Today TGIF's, Tomorrow BJ's

Families in Rancho Santa Margarita have something to look forward to in 2011. BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse filed a planning application with the city of Rancho Santa Margarita on Jan. 18, detailing its plans for coming to RSM as soon as possible.

BJ’s wants to build a 7,500-square-foot restaurant at the location of the current , which uses about 6,500 square feet of space. BJ’s is proposing to tear down the existing building.

According to RSM city planner Nate Farnsworth, BJ’s is proposing an aggressive work schedule because it is excited to be coming to Rancho. It sees a great opportunity in RSM, with Rancho Santa Margarita being such a family-oriented community.

In its application, the company proposes a typical BJ’s restaurant and brewhouse. It will be family-oriented—an indoor restaurant with a bar and an outdoor patio.

Farnsworth and other city staffers are working with BJ’s to streamline the planning process. BJ’s plans require a conditional-use permit from the city. Farnsworth’s goal is to have the conditional-use permit application on the agenda for March’s Planning Commission meeting.

While many restaurants are shutting units, BJ’s—headquartered in Orange County—is in expansion mode. Its planning application said it recently opened its 100th restaurant.

According to BJ’s website, 2010 milestones include having 102 BJ’s in 13 states, with total revenues of $514 million.

BJ’s was founded in 1978 in Orange County by ex-Burger King franchisees. It was known as BJ’s Chicago Pizzeria and offered deep-dish pizza. The company was sold in 1995. BJ’s is publicly held and traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange. The closest BJ’s is on El Toro Road in Laguna Hills, next to Laguna Hills Mall.