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United States

Table of ContentsSecurities and Exchange Commission

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

SCHEDULE 14AP

Proxyroxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )______________________)

Filed by the Registrantý


Filed by a Party other than the Registranto


Check the appropriate box:


o



Preliminary Proxy Statement


o



Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))


ý



Definitive Proxy Statement


o



Definitive Additional Materials


o



Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12


Texas Roadhouse, Inc.


(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)



(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):


Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ý



No fee required.


o


Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.


Fee computed on table belowin exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

(1)Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2)Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3)Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4)Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5)Total fee paid:

o


Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

o


Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.



(1)


Amount Previously Paid:
(2)Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3)Filing Party:
(4)Date Filed:



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Logo, company name

Description automatically generated

LOGO

April 3, 2020
1, 2022

To our Shareholders:

You are cordially invited to attend the 20202022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (the “Company”) on Thursday, May 14, 2020.12, 2022. The meeting will be held at the Texas Roadhouse Support Center located at 6040 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville, Kentucky at 9:00 a.m. eastern daylight time.

The official Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, and Proxy Card are enclosed with this letter.

Please take the time to read carefully each of the proposals for shareholder action described in the accompanying proxy materials. Whether or not you plan to attend, you can ensure that your shares are represented at the meeting by promptly completing, signing and dating your proxy card and returning it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. Shareholders of record can also vote by touch-tone telephone from the United States, using the toll-free number on the proxy card, or by the Internet, using the instructions on the proxy card. If you attend the meeting, then you may revoke your proxy and vote your shares in person.

Your interest and participation in the affairs of the Company are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,




GRAPHIC

Graphic

Gerald L. Morgan

W. Kent Taylor

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President



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TEXAS ROADHOUSE, INC.

6040 Dutchmans Lane

Louisville, Kentucky 40205

NOTICE OF 20202022 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD MAY 14, 202012, 2022

To theour Shareholders:

The 20202022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting"Annual Meeting) of Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (the "Company"Company) will be held at the Texas Roadhouse Support Center located at 6040 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville, Kentucky on Thursday, May 14, 202012, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. eastern daylight time.

At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to:

ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company'sCompany’s independent auditors;

auditors for the Company’s 2022 fiscal year;

hold an advisory vote on executive compensation; and

transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.Annual Meeting.

A Proxy Statement describing matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting is attached to this notice. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 16, 202014, 2022 are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.

By Order of the Board of Directors,




GRAPHIC

Graphic

Christopher C. Colson

Corporate Secretary

Louisville, Kentucky

April 3, 20201, 2022

IMPORTANT
IMPORTANT:

WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR VOTE BY USING ONE OF THE VOTING METHODS DESCRIBED IN THE ATTACHED MATERIALS. IF YOU ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, THEN YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY AND VOTE YOUR SHARES IN PERSON.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE 20202022 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 14, 2020: 12, 2022: Our Annual Report containing our Proxy Statement related to our 20202022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended on December 31, 201928, 2021 is available on our website atwww.texasroadhouse.comwww.texasroadhouse.com in the Investors section.



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PROXY STATEMENT
2020

2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD MAY 14, 202012, 2022

TEXAS ROADHOUSE, INC.

6040 Dutchmans Lane

Louisville, Kentucky 40205



This proxy statement and accompanying proxy card are being furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the board of directors (the "Board"Board) of Texas Roadhouse, Inc., a Delaware corporation, to be voted at the 20202022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting"Annual Meeting) and any adjournments thereof. In this proxy statement, references to the "Company," "we," "us"Company,” “we,” “us or "our"our refer to Texas Roadhouse, Inc. This proxy statement and accompanying proxy card are first being mailed to shareholders on or about April 3, 2020.1, 2022.

The Annual Meeting will be held at the Texas Roadhouse Support Center located at 6040 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville, Kentucky on Thursday, May 14, 202012, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. eastern daylight time, for the purposes set forth in this proxy statement and the accompanying notice of the Annual Meeting.


SUMMARY OF MATTERS REQUIRING SHAREHOLDER ACTION

Proposal 1—Election of Directors

The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the Company'sCompany’s common stock present in person or represented by proxy is required to elect each nominee. Election by a plurality means that the director nominee with the most votes for the available slot is elected for that slot. You may vote "FOR"FOR each nominee or you may "WITHHOLD AUTHORITY"WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for each nominee. Unless you "WITHHOLD AUTHORITY"WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for a nominee, your proxy will be voted "FOR"FOR the election of the individuals nominated as directors.

Our Board has adopted a majority voting policy for uncontested director elections. Under this policy, any nominee who receives fewer "FOR"FOR votes than "WITHHOLD"WITHHOLD votes is required to offer his or her resignation. Our nominating and corporate governance committee would then consider the offer of resignation and make a recommendation to our independent directors as to the action to be taken with respect to the offer.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "The Board recommends that you vote “FOR" THE NOMINEES.” the nominees.

Proposal 2—Ratification of Independent Auditors

The proposal to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company'sCompany’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 29, 202027, 2022 must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote. You may vote "FOR"FOR or "AGAINST"AGAINST the ratification, or you may "ABSTAIN"ABSTAIN from voting on this proposal. A vote to "ABSTAIN"ABSTAIN will have the same effect as a vote "AGAINST"AGAINST this proposal.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "The Board recommends that you vote “FOR" THIS PROPOSAL.” this proposal.

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Proposal 3—Advisory Vote on Approval of Executive Compensation

The outcome of the advisory vote on whether to approve the executive compensation detailed in this proxy statement (including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Executive Compensation section and the other related executive compensation tables and related discussions) will be determined by


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the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote. You may vote "FOR"FOR or "AGAINST"AGAINST approval of the executive compensation, or you may "ABSTAIN"ABSTAIN from voting on this proposal. A vote to "ABSTAIN"ABSTAIN will have the same effect as a vote "AGAINST"AGAINST approval of the executive compensation.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "The Board recommends that you vote “FOR" THIS PROPOSAL.” this proposal.

Other Matters

As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board knows of no matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting other than those matters discussed in this proxy statement. If any other matters should properly come before the Annual Meeting and call for a vote of shareholders, then validly executed proxies in the enclosed form returned to us will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Board, or, in the absence of such a recommendation, in accordance with the judgment of the proxy holders. Any such additional matter must be approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.


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INFORMATION ABOUT PROXIES AND VOTING

Record Date and Voting Securities

The Board has fixed the record date (the "Record Date"Record Date) for the Annual Meeting as the close of business on March 16, 2020.14, 2022. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. At the close of business on the Record Date, there were outstanding 69,355,08569,119,769 shares of common stock, each of which is entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting.

The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Shares of common stock represented by properly executed proxies received before the close of voting at the Annual Meeting will be voted as directed by such shareholders, unless revoked as described below.

Revocability of Proxies

A shareholder who completes and returns the proxy card that accompanies this proxy statement may revoke that proxy at any time before the closing of the polls at the Annual Meeting. A shareholder may revoke a proxy by voting at a later date by one of the methods described on the proxy card or by filing a written notice of revocation with, or by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to, Christopher C. Colson, the Corporate Secretary of the Company, at the Company'sCompany’s main office address located at 6040 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville, Kentucky 40205 at any time before the Annual Meeting. Shareholders may also revoke proxies by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to the inspector of election at the Annual Meeting before the close of voting or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. You may attend the Annual Meeting even though you have executed a proxy, but your presence at the Annual Meeting will not automatically revoke your proxy.

Solicitation of Proxies

The cost of solicitation of proxies being solicited on behalf of the Board will be borne by us. In addition to solicitation by mail, proxies may be solicited personally, by telephone or by other means by our directors, officers or employees, who receive no additional compensation for these solicitation activities. We will, upon request, reimburse brokerage houses and persons holding common stock in the names of their nominees for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in sending materials to their principals.

Other Voting Considerations

Broker Non-Votes.  Under rules of the New York Stock Exchange, matters subject to shareholder vote are classified as "routine"“routine” or "non-routine."“non-routine.” In the case of routine matters, brokers may vote shares held in "street name"“street name” in their discretion if they have not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. In the case of non-routine matters, brokers may not vote shares unless they have received voting instructions from the beneficial owner ("(“broker non-votes"non-votes); therefore, it is important that you complete and return your proxy early so that your vote may be recorded.

The election of directors (Proposal 1) is a non-routine matter under the applicable rules so broker non-votes may occur. However, broker non-votes do not count as shares entitled to vote. Because the election is decided by a plurality of shares present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, and because our majority voting policy for directors only considers "FOR"FOR votes and "WITHHOLD"WITHHOLD votes, any broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of this proposal.

The ratification of the appointment of the Company'sCompany’s independent auditors (Proposal 2) is a routine matter under the applicable rules so broker non-votes should not occur. In addition, because this matter is routine and brokers may vote as stated above, the number of votes cast, plus the number of abstentions, on Proposal 2 will be used to establish whether a quorum is present.


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The advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation (Proposal 3) and any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting are also non-routine matters under the applicable rules so broker non-votes may

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occur. Because broker non-votes do not count as shares entitled to vote, they do not affect the outcome of the vote on Proposal 3.

Abstentions.Abstentions will be counted for purposes of calculating whether a quorum is present. The effect of an abstention on each proposal where "ABSTAIN"ABSTAIN is a voting choice is discussed above.

Executed but Unmarked Proxies.If no instructions are given, then shares represented by properly executed but unmarked proxies will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of the Board, or, in the absence of such a recommendation, in accordance with the judgment of the proxy holders.


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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND OUR BOARD

Director Summaries

2021 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OVERVIEW

The following is an executive summary of our corporate governance activities for our 2021 fiscal year:

Meetings

We held 37 meetings of the Board and applicable committees comprised of (i) 8 meetings of the Board, (ii) 15 meetings of the audit committee, (iii) 8 meetings of the compensation committee, and (iv) 6 meetings of the nominating and corporate governance committee.

New Board Members

We welcomed 2 new members to the Board during our 2021 fiscal year. Gerald L. Morgan, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President, was appointed to the Board on June 15, 2021 and Donna E. Epps, an independent director, was appointed to the Board on October 1, 2021.

Board Composition

The Board consists of seven directors – six of which are independent, as that term is defined in the listing standards under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2) and meet the criteria for independence under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The following is a breakdown of committee membership and leadership:

1)
Chairman of the Board:  Gregory N. Moore

2)
Audit Committee:  Gregory N. Moore (Chair); Michael A. Crawford; Donna E. Epps; Curtis A. Warfield;  Kathleen M. Widmer; and James R. Zarley

3)
Compensation Committee:   James R. Zarley (Chair); Michael A. Crawford; Donna E. Epps; Gregory N. Moore; Curtis A. Warfield; and Kathleen M. Widmer

4)
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee:  Curtis A. Warfield (Chair); Michael A. Crawford; Donna E. Epps; Gregory N. Moore; Kathleen M. Widmer; and James R. Zarley

Compensation Philosophy

With respect to each non-employee director’s 2021 fiscal year service, each non-employee director received a fixed cash amount for serving on the Board, together with additional compensation relating to leadership positions on the Board and/or on any Board committee as well as meeting attendance. Additionally, each non-employee director received an annual grant of service based restricted stock units equal to $185,000 divided by the closing sales price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the grant, with such quotient rounded up or down to the nearest 100 shares.

Similar to our compensation philosophy for our executive officers, we believe that issuing service based restricted stock units to our non-employee directors aligns their interests with those of our shareholders. Specifically, since the bulk of each non-employee director’s compensation lies in the value of the service based restricted stock units granted, the non-employee directors are motivated to continually improve the Company’s performance in the hope that the performance will be reflected by the stock price on the vesting date of their service based restricted stock units. Moreover, we believe that the service based restricted stock unit awards drive director alignment with maximizing shareholder value because the value of the service based restricted stock units varies in response to investor sentiment regarding overall Company performance at the time of vesting.

