Sep. 14, 2009 (Business Wire) -- The National Restaurant Association (NRA) today announced that BJ’s Restaurants (NASDAQ:BJRI) has been named this year’s “Restaurant Neighbor Award” national winner in the large business category. Each year, the NRA honors restaurants for outstanding community service. Three winners are chosen in each state based on business size. In turn, the national winners are chosen from the state winners, for which the Company represented the state of California.
"BJ’s is deeply honored to receive this very special recognition from the NRA," said Jerry Deitchle, Chairman and CEO. "Giving back to the communities that support our restaurants is something that every team member at our Company feels very strongly about. Thanks in large part to the work of our BJ’s Restaurants Foundation, we have the opportunity to continue to do more good things for more people.”
BJ’s was recognized for its TASC Force (Team Action to Support Communities) program that supports its team members who volunteer their time in support of community causes. “I am so pleased to accept this recognition by the NRA on behalf of our hundreds of team members who have participated in community service activities across the country,” said Rob DeLiema, president of BJ’s Restaurants Foundation. “Pulling weeds at a local park, painting over graffiti, helping to build and paint a house, supporting a Special Olympics team, assembling playground equipment, working at a local food bank, taking special needs kids to the fair and hosting blood drives are just some examples of these activities. Supporting community causes with our TASC Force teams has clearly become an essential part of the BJ’s culture.”
“We are proud to honor these exceptional restaurants and community leaders for their dedicated commitment to enhancing the quality of life for everyone in their communities,” said National Restaurant Association President and CEO Dawn Sweeney. “Our industry has a strong foundation and long history of philanthropy, and works to make a difference in local communities across the nation. This year’s Restaurant Neighbor Award winners were selected for their innovative approaches and enormous efforts.”
BJ's Restaurants, Inc. currently owns and operates 87 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, entrées 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.
