BJRI · BJ's Restaurants, Inc.

The appointment of Ashley A. Van as Principal Accounting Officer represents a material leadership transition for BJ's Restaurants, given the role’s statutory responsibilities under SEC rules—including oversight of internal controls, financial reporting integrity, and SOX compliance. Van brings extensive public-company accounting experience across restaurant (Sweetgreen, El Pollo Loco) and retail (Reformation) sectors, along with CPA credentials and prior Big Four training—suggesting continuity in financial rigor. Her compensation package reflects market-aligned structure: a fixed $340,000 base, a prorated 55% annual bonus opportunity with performance-based leverage (75–125%), and a $300,000 new-hire equity grant split evenly between time-vested RSUs and NQ options—both vesting over three years. The $180,000 2027 annual equity target further signals sustained long-term alignment. Notably, J. Todd Wilson remains CFO and Principal Financial Officer, indicating no broader financial leadership disruption—only a functional separation of accounting duties. The severance terms—scalable up to 12 months’ base salary—underscore the Company’s commitment to retention and orderly transition. For investors, this change carries operational significance: Van’s background in high-growth, publicly traded foodservice brands may support BJRI’s ongoing financial scalability and reporting discipline amid evolving regulatory and growth demands.