Cap on Total Compensation

The total compensation for any non-employee director may not exceed $500,000, which amount shall be calculated by adding (i) the total cash compensation to be paid for services rendered by a non-employee director in any given fiscal year to, (ii) the grant date value of any equity granted to such non-employee director in that fiscal year.  This cap on Board total compensation is included in the Company’s 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

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Director Summaries

Michael A. Crawford

Business Experience:

​ ​ 

Director Since: 2020

2005
Age:

Age: 70

54

Board Committees / Leadership:

Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee

Public Boards:

Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: HOFV)

Mr. Crawford is currently serving as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer for Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: HOFV) and its subsidiaries, including Hall of Fame Village powered by Johnson Controls, which he joined in December 2018.  Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company is a sports, entertainment, and media enterprise headquartered in Canton, Ohio which was established in 2020 as a result of a merger between HOF Village, LLC, a partnership between the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Industrial Realty Group (IRG) which began in 2016 and Gordon Pointe (GPAQ) Acquisition Corp. From 2014 to 2018, Mr. Crawford held numerous executive positions with the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Company, starting as the President of Asia Pacific and subsequently becoming Global President of Portfolio Management. While at Four Seasons, he was responsible for business and capital planning, along with the design and construction of all new Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts worldwide. Prior to Four Seasons, Mr. Crawford spent almost 25 years at the Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) where he rose to Senior Vice President and General Manager of Shanghai Disney Resort and President of Shanghai’s Walt Disney Holdings Company. 

Reason for Nomination:

Mr. Crawford is being nominated as a non-employee director because of his chief executive experience, his hospitality and international experience, and his strategic planning experience. As a result of these and other professional experiences, Mr. Crawford possesses particular knowledge and experience that strengthens the Board’s collective qualifications, skills, and experience.

Donna E. Epps

Business Experience:

Director Since: 2020


Age:
57

Board Committees / Leadership:

Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee

Public Boards:

Saia, Inc. 

(NASDAQ: SAIA) Texas Pacific Land Corporation

(NYSE: TPL)

Ms. Epps is a certified public accountant who previously served in various capacities at Deloitte LLP for over 31 years, including over 17 years of focus on providing attest services to private and public companies across industries including distribution, commercial and industrial products, energy, technology, and telecommunications. Following her retirement from Deloitte in 2017, Ms. Epps now serves as an independent director for Saia, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAIA), a transportation company providing regional and inter-regional, less than truckload services in 43 states, where she is a member of the Audit Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Ms. Epps also serves as an independent director for Texas Pacific Land Corporation (NYSE: TPL), one of the largest landowners in the state of Texas with approximately 900,000 acres of land located in 19 counties of West Texas, where she serves as Audit Committee Chairperson and is a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Reason for Nomination:

Ms. Epps is being nominated as a non-employee director because of her extensive audit, risk, financial and accounting experience and her extensive board experience. As a result, Ms. Epps possesses particular knowledge and experience that strengthens the Board’s collective qualifications, skills and experience.

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Gregory N. Moore

Business Experience:

Director Since: 2005

Age: 72

Board Committees / Leadership:

Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee; Independent Lead director and International Liaison;Chairman of the Board; Chairperson of Audit Committee and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee

Public Boards:
None

Newegg Commerce, Inc. (NASDAQ: NEGG)









Mr. Moore served as the Senior Vice President and Controller of Yum! Brands, Inc. until he retired in 2005. Yum! Brands is the worldwide parent company of Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut. Prior to becoming Yum! Brands'Brands’ Controller, Mr. Moore was the Vice President and General Auditor of Yum! Brands. Before that, he was with PepsiCo, Inc. and held the position of Vice President, Controller of Taco Bell and Controller of PepsiCo Wines & Spirits International, a division of PepsiCola International. Before joining PepsiCo, he was an Audit Manager with Arthur Young & Company in its New York, New York and Stamford, Connecticut offices. Mr. Moore is a certified public accountant in the States of New York and California. In July 2011, Mr. Moore joined the board of Newegg Commerce, Inc. (NASDAQ: NEGG), a privately heldan on-line retailer specializing in computer and computer-related equipment and serves as the chairChair of both the auditAudit Committee, and compensation committees. Mr. Moore also serves on both of the board of EF&TRH Restaurants (HK) Holding Limited, a Texas Roadhouse, Inc. joint-venture in China.

Nominating and Corporate Governance and Compensation Committees.

​ ​ 
​  

Reason for Nomination:

Mr. Moore is being nominated as a non-employee director because of his extensive financial, accounting, and international experience as well as his experience in the restaurant industry. As a result of these and other professional experiences, Mr. Moore possesses particular knowledge and experience that strengthens the Board'sBoard’s collective qualifications, skills, and experience.

​ ​ 


Gerald L. Morgan

Business Experience:

W. Kent Taylor

Business Experience:
​ ​ 
Director Since: 2021

2004
Age:

Age: 64

61

Board Committees / Leadership:
Chairman of the Board; Company's Chairman,

Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President

Public Boards:
None

None.









Mr. TaylorMorgan is our founder, Chairman,a 24-year veteran of Texas Roadhouse and has 35 years of total foodservice experience, including with Bennigan’s and Burger King. His career with Texas Roadhouse began in 1997 as Managing Partner in Grand Prairie, Texas, which was store number 26 and the first in Texas. Mr. Morgan was named Managing Partner of the Year in 2001, which is the company’s highest recognition. Mr. Morgan was promoted to Market Partner in 2001, where he oversaw and grew operations in Texas and Oklahoma. In 2014, Mr. Morgan was awarded the Texas Roadhouse Legends Award at the Company’s Managing Partner Conference. The following year, he was promoted to Regional Market Partner. Mr. Morgan was named President of Texas Roadhouse in 2020 and Chief Executive Officer a position he resumed in August 2011. Mr. Taylor previously served as Chief Executive Officer from 2000 until 2004, at which time Mr. Taylor became Chairman of the Company, an executive position. Additionally, Mr. Taylor assumed the position of President of the Company on June 24, 2019, a position he previously served as from 1993 until 2000. Before his founding of our concept in 1993, Mr. Taylor founded and co-owned Buckhead Bar and Grill in Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Taylor previously served on the Board of Directors of Papa John's International, Inc. (Nasdaq: PZZA) from 2011 until 2018.

2021.

​ ​ 
​  

Reason for Nomination:

Mr. TaylorMorgan is being nominated as an employeeexecutive director because of his chief executive experience,role as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, his knowledge of the restaurant industry and his intimatein-depth knowledge of the Company as its founder.Company. As a result of these and other professional experiences, Mr. TaylorMorgan possesses particular knowledge and experience that strengthens the Board'sBoard’s collective qualifications, skills, and experience.

​ ​ 


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Curtis A. Warfield

Business Experience:

​ ​ 

Director Since: 2018

2018
Age:

Age: 51

53

Board Committees / Leadership:

Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee; Chairperson of Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee

Public Boards:
None

Talkspace, Inc.

(NASDAQ: TALK)









Mr. Warfield is a certified public accountant and is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Windham Advisors LLC, a managementprivate equity and strategic advisory firm that offers innovative business solutions for companies in the technology, healthcare, BPO (business process outsourcing) and insuranceother industries. He served as part of the senior leadership team of Anthem, Inc. (NYSE: ANTM), one of the nation'snation’s largest health insurers with over $100 billion in revenues from 2017 to 2019.  As a senior executive at HCA, the largest healthcare provider in the country, from 1997 to 2016 he served in a variety of roles. He began as the Chief Financial Officer of the Columbia Healthcare Network with a majority of his tenure serving as the Chief Executive Officer of NPAS, a healthcare services company.

In 2020, Mr. Warfield joined the board of Talkspace, Inc. (NASDAQ: TALK), an online and mobile company which offers mental health treatment services. Mr. Warfield also joined the board of OneOncology, a company that invests in and collaborates with community oncology practices and serves as Chair of the Audit Committee.

​ ​ 
​  

Reason for Nomination:

Mr. Warfield is being nominated as a non-employee director because of his extensive financial and accounting experience, his executive management experience, and his information technology experience. As a result of these and other professional experiences, Mr. Warfield possesses particular knowledge and experience that strengthens the Board'sBoard’s collective qualifications, skills, and experience.

​ ​ 


Kathleen M. Widmer

Business Experience:

​ ​ 

Director Since: 2013

2013
Age:

Age: 58

60

Board Committees / Leadership:

Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee

Public Boards:
None

None.









Ms. Widmer is the Company Group Chairman for Consumer North America and Latin America with Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health (NYSE: JNJ), a position she has held since December 2018. Prior to this position, she served as the President of the Johnson & Johnson Consumer OTC division, which provides healthcare solutions through well-known and trusted over-the-counter medicines and products, a position she held from August 2015. She was previously with Johnson & Johnson for 21 years, until 2009, where she held numerous positions, including serving as Vice President, Marketing, McNeil Consumer Healthcare. Prior to re-joining Johnson & Johnson, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Elizabeth Arden, Inc. (NASDAQ: RDEN), from 2009 to 2015, and was responsible for the global growth strategy and marketing execution of the Elizabeth Arden Brand. In 2017, she was appointed to the board of directors for the Wounded Warrior Project. She is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.New York, and served for five years as a U.S. Army officer.

​ ​ 
​  

Reason for Nomination:

Ms. Widmer is being nominated as a non-employee director because of her executive management experience, her extensive marketing experience in the retail sector, and her knowledge of the global retail industry. As a result of these and other professional experiences, Ms. Widmer possesses particular knowledge and experience that strengthens the Board'sBoard’s collective qualifications, skills, and experience.

​ ​ 


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James R. Zarley

Business Experience:

​ ​ 

Director Since: 2004

2004
Age:

Age: 75

76

Board Committees / Leadership:

Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee; Chairperson of Compensation Committee

Public Boards:
None

None.









Mr. Zarley has served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Conversant, a single-source provider of media, technology and services across major interactive marketing channels which previously operated under the name ValueClick, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNVF), and was a member of Conversant'sConversant’s board of directors from 1999 until his retirement in 2014. Mr. Zarley shaped the company into a global leader in online marketing solutions. Prior to joining Conversant, Mr. Zarley was chief operating officerChief Operating Officer of Hiway Technologies, where he was a leading member of the management team that closed the merger with Verio in 1999. Prior to that, Mr. Zarley was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Best Internet until it merged with Hiway Technologies in 1998. Mr. Zarley also founded and later sold Quantech Information Services, now an ADP company. In addition, he spent 19 years at RCA in various senior management roles. Currently, he serves on the board of directors of several private companies.

​ ​ 
​  

Reason for Nomination:

Mr. Zarley is being nominated as a non-employee director because of his chief executive and information technology experience in a developing industry,industries, his technology experience, and his transactional experience. As a result of these and other professional experiences, Mr. Zarley possesses particular knowledge and experience that strengthens the Board'sBoard’s collective qualifications, skills, and experience.

​ ​ 

Meetings of the Board

The Board met on eight occasions and its standing committees (audit committee, compensation committee, and nominating and corporate governance committee) met on 2429 occasions during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.28, 2021. Each incumbent director attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and its committees on which such director served during his or her period of service. In addition, the Company expects all members of the Board to attend the Annual Meeting. All incumbent directors attended the 20192021 annual meeting. Four regular Board meetings are currently scheduled for the 20202022 fiscal year. Executive sessions of non-employee directors, without management directors or employees present, are typically scheduled in conjunction with each regularly scheduled Board meeting. The role of each standing committee is more fully discusseddescribed below.

Leadership Structure of the Board and Role of the Board in Risk Oversight

Leadership Structure.The Board currently includes fourconsists of six independent directors and one employee director,executive director. Following the passing of W. Kent Taylor, the Company’s founder, and then Chairman of the positions of ChairmanBoard and Chief Executive Officer are occupied byof the same individual. As noted above, Mr. Taylor wasCompany, the Board named Gregory N. Moore as Chairman of the Board on March 19, 2021. Mr. Moore joined the Board in recognition2005 following the Company’s initial public offering in 2004. Until his appointment as Chairman of his founding and continuing leadership role in the Company and has held that position since 2004.Board, Mr. Taylor also resumed the position of Chief Executive Officer in August 2011. Mr. TaylorMoore had previously served as Chief Executive Officer from 2000 until 2004. We believe that the Company and its shareholders are best served by having Mr. Taylor serve in both positions because he is the person most familiar with our unique culture, business model, and the challenges we face in the current macro-economic environment. Mr. Taylor's wealth of knowledge regarding Company operations and the industry in which we compete positions him to best identify matters for Board review and deliberation. Additionally, the combined role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer unifies the Board with management. We believe that the Company can more effectively execute its current strategy and business plans to maximize shareholder value if our Chairman is also a member of the management team.


