BJs RESTAURANTS INC

Our current shareholder approved stock-based compensation plan is the BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. 2024 Equity Incentive Plan, (as it may be amended from time to time, “the Plan”). Under the Plan, we may issue shares of our common stock to team members, officers, directors and consultants. We grant non-qualified stock options, and service- and performance-based RSUs. Since fiscal 2024, we also grant performance-based RSUs with market-based metrics. Additionally, we issue service-based RSUs in connection with the BJ’s Gold Standard Stock Ownership Program (the “GSSOP”), a long-term equity incentive program under the Plan for our restaurant general managers, executive kitchen managers, directors of operations and directors of kitchen operations. All GSSOP participants are required to remain in good standing during their vesting period.

All options granted under the Plan expire within 10 years of their date of grant. Awards of stock options or stock appreciation rights are charged against the Plan share reserve on the basis ofone sharefor each option granted. All other awards are charged against the

2024 Plan share reserve on the basis of 1.5 shares for each award unit granted. We estimate forfeitures based on historical data and we take into consideration future expectations. The Plan also contains other limits on the terms of incentive grants such as the maximum number that can be granted to a team member during any fiscal year.

We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of our stock options, and we use the Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the fair value of our performance-based RSUs that include a market-based metric. Both valuation models require management to make assumptions regarding stock price, volatility, the expected life of the award, risk-free interest rate and expected dividend yield. The fair value of service-based and performance-based RSUs without market-based metrics, is equal to the fair value of our common stock at market close on the grant date, or the last trading day prior to the grant date if the grant occurs on a day when the market is closed.

The grant date fair value of each stock option, service-based RSU, and performance-based RSU with market-based metrics is recognized as stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the applicable vesting period (e.g., one, three orfive years). For performance-based RSUs without market-based metrics, stock-based compensation expense recognition is recognized based on the estimated number of awards that is expected to vest, which is reassessed each reporting period based on management’s current estimate of achievement of the applicable performance goals. Forfeitures are estimated based on historical experience and adjusted for future expectations.

The Plan permits our Board of Directors to set the vesting terms and exercise period for awards at their discretion; however, the grant of awards with no minimum vesting period or a vesting period less than one year may not exceed 5% of the total number of shares authorized under the Plan. Stock options and service-based RSUs cliff vest atone year or ratably over three years for non-GSSOP participants, and either cliff vest atfive years or cliff vest at 33% on the third anniversary and 67% on the fifth anniversary for GSSOP participants. Performance-based RSUs cliff vest on the third anniversary of the grant date in an amount from 0% to 150% of the grant quantity, depending on the level of performance target achievement.

The following table presents the stock-based compensation recognized within our consolidated financial statements (in thousands):

(1)

Capitalized stock-based compensation relates to our restaurant development personnel and is included in “Property and equipment, net” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Stock Options

The fair value of each stock option was estimated on the grant date using the Black‑Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

Under our stock-based compensation plan, the exercise price of a stock option is required to equal or exceed the fair value of our common stock at market close on the option grant date or the last trading day prior to the date of grant when grants take place on a day when the market is closed. The following table presents stock option activity:

As of September 30, 2025, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock options was approximately $2.1 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next three years.

Restricted Stock Units

Service-Based Restricted Stock Units

The following table presents service-based restricted stock unit activity:

As of September 30, 2025, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested service-based RSUs was approximately $11.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next three tofive years.

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units

The following table presents performance-based restricted stock unit activity:

The fair value of performance-based RSUs, which include a market-based metric, was estimated on the grant date using the Monte Carlo simulation model with the following assumptions:

As of September 30, 2025, the total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested performance-based RSUs was approximately $2.6 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next three tofive years.

7. INCOME TAXES

We calculate our interim income tax provision in accordance with ASC Topic 270, “Interim Reporting” and ASC Topic 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” The Company calculates its provision for income taxes at the end of each interim reporting period by computing an estimated annual effective tax rate adjusted for tax items that are discrete to each period. In addition, the effect of changes in enacted tax laws, rates or tax status is recognized in the interim period in which the change occurs. The computation of the annual estimated effective tax rate at each interim period requires certain significant estimates and judgment including the expected operating income for the year, permanent and temporary differences because of differences between amounts measured and recognized in accordance with tax laws and financial accounting standards, and the likelihood of recovering deferred tax assets generated in the current fiscal year. The accounting estimates used to compute income tax expense may change as new events occur, additional information is obtained or the tax environment changes.

