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CEO, Famous Dave’s of America Inc.
2018 pay: $320,096
2017 pay: $268,892
Year-over-year % change: +19.0%
CEO and president, Fiesta Restaurant Group Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $550,000
Total 2017 pay: $3.4 million
Year-over-year % change: -84.0%
CEO and president, Luby’s Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $783,562
Total 2017 pay: $484,008
Year-over-year % change: +61.9%
CEO and chairman, Biglari Holdings Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $900,000
Total 2017 pay: $8.3 million
Year-over-year % change: -89.1%
CEO and president, Chuy’s Holdings Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $1.4 million
Total 2017 pay: $1.3 million
Year-over-year % change: +7.8%
CEO and chairman, Texas Roadhouse Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $1.4 million
Total 2017 pay: $8.6 million
Year-over-year % change: -84.1%
CEO and president, Habit Restaurants Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $1.5 million
Total 2017 pay: $1.6 million
Year-over-year % change: -5.3%
CEO, Potbelly Corp.
Total 2018 pay: $1.7 million
Total 2017 pay: $2.0 million
Year-over-year % change: -18.1%
CEO, Noodles & Company Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $1.9 million
Total 2017 pay: $931,895
Year-over-year % change: +100.8%
CEO, Dine Brands Global Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $2.6 million
Total 2017 pay: $7.0 million
Year-over-year % change: -63.3%
CEO and president, El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc.
Total 2018 pay*: $3.0 million
Total 2017 pay: N/A
Year-over-year % change: N/A
*Bernard Acoca assumed the CEO post March 12, 2018, with the retirement of Stephen Sather.
CEO and president, Del Taco Restaurants Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $3.0 million
Total 2017 pay: $1.7 million
Year-over-year % change: +72.2%
CEO and president, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $3.1 million
Total 2017 pay: $3.6 million
Year-over-year % change: -14.1%
Note: Denny Marie Post retired in April 2019; chair Pattye Moore was named interim CEO.
CEO and president, Del Frisco's Restaurant Group Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $3.6 million
Total 2017 pay: $2.5 million
Year-over-year % change: +44.8%
Note: Del Frisco’s entered into a deal, valued at about $650 million, on June 24 to be sold to private-equity firm L Catterton.
CEO, BJ's Restaurants Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $3.7 million
Total 2017 pay: $2.4 million
Year-over-year % change: +53.8%
CEO, Shake Shack Inc.
Total 2018 pay*: $3.8 million
Total 2017 pay: $1.1 million
Year-over-year % change: +254.3%
*Randy Garutti’s total 2018 compensation included a $2.5 million special bonus.
CEO and president, Denny's Corp.
Total 2018 pay: $4.0 million
Total 2017 pay: $3.8 million
Year-over-year % change: +5.1%
CEO (former CFO), Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc.
Total 2018 pay*: $4.1 million
Total 2017 pay: $2.2 million
Year-over-year % change: +87.8%
*Chief financial officer Brian Jenkins assumed the CEO post Aug. 5, 2018, with the retirement of Steven King.
CEO, president and chairman, Wingstop Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $4.5 million
Total 2017 pay: $2.8 million
Year-over-year % change: +61.7%
CEO and president, Dunkin Brands Group Inc.
Total 2018 pay*: $4.8 million
Total 2017 pay: $4.1 million
Year-over-year % change: +19.1%
*David Hoffmann assumed the CEO post July 11, 2018, succeeding Nigel Travis.
CEO and chairman, Jack in the Box Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $5.0 million
Total 2017 pay: $4.7 million
Year-over-year % change: +6.2%
CEO and president, The Wendy's Co.
Total 2018 pay: $5.6 million
Total 2017 pay: $5.5 million
Year-over-year % change: +2.7%
CEO and president, Papa John's International Inc.
Total 2018 pay*: $5.7 million
Total 2017 pay: $2.3 million
Year-over-year % change: +149.3%
*Steve Ritchie assumed the CEO post Jan. 1, 2018.
CEO and president, Ruth's Hospitality Group Inc.
Total 2018 pay*: $6.1 million
Total 2017 pay: $1.4 million
Year-over-year % change: +326.9%
*Cheryl Henry assumed the CEO post Aug. 10, 2018, succeeding Michael O’Donnell.
CEO and president, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $6.2 million
Total 2017 pay: $6.2 million
Year-over-year % change: +0.4%
CEO and chairman, The Cheesecake Factory Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $6.3 million
Total 2017 pay: $5.1 million
Year-over-year % change: +22.2%
CEO and president, Brinker International Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $6.8 million
Total 2017 pay: $5.1 million
Year-over-year % change: +33.6%
CEO and chairman, Bloomin' Brands Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $7.2 million
Total 2017 pay: $7.4 million
Year-over-year % change: -3.1%
Note: In April 2019, Bloomin’ Brands Inc. named David Deno CEO; Elizabeth Smith was named executive chairman.
CEO, Domino's Pizza Inc.
Total 2018 pay*: $9.1 million
Total 2017 pay: $2.2 million
Year-over-year % change: +312.9%
*Richard Allison Jr. assumed the CEO post July 1, 2018, succeeding Patrick Doyle.
CEO and president, Starbucks Corp.
Total 2018 pay: $13.4 million
Total 2017 pay: 14.4 million
Year-over-year % change: -6.9%
CEO, Yum Brands Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $14.0 million
Total 2017 pay: $12.4 million
Year-over-year % change: +13.2%
CEO and president Darden Restaurants Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $15.8 million
Total 2017 pay: $6.4 million
Year-over-year % change: +147.9%
CEO and president, McDonald’s Corp.
Total 2018 pay: $15.9 million
Total 2017 pay: $21.8 million
Year-over-year % change: -27.0%
CEO, Restaurant Brands International Inc.
Total 2018 pay: $18.8 million
Total 2017 pay: $4.2 million
Year-over-year % change: +352.4%
CEO, Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.
Total 2018 pay*: $33.5 million
Total 2017 pay: N/A
Year-over-year % change: N/A
*Brian Niccol assumed the CEO post in March 2018.