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        While the Board considers all of its members equally responsible and accountable for oversight and guidance of its activities, they also have designated aBoard’s Lead Independent director who is elected annually by a majoritysince the creation of the Board. Mr. Moore currently serves as the Lead Independent director.that position in 2012. The responsibility and authority of the Lead Independent director are delineated in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which can be found on the Company'sCompany’s website atwww.texasroadhouse.comwww.texasroadhouse.com. but include, without limitation:

              (i)  providing leadershipThe Board determined that a separation of the duties and responsibilities of the Chairman of the Board from those of the Chief Executive Officer was appropriate during the transition following the death of the Company’s founder.  As more particularly described below, Mr. Morgan, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, was appointed to the Board in any situation where the Chairman is not present;on June 15, 2021.

             (ii)  presiding at all executive sessions

    Role of the Board and advisingManagement. As more particularly described in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Company’s business is conducted by the officers and employees under the direction of the Chairman of the Company, and if there is no Chairman, then the Chief Executive Officer on any decisions arising from such executive sessions;

            (iii)  approving in advance agendasof the Company, and schedules for Board meetings andunder the information thatoversight of the Board.  In connection with the same, the Board’s role is to be providedenhance the long-term value of the Company for its shareholders. The Board is elected annually by the shareholders to oversee management and to ensure that the long-term interests of the shareholders are being served. In order to fulfill this obligation, the Board is responsible for helping establish broad corporate policies, setting strategic direction and overseeing the management of the Company.

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Risk Oversight.  In addition to the other directors;

        (iv)  upon request by any major shareholders, being available for consultations and direct communication;

         (v)  regularly meeting withbroad responsibilities described in the Chairman and serving as a liaison betweenimmediately preceding paragraph, the Chairman and the other independent directors;

        (vi)  overseeing the Board's annual self-assessment process; and

       (vii)  calling any additional Board meetings as needed.

        Risk Oversight.    The Board is responsible for overseeing the Company'sCompany’s risk management strategies, including the Company'sCompany’s implementation of appropriate processes to administer day-to-day risk management. The Board executes its oversight responsibility directly and through its committees, who regularly report back to the Board. The Board is informed about risk management matters as part of its role in the general oversight and approval of corporate matters. The Board gives clear guidance to the Company'sCompany’s management on the risks it believes face the Company, such as the matters disclosed as risk factors in the Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Furthermore, the Board has delegated certain risk management responsibilities to its audit committee and compensation committee.

Through the audit committee'scommittee’s charter, the Board has authorized the audit committee to oversee the Company'sCompany’s risk assessment and risk management policies. The audit committee, in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, regularly and comprehensively reviews specific risk matters which have been identified by management. The Company'sCompany’s internal auditors regularly report directly to the audit committee on the results of internal audits, the scope and frequency of which are based on comprehensive risk assessments which have been approved by the audit committee. Additionally, a risk committee team comprised of Company management regularly updates the audit committee on the results of its risk management activities, which are based on the Company'sCompany’s prioritized risk overview that is updated at least annually and reviewed with the audit committee. The audit committee is routinely advised of strategic, operational, financial, legal, cybersecurity, and cybersecurityother business risks both during and outside of regularly scheduled meetings, and the audit committee reviews and monitors specific activities to manage these risks, such as insurance plans hedging strategies and internal controls (as and if applicable).

As a part of our enterprise risk management process and under the oversight of the audit committee, the Company has formed a series of subject matter risk committees, that specialize in specific areas of risk previously identified by the Company, which regularly meet and report their activities to a risk committee team.  The risk committee team, consisting of our Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Vice President of Legendary People and Risk, and Vice President of Finance, meets regularly to identify key risk areas for the Company, including any new or emerging risks, and serves as a liaison between the subject matter risk committees and the executive risk committee described below. Additionally, the risk committee team conducts a periodic review of a risk register, including an in-depth focus on high priority risks, and periodically reviews such register with the audit committee.  Finally, the Company has an executive risk committee consisting of members of the Company’s leadership team which meet throughout the year to determine risk priorities and make decisions on key areas of risk.

Through the compensation committee'scommittee’s charter, the Board has authorized the compensation committee to oversee the compensation programs for the Company'sCompany’s executive officers and non-employee directors on the Board. The compensation committee, in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, designs the compensation packages applicable to the Company'sCompany’s executive officers and Board members. The compensation committee also periodically consults with management on the payments of bonuses and grants of stock awards to key employees.

The audit committee and the compensation committee jointly perform an annual risk assessment of our compensation programs for all employees to determine whether these programs encourage unnecessary or excessive risk taking. In conducting this review, each of our compensation programs is evaluated on a number of criteria aimed at identifying any incentive programs that deviate from our risk management objectives. Based on this review in 2019,2021, both the audit committee and the compensation


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committee concluded that we have the right combination of rewards and incentives to drive company performance, without encouraging unnecessary or excessive risk taking by our employees. Specifically, the audit and compensation committees identified the following components of our compensation programs that mitigate the likelihood of excessive risk taking to meet performance targets: equity incentive compensation in the form of restricted stock units; long term contracts and a financial buy-in requirement for restaurant management; a guaranteed base salary within our support center management personnel; minimums and maximums on profit sharing compensation within our support center management personnel; robust internal controls; operational focus on top line sales growth; and, a business model which focuses on a strong balance sheet, relatively low debt, prudent growth, and sustainable long-term profitability.

The Board'sBoard’s oversight roles, including the roles of the audit committee and the compensation committee, combined with the leadership structure of the Board to include Company management, allow the Board to effectively administer risk management policies while also effectively and efficiently addressing Company objectives.  The Board expects to continue to involve Company management in its deliberations and decision-making in order to administer risk management policies effectively.

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Strategic Planning and Strategic Initiatives. The Board also plays an instrumental oversight role in the strategic planning and initiatives of the Company. As a part of this role, the Board has periodic strategic planning sessionsreviews at least annually the Company’s strategy with management to ensure that the Company and the Board are aligned on the long-term goals and strategic initiatives of the Company. Additionally, the Board conducts periodic asset management reviews of the Company's assetsmanner in which the Company is allocating its capital to ensure that the Board and the management of the Company are in agreement on how the Company is managing its asset portfolio. Finally, the Board provides direct oversight over certain other strategic initiatives or transactions implemented by the Company, including new store development, franchise acquisitions, retail or other business development initiatives, and the Company'sCompany’s share repurchase activities.activities and dividend program (as applicable).

        Sustainability Initiatives.Corporate Sustainability. Both the Board and the Company take great pride in our environmental, social, and governance efforts—efforts – specifically our corporate sustainability program and our appreciation for and commitment to our employees and for the community.communities in which we serve. Our commitment is evident from our long history of dedication to corporate citizenship, diversity, and the manner in which we often consider corporate sustainability as part of our decision-making process. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Board reviews the Company'sCompany’s corporate sustainability initiatives as a part of their oversight role of the Company'sCompany’s business strategy and risk management. In particular, the Board receives periodic updates, at least annually, of the Company'sour corporate sustainability initiatives from management. The Company includes an update on some of these initiatives in the Company’s Annual Report.    

Additionally, the Company includes ahas established an internal risk committee to evaluate the Company’s environmental, social and governance activities. This committee is comprised of members of management from the Company’s legal, human resources, communications, procurement, finance and financial reporting functions.  This committee works in conjunction with the Company’s overall risk committee team.

In 2017, we released our initial corporate sustainability report which outlined our four core pillars of our corporate sustainability efforts: food, community, employees, and conservation.  We strive to update our corporate sustainability report annually. The current report is available on the Company’s website at www.texasroadhouse.com. Unless specifically referenced in this proxy statement, the Company's Annual Report.contents posted on, or accessible through, our website are not incorporated by referenced into this proxy statement or any of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and may be revised by us (in whole or in part) at any time and from time to time.

Committees of the Board

The Board has three standing committees:

(i)the audit committee;

(ii)the compensation committee; and

(iii)the nominating and corporate governance committee.

The Board has adopted a written charter for each of these committees, which sets out the functions and responsibilities of each committee. The charters of these committees are available in their entirety on the Company'sour website at www.texasroadhouse.com. Please note, however, that the information contained on the website is not incorporated by reference in, nor considered to be a part of, this proxy statement.


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The Board has also previously designated one of its members as an International Liaison, which is elected annually by a majority of the Board. Mr. Moore currently servesserved as the Board's International Liaison. The duties and responsibilities ofBoard’s International Liaison include, without limitation, (i) overseeingthrough the Company's efforts in international expansion and reporting to2021 fiscal year; however, the Board on those efforts, (ii) traveling with certainelected not to appoint an International Liaison for the 2022 fiscal year.  The Board reserves the right to designate one of its members of managementas an International Liaison in the future pursuant to proposed international locations and markets (as needed) and to meet proposed international business partners where appropriate, (iii) meeting with the Company's compliance team regarding the required anti-bribery and corruption due diligence review on any proposed international business partner, and (iv) reviewing on behalf of the Board all new proposed international development or franchise agreements.our Corporate Governance Guidelines.

Audit Committee.  As described in its charter, the primary purpose of the audit committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility relating to:

(i) the integrity of the Company'sCompany’s consolidated financial statements;

(ii) the Company'sCompany’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

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(iii) the independence and performance of the Company'sCompany’s internal and external auditors; and

(iv) the Company'sCompany’s internal controls and financial reporting practices.

The audit committee is also directly responsible for the following: (a) pre-approving all audit and permitted non-audit related services provided by our independent auditors, (b) the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of the Company'sCompany’s independent auditors, and (c) periodically evaluating whether or not the Company should rotate the independent auditors utilized by the Company. In connection with the audit committee'scommittee’s appointment of the Company'sCompany’s independent auditors, the audit committee evaluates the service level of the incumbent independent auditor on an annual basis, which includes criteria such as prior year quality of service, industry and technical expertise, independence, resource availability, and reasonableness and competitiveness of fees, as well as solicits the input of key management employees during its evaluation.

The audit committee reviews all of the Company'sCompany’s earnings press releases and Quarterly and Annual Reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, respectively, prior to filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").SEC. The audit committee is also responsible for producing an annual report on its activities for inclusion in this proxy statement. All of the members of the audit committee are "independent,"independent,” as that term is defined in the listing standards under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2) and meet the criteria for independence under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules adopted by the SEC. The audit committee is currently comprised of Mss. Epps and Widmer and Messrs. Crawford, Moore, Warfield, and Zarley. Mr. Moore chairscurrently serves as the chairperson of the audit committee. The Board evaluated the credentials of and designated Ms. Epps and Messrs. Moore and Warfield as audit committee financial experts. The audit committee met 1415 times during fiscal year 2019,2021, which were comprised of six regular meetings of the audit committee, and two meetings per quarter relating to the audit committee'scommittee’s review of the Company'sCompany’s quarterly earnings release and filings with the SEC.SEC, and one special meeting to discuss emerging events which occurred between regularly scheduled meetings.

