Chicago Pizza & Brewery Inc. announces 251 percent increase in sales at the first BJ's Pizza & Grill converted from a Pietro's restaurant in the Pacific Northwest.

MISSION VIEJO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 11, 1997--Chicago Pizza & Brewery Inc. (NASDAQ:CHGO and CHGOW) released sales results for its first full month of operations at the newly converted restaurant in Eugene, Ore. Sales for the month of May 1997 increased to $165,000 from $47,000 for May 1996. The restaurant, which had been operated as a Pietro's Pizza restaurant, was converted to a BJ's Pizza & Grill effective April 25, 1997. The conversion consisted of an interior and exterior remodel to reflect the BJ's comfortable, industrial theme as well as the addition of BJ's menu, including its award-winning deep-dish pizza, pastas, sandwiches, salads and desserts. Also offered at BJ's in Eugene is a variety of BJ's microbrewed beers which are being produced for the restaurant by BJ's brewery in Brea, Calif., pending completion of the first BJ's microbrewery in Oregon.

"We are obviously thrilled with the response in Eugene to the BJ's concept," stated Paul Motenko, chief executive officer. "While we expected that the people in Eugene would appreciate our quality food and environment, the initial sales numbers certainly exceeded our expectations." Motenko cautioned that the first full month's sales might be higher than ongoing sales levels due to initial trials and that the first month's results in Eugene may not be indicative of the future results in Eugene or of the results in the other 17 Pietro's restaurants scheduled to be converted. "Nevertheless," said Motenko, "we are very encouraged by our experience thus far in Eugene."

The company also announced the sale, effective June 1, 1997, of its Pietro's unit in North Bend, Ore. Per Jerry Hennessy, president, "The restaurant in North Bend, which is located on the Oregon coast, was not contributing significantly to the bottom line, and was logistically difficult to access. We should be operationally more efficient from the elimination of this unit."

Chicago Pizza & Brewery is an operator of 28 casual dining restaurants, some of which incorporate brewpubs. Eight of the restaurants are located in Southern California, one is located in Lahaina, Maui, and one is located in Boulder, Colo. In 1996, the company acquired 19 restaurants in Oregon and Washington from Pietro's Corp. With the first conversion completed in April 1997, and one unit sold in June 1997, the remaining 17 restaurants, being operated as pizzerias under the Pietro's name, are awaiting conversion into brewpubs and casual dining restaurants to operate under the BJ's name.

The information presented herein contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. The company's results may differ significantly from the results indicated by such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, (i) the company's ability to manage growth and conversions, (ii) construction delays, (iii) restaurant and brewery industry competition and other such industry considerations, (iv) marketing and other limitations based on the company's historic concentration in Southern California and current concentration in the Northwest, (v) consumer trends, (vi) increased food costs and wages, including, without limitation, the recent increase in the minimum wage, and (vii) other general economic and regulatory conditions.

CONTACT: Chicago Pizza & Brewery Inc., Mission Viejo

Paul Motenko, 714/367-8616