants to be opened in fiscal 2014 and future years. We currently anticipate our total capital expenditures for fiscal 2013, including all expenditure categories to be approximately $115 million to $120 million. We expect to fund our anticipated capital expenditures for fiscal 2013 and 2014 with current cash and investment balances on hand, expected cash flow from operations, proceeds from sales/leaseback transactions and expected tenant improvement allowances. Our future cash requirements will depend on many factors, including the pace of our expansion, conditions in the retail property development market, construction costs, the nature of the specific sites selected for new restaurants, and the nature of the specific leases and associated tenant improvement allowances available, if any, as negotiated with landlords.

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From time to time, we will evaluate opportunities to acquire and convert other restaurant locations or entire restaurant chains to the BJ’s restaurant concept. In the future we may consider joint venture arrangements to augment BJ’s expansion into new markets, or a more rapid expansion of our BJ’s Grill® concept, or may evaluate non-controlling investments in other emerging restaurant concepts that offer complementary growth opportunities to our BJ’s restaurant operations. Currently, we have no binding commitments or agreements to acquire or convert any other restaurant locations or chains to our concept, or to enter into any joint ventures or non-controlling investments. However, we would likely require additional capital resources to take advantage of any of these growth opportunities should they become feasible.

Our relationship with third party brewers is currently being reviewed by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. While the matter remains open, in order to assure compliance with Texas rules, it is possible that the cost of future restaurant development in Texas may include the cost of developing one or more on-site internal breweries on an as needed basis.

We significantly depend on our expected cash flow from operations, coupled with agreed-upon landlord tenant improvement allowances and sales leaseback proceeds, to fund the majority of our planned capital expenditures for 2013 and 2014. If our business does not generate enough cash flow from operations as expected, or if our landlords are unable to honor their agreements with us, or we are unable to successfully enter in a sales leaseback transaction and replacement funding sources are not otherwise available to us from borrowings under our credit facility or other alternatives, we may not be able to expand our operations at the pace currently planned.

The continued operation and expansion of our business will require substantial funding. Accordingly, we have not paid any dividends since our inception and have currently not allocated any funds for the payment of dividends. Rather, it is our current policy to retain earnings, if any, for expansion of our operations, remodeling and investing in our existing restaurants and other general corporate purposes. We have no plans to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our financial condition, operating results and other factors our Board of Directors deem relevant. Our credit facility contains, and debt instruments that we enter into in the future may contain, covenants that place limitations on the amount of dividends we may pay. We did not have any stock repurchases during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, and we currently do not have any plan to repurchase our common stock.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We do not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or variable interest entities (“VIEs”), which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow limited purposes. As of October 1, 2013, we are not involved in any off-balance sheet arrangements.

IMPACT OF INFLATION

Our profitability is dependent, among other things, on our ability to anticipate and react to changes in the costs of key operating resources, including food and other raw materials, labor, energy and other supplies and services. Substantial increases in costs and expenses could impact our operating results to the extent that such increases cannot be passed along to our restaurant guests. While we have taken steps to enter into agreements for some of the commodities used in our restaurant operations, there can be no assurance that future supplies and costs for such commodities will not fluctuate due to weather and other market conditions outside of our control. We are currently unable to contract for certain commodities, such as fluid dairy, fresh seafood and most fresh produce items for long periods of time. Consequently, such commodities can be subject to unforeseen supply and cost fluctuations. The impact of inflation on food, labor, energy and occupancy costs can significantly affect the profitability of our restaurant operations.

Many of our restaurant team members are paid hourly rates related to the federal or state minimum wage. In addition, numerous state and local governments have their own minimum wage requirements that are generally greater than the federal minimum wage and are subject to annual increases based on changes in their local consumer price indices. Additionally, a general shortage in the availability of qualified restaurant management and hourly workers in certain geographical areas in which we operate has caused related increases in the costs of recruiting and compensating such team members. Certain operating and other costs, such as health benefits, the impact from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, taxes, insurance and other outside services, continue to increase with the general level of inflation and may also be subject to other cost and supply fluctuations outside of our control.

While we have been able to partially offset inflation and other changes in the costs of key operating resources by gradually increasing prices for our menu items, coupled with more efficient purchasing practices, productivity improvements and greater economies of scale, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to do so in the future. From time to time, competitive conditions will limit our menu pricing flexibility. In addition, macroeconomic conditions that impact consumer discretionary spending for food away from home could make

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additional menu price increases imprudent. There can be no assurance that all of our future cost increases can be offset by higher menu prices or that higher menu prices will be accepted by our restaurant guests without any resulting changes in their visit frequencies or purchasing patterns. Many of the leases for our restaurants provide for contingent rent obligations based on a percentage of sales. As a result, rent expense will absorb a proportionate share of any menu price increases in our restaurants. There can be no assurance that we will continue to generate increases in comparable restaurant sales in amounts sufficient to offset inflationary or other cost pressures.

SEASONALITY AND ADVERSE WEATHER

Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations. The summer months (June through August) have traditionally been higher volume periods than other periods of the year. Additionally, our restaurants in the Midwest and Eastern states, including Florida, will be impacted by weather and other seasonal factors that typically impact other restaurant operations in those regions. Holidays (and shifts in the holiday calendar), severe winter weather, hurricanes, tornados, thunderstorms and similar conditions may impact restaurant sales volumes seasonally in some of the markets where we operate. Many of our restaurants are located in or near shopping centers and malls that typically experience seasonal fluctuations in sales. Quarterly results have been and will continue to be significantly impacted by the timing of new restaurant openings and their associated restaurant opening expenses. As a result of these and other factors, our financial results for any given quarter may not be indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Critical accounting policies require the greatest amount of subjective or complex judgments by management and are important to portraying our financial condition and results of operations. Judgments or uncertainties regarding the application of these policies may result in materially different amounts being reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. We consider the following policies to be the most critical in understanding the judgments that are involved in preparing our consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value of Marketable Securities and Cash Equivalents

We measure the fair value of our marketable securities using quoted market prices in active markets. All of our marketable securities are currently classified as held-to-maturity or available for sale, included as short-term and long-term marketable securities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Held-to-maturity securities are reported at amortized cost, which approximates fair value, with related gains and losses reflected in earnings once realized; and, available-for sale securities are reported at their fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from net income and reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity (net of related tax effect) until realized. We believe that the fair value of our marketable securities equaled the quoted market price of our marketable securities at October 1, 2013.