Compensation Committee.  As described in its charter, the compensation committee:

The compensation committee is also responsible for reviewing and discussing with management the "Compensation“Compensation Discussion and Analysis"Analysis” in this proxy statement and recommending its inclusion in this proxy statement to the Board.Board, as well as performing the other duties and responsibilities described in its charter. All of the members of the compensation committee are "independent"independent under all applicable rules, including the listing standards under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2) and the requirements of the SEC. The current members of the compensation committee are Ms.Mss. Epps and Widmer


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and Messrs. Crawford, Moore, Warfield, and Zarley. Mr. Zarley currently chairsserves as the chairperson of the compensation committee. The compensation committee met sixeight times during fiscal year 2019.2021.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.  As described in its charter, the nominating and corporate governance committee assists the Board in:

    (i) identifying potential candidates for consideration in the event of vacancy on the Board and/or the Board determines that a new director is necessary and screen individuals qualified to become members of the Board membersconsistent with the nominating and recommending nomineescorporate governance committee’s screening guidelines and criteria;

    (ii) if a vacancy on the Board occurs, making recommendations to the Board either to be presented atregarding the annual meeting orselection and approval of the candidate to fill any vacancies;such vacancy either by election by the Company’s shareholders or appointment by the Board;

             (ii)  considering

    (iii)reviewing the qualifications and reporting periodicallyindependence of, approving the nominations of, and recommending to the Board those persons to be nominated for membership on matters relatingthe Board and presented for shareholder approval at the annual

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meeting, and to be elected by the identification, selection and qualificationBoard to fill vacancies, including vacancies created by an increase in the authorized number of director candidates;directors on the Board;

        (iii)  

(iv)developing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance principles; and

        (iv)  overseeing

(v)periodically reporting to the Board the status of succession planning for senior management, including guidance regarding succession in the event of an emergency or the retirement of the executive officers and the identification and evaluation of potential successors to the Board, its committees,executive officers and its incumbent members.other members of senior management.

The nominating and corporate governance committee routinely evaluates the size and composition of the Board and the variety of professional expertise represented by the Board members in relation to the Company'sCompany’s business. To assist in this process, the nominating and corporate governance committee has identified certain interpersonal skills and professional skills desirable for some and/or all of the directors on the Board. The interpersonal skills are personal attributes that each director should possess and include ethics and integrity, leadership skills, negotiation skills, and crisis management skills.  The professional skills are an assessment of governance and industry based skill areas which should be held collectively by the Board but not necessarily by each director and contain skills relating to (i) financial, risk, and compliance skills, (ii) governance and management skills, and (iii) sector and industry specific skills. All of the members of the nominating and corporate governance committee are "independent"independent under all applicable rules, including the listing standards under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2) and the requirements of the SEC. The current members of the nominating and corporate governance committee are Ms.Mss. Epps and Widmer and Messrs. Crawford, Moore, Warfield, and Zarley. Mr. Moore chairsWarfield currently serves as the chairperson of the nominating and corporate governance committee. The nominating and corporate governance committee met foursix times during fiscal year 2019.2021.

Policy Regarding Consideration of Candidates for Director

Shareholder recommendations for Board membership should include, at a minimum, the name of the candidate, age, contact information, present principal occupation or employment, qualifications and skills, background, last five years'years’ employment and business experience, a description of current or previous service as director of any corporation or organization, other relevant biographical information, and the nominee'snominee’s consent to service on the Board. A shareholder nominee will be requested to complete a detailed questionnaire in the form that current non-employee directors and executive officers of the Company complete.

The nominating and corporate governance committee may consider such other factors as it may deem are in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders. The Board has adopted corporate governance guidelines which provide that, if and when the Board determines that it is necessary or desirable to add or replace a director, the nominating and corporate governance committee will seek diverse candidates, taking into account diversity in all respects (including gender, race, age, board service, background, education, skill set, and financial acumen, along with knowledge and experience in areas that are relevant to the Company'sCompany’s business), when forming the nominee pool. The nominating and corporate governance committee has reviewed the process used in the selection of director candidates and concluded that the pool contained a diverse group of candidates.evaluating potential nominees. The manner in which the nominating and corporate governance committee evaluates a potential nominee will not differ based on whether the nominee is recommended by a shareholder of the Company.


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The Company currently retains a corporate recruiter to assist in identifying candidates for open positions at the Company. Upon request, this recruiter also assists in identifying and evaluating candidates for director, but the Company does not pay an additional fee for this service.

On June 15, 2021, the nominating and corporate governance committee recommended to the Board that the number of directors be increased by one and that Mr. Morgan, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President, be appointed to the Board; the Board approved this recommendation. Mr. Morgan was appointed to the Board because of his role as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, his knowledge of the restaurant industry and his in-depth knowledge of the Company.  

Additionally, on September 30, 2021, the nominating and corporate governance committee recommended to the Board that the number of directors be increased by one effective as of October 1, 2021 and that Ms. Epps be appointed to the Board as an independent director; the Board approved this recommendation.  Ms. Epps was referred to the nominating and corporate governance committee by our corporate recruiter. Following her initial referral for service as a director, Ms. Epps met extensively with management of the Company and our existing members of the Board prior to the

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nominating and corporate governance committee’s decision to recommend her appointment. Ms. Epps was nominated as a non-employee director because of her extensive audit, risk, financial and accounting experience arising from her over 31 years with Deloitte LLP and her extensive board experience.

As discussed above, the Board seeks diverse candidates, taking into account diversity in all respects (including gender, race, age, board service, background, education, skill set, and financial acumen, along with knowledge and experience in areas that are relevant to the Company’s business), when evaluating potential nominees. The chart below illustrates the composition of our Board nominees by gender, racial diversity, tenure, and core skills:

BOARD DIVERSITY MATRIX AS OF MARCH 1, 2022

Total Number of Directors

7

Female

Male

Non-Binary

Did Not Disclose

Part 1: Gender Identity

Directors

2

5

--

--

Part 2: Demographic Background

African American or Black

--

1

--

--

Alaskan Native or Native American

--

--

--

--

Asian

--

--

--

--

Hispanic or Latinx

--

--

--

--

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

--

--

--

--

White

2

4

--

--

Two or More Races or Ethnicities

--

--

--

--

LGBTQ+

--

Did Not Disclose Demographics

--

1 – 5

Years

6 – 10

Years

>10

Years

Part 3: Tenure

Directors

4

1

2

Restaurant

Hospitality /
Retail

Finance /
Risk

Technology

Part 4: Core Skills

Directors

2

4

3

2

Compensation of Directors

As further discussed in the "Compensation“Compensation Discussion and Analysis," the compensation committee engaged Willis Towers Watson as an independent compensation consultant in 2017 to advise the compensation committee on the compensation for our executive officers and non-employee directors. Specifically,In order to supplement this analysis from our compensation consultant, the compensation committee askedhas subsequently used Equilar (the Company’s external executive and director compensation database aggregator) to establish the compensation consultant to provide market data, review the design of the compensation packages for our executive officers and non-employee directors, and provide guidance on cash and equity compensation for our executive officers and non-employee directors, including, without limitation,most recently in establishing the issuance offixed dollar amount on service based restricted stock units granted to our non-employee directors and executive officers as more particularly described in this proxy statement.below. Similar to our compensation philosophy for our executive officers, we believe that issuing service based restricted stock units to our non-employee directors aligns their interests with those of our shareholders. Specifically, since the bulk of each non-employee director'sdirector’s compensation lies in the value of the service based restricted stock units granted, the non-employee directors are motivated to continually improve the Company'sCompany’s performance in the hope that the performance will be reflected by the stock price on the vesting date of their service based restricted stock units. Moreover, we believe that the service based restricted stock unit awards drive director alignment with maximizing shareholder value because the value of the service based restricted stock units varies in response to investor sentiment regarding overall Company performance at the time of vesting.

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As described more fully below, the following table summarizes the total compensation earned for fiscal year 20192021 for each of the non-employee directors.


2019 Director Compensation Table

2021 Director Compensation Table

Name

Fees Earned
or Paid in Cash
($)

Grant Date Fair
Value of
Stock Awards
($)(1)

Total
($)

Michael A. Crawford

50,500

182,206

232,706

Donna E. Epps

13,250

45,665(2)

58,915

Gregory N. Moore

183,750(3)

182,206

365,956

Curtis A. Warfield

55,000(4)

182,206

237,206

Kathleen M. Widmer

38,000

182,206

220,206

James R. Zarley

62,000(5)

182,206

244,206

Name
 Fees Earned
or Paid in
Cash ($)
 Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock Awards
($)(1)
 Total ($) 

Gregory N. Moore

 113,500(2)346,416 459,916 

James F. Parker(3)

  4,833(4) 293,835  298,668 

Curtis A. Warfield

 51,500 284,556 336,056 

Kathleen M. Widmer

  39,500  275,277  314,777 

James R. Zarley

 59,306(4)293,771 353,077 

(1)
The non-employee directors were granted the following restricted stock units on January 8, 2019, each of which vest over a one year period and were outstanding on December 31, 2019 (other than as more particularly described in footnote (3) below):

(i)
each director received a base grant of 4,250 restricted stock units;

(ii)
the Lead Independent director for the Board received a grant of 500 restricted stock units;

(iii)
the chairperson of the audit committee received a grant of 350 restricted stock units;

(iv)
the chairperson of the compensation committee received a grant of 150 restricted stock units;

(v)
the chairperson of the nominating and corporate governance committee received a grant of 150 restricted stock units;

(vi)
each director serving on the audit committee received a grant of 150 restricted stock units;

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    (vii)
    each director serving on the compensation committee received a grant of 100 restricted stock units; and

    (viii)
    each director serving on the nominating and corporate governance committee received a grant of 100 restricted stock units.

    (1)

    In November 2019, the compensation committee and the Board elected to restructure the equity component for each non-employee director’s total compensation by shifting from a fixed number of service based restricted stock units to a fixed dollar amount of service based restricted stock units. Accordingly, the compensation committee and the Board agreed that with respect to each non-employee director’s 2021 fiscal year service, each received an annual grant of service based restricted stock units equal to $185,000 divided by the closing sales price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the grant, with such quotient rounded up or down to the nearest 100 shares.

    In addition to the foregoing, Mr. Zarley received a grant of 143 restricted stock units on February 13, 2019 relating to his partial year service as the chairperson of the compensation committee, which vest concurrently with the restricted stock units granted in the immediately preceding paragraph.

    For the service based restricted stock units described in this footnote (1), fair value is equal to the closing price of the Company'sCompany’s common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the grant, which was $61.86$79.22 for the grants to the non-employee directors on January 8, 2019 and $64.442021. Using the formula described in the immediately foregoing paragraph of this footnote (1), each non-employee director (other than Ms. Epps) was granted 2,300 service based restricted stock units for the additional grant to Mr. Zarley on February 13, 2019.their respective 2021 fiscal year service. The amounts listed above represent the grant date fair value determined in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 ("(“ASC 718"718) of restricted stock units granted under the Company'sCompany’s 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Detailed information under ASC 718 is set forth in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.28, 2021. No other equity awards were granted to the non-employee directors during the period of time covered by this table nor were any outstanding at the end of the 20192021 fiscal year. The Company cautions that the amounts reported in the Director Compensation Table for these awards may not represent the amounts that the non-employee directors will actually realize from the awards. Whether, and to what extent, a non-employee director realizes value will depend on fluctuation in the Company'sCompany’s stock price and the non-employee director'sdirector’s continued service on the Board.

    Additionally, in January 2018, the compensation committee agreed that beginning with the 2018 fiscal year, the total compensation for any non-employee director may not exceed $500,000, which amount shall be calculated by adding (i) the total cash compensation to be paid for services rendered by a non-employee director in any given fiscal year to (ii) the grant date value of any restricted stock unitsequity granted to such non-employee director in that fiscal year.

    Further, in November 2019, the  This cap on Board total compensation committee and the Board elected to restructure the equity component for each non-employee director's total compensation. Accordingly and in lieu of the restricted stock unit schedule set forthis included in the table above for board and committee service, the compensation committee and the Board agreed that with respect to each non-employee director's 2020 fiscal year service, each shall receive an annual grant of restricted stock units equal to $185,000 divided by the closing sales price of the Company's common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the grant, with such quotient rounded up or down to the nearest 100 shares. With respect to each non-employee director's 2020 fiscal year service, the Company made the annual grant on January 8, 2020.Company’s 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

(2)
This amount includes a $20,000 annual fee for serving as the Lead Independent director, a $20,000 annual fee for serving as the chairperson of the audit committee, and a $20,000 annual fee for serving as the International Liaison.

(3)
Mr. Parker passed away on January 26, 2019. All of the amounts listed in the table above reflect compensation relating to Mr. Parker's 2019 year service. Of the 4,750 restricted stock units granted to Mr. Parker on January 8, 2019 for his 2019 year service, he only vested in 234 restricted stock units upon his death and the remainder were forfeited.

