Photo Release -- BJ's Restaurants Introduces New "Enlightened" Entrees and Cocktails

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., May 10, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BJ's Restaurants,
Inc. (Nasdaq:BJRI) today announced the companywide introduction of new
"Enlightened Entrees," a flavorful selection of entrees each with under 575
calories and affordably priced between $6.95 and $10.95. To complement the new
lower-calorie entrees, BJ's is also introducing a new selection of "Enlightened
Cocktails" each with 130 calories or less.

Photos accompanying this release are available at

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http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=9670

http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=9671

"Our new line of Enlightened Entrees offers our guests the delightful flavors
they expect from BJ's -- all for 575 calories or less," said Matt Hood, BJ's
Chief Marketing Officer. "We are pleased to continue BJ's menu innovation by
offering fresh, lower-calorie dishes at great everyday values for our guests.
And, our guests can also enjoy reduced-calorie versions of popular bar drinks
with our new "Enlightened Cocktails" that include the new Skinny Rita,
Guilt-Free Cosmo and Mojito Lite beverages -- each with fewer than 130 calories
per serving."

The complete line up of new "Enlightened Entrees" includes:

Chicken A La Fresca

Marinated grilled chicken breast served over rice pilaf with zucchini,
mushrooms, peppers and tomatoes prepared ratatouille style, drizzled with a
light Dijon tarragon jus and garnished with arugula tossed in balsamic
vinaigrette.

Creole Tilapia

Oven roasted tilapia topped with a tomato olive tapenade and served with rice
pilaf, baby greens tossed in balsamic vinaigrette and topped with shredded
carrots, red onions, cucumbers and tomatoes.

Maui Glazed Pork Chop

One center cut pork chop, lightly seasoned and glazed in a sweet and tangy
sauce, grilled and served with oven roasted red potatoes, steamed green beans
and topped with grilled sweet red onions.

Mediterranean Vegetable Pasta

Rotini noodles tossed with roasted vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, capers and
Kalamata olives mixed with a light vegetable broth and topped with pine nuts,
fresh basil, Parmesan cheese and parsley.

Half-Flatbread and Salad

A half-portion of one of BJ's flatbread pizzas served with mixed baby greens
tossed in balsamic vinaigrette and topped with shredded carrots, red onions,
cucumbers and tomatoes.

BJ's Restaurants feature an extensive menu with over 100 menu items which
includes 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 midnight Sunday through
Thursday and 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Hours vary by
location.

BJ's Restaurants, Inc. currently owns and operates 104 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 (52), Texas (21), Arizona
(6), Colorado (4), Oregon (2), Nevada (4), Florida (6), Ohio (2), Oklahoma (2),
Kentucky (1), Indiana (1), Louisiana (1) and Washington (2). Visit BJ's
Restaurants, Inc. on the Web at http://www.bjsrestaurants.com.

Certain statements in the preceding paragraphs and all other statements that are
not purely historical constitute "forward-looking" statements for purposes of
the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. The
"forward-looking" statements contained in this press release are based on
current assumptions and expectations and BJ's Restaurants, Inc. undertakes no
obligation to update or alter its "forward-looking" statements whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investors are referred to
the full discussion of risks and uncertainties associated with forward-looking
statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including its recent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K.

The photos are also available via AP PhotoExpress.

CONTACT: Matt Hood
BJ's Restaurants, Inc.
(714) 500-2400