We believe the carrying value of cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of those instruments.

Property and Equipment

We record all property and equipment at cost. Property and equipment accounting requires estimates of the useful lives for the assets for depreciation purposes and selection of depreciation methods. We believe the useful lives reflect the actual economic life of the underlying assets. We have elected to use the straight-line method of depreciation over the estimated useful life of an asset or the primary lease term of the respective lease, whichever is shorter. Renewals and betterments that materially extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized while maintenance and repair costs are charged to operations as incurred. Judgment is often required in the decision to distinguish between an asset which qualifies for capitalization versus an expenditure which is for maintenance and repairs. When property and equipment are sold or otherwise disposed of, the asset account and related accumulated depreciation and amortization accounts are relieved, and any gain or loss is included in earnings. Additionally, any interest capitalized for new restaurant construction would be included in “Property and equipment, net” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Guest Loyalty Program

In July 2012, we introduced “BJ’s Premier Rewards” guest loyalty program to all of our restaurants. This program enables participants to earn points for each qualifying purchase. The points can then be redeemed for rewards including foods discounts, trips, events and other items. We measure our total rewards obligation based on the estimated number of guests that will ultimately earn and claim rewards under the program, and record the estimated related expense as reward points accumulate. These expenses are accrued for and recorded as marketing expenses and are included in “Occupancy and Operating” expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Income.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We assess potential impairments of our long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. The assets are generally reviewed for impairment in total as well as on a restaurant by restaurant basis. Factors considered include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance by the restaurant relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; significant changes in the manner of use of the acquired assets or the strategy for the overall business; and, significant negative industry or economic trends. The recoverability is assessed in most cases by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. This assessment process requires the use of estimates and assumptions regarding future restaurant cash flows and estimated useful lives, which are subject to a significant degree of judgment. If these assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges for these assets or for the entire restaurant.

Self-Insurance Liability

We are self-insured for a portion of our general liability insurance and our employee workers’ compensation programs. We maintain coverage with a third party insurer to limit our total exposure for these programs. The accrued liability associated with these programs is based on our estimate of the ultimate costs to settle known claims as well as claims incurred but not yet reported to us (“IBNR claims”) as of the balance sheet date. Our estimated liability is based on information provided by our insurance broker and a third party actuary, combined with our judgments regarding a number of assumptions and factors, including the frequency and severity of claims, our claims development history, case jurisdiction, related legislation, and our claims settlement practice. Significant judgment is required to estimate IBNR claims as parties have yet to assert such claims. If actual claims trends, including the severity or frequency of claims, differ from our estimates, our financial results could be significantly impacted.

Income Taxes

We provide for income taxes based on our estimate of federal and state tax liabilities. Our estimates include, but are not limited to, effective state and local income tax rates, allowable tax credits for items such as FICA taxes paid on reported tip income and estimates related to depreciation expense allowable for tax purposes. We usually file our income tax returns several months after our fiscal year-end. We file our tax returns with the advice and compilation of tax consultants. All tax returns are subject to audit by federal and state governments, usually years after the returns are filed, and could be subject to differing interpretation of the tax laws.

We utilize the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred income taxes are recognized based on the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year-end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. The provision for income taxes represents the tax payable for the period and the change during the period in deferred tax assets and liabilities.

We recognize the impact of a tax position in our financial statements if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are included in income tax expense.

Leases

We lease the majority of our restaurant locations. We account for our leases in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which require that our leases be evaluated and classified as operating or capital leases for financial reporting purposes. The term used for this evaluation includes renewal option periods only in instances in which the exercise of the renewal

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option can be reasonably assured and failure to exercise such option would result in an economic penalty. All of our restaurant leases are classified as operating leases. We disburse cash for leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures and equipment to build out and equip our leased premises. Tenant improvement allowance incentives may be available to partially offset the cost of developing and opening the related restaurants, pursuant to agreed-upon terms in our leases. Tenant improvement allowances can take the form of cash payments upon the opening of the related restaurants, full or partial credits against minimum or percentage rents otherwise payable by us or a combination thereof. All tenant improvement allowances received by us are recorded as a deferred lease incentive and amortized over the term of the lease. The related cash received from the landlord is reflected as “Landlord contribution for tenant improvements, net” within operating activities of our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The lease term used for straight-line rent expense is calculated from the date we obtain possession of the leased premises through the lease termination date. We expense rent from possession date through restaurant open date as preopening expense. Once a restaurant opens for business, we record straight-line rent over the lease term plus contingent rent to the extent it exceeded the minimum rent obligation per the lease agreement.

There is potential for variability in the rent holiday period, which begins on the possession date and ends on the restaurant open date, during which no cash rent payments are typically due under the terms of the lease. Factors that may affect the length of the rent holiday period generally relate to construction related delays. Extension of the rent holiday period due to delays in restaurant opening will result in greater preopening rent expense recognized during the rent holiday period and lesser occupancy expense during the rest of the lease term (post-opening).

For leases that contain rent escalations in which the amount of future rent is certain or can be reasonably calculated, we record the total rent payable during the lease term, as determined above, on the straight-line basis over the term of the lease (including the rent holiday period beginning upon our possession of the premises), and record the difference between the minimum rents paid and the straight-line rent as deferred rent. Certain leases contain provisions that require additional rent payments based upon restaurant sales volume (“contingent rent”). Contingent rent is accrued each period as the liabilities are incurred, in addition to the straight-line rent expense noted above. This results in some variability in occupancy expense as a percentage of revenues over the term of the lease in restaurants where we pay contingent rent.

Management makes judgments regarding the probable term for each restaurant property lease, which can impact the classification and accounting for a lease as capital or operating, the rent holiday and/or escalations in payments that are taken into consideration when calculating straight-line rent and the term over which leasehold improvements for each restaurant are amortized. These judgments may produce materially different amounts of depreciation, amortization and rent expense than would be reported if different assumed lease terms were used.