(4)
The chairperson of the compensation committee receives an annual fee of $10,000. The amounts for each of Mr. Parker and Mr. Zarley includes a prorated portion of such annual fee corresponding to their respective service as the chairperson of the compensation committee during the 2019 fiscal year.

(2)

Upon Ms. Epps’s appointment to the Board on September 30, 2021 with an effective date of October 1, 2021, she was granted 500 service based restricted stock units, which represents the prorated amount of service based restricted stock units granted to the other non-employee directors on January 8, 2021 as described in footnote (1) above.  The fair value is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the grant, which was $91.33 for the grant to Ms. Epps on October 1, 2021.


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(3)

This amount includes the prorated portion of the $20,000 annual fee for serving as the Lead Independent director until March 31, 2021, the prorated portion of the $45,000 annual fee for serving as the Chairman of the Board commencing on March 31, 2021, the $20,000 annual fee for serving as the chairperson of the audit committee, and the $70,000 annual fee for serving as the International Liaison.

(4)

This amount includes the $8,000 annual fee for serving as the chairperson of the nominating and corporate governance committee.

        All

(5)

This amount includes the $10,000 annual fee for serving as the chairperson of the compensation committee.  

The compensation committee established that all non-employee directors each receivedwould receive the following cash compensation relating to their 20192021 fiscal year service:

    (i)
    each non-employee director received a base fee of $25,000;

    (ii)
    the Lead Independent director received a fee of $20,000;

    (iii)
    the chairperson of the audit committee received a fee of $20,000;

    (iv)

    (i)each non-employee director received a base fee of $25,000;

    (ii)the Chairman of the Board (if an independent director) received a fee of $45,000;

    (iii)the Lead Independent director received a fee of $20,000;

    (iv)the chairperson of the audit committee received a fee of $20,000;

    (v)the chairperson of the compensation committee received a fee of $10,000;

    (vi)the International Liaison received a fee of $70,000;

    (vii)

    the chairperson of the nominating and corporate governance committee received a fee of $8,000;

    (viii)

    each non-employee director received $2,000 for each Board meeting he or she attended in person and $500 for each Board meeting he or she participated in telephonically; and

    (ix)

    each non-employee director received $1,000 for each committee meeting he or she attended in person and $500 for each committee meeting he or she participated in telephonically.  

    Additionally, on November 11, 2021, the compensation committee receivedestablished that all non-employee directors will receive the following cash and stock compensation relating to their 2022 fiscal year service:

    (i)each non-employee director will receive a base fee of $35,000;

    (ii)the Chairman of the Board will receive a fee of $50,000;

    (iii)the chairperson of the audit committee will receive a fee of $25,000;

    (iv)the chairperson of the compensation committee will receive a fee of $10,000;

    (v)the chairperson of nominating and corporate governance committee will receive a fee of $10,000;

    (vi)each member of the audit committee will receive a fee of $10,000;

    (vii)each member of the compensation committee will receive a fee of $7,000;

    (viii)each member of the nominating and corporate governance committee will receive a fee of $7,000;

    (ix)the non-employee directors will no longer receive a fee for meeting attendance;

16


(x)the Chairman of the Board will receive an annual grant of restricted stock units equal to $290,000 divided by the closing sales price on January 7, 2022 on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, with such quotient rounded up or down to the nearest 100 shares. These restricted stock units were granted on January 8, 2022 and will vest on January 8, 2023; and

(xi)each remaining non-employee director will receive an annual grant of restricted stock units equal to $200,000 divided by the closing sales price on January 7, 2022 on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, with such quotient rounded up or down to the nearest 100 shares. These restricted stock units were granted on January 8, 2022 and will vest on January 8, 2023.

Code of Conduct

Company Code of Conduct.The Board has approved and adopted a Code of Conduct that applies to all directors, officers and employees, including the Company'sCompany’s principal executive officer and the principal financial officer. We are committed to Passion, Partnership, Integrity and Fun… All with Purpose! The Code of Conduct is our guide as we apply these core values in our treatment of our fellow employees and how we run our business.  Our Code of Conduct also encompasses our principles and practices relating to the ethical conduct of the Company’s business and commitment to complying with all laws affecting the Company’s business.  

We take all reported concerns or possible violations of our Code of Conduct seriously and will promptly and thoroughly investigate each reported concern as confidentially as possible. The Code of Conduct establishes three separate ways in which any person may submit confidential and anonymous reports of suspected or actual violations of the Code of Conduct.  If an individual files a report, then the concerns will be directed to the appropriate personnel for investigation. We do not retaliate against any person who raises questions, reports concerns, or who participates in an investigation related to the Code of Conduct.

The Code of Conduct is available in its entirety on the Company'sCompany’s website at www.texasroadhouse.com. The Company intends towill post on its website any amendments to, or waivers from, its Code of Conduct, if any, that apply to the principal executive officer, and the principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.

Vendor Expectations. In addition to the Company’s Code of Conduct, the Company has established vendor expectations outling our standards regarding our relationship with our vendors, including the manner in which our vendors conduct their business, the manner in which they treat their employees, and our expectation that our vendors will comply with all applicable laws and regulations relating to their business operations. Our Vendor Expectations are available in their entirety on its website.the Company’s website at www.texasroadhouse.com.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

Our Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines to further align the financial interests of the Company'sCompany’s executive officers and non-employee directors with the interests of our shareholders. The guidelines provide that our Chief Executive Officer should own, at a minimum, the lesser of 100,000 shares or $2,500,000 in then-current market value, our President should own, at a minimum, the lesser of 40,000 shares or $1,000,000 in then-current market value, and our other executive officers and non-employee directors should own, at a minimum, the lesser of 10,000 shares or $500,000 in then-current market value. The executive officers and non-employee directors are expected to achieve the stock ownership levels under these guidelines within five years of assuming their respective positions.positions and the Company evaluates the compliance with these stock ownership guidelines at the end of each fiscal year.

All executive officers and non-employee directors who have been in their role for five years are in compliance with thethese stock ownership guidelines. We anticipate that any people who are new to their roles within the last five years will, to the extent they are not currently in compliance, be in compliance with the guidelines within the requiredestablished time frame.

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Succession Planning

The Board and the Company recognize the importance of continuity of leadership to ensure a smooth transition for its employees, customers,guests, and shareholders. In furtherance of the foregoing and as described in its charter, the nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for periodically reporting to the Board the status of succession planning for senior management, including policies and principlesguidance regarding succession in the event of an emergency and/or retirement and the evaluation of potential successors to the executive officers and other key members of senior management. As a part of this process, both the Board and the nominating and corporate governance committee meet with certain members of management to review the top and emerging talent internally, their level of readiness, and development needs.


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Mandatory Retirement Age for Board Service

In November 2019, the Board and the nominating and corporate governance committee determined that it is advisable and in the best interest of the Company to establish a mandatory retirement age for the non-employee directors on the Board. In furtherance of the foregoing, in no event shall any non-employee be elected, re-elected, and/or appointed to the Board if such non-employee is 75 years or older at the time of such election, re-election, and/or appointment; provided, however, any director who began serving on the Board prior to 2006 shall be permitted to be re-elected to the Board so long as he isthey are not 80 years or older at the time of such re-election.


18



STOCK OWNERSHIP INFORMATION

The following table sets forth as of March 1, 20208, 2022 certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company'sCompany’s common stock of (i) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table (the "NamedNamed Executive Officers"Officers), (ii) each non-employee director or nominee for director of the Company, (iii) all directors and current executive officers as a group, and (iv) each shareholder known by the Company to be the owner of 5% or more of the Company'sCompany’s common stock.

Common Stock(1)

Name

Common
Stock
Ownership

Percent

Directors, Nominees and Named Executive Officers:

W. Kent Taylor(2)

12,352

*

Michael A. Crawford

4,200

*

Christopher C. Colson

3,745

*

Donna E. Epps

500

*

S. Chris Jacobsen

23,449

*

Gregory N. Moore

66,850

*

Gerald L. Morgan

91,174

*

Hernan E. Mujica

15,704

*

Tonya R. Robinson

13,696

*

Doug W. Thompson(3)

51,802

*

Gina A. Tobin

7,588

*

Curtis A. Warfield

12,300

*

Kathleen M. Widmer

15,520

*

James R. Zarley

98,243

*

Directors and All Executive Officers as a Group (14 Persons)

417,123

0.6%

Other 5% Beneficial Owners**

Blackrock, Inc.(4)

10.8%

55 East 52nd Street

New York, New York 10022

The Vanguard Group(5)

9.76%

100 Vanguard Boulevard

Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355

Melvin Capital Management LP(6)

9.9%

535 Madison Avenue, 22nd Floor

New York, New York 10022

*

Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1.0% of the outstanding shares of class.

**

This information is based on stock ownership reports on Schedule 13G filed by each of these shareholders with the SEC as of March 1, 2022.  

(1)

Based upon information furnished to the Company by the named persons and information contained in filings with the SEC. Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to beneficially own shares over which the person has or shares voting or investment power or has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days, and such shares are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage beneficially owned by such person or group. However, we do not consider shares of which beneficial ownership can be acquired within 60 days to be outstanding when we calculate the percentage ownership of any other person. As of March 1, 2022, no director or executive officer has the right to acquire any beneficial ownership within 60 days. “Common Stock Ownership” includes (a) stock held in joint tenancy, (b) stock owned as tenants in common, (c) stock owned or held by spouse or other members of the reporting person’s household, and (d) stock in which the reporting person either

 
 Common Stock(1) 
Name
 Common
Stock
Ownership(2)
 Percent 

Directors, Nominees and Named Executive Officers:

       

W. Kent Taylor(2)

 3,898,101 5.61%

Scott M. Colosi(3)

  12,063  * 

S. Chris Jacobsen

 27,787 * 

Gregory N. Moore

  75,850  * 

Tonya R. Robinson

 14,560 * 

Doug W. Thompson

  66,276  * 

Curtis A. Warfield

 6,263 * 

Kathleen M. Widmer

  16,850  * 

James R. Zarley

 160,543 * 

Directors and All Executive Officers as a Group (9 Persons)

  4,278,293  6.16%

Other 5% Beneficial Owners**

       

Blackrock, Inc.(4)

 9,354,330 13.5%

55 East 52nd Street

     

New York, New York 10022

     

The Vanguard Group(5)

  6,135,997  8.84%

100 Vanguard Boulevard

       

Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355

       

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*
Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1.0% of the outstanding shares of class.

**
This information is based on stock ownership reports on Schedule 13G filed by each of these shareholders with the SEC as of March 1, 2020.

(1)
Based upon information furnished to the Company by the named persons and information contained in filings with the SEC. Under the rules of the SEC, a person is deemed to beneficially own shares over which the person has or shares voting or investment power or has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days, and such shares are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage beneficially owned by such person or group. However, we do not consider shares of which beneficial ownership can be acquired within 60 days to be outstanding when we calculate the percentage ownership of any other person. As of March 1, 2020, no director or executive officer has the right to acquire any beneficial ownership within 60 days. "Common Stock Ownership" includes (a) stock held in joint tenancy, (b) stock owned as tenants in common, (c) stock owned or held by spouse or other members of the reporting person's household, and (d) stock in which the reporting person either

has or shares voting and/or investment power, even though the reporting person disclaims any beneficial interest in such stock.

(2)
Mr. Taylor's address is c/o Texas Roadhouse, Inc., 6040 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville, Kentucky 40205.

(3)
Scott M. Colosi retired from his executive officer position effective June 20, 2019. The stock ownership information listed above was provided to the Company by Mr. Colosi.

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(4)
As reported on the Schedule 13G/A filed by Blackrock, Inc. with the SEC on February 4, 2020, it has sole voting power with respect to 8,897,182 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 9,354,330 shares.

(5)
As reported on the Schedule 13G/A filed by The Vanguard Group with the SEC on February 12, 2020, it has sole voting power with respect to 138,931 shares, shared voting power with respect to 14,518 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 5,991,158 shares, and shared dispositive power with respect to 144,839 shares.

(2)

Mr. Taylor passed away on March 18, 2021. The stock ownership information listed above was provided to the Company by the Estate of Mr. Taylor.

