Wayne Jones will become BJ’s Restaurants Inc.’s (NASDAQ: BJRI – News) Executive Vice President and Chief Restaurant Operations Officer next Monday, January 19.

Jones, 49, has more than 25 years of casual-dining restaurant management experience, with his last 19 years at The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated, an operator of 159 high volume, upscale casual dining restaurants. During his tenure at Cheesecake Factory, Jones served in progressively responsible restaurant management and leadership positions, with his last position as Vice President, Operations Analysis on the corporate staff. His previous assignments at Cheesecake Factory included restaurant general manager, area director, and regional vice president of operations.

According to Jerry Deitchle, Chairman and CEO: “We are very fortunate to have him join BJ’s executive team. Wayne’s many years of experience in playing key operational roles in the successful national development of another high quality, more complex restaurant concept and business model will be of significant value to BJ’s as we continue to execute our expansion plan.”

Jones will join Senior Vice President Lon Ledwith, Regional Vice Presidents Chris Pinsak, Steve Mintzer and Michele Maerz, and Vice Presidents Nanette McWhertor, James Drake, and Don Gardner on BJ’s capable and experienced restaurant operations leadership team.