LYLE TICK
CEO
BJ’S RESTAURANTS INC.
WHY: Top executive of Orange County’s fourth largest restaurant company with systemwide sales of $1.4B. Huntington Beach-based casual dining chain valued at $665M as of October.
IN THE NEWS: Named chief executive in June, succeeding interim official and board
director Bradford Richmond, who stepped in after the sudden departure of previous CEO Greg Levin in August 2024. Richmond and rest of BJ’s board were “delighted” for Tick to lead as CEO citing his time with the company already “instrumental.”
NOTABLE: Promoted 10 months after he was initially appointed president and chief concept officer at BJ’s in fall 2024. Known for leading revitalization of Buffalo Wild Wings while serving as brand president from 2018 to 2023.
QUOTABLE: “With our brand positioning project complete, we are prioritizing the key opportunities ahead for BJ’s, which will begin to come to life across our menu, operations and marketing later this year and into 2026.” — on Q2 results