In an exposure draft issued in 2010, the FASB, together with the International Accounting Standards Board, has proposed a comprehensive set of changes in accounting for leases. While the Exposure Draft addresses new financial accounting rules for both lessors and lessees, the primary focus will likely be on changes affecting lessees. The lease accounting model contemplated by the new standard is a “right of use” model that assumes that each lease creates an asset (the lessee’s right to use the leased asset) and a liability (the future rent payment obligations) which should be reflected on a lessee’s balance sheet to fairly represent the lease transaction and the lessee’s related financial obligations. Currently, all of our restaurant leases and our restaurant support center lease are accounted for as operating leases, with no related assets and liabilities on our balance sheet. In May 2013, the FASB issued a revision to the Exposure Draft and was accepting feedback and comments until September 13, 2013. Once the feedback from interested parties is considered, the FASB will identify an effective date for the issuance of the final standard. Changes in these accounting rules or their interpretation, or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates or judgments by us could significantly change our reported or expected financial performance. See Item 1A, Risk Factors, “Future changes in financial accounting standards may significantly change our reported results of operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2013.

Stock-Based Compensation

Under shareholder approved stock-based compensation plans, we have granted incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, and restricted stock units that generally vest over five years and expire ten years from the date of grant. Stock-based compensation is measured in accordance with U.S. GAAP based on the underlying fair value of the awards granted. In valuing stock options, we are required to make certain assumptions and judgments regarding the grant date fair value utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. These judgments include

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expected volatility, risk free interest rate, expected option life, dividend yield and vesting percentage. These estimations and judgments are determined by us using many different variables that, in many cases, are outside of our control. The changes in these variables or trends, including stock price volatility and risk free interest rate, may significantly impact the grant date fair value resulting in a significant impact to our financial results. The cash flow tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) are required to be classified as financing cash flows.

Item 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The following discussion of market risks contains “forward-looking” statements. Actual results may differ materially from the following discussion based on general conditions in the financial and commodity markets.

Our market risk exposures are related to cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities. We invest our excess cash in highly liquid short-term marketable securities with maturities of two years or less as of the date of purchase. These investments are not held for trading or other speculative purposes. Changes in interest rates affect the investment income we earn on our marketable securities and, therefore, impact our cash flows and results of operations. For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, the average interest rate earned on cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities was approximately 0.6%. As of October 1, 2013, our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities consisted of money market funds, treasury bills, agency bonds, municipal and bank securities and domestic corporate obligations with a cost or fair value of approximately $37.7 million. Cash may be in excess of FDIC insurance limits. We believe we are not exposed to significant risk on cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities. The fair market value of our marketable securities is subject to interest rate risk and would decline in value if market interest rates increased. If market interest rates were to increase immediately and uniformly by 10% from the levels existing as of October 1, 2013, the decline in the fair value of the portfolio would not be material to our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

We purchase food and other commodities for use in our operations based upon market prices established with our suppliers. Many of the commodities purchased by us can be subject to volatility due to market supply and demand factors outside of our control, whether contracted for or not. To manage this risk in part, we attempt to enter into fixed-price purchase commitments, with terms typically up to one year, for some of our commodity requirements. However, it may not be possible for us to enter into fixed-price contracts for certain commodities or we may choose not to enter into fixed-price contracts for certain commodities. Dairy costs can also fluctuate due to government regulation. We believe that substantially all of our food and supplies are available from several sources, which helps to diversify our overall commodity cost risk. We also believe that we have some flexibility and ability to increase certain menu prices, or vary certain menu items offered, in response to food commodity price increases. Some of our commodity purchase arrangements may contain contractual features that limit the price paid by establishing certain price floors or caps. We do not use financial instruments to hedge commodity prices, since our purchase arrangements with suppliers, to the extent that we can enter into such arrangements, help control the ultimate cost that we pay.

Item 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of October 1, 2013, our disclosure controls and procedures are designed at a reasonable assurance level and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during our third fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 9 of Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for a summary of legal proceedings.

Item 1A.  RISK FACTORS

A discussion of the significant risks associated with investments in our securities, as well as other matters, is set forth in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2013. A summary of these risks and certain related information is included under “Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Disclosure” in Part I, Item 2 of this Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by this reference. These cautionary statements are to be used as a reference in connection with any “forward-looking” statements. The factors, risks and uncertainties identified in these cautionary statements are in addition to those contained in any other cautionary statements, written or oral, which may be made or otherwise addressed in connection with a “forward-looking” statement or contained in any of our subsequent filings with the SEC. The risks described in this Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks we face. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time and we cannot predict those events or how they may affect us. There may be other risks and uncertainties that are not currently known or that are currently deemed by us to be immaterial; however, they may ultimately adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

Item 6.  EXHIBITS

Exhibit   Number	Description
3.1	Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 28, 1996, as amended by the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2/A filed with the Commission on August 1, 1996, and the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2A filed with the Commission on August 22, 1996, (File No. 3335182-LA) (as amended, the “Registration Statement”).
3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibits 3.1 of the Form 8-K filed on June 4, 2007.
3.3	Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2004.
3.4	Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2010.
4.1	Specimen Common Stock Certificate of the Company, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registration Statement.
31	Section 302 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
32	Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
101	The following materials from BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 1, 2013, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income; (iii) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (iv) Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.
	(Registrant)
November 4, 2013	By:	/s/ GREGORY A. TROJAN
		Gregory A. Trojan
		President and Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)
	By:	/s/ GREGORY S. LEVIN
		Gregory S. Levin
		Executive Vice President,
		Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

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EX-31

Exhibit 31

BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

I, Gregory A. Trojan, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (the “registrant”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the consolidated financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation;

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s third fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and,

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors:

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and,

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 4, 2013

/s/ GREGORY A. TROJAN                        

Gregory A. Trojan

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

I, Gregory S. Levin, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (the “registrant”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the consolidated financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation;

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s third fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and,

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors:

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and,

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 4, 2013

/s/ GREGORY S. LEVIN                              

Gregory S. Levin

Executive Vice President,

Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

EX-32

Exhibit 32

BJ’S RESTAURANTS, INC.

