BJ’s Restaurant founders to leave company

The founders of the Huntington Beach-based BJ’s Restaurants chain have announced they will leave the company board of directors at the end of the year.

A press release by BJs said co-founders Paul Motenko and Jerry Hennessy are planning to work on new ventures, 17 years after founding the Chicago-style pizza restaurant concept chain that includes BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse and BJ’s Pizza & Grill.

“We are very supportive of the company’s leadership and remain excited about the direction they are taking the BJ’s concept,” Motenko and Hennessy said in a joint statement. “While we will no longer be officially involved with the company, we intend to remain very loyal supporters and significant shareholders.”

— Candice Baker