BJ's Restaurants 3Q Profit Rises 55 Pct

NEW YORK (AP) — Restaurant operator BJ's Restaurants Inc. said Thursday third-quarter profit rose 55 percent, helped by positive customer response to marketing efforts.

Still, the company said it expects the economy will continue to pressure customer traffic in the current quarter and into 2010.

Quarterly profit rose to $3.2 million, or 12 cents per share, from $2 million, or 8 cents per share, last year. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters predicted 13 cents per share.

Revenue rose 9 percent to $103.9 million, slightly below the $105.1 million analysts expected.

Shares fell $1.32, or 7.8 percent, to $15.68 in aftermarket trading after closing regular trading up 35 cents at $17.

Sales in stores open at least one year, considered a key measure of a retailer's financial health, fell 1.6 percent.

CEO Jerry Deitchle said higher revenue was due to better "operational execution," as well as "favorable consumer response to our marketing and promotional programs."

Marketing efforts have focused on BJ's "everyday value and new products and services," Deitchle said. This year the company has introduced call-ahead seating, online ordering and picking up food curbside.