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned Gregory A. Trojan, Chief Executive Officer and Gregory S. Levin, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify to their knowledge:

(1)     The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ended October 1, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and,

(2)     The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

In Witness Whereof, each of the undersigned has signed this Certification as of this November 4, 2013.

/s/ GREGORY A. TROJAN	/s/ GREGORY S. LEVIN
Gregory A. Trojan	Gregory S. Levin
President and Chief Executive	Executive Vice President, Chief
Officer	Financial Officer and Secretary
(Principal Executive Officer)	(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

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Net Income Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share Computations and Number of Dilutive Securities (Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units) Included in Dilutive Net Income Per Share Computation

The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share computations and the number of dilutive equity awards (stock options and restricted stock units) that were included in the dilutive net income per share computation (in thousands):

	For The Thirteen Weeks Ended				For The Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	October 1, 2013		October 2, 2012		October 1, 2013		October 2, 2012
Numerator:
Net income for basic and diluted net income per share		$3,648		$6,839		$20,518		$24,421
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic		28,206		28,004		28,174		27,971
Dilutive effect of equity awards		716		846		721		888
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted		28,922		28,850		28,895		28,859

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 188,245	$ 175,220	$ 575,357	$ 523,520
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	46,651	43,230	141,392	129,470
Labor and benefits	67,232	61,324	201,114	181,686
Occupancy and operating	43,731	38,412	127,258	110,146
General and administrative	11,366	10,445	36,691	32,339
Depreciation and amortization	12,465	10,562	35,874	30,148
Restaurant opening	3,235	2,394	6,285	6,041
Loss on disposal of assets	79		648	451
Legal settlements				350
Total costs and expenses	184,759	166,367	549,262	490,631
Income from operations	3,486	8,853	26,095	32,889
Other income (expense):
Interest income	41	66	146	214
Interest expense	(10)	(10)	(30)	(44)
Gain on investment settlement				289
Other income, net	278	198	738	628
Total other income	309	254	854	1,087
Income before income taxes	3,795	9,107	26,949	33,976
Income tax expense	147	2,268	6,431	9,555
Net income	$ 3,648	$ 6,839	$ 20,518	$ 24,421
Net income per share:
Basic	$ 0.13	$ 0.24	$ 0.73	$ 0.87
Diluted	$ 0.13	$ 0.24	$ 0.71	$ 0.85
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	28,206	28,004	28,174	27,971
Diluted	28,922	28,850	28,895	28,859

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Net Income Per Share

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net Income Per Share

5.  NET INCOME PER SHARE

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options issued by us to sell common stock at set prices were exercised and if restrictions on restricted stock units issued by us were to lapse (collectively equity awards). The consolidated financial statements present basic and diluted net income per share.

The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share computations and the number of dilutive equity awards (stock options and restricted stock units) that were included in the dilutive net income per share computation (in thousands):

	For The Thirteen Weeks Ended				For The Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	October 1, 2013		October 2, 2012		October 1, 2013		October 2, 2012
Numerator:
Net income for basic and diluted net income per share		$3,648		$6,839		$20,518		$24,421
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic		28,206		28,004		28,174		27,971
Dilutive effect of equity awards		716		846		721		888
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted		28,922		28,850		28,895		28,859

For the thirteen weeks ended October 1, 2013 and October 2, 2012, there were approximately 0.7 million and 0.3 million shares of common stock equivalents, respectively, that have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because they are anti-dilutive. For the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013 and October 2, 2012, there were approximately 0.7 million and 0.2 million shares of common stock equivalents, respectively, that have been excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because they are anti-dilutive.

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Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share Computations and Number of Dilutive Securities - Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units - Included in Dilutive Net Income Per Share Computation (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012
Numerator:
Net income for basic and diluted net income per share	$ 3,648	$ 6,839	$ 20,518	$ 24,421
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic	28,206	28,004	28,174	27,971
Dilutive effect of equity awards	716	846	721	888
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted	28,922	28,850	28,895	28,859

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Stock-Based Compentsation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2013

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Information Related to Stock-Based Compensation

The following table presents information related to stock-based compensation (in thousands):

	For The Thirteen Weeks Ended				For The Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	October 1,		October 2,		October 1,		October 2,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Labor and benefits stock-based compensation		$406		$323		$1,032		$874
General and administrative stock-based compensation		$541		$806		$2,299		$2,367
Capitalized stock-based compensation (1)		$96		$49		$200		$148

(1) Capitalized stock-based compensation is included in “Property and equipment, net” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model with Weighted Average Assumptions

The fair value of each stock option grant issued is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

	For the Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	October 1, 2013		October 2, 2012
Expected volatility		36.5%		37.6%
Risk free interest rate		0.8%		0.7%
Expected option life		5 years		5 years
Dividend yield		0%		0%
Fair value of options granted		$11.04		$15.13

Stock Option Activity

Stock option activity during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, was as follows:

	Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
	Shares   (in thousands)		Weighted   Average Exercise Price		Shares   (in thousands)		Weighted   Average Exercise Price
Outstanding options at January 1, 2013		2,025		$22.08		1,403		$17.76
Granted		186		$33.74
Exercised		(49)		$14.91
Forfeited		(56)		$40.98
Outstanding options at October 1, 2013		2,106		$22.78		1,432		$18.23

Restricted Stock Unit Activity

Restricted stock unit activity during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, was as follows:

	Shares   (in thousands)		Weighted Average   Fair Value
Outstanding RSUs at January 1, 2013		486		$28.14
Granted		115		$34.05
Vested or released		(86)		$17.00
Forfeited		(54)		$34.48
Outstanding RSUs at October 1, 2013		461		$30.97

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Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013 CompensationPlan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of stock-based compensation plans	2
Number of shares charged to reserve per granted share	1
Share basis for number shares charged to reserve	1
Expiration term of stock options	10 years
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price of stock options under stock-based compensation plans	100.00%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares charged to reserve per granted share	1.5
Share basis for number shares charged to reserve	1
Stock options vesting percentage in year five	20.00%
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$ 7.6
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expenses recognition period (in years)	5 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Cliff Vesting Year Five
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options vesting percentage in year five	100.00%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Cliff Vesting Third Anniversary
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options vesting percentage in year five	33.00%
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Cliff Vesting Fifth Anniversary [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options vesting percentage in year five	67.00%
2005 Equity Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Service period	Five years
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expiration term of stock options	10 years
Stock options vesting percentage in year five	20.00%
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$ 5.1
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expenses recognition period (in years)	5 years
Stock Options | Cliff Vesting Year Five
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options vesting percentage in year five	100.00%
Stock Options | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period (in years)	3 years
Stock Options | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period (in years)	5 years

