BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (NASDAQ: BJRI), which has been without a permanent chief executive since Greg Levin stepped down last August, has appointed Lyle D. Tick as its CEO and president, effective today, June 5.
Tick, who led the revitalization of Buffalo Wild Wings while serving as its brand president, came to BJ’s last year. He’s been the president and chief concept officer at the casual dining chain since last September.
Lea Anne S. Ottinger, board chair, said the company is “delighted” to see Tick leading BJ’s.
“As president and chief concept officer, Lyle has quickly re-focused the company’s core sales and profit-driving initiatives to further differentiate our concept while capturing opportunities to reduce operational complexity,” Ottinger said in a statement. “We are confident that under his leadership, BJ’s will continue to drive sustainable growth and create long-term shareholder value.”
Board Director C. Bradford Richmond became interim CEO when Levin left last year. Richmond will remain on the board and assume the role of special advisor to the CEO during Mr. Tick’s transition, the company said Thursday.
BJ’s also announced today that CFO Thomas A. Houdek has resigned. Effective June 20, he’s leaving to take a new position outside of the restaurant industry. The company did not name a replacement chief financial officer.
