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See how much restaurant CEOs made in 2019See how much restaurant CEOs made in 2019

Total CEO compensation for 28 publicly traded restaurant companies and the pay ratio compared with median employee salaries

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

September 2, 2020

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restaurant CEOs made in 2019

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Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, CEOs at 28 publicly traded restaurant companies were earning up to $20 million in 2019. Since then, many executives have taken pay cuts, some of which have since been restored.

In this gallery, see how much restaurant CEOs earned in 2019, as well as how much they made the year prior. Many restaurant companies saw leadership changes last year, and in those cases you can see the previous leader’s compensation as well.

Compensation totals include salary, stock awards, option awards, incentive pay and other compensation.

The CEO pay ratio, also included, is calculated by the company and is based on a comparison of total executive pay with the salary of the “median employee,” or salary for which half of workers make more and half make less. The median salary often includes part-time workers and a variety of factors. Methodologies vary.

Companies here are in order of NRN’s Top 200 data, where restaurant chains are ranked by U.S. systemwide sales in 2019. Companies with more than one restaurant chain are here ordered according to the chain with the highest sales.

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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