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Related Party - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012	Jan. 01, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expenses for supply of food, beverage, paper products and supplies	$ 61.3	$ 58.6
Percentage of total costs of sales and operating and occupancy costs	22.80%	24.40%
Trade payables	$ 4.9		$ 3.7
Jacmar Companies
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding common stock	11.20%
Agreement terms	5 years

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Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
Shares Outstanding
Outstanding RSUs Beginning Balance, Shares	486
Granted, Shares	115
Vested or released, Shares	(86)
Forfeited, Shares	(54)
Outstanding RSUs Ending Balance, Shares	461
Weighted Average Fair Value
Outstanding RSUs Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Fair Value	$ 28.14
Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value	$ 34.05
Vested or released, Weighted Average Fair Value	$ 17.00
Forfeited, Weighted Average Fair Value	$ 34.48
Outstanding RSUs Ending Balance, Weighted Average Fair Value	$ 30.97

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Net Income Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Common stock equivalents excluded from calculation of diluted net income per share	0.7	0.3	0.7	0.2

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Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (referred to herein as the “Company” or in the first person notations “we,” “us” and “our”) and our wholly owned subsidiaries. The financial statements presented herein include all material adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the period. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions for the reporting periods covered by the financial statements. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted pursuant to requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). A description of our accounting policies and other financial information is included in our audited consolidated financial statements as filed with the SEC on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2013. We believe that the disclosures included in our accompanying interim financial statements and footnotes are adequate to make the information not misleading, but should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K. The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2013, has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of prior period’s financial statement amounts have been made to conform to the current period’s format.

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Fair Value Measurement

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2013

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurement

3.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, a framework for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities was established by defining a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. These tiers include:

• Level 1: Defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

• Level 2: Defined as pricing inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies. These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, volatility factors, and current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures.

• Level 3: Defined as pricing inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.

At October 1, 2013, we had approximately $37.7 million of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities. Our marketable securities are held by institutional brokers, classified as held-to-maturity securities and reported at amortized cost, which approximates fair value (effectively Level 2), or variable rate demand notes classified as available-for-sale securities and reported at fair value. We have placed a majority of our temporary excess cash with major financial institutions and institutional brokers that, in turn, invest in instruments with historically minimal volatility, such as money market funds, U.S. Treasury and direct agency obligations, municipal and bank securities, and investment-grade corporate debt securities. Our investment policy limits the amount of exposure to any one institution or investment. We have not experienced any losses on these marketable securities to date, and we believe that we are not exposed to significant risk of loss on these marketable securities.

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Related Party

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2013

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party

6.  RELATED PARTY

As of October 1, 2013, we believe that Jacmar Companies and their affiliates (collectively referred to herein as “Jacmar”) owned approximately 11.2% of our outstanding common stock. In addition, James Dal Pozzo, the Chief Executive Officer of Jacmar, is a member of our Board of Directors. Jacmar, through its affiliation with Distribution Market Advantage, Inc. (“DMA”), a national foodservice distribution consortium whose participants are prominent regional foodservice distributors, is currently our largest supplier of food, beverage, paper products and supplies. We began using DMA for our national foodservice distribution in July 2006. In July 2012, we finalized a new five-year agreement with DMA, after conducting another extensive competitive bidding process. Jacmar services our restaurants in California and Nevada, while other DMA distributors service our restaurants in all other states. We also understand that Jacmar and its affiliates are the controlling shareholders of the Shakey’s pizza parlor chain. We believe that Jacmar sells products to us at prices comparable to those offered by unrelated third parties based on our competitive bidding process. Jacmar supplied us with $61.3 million and $58.6 million of food, beverage, paper products and supplies for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013 and October 2, 2012, respectively, which represents 22.8% and 24.4% of our total costs of sales and operating and occupancy costs, respectively. We had trade payables related to these products of $4.9 million and $3.7 million, at October 1, 2013 and January 1, 2013, respectively. Jacmar does not provide us with any produce, liquor, wine or beer products, all of which are provided by other vendors and are included in total cost of sales.

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Long-Term Debt

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2013

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

4.  LONG-TERM DEBT

Line of Credit

On February 17, 2012, we entered into a $75 million unsecured revolving line of credit (“Line of Credit”) with a major financial institution. The Line of Credit expires on January 31, 2017, and may be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We utilize the Line of Credit principally for letters of credit that are required to support certain self-insurance programs and for working capital and construction requirements as needed. As of October 1, 2013, there were no funded borrowings outstanding under the Line of Credit and there were outstanding letters of credit totaling approximately $9.2 million. The Line of Credit bears interest at either LIBOR plus a percentage not to exceed 1.50%, or at a rate ranging from the financial institution’s prime rate to 0.75% below the financial institution’s prime rate based on a Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio as defined in the Line of Credit agreement. The Line of Credit agreement requires compliance with a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, a Lease Adjusted Leverage Ratio and certain non-financial covenants. At October 1, 2013, we were in compliance with these covenants.