(3)

Doug W. Thompson retired as Chief Operating Officer of the Company effective as of November 29, 2021.  The stock ownership information listed above was provided to the Company by Mr. Thompson.

(4)

As reported on the Schedule 13G/A filed by Blackrock, Inc. with the SEC on January 28, 2022, it has sole voting power with respect to 7,429,831 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 7,541,591 shares.

(5)

As reported on the Schedule 13G/A filed by The Vanguard Group with the SEC on February 10, 2022, it has shared voting power with respect to 131,643 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 6,602,114 shares, and shared dispositive power with respect to 193,244 shares.

(6)

As reported on the Schedule 13G/A filed by Melvin Capital Management LP with the SEC on February 14, 2022 it has shared voting power with respect to 6,900,000 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 6,900,000 shares.

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company'sCompany’s directors and executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company'sCompany’s equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of stock ownership and reports of changes in stock ownership and to provide the Company with copies of all such filed forms. Based solely on its review of such copies or written representations from reporting persons, the Company believes that all reports were filed on a timely basis during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019,28, 2021, with the exception of a Form 4 for Mr. JacobsenMorgan that was filed on August 2, 2019 reporting the sale of 2,500 shares on July 30, 2019 pursuant to a written non-discretionary Rule 10b5-1 plan.


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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

        The following is an executive summary of our compensation program for our 2019 fiscal year:

Compensation Philosophy

    We believe that our approachMarch 11, 2021 relating to the compensation program for our Named Executive Officers provides our Named Executive Officers with a compensation package which promotes the sustained profitabilityacquisition of the Company and aligns the interests of our Named Executive Officers with those of our shareholders. The compensation packages also reflect a pragmatic response to external market conditions; that is, total compensation that is competitive with comparable positions in similar industries, including the casual dining sector of the restaurant industry, but which is reasonable and in the best interests of our shareholders.

Pay Objectives

    Our primary objective in setting and evaluating the compensation for our Named Executive Officers is to promote the sustained profitability of the Company. Our compensation program is designed to achieve this objective in the following manner:

    The creation of a more direct relationship between the compensation for our Named Executive Officers and shareholder value since a significant portion of our Named Executive Officer's performance based restricted stock units and cash bonuses are based upon the achievement of defined performance goals to be established by the compensation committee.

    The attraction and retention of top talent, while also encouraging our Named Executive Officers to keep their focus on both long-term business development and short-term financial growth.

    The featuring of restricted stock unit awards, the value of which is dependent upon the performance of the Company and the price of our common stock.

    The opportunity by the compensation committee to adjust a significant portion of the compensation for the Named Executive Officers through the annual grant of1,250 service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock unitsreceived by Mr. Morgan on February 24, 2021 relating to more accurately reflect the overall performance of the Company.

Key Pay Components

    The compensation packages for our Named Executive Officers are divided into the following three key components:

    Base Salary:  Designedhis Q4 2020 service prior to provide a secure base of compensation and servehis appointment to motivate and retain our Named Executive Officers.
President.


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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

      Cash Bonus:

      o

      o
      -term business development and short-term financial growth.

      o

      o

      o
      : Designed to provide a secure base of compensation and serve to motivate and retain our Named Executive Officers.

      o
      : Designed to reward our Named Executive Officers for the success of the Company as measured by growth in the Company’s earnings per diluted share and its overall pre-tax profit, and for each Named Executive Officer’s individual contribution to that success.

      : Designed to offer the Named Executive Officers a financial interest in the long-term success of the Company and align their interests with those of our shareholders.

      2021 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

      The following is an executive summary of our compensation program for our 2021 fiscal year:

      Compensation Philosophy

      We believe that our approach to the compensation program for our Named Executive Officers provides our Named Executive Officers with a compensation package which promotes the sustained profitability of the Company and aligns the interests of our Named Executive Officers with those of our shareholders. The compensation packages also reflect a pragmatic response to external market conditions; that is, total compensation that is competitive with comparable positions in similar industries, including the casual dining sector of the restaurant industry, but which is reasonable and in the best interests of our shareholders.

      Pay Objectives

      Our primary objective in setting and evaluating the compensation for our Named Executive Officers is to promote the sustained profitability of the Company. Our compensation program is designed to achieve this objective in the following manner:

      o
      The creation of a more direct relationship between the compensation for our Named Executive Officers and shareholder value since a significant portion of our Named Executive Officer’s performance based restricted stock units and cash bonuses are based upon the achievement of defined performance goals to be established by the compensation committee.

      o
      The attraction and retention of top talent, while also encouraging our Named Executive Officers to keep their focus on both long-term business development and short-term financial growth.

      o
      The featuring of service based restricted stock unit awards, the value of which is dependent upon the performance of the Company and the price of our common stock.

      o
      The opportunity by the compensation committee to adjust a significant portion of the compensation for the Named Executive Officers through the annual grant of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units to more accurately reflect the overall performance of the Company.

      Key Pay Components

      The compensation packages for our Named Executive Officers are divided into the following three key components:  

      o
      Base Salary: Designed to provide a secure base of compensation and serve to motivate and retain our Named Executive Officers.

      o
      Cash Bonus: Designed to reward our Named Executive Officers for the success of the Company as measured by growth in the Company’s earnings per diluted share and its overall pre-tax profit, and for each Named Executive Officer’s individual contribution to that success.

      o
      Restricted Stock Unit Grants: Designed to offer the Named Executive Officers a financial interest in the long-term success of the Company and align their interests with those of our shareholders.

21


The compensation packages for our Named Executive Officers may include the following types of restricted stock units:

o
Service Based Restricted Stock Units, which grant the Named Executive Officers the conditional right to receive shares of our common stock that vest after a defined period of service;
o
“Retention” Restricted Stock Units, which vest upon the completion of the term of an individual Named Executive Officer’s agreement or such longer date as determined by the compensation committee; and

o
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units, which are calculated based on the achievement of certain Company performance targets established by the compensation committee and vest over a period of service.

Our Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines to further align the financial interests of the Company’s executive officers with the interests of our shareholders. The guidelines provide that our Chief Executive Officer should own, at a minimum, the lesser of 100,000 shares or $2,500,000 in then-current market value, our President should own, at a minimum, the lesser of 40,000 shares or $1,000,000 in then-current market value, and our other executive officers should own, at a minimum, the lesser of 10,000 shares or $500,000 in then-current market value. The executive officers are expected to achieve these levels within five years of assuming their respective positions.  We anticipate that any people who are new to their roles within the last five years will, to the extent they are not currently in compliance, be in compliance with the guidelines within the established time frame.

Setting Compensation

The compensation program for our Named Executive Officers is determined by the compensation committee. The compensation committee evaluates the stock compensation for each Named Executive Officer on an annual basis to determine the right combination of rewards and incentives through the issuance of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units to drive company performance without encouraging unnecessary or excessive risk taking by all of the Named Executive Officers as a whole. Pursuant to its charter, the compensation committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain advice from a compensation consultant to assist in the establishment of executive compensation for each Named Executive Officer.

2021 Employment Agreements

As more particularly described below, the Company and the Named Executive Officers have entered into new 2021 Employment Agreements at the beginning of fiscal year 2021.  Under the 2021 Employment Agreements, the compensation committee has established the following compensation for our Named Executive Officers:

o
Base Salary: Each 2021 Employment Agreement establishes an annual base salary for the term of the respective 2021 Employment Agreements, with base salary increases being left to the discretion of the compensation committee.

o
Cash Bonus: Each 2021 Employment Agreement provides an annual short-term cash incentive opportunity with a target bonus based on the achievement of defined goals to be established by the compensation committee, with increases in the target bonus amount to be made at the discretion of the compensation committee during the term of the 2021 Employment Agreement.

o
Restricted Stock Units: Each 2021 Employment Agreement provides that the compensation committee may grant stock awards to the Named Executive Officers during the term of the respective 2021 Employment Agreements, the types and amounts of which are subject to the compensation committee’s discretion based on their annual review of the performance of the Company and of the individual Named Executive Officers.  While the Company previously granted retention grants for our Named Executive Officers under the 2018 Employment Agreements, the compensation committee did not make any similar retention grants for the Named Executive Officers under the 2021 Employment Agreements. The compensation committee will evaluate whether or not to award retention grants in the future as a part of its annual evaluation of the compensation packages for the Named Executive Officers.

22


Table of the Company and align their interests with those of our shareholders.

The compensation packages for our Named Executive Officers include the following types of restricted stock units:

Service Based Restricted Stock Units, which grant the Named Executive Officers the conditional right to receive shares of our common stock that vest after a defined period of service;

"Retention" Restricted Stock Units, which vest upon the completion of the term of an individual Named Executive Officer's agreement or such longer date as determined by the compensation committee; and

Performance Based Stock Units, which are calculated based on the achievement of certain Company performance targets established by the compensation committee and vest over a period of service.

Our Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines to further align the financial interests of the Company's executive officers with the interests of our shareholders. The guidelines provide that our Chief Executive Officer should own, at a minimum, the lesser of 100,000 shares or $2,500,000 in then-current market value, our President should own, at a minimum, the lesser of 40,000 shares or $1,000,000 in then-current market value, and our other executive officers should own, at a minimum, the lesser of 10,000 shares or $500,000 in then-current market value. The executive officers are expected to achieve these levels within five years of assuming their respective positions.

Setting Compensation

Contents

2022 Executive Compensation

During 2021 and pursuant to the authority granted under its charter, the compensation committee engaged FW Cook as an independent compensation consultant to advise the compensation committee on compensation for the executive officers beginning with the 2022 fiscal year, together with analysis and services related to such executive compensation.  Specifically, the compensation committee asked the consultant to provide market data, review the design of the executive compensation packages, and provide guidance on cash and equity compensation for the Company’s executive officers. Based in part on the recommendation of our third party compensation consultant and the review of the market data provided to the compensation committee, the total compensation package established for each Named Executive Officer for their respective 2022 fiscal year service reflected a shift in the compensation breakdown among the base salary, bonus and equity components to a more weighted emphasis on non-equity compensation as well as a shift from a fixed number of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units to a fixed dollar amount with respect to such service based restricted stock units. FW Cook does not currently provide any other services to the Company, and the compensation committee has determined that FW Cook has sufficient independence from us and our executive officers to allow FW Cook to offer objective information and/or advice.

Clawback Policy

The Company has established a clawback policy whereby the Company may recover excess Incentive Compensation (as hereinafter defined) following any of the following:  (i) a restatement of the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year in which the Incentive Compensation is paid due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under applicable securities laws; (ii) in the absence of a restatement of the Company’s financial statements described in clause (i) above, the prior financial results which formed the basis for the calculation of such Incentive Compensation are corrected or adjusted for the relevant fiscal year; or (iii) the compensation committee determines that a Named Executive Officer inadvertently received an excess amount of Incentive Compensation for the relevant fiscal year.  In such an event, the compensation committee may seek recovery of such excess Incentive Compensation from the applicable Named Executive Officer through a credit against prior Incentive Compensation payments, a credit from future payments of Incentive Compensation, cancellation of outstanding equity awards, withholding from future equity awards, and/or direct repayment by the applicable Named Executive Officer.  If requested by the compensation committee, the applicable Named Executive Officer shall be required to reimburse the Company for such excess Incentive Compensation within sixty (60) days following written demand from the compensation committee.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The Company'sCompany’s compensation committee reviews and establishes executive compensation in connection with each executive officer'sofficer’s employment agreement. As one purpose of this discussion is to present the compensation committee’s overall program and philosophy for executive compensation, we have generally presented the discussion as of the end of the prior fiscal year and as of the beginning of the current fiscal year.

Initial Executive Compensation Under 2021 Employment Agreements.