Our effective income tax rate for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025 was an expense rate of 0.5% compared to a benefit rate of 15.0% for the comparable thirty-nine weeks ended October 1, 2024. The effective tax rate expense and benefit for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025 and October 1, 2024, respectively, was different from the statutory tax rate primarily as a result of significant Federal Insurance Contributions Act (“FICA”) tax tip credits.

As of September 30, 2025, we had unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $0.9 million, which, if reversed, would impact our effective tax rate.

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

Our uncertain tax positions are related to tax years that remain subject to examination by tax agencies. As of September 30, 2025, the earliest tax year still subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service is 2021. The earliest year still subject to examination by a significant state or local taxing authority is 2020.

H.R. 1, commonly referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act ("OBBBA"), was signed into law on July 4, 2025. The legislation included provisions that impact the timing and magnitude of certain tax deductions, including restoring 100% bonus depreciation for qualifying property and the immediate expensing of domestic research and experimental (R&E) expenditures. The impact of the OBBBA is anticipated to result in a netzero tax expense effect, as the projected $5.0 million deferred tax expense is expected to be fully offset by a corresponding current tax expense.

8. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Weare subject to lawsuits, administrative proceedings and demands that arise in the ordinary course of our business and which typically involve claims from guests, team members 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 portionof our general liability, team member workers’ compensation and employment practice liability insurance requirements. We maintain coverage with a third-party insurer to limit our total exposure. We believe that most of our claims will be covered by our insurance, subject to coverage limits and the portion of such claims that are self-insured; however, punitive damages awards are not covered by our 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.

9. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Warrant

BJ’s Act III, LLC’s (“Act III”) warrant for 876,949 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $26.94 was set to expire on May 4, 2025, five years following the issuance. On December 30, 2024, the Company agreed to extend the termination date of the warrant by two years to May 4, 2027. The warrant extension was executed in conjunction with a Cooperation Agreement that contains material non-shareholder restrictions, such as those limiting Act III's ability to purchase additional Company shares.

Stock Repurchases

During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025, we repurchased and retired approximately 1.8 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $33.95 per share for approximately $62.4 million, which is recorded as a reduction in common stock, with any excess charged to retained earnings. Our Board of Directors approved a $50 million increase to our share repurchase program in February 2024, another $50 million increase in February 2025, and an additional $75 million increase in October 2025. As of September 30, 2025, we had $23.5 million available under our authorized $600 million share repurchase program, and as of November 5, 2025, we have approximately $94 million available under our authorized $675 million share repurchase program. Repurchases may be made at any time.

Cash Dividends

We currently donot pay any cash dividends. Any payment of quarterly cash dividends will be subject to our Board of Directors determining that the payment of dividends is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders.

10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

BJ's Act III, LLC

On December 30, 2024, the Company agreed to extend Act III's warrant termination date by two years to May 4, 2027, and recorded a related expense of $4.6 million within “Other (expense) income, net” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 9 for further information.

Equity Method Investment

During fiscal 2022, we contributed assets valued at $5.0 million to a company, in which our former Board member and former Chief Executive Officer has a less than 1% interest. We recorded this non-cash contribution, in exchange for a 20% ownership of the company, as an investment within “Equity method investment” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the related gain within “Loss on disposal and impairment of assets, net” on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025, the company we invested in obtained additional funding, and as a result our ownership interest decreased from 20% to 17%. For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 30, 2025 and October 1, 2024, we recorded a net loss related to the investment of $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, within “Other income, net,” and accordingly adjusted the investment carrying amount on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

11. SEGMENT INFORMATION

We currently operate inone operating segment: full-service company-owned restaurants and in one geographic area: the United States of America. We do not have intra-entity sales or transfers. Our revenues are comprised of food and beverage sales from our restaurants, including takeout, delivery and catering sales. Our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) is ourchief executive officer and president, andhe assesses performance and decides how to allocate resources based on income (loss) from operations, which is also reported on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Additionally, the measure of segment assets is reported on our

Consolidated Balance Sheets as total assets. Our CODM uses net income to evaluate income generated from our segment assets and decides whether to reinvest profits into other parts of our business.

Reported segment revenue and expenses is presented below (in thousands):

(1)Other segment items consist of amounts related to general and administrative expenses, restaurant opening expenses, and loss on disposal of and impairment of assets, net.