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Information Related to Stock-Based Compensation (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013		Oct. 02, 2012		Oct. 01, 2013		Oct. 02, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Capitalized stock-based compensation	$ 96	[1]	$ 49	[1]	$ 200	[1]	$ 148	[1]
Labor and benefits stock-based compensation
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	406		323		1,032		874
General and administrative stock-based compensation
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 541		$ 806		$ 2,299		$ 2,367

[1] Capitalized stock-based compensation is included in "Property and equipment, net" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Oct. 01, 2013	Jan. 01, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefit	$ 218,000	$ 897,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate, if reversed	100,000
Anticipated decrease in liability for unrecognized tax benefits within next twelve-month period	$ 100,000

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 01, 2013	Jan. 01, 2013
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000	5,000
Preferred stock, issued
Preferred stock, outstanding
Common stock, par value
Common stock, shares authorized	125,000	125,000
Common stock, shares issued	28,223	28,072
Common stock, shares outstanding	28,223	28,072

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Legal Proceedings

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2013

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Legal Proceedings

9.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are subject to private lawsuits, administrative proceedings and demands that arise in the ordinary course of our business and which typically involve claims from guests, employees and others related to operational, employment, real estate and intellectual property issues common to the foodservice industry. A number of these claims may exist at any given time. We are self-insured for a portion of our general liability insurance and our employee workers’ compensation programs. We maintain coverage with a third party insurer to limit our total exposure for these programs. We believe that most of our guest claims will be covered by our general liability insurance, subject to coverage limits and the portion of such claims that are self-insured. Punitive damages awards and employee unfair practice claims, however, are not covered by our general liability insurance. To date, we have not been ordered to pay punitive damages with respect to any claims, but there can be no assurance that punitive damages will not be awarded with respect to any future claims. We could be affected by adverse publicity resulting from allegations in lawsuits, claims and proceedings, regardless of whether these allegations are valid or whether we are ultimately determined to be liable. We currently believe that the final disposition of these types of lawsuits, proceedings and claims will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity. It is possible, however, that our future results of operations for a particular quarter or fiscal year could be impacted by changes in circumstances relating to lawsuits, proceedings or claims.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013		Oct. 02, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 20,518		$ 24,421
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	35,874		30,148
Deferred income taxes	114		4,269
Stock-based compensation expense	3,331		3,241
Loss on disposal of assets	648		451
Gain on investment settlement			(289)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables	9,330		3,608
Inventories	(856)		(103)
Prepaids and other current assets	1,043		1,691
Other assets, net	(1,875)		(2,740)
Accounts payable	5,089		4,496
Accrued expenses	5,921		1,439
Deferred rent	2,954		2,733
Deferred lease incentives	2,270		2,738
Other liabilities	567		1,825
Landlord contribution for tenant improvements, net	(225)		1,404
Net cash provided by operating activities	84,703		79,332
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(93,121)		(85,772)
Proceeds from sale of assets	3,971
Proceeds from marketable securities sold	23,041		30,683
Purchases of marketable securities	(19,614)		(29,451)
Collection of notes receivable	28		195
Net cash used in investing activities	(85,695)		(84,345)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	771		740
Taxes paid on vested stock units under employee plans	(286)		(53)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	729		1,319
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,214		2,006
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	222		(3,007)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	15,074
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	15,296		19,384
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes	4,616		2,374
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Fixed assets acquired by accounts payable	237		1,201
Stock-based compensation capitalized	$ 200	[1]	$ 148	[1]

[1] Capitalized stock-based compensation is included in "Property and equipment, net" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 01, 2013	Jan. 01, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 15,296	$ 15,074
Marketable securities	15,155	18,316
Accounts and other receivables	9,906	18,929
Inventories	6,917	6,061
Prepaids and other current assets	7,576	8,619
Deferred income taxes	17,100	15,721
Total current assets	71,950	82,720
Property and equipment, net	503,543	457,499
Long-term marketable securities	7,268	7,534
Goodwill	4,673	4,673
Notes receivable		110
Other assets, net	16,146	14,340
Total assets	603,580	566,876
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	21,014	25,665
Accrued expenses	62,740	56,819
Total current liabilities	83,754	82,484
Deferred income taxes	42,340	40,847
Deferred rent	21,599	18,645
Deferred lease incentives	50,692	48,422
Other liabilities	8,098	4,644
Total liabilities	206,483	195,042
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 28,223 and 28,072 shares issued and outstanding as of October 1, 2013 and January 1, 2013, respectively	181,669	180,940
Capital surplus	42,828	38,812
Retained earnings	172,600	152,082
Total shareholders' equity	397,097	371,834
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 603,580	$ 566,876

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Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model with Weighted Average Assumptions (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013	Oct. 02, 2012
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Expected volatility	36.50%	37.60%
Risk free interest rate	0.80%	0.70%
Expected option life	5 years	5 years
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Fair value of options granted	$ 11.04	$ 15.13

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Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended
	Feb. 17, 2012	Oct. 01, 2013
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Unsecured revolving line of credit	$ 75
Line of credit, expiration date	Jan. 31, 2017
Letters of credit outstanding amount		$ 9.2
Maximum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, adjustment to interest rate	1.50%
Minimum
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, adjustment to interest rate	0.75%

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Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

8. INCOME TAXES

As of October 1, 2013, unrecognized tax benefits recorded was approximately $0.2 million, of which approximately $0.1 million, if reversed, would impact our effective tax rate. We anticipate a decrease of $0.1 million to our liability for unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve-month period due to the settlement of potential outstanding liabilities. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

Balance at January 1, 2013	$897
Reductions based on statute expirations and audit settlements	(679)
Balance at October 1, 2013	$218

Our uncertain tax positions are related to tax years that remain subject to examination by tax agencies. As of October 1, 2013, the earliest tax year still subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service is 2010. The earliest year still subject to examination by a significant state or local taxing jurisdiction is 2008.

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Summary of Stock Option Outstanding and Exercisable (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
Options Outstanding, Shares
Outstanding options, Beginning Balance	2,025
Granted	186
Exercised	(49)
Forfeited	(56)
Outstanding options, Ending Balance	2,106
Options Exercisable, Shares
Options Exercisable Outstanding, Beginning Balance	1,403
Options Exercisable Outstanding, Ending Balance	1,432
Options outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding options, Beginning Balance	$ 22.08
Granted	$ 33.74
Exercised	$ 14.91
Forfeited	$ 40.98
Outstanding options, Ending Balance	$ 22.78
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Options Exercisable, Beginning Balance	$ 17.76
Options Exercisable, Ending Balance	$ 18.23

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Marketable Securities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2013

Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investments in Marketable Securities

Investments in marketable securities consist of the following (in thousands):

	October 1, 2013				January 1, 2013
	Fair Value		Average   Maturity (1)		Fair Value		Average   Maturity (1)
Available-for-sale
Short-term marketable securities:
Municipal variable rate demand notes		$2,810		<1 month		$650		<1 month
	October 1, 2013				January 1, 2013
	Amortized Cost		Average Maturity (1)		Amortized Cost		Average Maturity (1)
Held-to-maturity
Short-term marketable securities:
Municipal securities, U.S. Treasury and direct agency obligations		$12,345		5 months		$13,587		7 months
Domestic corporate obligations		–				4,079		6 months
		$12,345				$17,666
Long-term marketable securities:
Municipal securities and direct agency obligations		6,217		16 months		$5,392		16 months
Domestic corporate obligations		1,051		13 months		2,142		22 months
		$7,268				$7,534

(1) Average maturity is determined from the respective balance sheet dates and reported in the table as the lesser of the original maturity date or the expected put date for each investment type.

