The 20 highest-paid restaurant CEOs in 2017
By Jonathan Maze on May 16, 2018Which executives were paid the most in 2017? The largest companies typically paid their chief executives the largest total pay packages, including salaries, bonuses, stock and options, according to SEC filings.
But there were a few exceptions, especially among the best-paying companies. Read on to find out.
20. Richard Stockinger
The new CEO of Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana owner Fiesta Restaurant Group received a pay package with various sign-on bonuses and incentives that was valued at $3.4 million. That was well over double what was paid to his predecessor, Tim Taft, the year before.
19. Stephen King
The CEO of Dave & Buster’s was paid $3.5 million. That was up 0.5% over his 2016 pay. Dave & Buster’s stock was down 2%.
18. Denny Marie Post
In her first full year as CEO of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Post was paid $3.6 million.
17. John Miller
The Denny’s CEO received a 27% pay cut in 2017, when he was paid $3.8 million. Denny’s stock was up 3%.
16. Daniel Schwartz
The CEO of Burger King, Tim Hortons and Popeyes owner Restaurant Brands International was paid 33% less in 2017, when he was paid $4.2 million. RBI’s stock rose 29%, in part based on the acquisition of Popeyes.
15. Lenny Comma
The Jack in the Box CEO was paid $4.7 million. That was half the $9.4 million he received in 2016. Jack in the Box stock was down 12%, and the company sold the struggling Qdoba.
14. Wyman Roberts
The CEO of Chili’s owner Brinker International was paid $5.1 million, up 10% over 2016. Brinker’s stock was down 22% in 2017.
13. David Overton
The Cheesecake Factory CEO saw his pay fall 14% in 2017 to $5.1 million. Cheesecake’s stock fell 20% last year.
12. Nigel Travis
The CEO of Dunkin’ Donuts owner Dunkin’ Brands received $5.4 million, roughly flat compared with his pay in 2016. Dunkin’s stock rose 23% in 2017.
11. Sandra Cochran
Cracker Barrel’s CEO was given a $6.2 million pay package in 2017. That was down 6% from the year before. Cracker Barrel’s stock was down 5% in 2017.
10. Gene Lee
The CEO of Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse was paid $6.4 million in 2017, up 3.6% over 2016. Darden’s stock rose more than 32% last year.
9. Stephen Joyce
The new CEO of what is now Dine Brands Global received a total pay package of $7 million thanks largely to sign-on bonuses and performance incentives tied to his arrival at the owner of Applebee’s and IHOP.
8. Elizabeth Smith
The CEO of Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba’s owner Bloomin’ Brands received just over $7 million, a 35% increase over the year before. Bloomin’s stock was up 18% in 2017.
7. Patrick Doyle
In his last full year as CEO of Domino’s, Doyle actually received an 8% pay cut to $7.9 million. Domino’s stock rose 19%.
6. Sardar Biglari
The CEO of Biglari Holdings, owner of Steak ’n Shake, received $8.3 million in 2017. That was a substantial increase over the $900,000 he received as CEO the year before. Biglari Holdings stock declined 12% a year ago.
5. Kent Taylor
The founder of Texas Roadhouse was paid $8.7 million, up 3% from his 2016 pay. Texas Roadhouse stock rose more than 9% last year.
4. Steve Ells
The founder of Chipotle was paid $11.1 million in his final year as CEO. That was down 29% from his 2016 pay. Chipotle’s stock declined 23% last year.
3. Greg Creed
The CEO of Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut owner Yum Brands saw his pay package fall 20% to $12.4 million. Yum’s stock was up 29% in 2017.
2. Howard Schultz
Starbucks founder stepped down as CEO and was named executive chairman. He was still paid nearly $18 million, but that was down 17.5% from his 2016 package. Starbucks stock rose 3% in 2017.
1. Steve Easterbrook
The McDonald’s CEO was the highest-paid chief executive, with a total pay package of $21.8 million, up 42% over 2016. McDonald’s stock rose 41% last year.