Brian Krakower Buys Shares of BJ's Restaurants

Brian Krakower, the Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of BJ's Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQGS: BJRI), bought 7,341 shares of the company on June 18, 2026. The shares were purchased at an average price of $37.82 each, making the total transaction worth approximately $277,671.86. This purchase was not part of a pre-arranged trading plan.

Other Institutional Activity in BJ's Restaurants

Vanguard Portfolio Management LLC opened a new position in BJ's Restaurants, acquiring 1,932,753 shares valued at around $67.8 million. Meanwhile, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings by 30,684 shares, ending with 1,114,685 shares worth about $39.1 million, marking a 2.8% increase. On the other hand, BlackRock, Inc. trimmed its stake by 42,911 shares, bringing its total to 3,091,192 shares valued at approximately $108.5 million, reflecting a 1.4% decrease. Woodline Partners LP reduced its holdings by 73,666 shares, a 7.0% decrease, leaving it with 983,280 shares worth about $34.5 million.

BJ's Restaurants, Inc. Stock Down 16.0%

Shares of BJ's Restaurants traded near $54.55 on Tuesday. The company, which operates in the consumer cyclical sector, has a market cap of $1.15 billion. BJ's Restaurants has a P/E ratio of 27.5 and a forward P/E of 21.0, indicating investor expectations for future earnings. The stock has experienced a 52-week range between $28.46 and $56.21, with a 50-day moving average of $42.60 and a 200-day moving average of $38.26. The company has a beta of 1.363, suggesting higher volatility compared to the market.

Recent Earnings

BJ's Restaurants reported revenue of $1.41 billion, with a modest growth rate of 2.9%. The company's net margin stands at 3.1%, and the return on equity is 11.9%. Earnings per share were reported at $1.99. The next earnings report is expected on July 30, 2026.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

On May 7, 2026, Piper Sandler maintained its hold rating on BJ's Restaurants with a price target of $43. Barclays also kept its sell rating with a target of $38 on May 6, 2026. Benchmark maintained a buy rating, setting a target of $50 on the same day. The consensus among analysts is a hold rating, with an average target price of $44.44 based on nine opinions.

About BJ's Restaurants

BJ's Restaurants, Inc. operates a chain of full-service restaurants across the United States. The company offers a wide range of menu items, including pizzas, craft beers, appetizers, entrees, and their signature Pizookie desserts. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, BJ's Restaurants has grown to employ over 22,000 people under the leadership of CEO Lyle D. Tick. The company's restaurants are primarily located in the consumer cyclical sector within the restaurant industry.

Bottom Line

Brian Krakower's purchase of BJ's Restaurants shares highlights insider confidence in the company's prospects. With a solid presence in the restaurant industry and a recent uptick in institutional interest, BJ's Restaurants is attracting attention. However, remember that insider transactions and institutional holdings are backward-looking indicators and may not reflect current positions.