Cashing in
How do top executives in the casual-dining stock market stack up?
FSR looked back at each company’s fiscal 2020 to see how these CEOs compare when it comes to base salary, bonuses, stock awards, and other compensation.
All data was accessed from publicly available SEC filings.
Note: This list only includes full-service restaurants.
Gene Lee, Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse)
Base salary: $829,760
Bonus: $1,916,154
Stock awards: $3,914,767
Option awards: $1,268,902
All other compensation: $759,124
Total: $8,688,707
MORE: Takeout and Curbside Customers Stick Around at Darden
Sandy Cochran, Cracker Barrel
Base salary: $982,292
Restricted stock/restricted stock unit awards: $4,265,425
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $718,750
All other compensation: $249,974
Total: $6,216,441
MORE: Some Cracker Barrel Stores Face ‘Critical’ Labor Battle
David Overton, The Cheesecake Factory
Base salary: $914,635
Bonus: $109,450
Restricted stock/unit awards: $2,250,968
Option awards: $2,245,964
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $273,625
All other compensation: $119,395
Total: $5,914,037
MORE: The Cheesecake Factory Flexes Off-Premises Muscles
Wyman Roberts, Brinker International (Chili’s, Maggiano’s)
Base salary: $923,077
Stock awards: $2,849,933
Option awards: $949,992
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $1,093,800
All other compensation: $67,148
Total: $5,883,950
MORE: Chili’s Latest Brand, Maggiano’s Italian Classics, Preps for Growth
David Deno, Bloomin’ Brands (Outback)
Base salary: $695,597
Stock awards: $3,600,036
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $1,271,700
All other compensation: $9,651
Total: $5,576,984
MORE: Outback Steakhouse’s Digital Evolution, and the Amazon Effect on Restaurants
John Miller, Denny’s
Base salary: $815,386
Stock awards: $3,981,133
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $520,787
All other compensation: $22,934
Total: $5,340,240
MORE: Denny’s Claws Back to Pre-COVID Sales with More 24/7 Operations
Paul Murphy, Red Robin
Base salary: $806,539
Bonus: $387,000
Stock awards: $2,249,992
Option awards: $749,997
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $108,000
All other compensation: $17,976
Total: $4,319,504
MORE: Red Robin’s Sales Recovery Hampered by Labor Shortages
Kent Taylor, Texas Roadhouse
Base salary: $121,154
Grant date fair value of stock awards: $3,358,800
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $7,213
All other compensation: $133,772
Total: $3,620,939
Note: Taylor passed away in March at the age of 65. Here is a look back at his legendary journey, and how he turned Texas Roadhouse into one of America’s most-admired brands.
Brian Jenkins, Dave & Buster’s
Base salary: $690,000
Stock awards: $2,539,146
All other compensation: : $31,800
Total: $3,260,946
MORE: CEO: Dave & Buster’s is Back and Stronger than Ever
Cheryl Henry, Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Base salary: $750,000
Stock awards: $1,096,972
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $633,750
All other compensation: $62,147
Total: $2,542,869
MORE: Ruth’s Chris Capitalizes on the ‘Pent-Up Celebratory Occasion’
Greg Trojan, BJ’s Restaurants
Base salary: $805,136
Stock awards: $1,069,905
Option awards: $500,260
All other compensation: $45,503
Total: $2,420,804
MORE: Labor Shortage Hampers BJ’s Growth Trajectory
Note: Greg Trojan announced his retirement in July. Greg Levin began as CEO in September.
Stephen Joyce, Dine Brands (IHOP, Applebee’s)
Base salary: $1 million
Bonus: $500,000
All other compensation: $311,131
Total: $1,811,131
MORE: Applebee’s Meets the ‘Reinvention of the Guest Experience’ Head On
Note: Stephen Joyce left Dine Brands at the end of 2020. Current CEO John Peyton began his tenure in January.
Steve Hislop, Chuy’s
Base salary: $662,745
Bonus: $282,993
Stock awards: $497,051
Non-equity incentive plan compensation: $48,380
All other compensation: $8,327
Total compensation: $1,499,496
MORE: Unlike Competitors, Chuy’s Isn’t Raising Prices
Jeff Crivello, BBQ Holdings (Famous Dave’s)
Base salary: $259,615
Bonus: $120,000
Stock awards: $800,497
All other compensation: $3,942
Total: $1,184,055
MORE: Famous Dave’s Sales Continue to Beat Pre-COVID Levels
Manny Hilario, The ONE Group Hospitality (STK, Kona Grill)
Base salary: $466,406
Stock awards: $399,125
Non equity incentive plan compensation: $193,750
Other: $9,615
Total: $1,068,896
MORE: STK, Kona Grill Skyrocket Past Pre-Pandemic Marks
Mark Parkey, J. Alexander’s
Base salary: $400,000
All other compensation: $208,370
Total: $608,370
MORE: Logan’s Roadhouse Parent to Buy J. Alexander’s for $220 Million
Jimmy Uba, Kura Sushi USA
Salary: $323,000
Option awards: $56,474
All other compensation: $12,376
Total: $391,850
MORE: Kura Sushi Overcomes COVID, Races to Record Unit Growth
Brandon Solano, RAVE Restaurant Group (Pizza Inn, Pie Five)
Base salary: $230,252
Bonus: $90,257
Total: $320,509
MORE: Pizza Inn Continues to Experience COVID Difficulties