El Pollo Loco Holdings Inc.

CEO and president

Total pay 2017: $711,864

Total pay 2016: $1.1 million

Percent change: -32.7%

Note: Sather retired from his positions as CEO and president and as a member of the board, in each case effective as of March 12, 2018. Bernard Acoca was named in February 2018 as his successor.

More details in SEC filing >>

BJ’s Restaurants Inc.

Title: CEO

Total pay 2017: $2.4 million

Total pay 2016: $2.9 million

Percent change: -17.5% 

More details in SEC filing >>

Papa John’s International Inc.

Title: former CEO*

Total pay 2017: $2.8 million

Total pay 2016: $3.5 million

Percent change: -22.2%

* On Dec. 21, 2017, Steve Ritchie was promoted Dec. 21 from president to CEO of Papa John’s International Inc., effective Jan. 1, 2018, succeeding Schnatter, who remains chairman.

More details in SEC filing >>

Wingstop Restaurants Inc.

CEO, president and chairman

Total pay 2017: $2.8 million

Total pay 2016: $1.4 million

Percent increase: +99.4%

More details in SEC filing >>

Ruth’s Hospitality Group Inc.

Title: CEO and chairman

Total pay 2017: $3 million

Total pay 2016*: $7.7 million

Percent change: -61.2%

*Included $5.9 million in stock awards

More details in SEC filing >>

Sonic Corp.

Title: CEO, president and chairman

Total pay 2017: $3.2 million

Total pay 2016: $3.4 million

Percent change: -8.4%

More details in SEC filing >>

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment Inc.

Title: CEO

Total pay 2017: $3.5 million

Total pay 2016: $3.5 million

Percent change: +0.5%

More details in SEC filing>>

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc.

CEO and president

Total pay 2017: $3.6 million

Total pay 2016*: $1.3 million

Percent change: +187.5%

*Post has been president since February 2016 and CEO since August 2016

More details in SEC filing >>

Denny’s Corp.

Title: CEO and president

Total pay 2017: $3.8 million

Total pay 2016: $5.2 million

Percent change: -26.6%

More details in SEC filing >> 

Restaurant Brands International Inc.

Title: CEO

Total pay 2017: $4.2 million

Total pay 2016: $6.2 million

Percent change: -32.7%

More details in SEC filing >>

Jack in the Box Inc.

Title: CEO and chairman

Total pay 2017: $4.7 million

Total pay 2016: $9.4 million

Percent change: -49.7%

Note: Jack in the Box completed the sale of 700-unit Qdoba to Apollo Global Management in a $305 million cash deal, ending the burger chain’s 15-year ownership of the fast-casual Mexican brand. 

More details in SEC filing >>

Brinker International Inc.

Title: CEO and president

Total pay 2017: $5.1 million

Total pay 2016: $4.6 million

Percent change: +10.2%

More details in SEC filing >>

The Cheesecake Factory Inc.

Title: CEO and chairman

Total pay 2017: $5.1 million

Total pay 2016: $6 million

Percent change: -14.4%

More details in SEC filing >>

Dunkin’ Brands Inc.

Title: CEO and chairman

Total pay 2017: $5.3 million

Total pay 2016: $5.4 million

Percent change: -0.1% 

More details in SEC filing >>

The Wendy’s Company

Title: CEO and president

Total pay 2017: $5.5 million

Total pay 2016: $5.1 million

Percent change: +6.9%

More details in SEC filing >>

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc.

Title: CEO and president

Total pay 2017: $6.2 million

Total pay 2016: $6.6 million

Percent change: -5.9%

More details in SEC filing >>

Texas Roadhouse Inc.

Title: CEO and chairman

Total pay 2017: $6.4 million

Total pay 2016: $6.7 million

Percent change: -4.6%

More details in SEC filing >>

Darden Restaurants Inc.

Title: CEO and president

Total pay 2017: $6.4 million

Total pay 2016: $6.1 million

Percent change: +3.6%

More details in SEC filing >>

Bloomin’ Brands Inc.

CEO and chairman

Total pay 2017: $7.4 million

Total pay 2016: $5.5 million

Percent change: +35.3

More details in SEC filing >>

Domino’s Pizza Inc.

Title: CEO and president

Total pay 2017: $7.9 million

Total pay 2016: $8.6 million

Percent change: -8.1%

Doyle announced Jan. 9 that he would step down on June 30. His successor as CEO will be Richard Allison, president of Domino's International.

More details in SEC filing >>

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.

Title: Executive chairman and former CEO

Total pay 2017*: $11.1 million

Total pay 2016: $15.7 million

Percent change: -29.4%

* On Nov. 28, 2017, Chipotle entered into an agreement to transition Ells to executive chairman of the board. Brian Niccol was named Chipotle’s new CEO, effective March 5, 2018.

More details in SEC filing >>

Starbucks Corp.

Title: CEO and president

Total pay 2017*: $11.5 million

Total pay 2016: $11.1 million

Percent change +3.8%

*In December 2016, Starbucks announced Johnson, then Starbucks' president and chief operating officer, would succeed Howard Schultz as CEO on April 3, 2017. 

More details in SEC filing >>

Yum! Brands Inc.

Title: CEO

Total pay 2017: $12.4 million

Total pay 2016: $15.4 million

Percent change: -19.6%

More details in SEC filing >>

McDonald’s Corp.

Title: CEO and president

Total pay 2017: $21.8 million

Total pay 2016: $15.4 million

Percent change: + 41.7%

More details in SEC filing >>