BJ's Praises the Pizookie During National Cookie Month; Restaurant Raises Dough for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Business Wire, Oct 5, 2004

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. -- BJ's Restaurants Inc. (NASDAQ:BJRI) celebrates National Cookie Month this October. From chocolate chunk to oatmeal raisin, whatever your favorite flavor might be, BJ's has a Pizookie just perfect for the occasion. Guests can not only pay homage to the cookie, but will also help BJ's raise $1 million for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) this year.

Cookies have been a popular dessert since a Roman baker made the first one in third century, B.C. But perhaps no other cookie has possessed the power of BJ's signature Pizookie -- a deep-dish cookie topped with vanilla bean ice cream, available in chocolate chunk, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin and white chocolate macadamia nut. The dessert has become so popular, in fact, that this year BJ's expects to sell 1 million of them!

"We wanted an indulgent dessert that our guests would love, and the Pizookie takes something everyone likes -- a cookie -- and elevates it to a whole new level," said BJ's co-CEO Paul Motenko. "Our guests love the Pizookie so much that they've written poems about it and it has even been the topic for college reports."

Not only is the Pizookie an obsession for BJ's guests, it is also the core of the restaurant's "Cookies for Kids" program. Each time one is sold, a portion of the proceeds goes to CFF. Through the years, BJ's has contributed more than $1.5 million to the organization from the Cookies for Kids program and fundraising events. The company plans to reach a total of $2.5 million in 2004 by raising $1 million this year.

National Cookie Month is also the perfect time to enter BJ's "Thanks a Million" contest. Order a Pizookie any time through Nov. 24 and enter to win a Caribbean Cruise for two while supporting BJ's campaign to raise $1 million for CFF. Supporters can also visit www.pizookie.com to donate online.

About BJ's Restaurants Inc.

With more than 30 locations, BJ's (NASDAQ:BJRI) signature fun, casual and lively environment draws patrons from across the spectrum. Families with children, college students, senior citizens and everybody in between comes to enjoy more than 100 menu items in a broad array of categories including deep-dish Chicago style pizza, generously portioned salads, soups, pastas, sandwiches and more. Desserts include BJ's signature Pizookie -- a freshly baked deep-dish cookie topped with vanilla bean ice cream. BJ's award-winning pizza, handcrafted microbrews and energetic staff keep the mood comfortable and festive while the large variety of menu selections means there is always something new to try!