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Stock-Based Compentsation

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2013

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compentsation

7.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

We have two stock-based compensation plans – the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan and the 1996 Stock Option Plan – under which we may issue shares of our common stock to team members, officers, directors and consultants. Upon effectiveness of the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), the 1996 Stock Option Plan was closed for purposes of new grants. Both of these plans have been approved by our shareholders. Under the Plan, we have granted incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, and restricted stock units (“RSUs”). Shares subject to stock options and stock appreciation rights are charged against the Plan share reserve on the basis of one share for each one share granted while shares subject to other types of awards, including restricted stock units, are currently charged against the Plan share reserve on the basis of 1.5 shares for each one share granted. The Plan also contains other limits with respect to the terms of different types of incentive awards and with respect to the number of shares subject to awards that can be granted to a team member during any fiscal year. All options granted under the Plan expire within 10 years of their date of grant.

Under the Plan, we issue RSUs as a component of the annual equity grant award to officers and other team members and in connection with the BJ’s Gold Standard Stock Ownership Program (the “GSSOP”). The GSSOP is a longer-term equity incentive program that utilizes Company RSUs or stock options and is dependent on each participant’s extended service with us in their respective positions and remaining in good standing during that service period (i.e., five years).

The Plan permits us to set the vesting terms and exercise period for awards at our discretion. Stock options generally vest at 20% per year or cliff vest, either ratably in years three through five or 100% in year five, and expire ten years from date of grant. RSUs generally vest at 20% per year for non-GSSOP RSU grantees and generally cliff vest either at 33% on the third anniversary and 67% on the fifth anniversary or at 100% after the fifth anniversary for GSSOP participants.

The following table presents information related to stock-based compensation (in thousands):

	For The Thirteen Weeks Ended				For The Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	October 1,		October 2,		October 1,		October 2,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Labor and benefits stock-based compensation		$406		$323		$1,032		$874
General and administrative stock-based compensation		$541		$806		$2,299		$2,367
Capitalized stock-based compensation (1)		$96		$49		$200		$148

(1) Capitalized stock-based compensation is included in “Property and equipment, net” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Stock Options

The fair value of each stock option grant issued is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

	For the Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	October 1, 2013		October 2, 2012
Expected volatility		36.5%		37.6%
Risk free interest rate		0.8%		0.7%
Expected option life		5 years		5 years
Dividend yield		0%		0%
Fair value of options granted		$11.04		$15.13

U.S. GAAP requires us to make certain assumptions and judgments regarding the grant date fair value. These judgments include expected volatility, risk free interest rate, expected option life, dividend yield and vesting percentage. These estimations and judgments are determined by us using many different variables that, in many cases, are outside of our control. The changes in these variables or trends, including stock price volatility and risk free interest rate, may significantly impact the grant date fair value resulting in a significant impact to our financial results.

The exercise price of the stock options under our stock-based compensation plans shall be equal to or exceed 100% of the fair market value of the shares at the date of option grant. Stock option activity during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, was as follows:

	Options Outstanding				Options Exercisable
	Shares   (in thousands)		Weighted   Average Exercise Price		Shares   (in thousands)		Weighted   Average Exercise Price
Outstanding options at January 1, 2013		2,025		$22.08		1,403		$17.76
Granted		186		$33.74
Exercised		(49)		$14.91
Forfeited		(56)		$40.98
Outstanding options at October 1, 2013		2,106		$22.78		1,432		$18.23

As of October 1, 2013, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock options was $5.1 million, which is generally expected to be recognized over the next five years.

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock unit activity during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2013, was as follows:

	Shares   (in thousands)		Weighted Average   Fair Value
Outstanding RSUs at January 1, 2013		486		$28.14
Granted		115		$34.05
Vested or released		(86)		$17.00
Forfeited		(54)		$34.48
Outstanding RSUs at October 1, 2013		461		$30.97

The fair value of the RSUs is the quoted market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of each RSU is expensed ratably over the period during which the restrictions are expected to lapse (i.e., five years). As of October 1, 2013, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted shares was approximately $7.6 million, which is generally expected to be recognized over the next five years.

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Marketable Securities

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2013

Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]

Marketable Securities

2.  MARKETABLE SECURITIES

Our investment policy restricts the investment of our excess cash balances to instruments with historically minimal volatility, such as money market funds, U.S. Treasury and direct agency obligations, municipal and bank securities, and investment-grade corporate debt securities. All highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase are classified as cash equivalents and included with cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Marketable securities, which we have the intent and ability to hold until maturity, are classified as held-to-maturity securities and reported at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Marketable securities, in the form of municipal variable rate demand notes with expected put dates prior to the contractual maturity of the underlying debt security and backed by financial institutions in the form of a letter of credit or liquidity facility, are classified as available-for-sale securities. These securities are reported at fair value, using a market approach and classified as Level 2 fair value measurements, as further described in Note 3. Any unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities would be recorded in other comprehensive income. As of October 1, 2013, and January 1, 2013, there were no unrealized gains or losses with respect to available-for-sale securities.

We determine the appropriate classification of our marketable securities at the time of purchase and reevaluate the held-to-maturity or available-for-sale designations as of each balance sheet date. Marketable securities are classified as either short-term or long-term based on each instrument’s underlying contractual maturity date or the expected put date. Marketable securities with maturities or expected put dates of 12 months or less are classified as short-term and marketable securities with maturities or expected put dates greater than 12 months are classified as long-term. Gains or losses are determined on the specific identification cost method and recorded in earnings when realized.

