Andy Wiederhorn is back as CEO of Fat Brands.
Not that he necessarily left the company, but the driving force behind the operator of Fatburger, Fazoli’s, Johnny Rockets and other chains has taken back the role of chief executive officer two years after he ceded the title.
Wiederhorn handed the keys to two lieutenants, Ken Kuick and Rob Rosen. Wiederhorn’s son Taylor took over for Rosen in April and will now return to his position as Fat Brands’ chief development officer. Kuick will focus on his roles as CFO of Fat Brands and Twin Peaks.
Wiederhorn didn’t exactly go quietly. As chairman he continued to serve as the primary voice on earnings calls and to the media regarding various issues, including acquisitions and the spinoff last year of Twin Peaks.
“I am thrilled to step back into the CEO role, building on our momentum and delivering on our strategic priorities—organic expansion, targeted acquisitions, increasing our manufacturing facility’s capacity and focusing on our balance sheet,” Wiederhorn said in a statement.
Wiederhorn ceded the CEO title following news of the investigation by both the Department of Justice and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over $47 million in payments from Fat Brands to the Wiederhorn family.
After he stepped aside as CEO, Fat Brands replaced most of its board of directors with a new slate featuring several members of the family.
Fat Brands owns a controlling stake in Twin Peaks and several other brands, all acquired through acquisitions dating back to 2017, including Hot Dog on a Stick, Round Table Pizza, Great American Cookies, Smokey Bones, Round Table Pizza, Marble Slab Creamery, Native Grill & Wings, Pretzelmaker, Elevation Burger, Yalla Mediterranean, and Ponderosa and Bonanza.
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