HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., Nov 3, 2009 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) --

BJ's Restaurants, Inc. (Nasdaq:BJRI) today announced the opening of its newest restaurant in San Rafael, California, on November 2, 2009. The new BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse is located at the intersection of Freitas Parkway and the 101 Freeway in the heart of Marin County at the Northgate Mall. The restaurant is approximately 8,500 square feet and contains seating for approximately 270 guests and features BJ's extensive menu, including BJ's signature deep-dish pizza, award-winning handcrafted beer and famous Pizookie(R) dessert. BJ's highly detailed, contemporary decor and unique video statement, including several high definition flat panel televisions, creates a high energy, fun and family-friendly dining environment for everyone to enjoy. Hours of operation are from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

"We are very excited to open our 91st restaurant in San Rafael, California," commented Jerry Deitchle, Chairman and CEO. "The new San Rafael restaurant is our first restaurant in Marin County and our eighth restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the BJ's restaurant concept enjoys some of its highest sales volumes. Opening day sales for San Rafael were very strong. We currently expect that our 10th and final new restaurant opening for 2009 will occur in Hurst, Texas in mid-November. As a result, we expect to successfully achieve our previously stated capacity growth goal for 2009. We currently plan to open as many as 10 to 11 new restaurants during 2010." Investors are reminded that the actual number and timing of new restaurant openings for any given period is subject to a number of factors outside of the Company's control, including weather conditions and factors under the control of landlords, contractors and regulatory/licensing authorities.

BJ's Restaurants, Inc. currently owns and operates 91 casual dining restaurants under the BJ's Restaurant & Brewery, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse or BJ's Pizza & Grill brand names. BJ's restaurants offer an innovative and broad menu featuring award-winning, signature deep-dish pizza complemented with generously portioned salads, appetizers, sandwiches, soups, pastas, entrees and desserts. Quality, flavor, value, moderate prices and sincere service remain distinct attributes of the BJ's experience. The Company operates several microbreweries which produce and distribute BJ's critically acclaimed handcrafted beers throughout the chain. The Company's restaurants are located in California (49), Texas (15), Arizona (5), Colorado (3), Oregon (2), Nevada (3), Florida (5), Ohio (2), Oklahoma (2), Kentucky (1), Indiana (1), Louisiana (1) and Washington (2). The Company also has a licensing interest in a BJ's restaurant in Lahaina, Maui. Visit BJ's Restaurants, Inc. on the Web at http://www.bjsrestaurants.com.

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