Investments in marketable securities consist of the following (in thousands):

	October 1, 2013				January 1, 2013
	Fair Value		Average   Maturity (1)		Fair Value		Average   Maturity (1)
Available-for-sale
Short-term marketable securities:
Municipal variable rate demand notes		$2,810		<1 month		$650		<1 month
	October 1, 2013				January 1, 2013
	Amortized Cost		Average Maturity (1)		Amortized Cost		Average Maturity (1)
Held-to-maturity
Short-term marketable securities:
Municipal securities, U.S. Treasury and direct agency obligations		$12,345		5 months		$13,587		7 months
Domestic corporate obligations		–				4,079		6 months
		$12,345				$17,666
Long-term marketable securities:
Municipal securities and direct agency obligations		6,217		16 months		$5,392		16 months
Domestic corporate obligations		1,051		13 months		2,142		22 months
		$7,268				$7,534

(1) Average maturity is determined from the respective balance sheet dates and reported in the table as the lesser of the original maturity date or the expected put date for each investment type.

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Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Beginning Balance	$ 897
Reductions based on statute expirations and audit settlements	(679)
Ending Balance	$ 218

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Income Taxes (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

Balance at January 1, 2013	$897
Reductions based on statute expirations and audit settlements	(679)
Balance at October 1, 2013	$218

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Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (referred to herein as the “Company” or in the first person notations “we,” “us” and “our”) and our wholly owned subsidiaries. The financial statements presented herein include all material adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the period. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions for the reporting periods covered by the financial statements. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted pursuant to requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). A description of our accounting policies and other financial information is included in our audited consolidated financial statements as filed with the SEC on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2013. We believe that the disclosures included in our accompanying interim financial statements and footnotes are adequate to make the information not misleading, but should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K. The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2013, has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of prior period’s financial statement amounts have been made to conform to the current period’s format.

Fair Value Measurement, Policy

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, a framework for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities was established by defining a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. These tiers include:

• Level 1: Defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

• Level 2: Defined as pricing inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies. These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, volatility factors, and current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures.

• Level 3: Defined as pricing inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.

Marketable Securities, Policy

Our investment policy restricts the investment of our excess cash balances to instruments with historically minimal volatility, such as money market funds, U.S. Treasury and direct agency obligations, municipal and bank securities, and investment-grade corporate debt securities. All highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase are classified as cash equivalents and included with cash and cash equivalents on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Marketable securities, which we have the intent and ability to hold until maturity, are classified as held-to-maturity securities and reported at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Marketable securities, in the form of municipal variable rate demand notes with expected put dates prior to the contractual maturity of the underlying debt security and backed by financial institutions in the form of a letter of credit or liquidity facility, are classified as available-for-sale securities. These securities are reported at fair value, using a market approach and classified as Level 2 fair value measurements, as further described in Note 3. Any unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities would be recorded in other comprehensive income. As of October 1, 2013, and January 1, 2013, there were no unrealized gains or losses with respect to available-for-sale securities.

We determine the appropriate classification of our marketable securities at the time of purchase and reevaluate the held-to-maturity or available-for-sale designations as of each balance sheet date. Marketable securities are classified as either short-term or long-term based on each instrument’s underlying contractual maturity date or the expected put date. Marketable securities with maturities or expected put dates of 12 months or less are classified as short-term and marketable securities with maturities or expected put dates greater than 12 months are classified as long-term. Gains or losses are determined on the specific identification cost method and recorded in earnings when realized.

Net Income Per Share, Policy

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options issued by us to sell common stock at set prices were exercised and if restrictions on restricted stock units issued by us were to lapse (collectively equity awards). The consolidated financial statements present basic and diluted net income per share.

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Fair Value Measurement - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 01, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities	$ 37.7

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Marketable Securities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)			9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013	Jan. 01, 2013	Oct. 01, 2013 Maximum	Oct. 01, 2013 Short-term marketable securities Maximum	Oct. 01, 2013 Long-term marketable securities Minimum
Investment [Line Items]
Liquid investments maturity period			3 months
Available-for-sale securities, unrealized gain (loss)	$ 0	$ 0
Marketable securities maturity period (in months)				12 months	12 months

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Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 01, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	BJRI
Entity Registrant Name	BJs RESTAURANTS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001013488
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		28,227,620

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Investments in Marketable Securities (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2013		Jan. 01, 2013
Investment [Line Items]
Short-term marketable securities, Amortized Cost	$ 15,155		$ 18,316
Long-term marketable securities, Amortized Cost	7,268		7,534
Held-to-maturity securities
Investment [Line Items]
Long-term marketable securities, Amortized Cost	7,268		7,534
Short-term marketable securities | Available-for-sale securities | Municipal variable rate demand notes
Investment [Line Items]
Short-term marketable securities, Fair Value	2,810		650
Marketable securities, maturity period (in months), maximum	1 month	[1]	1 month	[1]
Short-term marketable securities | Held-to-maturity securities
Investment [Line Items]
Short-term marketable securities, Amortized Cost	12,345		17,666
Short-term marketable securities | Held-to-maturity securities | Municipal securities, U.S. Treasury and direct agency obligations
Investment [Line Items]
Short-term marketable securities, Amortized Cost	12,345		13,587
Marketable securities, Average Maturity (in months)	5 months	[1]	7 months	[1]
Short-term marketable securities | Held-to-maturity securities | Domestic corporate obligations
Investment [Line Items]
Short-term marketable securities, Amortized Cost			4,079
Marketable securities, Average Maturity (in months)			6 months	[1]
Long-term marketable securities | Held-to-maturity securities | Municipal securities, U.S. Treasury and direct agency obligations
Investment [Line Items]
Long-term marketable securities, Amortized Cost	6,217		5,392
Marketable securities, Average Maturity (in months)	16 months	[1]	16 months	[1]
Long-term marketable securities | Held-to-maturity securities | Domestic corporate obligations
Investment [Line Items]
Long-term marketable securities, Amortized Cost	$ 1,051		$ 2,142
Marketable securities, Average Maturity (in months)	13 months	[1]	22 months	[1]

[1] Average maturity is determined from the respective balance sheet dates and reported in the table as the lesser of the original maturity date or the expected put date for each investment type.