We entered into new employment agreements with W. Kent Taylor, Scott M. Colosi,Doug W. Thompson, Tonya R. Robinson, and S. Chris Jacobsen, each a Named Executive Officer, on December 26, 2017,30, 2020, each of which has an effective date of January 8, 20182021. As a part of Gerald L. Morgan’s appointment to President, we entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Morgan, a Named Executive Officer, on December 17, 2020, which has an effective date of January 8, 2021. In connection with Mr. Morgan’s appointment to President, Mr. Taylor resigned as President while still remaining as Chairman and expiresChief Executive Officer of the Company. Additionally, on January 7,March 18, 2021 and consistent with the Board’s succession planning, Mr. Morgan was named Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation following Mr. Taylor’s passing. Mr. Morgan remains the President of the Corporation following his appointment to Chief Executive Officer. In order to memorialize Mr. Morgan’s appointment to Chief Executive Officer, the Company entered into an amendment to Mr. Morgan’s 2021 employment agreement on March 31, 2021 and having a retroactive effective date of March 18, 2021. We also entered into an employment agreement with Tonya R. Robinson, alsoChristopher C. Colson, a Named Executive Officer, on March 31, 2021 in connection with his appointment to General Counsel. Additionally, on June 11, 2018 and having an effective date of May 18, 2018, and with Doug W. Thompson,15, 2021, we entered into employment


23


alsoagreements with Gina A. Tobin and Hernan E. Mujica, each a Named Executive Officer, on August 23, 2018, each of which expires on January 7, 2021. In connection withupon Ms. Robinson'sTobin’s appointment to Chief FinancialLearning and Culture Officer the Company and Mr. Colosi entered into an amendment to his 2018 Employment Agreement on May 17, 2018 to reflect his resignationMujica’s designation as Chief Financial Officer of the Company while still remaining as President of the Company.a named executive officer, respectively.  As used herein, the employment agreements, as amended (as and if applicable), with Messrs. Taylor, Colosi,Morgan, Jacobsen, Thompson, Colson, and Thompson,Mujica and Ms.Mss. Robinson and Tobin shall be referred to collectively as the "20182021 Employment Agreements"Agreements and with respect to any Named Executive Officer, as a "20182021 Employment Agreement"Agreement. Each 2021 Employment Agreement has an initial term expiring on January 7, 2024 which automatically renews for successive one-year terms thereafter unless either party elects not to renew by providing written notice to the other party at least 60 days before expiration.  As more particularly described below, on JulyDecember 3, 2019,2021, the Company entered into a ConsultingSeparation Agreement and General Release of Claims (the "Colosi Consulting Agreement"Thompson Separation Agreement) with Mr. ColosiThompson relating to Mr. Colosi'sThompson’s retirement as PresidentChief Operating Officer of the Company effective as of June 20, 2019.November 29, 2021.  

To assist in setting compensation under the 2018 Employment Agreementsprior employment agreements for the applicable Named Executive Officers and pursuant to the authority granted under its charter, the compensation committee engaged Willis Towers Watson as an independent compensation consultant in 2017 to advise the compensation committee on compensation for the executive officers and the non-employee directors, together with analysis and services related to such executive and director compensation. Specifically, the compensation committee asked the consultant to provide market data, review the design of the executive and director compensation packages, and provide guidance on cash and equity compensation for the Company'sCompany’s executive officers and the non-employee directors. In order to supplement this analysis from our compensation consultant, the compensation committee has subsequently used Equilar (the Company’s external executive and director compensation database aggregator) to establish the compensation for our Named Executive Officers under their respective 2021 Employment Agreements. In connection with this process, the chairperson of the compensation committee and management of the Company agreed on a list of the following 12 peer companies to evaluate their executive compensation:

PEER COMPANIES

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.

Bloomin Brands, Inc.

Brinker International, Inc.

Churchill Downs Incorporated

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc.

Dine Brands Global, Inc.

Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.

Papa John’s International, Inc.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated

The Wendy’s Company

While the compensation committee and management of the Company do not utilize specific market targets when establishing compensation for the Company’s executive officers for their respective 2021 fiscal year service, the chairperson of the compensation committee and management of the Company used the executive compensation from such peer companies as a part of the overall discussion when establishing the initial executive compensation for the Company’s executive officers.  Both Willis Towers Watson doesand Equilar do not currently provide any other services to the Company, and the compensation committee has determined that both Willis Towers Watson hasand Equilar have sufficient independence from us and our executive officers to allow itthem to offer objective information andand/or advice. All fees paid to Willis Towers Watson during fiscal year 2017 were in connection with their engagement by the compensation committee for the above services.

Each 20182021 Employment Agreement establishes aan annual base salary throughoutfor the term of the agreement, and arespective 2021 Employment Agreement. During the term of the 2021 Employment Agreement, base salary increases are at the discretion of the compensation committee; provided, however, none of the Named Executive Officer’s base salary may be decreased during the term of the 2021 Employment Agreement except for decreases that are applied generally to the other Named Executive Officers in an amount no greater than 10% over the prior year. Each 2021 Employment Agreement also provides an annual short-term cash incentive opportunity with a target bonus amount based on the achievement of defined goals to be established by the compensation committee.committee, with increases in the target bonus amount to be made at the discretion of the compensation committee during the term of the 2021 Employment Agreement. In addition to cash compensation, the 2018each 2021 Employment Agreements also provideAgreement provides that the compensation committee with an opportunity to make annualmay grant certain stock awards to the Named Executive Officers during the term of the respective 2021 Employment Agreements, the types and amounts of which are subject to the compensation committee'scommittee’s discretion based on their annual review of the performance of the Company and of the individual Named Executive Officers. The types of stock awards contemplated by the 2018 Employment Agreements are (i) restricted stock units, which grant the Named Executive Officers the conditional right to receive shares of our common stock that vest after a defined period of service, (ii) "retention" restricted stock units, which vest upon the completion of the term of an individual Named Executive Officer's agreement or such longer date as determined by the compensation committee, and (iii) performance stock units, which are calculated based on the achievement of certain Company performance targets established by the compensation committee and vest over a period of service. As of the date of this proxy statement and as more particularly described below, each Named Executive Officer has received an annual grant of service based restricted stock units relating to their 20182021 year service (which were granted in 2017 or 2018 [as applicable]), their 2019and 2022 year service, (which were granted in 2019), and their 2020 year service (which were granted in 2020).respectively. Additionally, each of Messrs. Taylor, Colosi, Jacobsen, and Thompson, and Ms. Robinsoncertain Named Executive Officers have received grants of performance based restricted stock units relating to their 2018, 2019 and/or 20202021 year service (as applicable). Moreover, each of Messrs. Colosi, Jacobsen, and Thompson, and Ms. Robinson have received "retention"2022 year service, respectively. Finally, while the Company previously granted retention grants of restricted stock unitsfor our Named Executive Officers under their respective 2018prior employment agreements, the compensation committee has not made any similar retention grants for the Named Executive Officers under the 2021 Employment Agreements, which vest uponAgreements. The compensation committee will evaluate whether to grant additional

24


retention grants in the completionfuture as a part of its annual evaluation of the term ofcompensation packages for the agreement on the condition that the applicable Named Executive Officer is still serving the Company on the vesting date. Finally, Mr. Taylor's 2018 Employment Agreement also provides for a long-term "retention" grant of restricted stock units, which vest on January 8, 2023 on the condition that Mr. Taylor is still serving the Company on the vesting date.Officers.  

Under the 20182021 Employment Agreements, each Named Executive Officer has agreed not to compete with us during the term of his or her employment and for a period of two years following his or her


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termination of employment, unlessemployment.  Additionally, the Named Executive Officer's employment is terminated without cause following2021 Employment Agreements include certain confidentiality, non-solicitation, and non-disparagement provisions.  Finally, the 2021 Employment Agreement contains a changesimilar “clawback” provision setting forth that any compensation paid or payable to the 2021 Employment Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Company shall be subject to recovery or reduction in control,future payments in which case the Named Executive Officer has agreed notlieu of recovery pursuant to compete with us throughany Company clawback policy in effect from time to time, whether adopted before or after the date of the last payment2021 Employment Agreement.

The Company has established a clawback policy whereby the Company may recover excess Incentive Compensation following any of the following: (i) a restatement of the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year in which the Incentive Compensation is paid due to material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirement under applicable securities laws; (ii) in the absence of a restatement of the Company’s financial statements described in clause (i) above, the prior financial results which formed the basis for the calculation of such Incentive Compensation are corrected or adjusted for the relevant fiscal year; or (iii) the compensation committee determines that a Named Executive Officer's severance payments. Finally,Officer inadvertently received an excess amount of Incentive Compensation for the 2018 Employment Agreements also containrelevant fiscal year.  In such an event, the compensation committee may seek recovery of such excess Incentive Compensation from the applicable Named Executive Officer through a "clawback" provision that enablescredit against prior Incentive Compensation payments, a credit from future payments of Incentive Compensation, cancellation of outstanding equity awards, withholding from future equity awards, and/or direct repayment by the applicable Named Executive Officer.  If requested by the compensation committee, the applicable Named Executive Officer shall be required to reimburse the Company for such excess Incentive Compensation within sixty (60) days following written demand from the compensation committee.  For the purposes of the clawback policy, the term “Incentive Compensation” means (a) the amount of (or payment or value received with respect to) a Named Executive Officer’s annual incentive awards under the Company’s cash bonus plan (as the same may be amended); (ii) the amount of performance based restricted stock units granted (or vested) to seek reimbursementa Named Executive Officer pursuant to the Company’s 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan (or any successor equity plan); and (iii) any other incentive-based compensation paid or payable to a Named Executive Officer with respect to any Company plan or agreement (as and if applicable).

Executive Compensation Starting With 2022 Fiscal Year.

During 2021 and pursuant to the authority granted under its charter, the compensation committee engaged FW Cook as an independent compensation consultant to advise the compensation committee on compensation for the executive officers beginning with the 2022 fiscal year, together with analysis and services related to such executive compensation.  Specifically, the compensation committee asked the consultant to provide market data, review the design of the executive compensation packages, and provide guidance on cash and equity compensation for the Company’s executive officers.  As a part of this review, the chairperson of the compensation committee, the independent compensation consultant and management of the Company agreed on a list of the following 15 peer companies to evaluate their executive compensation:  

PEER COMPANIES

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.

Bloomin Brands, Inc.

Brinker International, Inc.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc.

Denny’s Corporation

Dine Brands Global, Inc.

Jack in the Box Inc.

Papa John’s International, Inc.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated

The Wendy’s Company

Based in part on the recommendation of our third party compensation consultant and the review of the market data provided to the compensation committee, the total compensation package established for each Named Executive Officer for their respective 2022 fiscal year service reflected a shift in the compensation breakdown among the base salary, bonus and equity components to a more weighted emphasis on non-equity compensation as well as a shift from a fixed number of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units to a fixed dollar amount with respect to such service based restricted stock units. FW Cook does not currently provide any other services to the Company, and the compensation committee has determined that FW Cook has sufficient independence from us and our executive officers to allow FW Cook to offer objective information and/or advice.  

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As relevant, the chart below illustrates the difference in target compensation paid to anybreakdown by Named Executive Officer which is required to be recovered by any law, governmental regulation or order, or stock exchange listing requirement.for the 2021 fiscal year compared with the 2022 fiscal year:

TARGET COMPENSATION BREAKDOWN

2021

2022

Named Executive Officer

Base
Salary

Bonus

Equity
(1)

Base Salary

Bonus

Equity

W. Kent Taylor

Late Chairman, Late Chief Executive Officer

8%

8%

84%

--

--

--

Gerald L. Morgan

Chief Executive Officer, President

15%

11%

74%

24%

24%

52%

Doug W. Thompson

Former Chief Operating Officer

14%

14%

72%

--

--

--

Tonya R. Robinson

Chief Financial Officer

20%

14%

66%

28%

22%

50%

S. Chris Jacobsen

Chief Marketing Officer

21%

14%

65%

29%

24%

47%

Christopher C. Colson

General Counsel, Corporate Secretary

26%

15%

59%

36%

28%

36%

Hernan E. Mujica

Chief Information Officer

25%

14%

61%

36%

28%

36%

Gina A. Tobin

Chief Learning and Culture Officer

31%

10%

59%

36%

28%

36%

(1)For the purposes of calculating the percentage compensation relating to the equity components for the 2021 fiscal year, a $90 share price was utilized for shares of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units granted to each Named Executive Officer for their respective 2021 fiscal year service.

