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How much did the top quick-service CEOs make last year?How much did the top quick-service CEOs make last year?

Highest-paid exec surges to the No. 1 spot on big stock incentives

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

August 26, 2019

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The list of highest-paid quick-service CEOs saw a new No. 1 as the parent companies of two major burger brands jostled for the top spot. Executives from the largest pizza and coffee brands joined the list as well. Total 2018 compensation for these 12 leaders ranged from $900,000 to nearly $19 million.

For its annual executive salary survey, NRN reviewed Securities and Exchange Comission filings to compile 2018 pay for CEOs at public restaurant companies in the NRN Top 200. This report looks at the total compensation each person received from a given company for 2018 and 2017. Executives who did not serve as CEO for the full year are noted, and figures may include some compensation for earlier non-CEO roles. This salary survey starts low and works up to last year’s highest-paid executive.

Here’s what CEOs leading the largest QSR brands made last year.

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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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