Summary of Executive Compensation

The compensation packages for our Named Executive Officers offer base salaries and target cash bonus amounts and feature restricted stock unit awards, the value of which is dependent upon the performance of the Company and the price of our common stock. The compensation committee evaluates the stock compensation for each specific Named Executive Officer on an annual basis to determine the right combination of rewards and incentives through the issuance of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units to drive company performance without encouraging unnecessary or excessive risk taking by all of the Named Executive Officers as a whole. Under this approach, the Named Executive Officers receive a combination of service based restricted stock units and performance based restricted stock units, with a significant portion of some of the Named Executive Officer's compensation being tied to the grant of such performance based restricted stock units. ByAdditionally and by conditioning a significant portion of the Named Executive Officer'sOfficer’s performance based restricted stock unit grants upon the achievement of defined performance goals to be established by the compensation committee, combined with the stock ownership guidelines for our Named Executive Officers more particularly described above, we have created a more direct relationship between compensation and shareholder value. Additionally,Moreover, by only providing one year's worth of restrictedgiving the compensation committee the discretion to grant certain stock unitsawards (if any) in its discretion to our Named Executive Officers inunder the 20182021 Employment Agreements, the compensation committee has the opportunity to adjust a significant portion of the total compensation for the Named Executive Officers on an annual basis to more accurately reflect the overall performance of the Company, which may include the issuance of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units. Overall, we believe this approach provides the Named Executive Officers with a compensation package which promotes the sustained profitability of the Company and aligns the interests of our Named Executive Officers with those of our shareholders. The compensation packages also reflect a pragmatic response to external market conditions; that is, total compensation that is competitive with comparable positions in similar industries, including the casual dining sector of the restaurant industry, but which is reasonable and in the best interests of our shareholders.

26


We believe that the overall design of the compensation packages, along with the culture and values of our Company, allows us to attract and retain top talent, while also keeping the Named Executive Officers focused on both long-term business development and short-term financial growth.

In deciding to continue and modify many of our existing executive compensation practices, our compensation committee considered that the holders of approximately 82%93% of the votes cast at our 20192021 annual meeting on an advisory basis approved the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the proxy statement for the 20192021 annual meeting. None of the Named Executive Officers, including Mr. Taylor,Morgan, participated in the creation of their own compensation packages.

    Elements of Compensation

Base Salary.Salary. Base salaries for our Named Executive Officers are designed to provide a secure base of compensation which will be effective in motivating and retaining key executives.


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Each Named Executive Officer's 2018Officer’s 2021 Employment Agreement establishes anprovides that the compensation committee will establish the annual base salary for the yearsNamed Executive Officers at the commencement of the term of their respective 2021 Employment Agreement. Pursuant to each Named Executive Officer’s 2021 Employment Agreement, the compensation committee established an annual base salary for each Named Executive Officer as shown in the table below for 2021. During the term of the respective 2021 Employment Agreement, base salary increases are at the discretion of the compensation committee. In furtherance of the foregoing and effective as of January 8, 2022 and continuing thereafter until such time as a Named Executive Officer’s annual base salary is adjusted by the compensation committee in accordance with the applicable 2021 Employment Agreement, the compensation committee adjusted the annual base salary for each Named Executive Officer as shown in the table below.

Named Executive Officer Base Salary Under 2021 Employment Agreement

2021

(starting January 8, 2021)
($)(1)

2022

(starting January 8, 2022)

($)

W. Kent Taylor

525,000

--(2)

Late Chairman, Late Chief Executive Officer

Gerald L. Morgan

350,000

1,000,000

Chief Executive Officer, President(3)

Doug W. Thompson

450,000

--(4)

Former Chief Operating Officer

Tonya R. Robinson

325,000

500,000

Chief Financial Officer

S. Chris Jacobsen

325,000

500,000

Chief Marketing Officer

Christopher C. Colson

350,000

500,000

General Counsel, Corporate Secretary

Hernan E. Mujica

350,000

500,000

Chief Information Officer

Gina A. Tobin

350,000

500,000

Chief Learning and Culture Officer

(1)After evaluating the anticipated impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on the Company’s financial performance for the remainder of fiscal year 2021, the compensation committee elected to move forward with previously delayed increases in annual base salary for certain named executive officers in the following manner:  

(i)effective as of March 31, 2021, Mr. Thompson’s annual base salary was increased to $500,000;

 
 2018
(through
January 7,
2019)
($)
 2019
(through
January 7,
2020)
($)
 2020
(through
January 7,
2021)
($)
 

W. Kent Taylor(i)

 525,000 525,000 525,000 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President

       

Scott M. Colosi(ii)

  450,000  450,000  450,000 

Former President

          

S. Chris Jacobsen

 300,000 315,000 325,000 

Chief Marketing Officer

       

Tonya R. Robinson

  275,000  300,000  325,000 

Chief Financial Officer

          

Doug W. Thompson

 450,000 450,000 450,000 

Chief Operating Officer

       

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(i)
As more particularly described above, in connection with Mr. Colosi's retirement from the Company on June 2019, the Board appointed Mr. Taylor as President of the Company effective as of June 24, 2019 while still remaining as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Board and the compensation committee did not increase Mr. Taylor's compensation following his appointment to President.

(ii)
As described above, Mr. Colosi retired as President of the Company on June 20, 2019. Mr. Colosi received a portion of the base salary for his partial 2019 fiscal year service through his retirement date and received additional compensation in accordance with the terms of the Colosi Consulting Agreement.
(ii)effective as of March 31, 2021, Ms. Robinson’s annual base salary was increased to $350,000; and

(iii)effective as of March 31, 2021, Mr. Jacobsen’s annual base salary was increased to $350,000.

(2)

As described above, Mr. Taylor passed away on March 18, 2021 so no changes were made to Mr. Taylor’s base salary.

(3)

In consideration for Mr. Morgan’s increased duties and responsibilities following his appointment to Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective as of March 31, 2021, the compensation committee increased Mr. Morgan’s base salary to $450,000.

(4)

As described above, Mr. Thompson retired as the Chief Operating Officer for the Company on November 29, 2021 so no changes were made to Mr. Thompson’s base salary.

Incentive Bonus.Bonus. Incentive bonuses are designed to reward our Named Executive Officers for the success of the Company, as measured by growth in the Company'sCompany’s earnings per diluted share ("EPS"(“EPS) and overall pre-tax profit, and for each Named Executive Officer'sOfficer’s individual contribution to that success. It is our belief that a significant amount of each Named Executive Officer'sOfficer’s compensation should be tied to the performance of the Company.

Pursuant to the terms of the Texas Roadhouse, Inc. Cash Bonus Plan (the "CashCash Bonus Plan"Plan), the compensation committee may award an annual cash incentive to the Named Executive Officers, which is the grant of a right to receive a payment of cash that is subject to targets and maximums, and that is contingent on achievement of performance objectives during the Company'sCompany’s fiscal year. These cash incentives are also subject to the terms and conditions of the 20182021 Employment Agreements and reflect each Named Executive Officer'sOfficer’s job responsibilities and individual contribution to the success of the Company.

Under the Cash Bonus Plan, the compensation committee established a two-pronged approach to tying the incentive compensation to the Company'sCompany’s performance. Under this approach, 50% of the target incentive bonus is awarded based on whether the Company achieves an annual EPS growth target of 10% (the "EPSEPS Performance Goal"Goal). The other 50% is based on a profit sharing pool (the "ProfitProfit Sharing Pool"Pool) comprised of 1.5%1.75% of the Company'sCompany’s pre-tax profits (income before taxes minus income attributable to non-controlling interests, as reported in our audited consolidated financial statements), which pool is distributed among our Named Executive Officers and certain other members of the Company'sCompany’s director-level management based on a pre-determined percentage interest in the pool and subject to certain pre-determined maximum amounts. After the end of the fiscal year, the compensation committee determines whether and to what extent the EPS Performance Goal has been met, and the


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portion of the Profit Sharing Pool to which each Named Executive Officer is entitled. Depending on the level of achievement of the EPS Performance Goal each year, 50% of the incentive bonus may be reduced to a minimum of $0 or increased to a maximum of two times the target amount. Each 1% change from the EPS Performance Goal results in an increase or decrease of 10% of the portion of the target bonus amount attributable to the achievement of the EPS Performance Goal. For example, if we achieve 11% EPS growth, the bonus payable would be 110% of the portion of the target bonus attributable to the achievement of the EPS Performance Goal. Conversely, if we achieve 9% EPS growth, the bonus payable would be 90% of the portion of the target bonus attributable to the achievement of the EPS Performance Goal. The remaining 50% of the Named Executive Officers'Officers’ incentive bonus will fluctuate directly with Company pre-tax profits at fixed participation percentages and maximum amounts which are determined within 60 days following the commencement of the Company'sCompany’s fiscal year. The annual profit sharing component allows the Named Executive Officers to participate in a profit sharing pool with other members of the Company'sCompany’s director-level management team. By allowing this level of participation in the Company'sCompany’s overall profits, the compensation committee encourages responsible growth and aligns the interests of the Named Executive Officers with those of other management employees of the Company. This portion of the incentive bonus may be reduced to a minimum of $0 if the Company ceases to be profitable or for other reasons that the compensation committee determines, and may be increased to a maximum of two times the target amount established for each individual participant. Both portions of the incentive bonus can be adjusted downward (but not upward) by the compensation committee in its discretion. Cash incentive bonuses with respect to fiscal year 20192021 were paid at 124.6%187.9% of the total target amount for all or a portion of the fiscal year in which a Named Executive Officer served in such role, based on an increase in actual EPS growth of 11.9%682.5% and an actual Profit Sharing Pool of $3,102,743$4,273,076 calculated on fiscal year 20192021 pre-tax profit of $206,849,534.$284,871,733.  Note that due

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primarily to the adverse impact of the pandemic, cash incentive bonuses with respect to fiscal year 2020 were paid at 6.58% of the total target amounts. 

Each 2021 Employment Agreement provides an annual short-term cash incentive opportunity with a target bonus as set forth in the table below, with increases in the target bonus amount to be made at the discretion of the compensation committee. During the term of each respective 2021 Employment Agreement, the performance criteria and terms of bonus awards are at the discretion of the compensation committee as described above.  As further described above, depending on the level of achievement of the goals, the bonus may be reduced to a minimum of $0 or increased to a maximum of two times the base target amount under the current incentive compensation policy of the compensation committee of the Board.  The actual amounts earned by each Named Executive Officer for fiscal year 20192021 are more fully described in "Executive“Executive Compensation." The

Executive Incentive Compensation for Fiscal Year 2021

Target
Bonus
($)(1)

Minimum
Bonus
($)

Maximum
Bonus
($)

W. Kent Taylor

525,000

0

1,050,000

Late Chairman, Late Chief Executive Officer

Gerald L. Morgan(2)

350,000

0

700,000

Chief Executive Officer, President

Doug W. Thompson

480,000

0

960,000

Former Chief Operating Officer

Tonya R. Robinson

200,000

0

400,000

Chief Financial Officer

S. Chris Jacobsen

200,000

0

400,000

Chief Marketing Officer

Christopher C. Colson(3)

200,000

0

400,000

General Counsel, Corporate Secretary

Hernan E. Mujica(3)

200,000

0

400,000

Chief Information Officer

Gina A. Tobin(3)

120,000

0

240,000

Chief Learning and Culture Officer

(1)After evaluating the anticipated impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on the Company’s financial performance for the remainder of fiscal year 2021, on March 31, 2021, the compensation committee elected to move forward with previously delayed increases in target bonus amounts for certain named executive officers in the following manner:  

(i)the target bonus for Mr. Thompson relating to the portion of his 2021 fiscal year service commencing on March 31, 2021 and continuing to and through December 28, 2021 was increased to $500,000 and a maximum bonus amount of $1,000,000;

(ii)the target bonus for Ms. Robinson relating to the portion of her 2021 fiscal year service commencing on March 31, 2021 and continuing to and through December 28, 2021 was increased to $250,000 and a maximum bonus amount of $500,000; and

(iii)the target bonus for Mr. Jacobsen relating to the portion of his 2021 fiscal year service commencing on March 31, 2021 and continuing to and through December 28, 2021 was increased to $225,000 and a maximum bonus amount of $450,000.

(2)

In consideration for Mr. Morgan’s increased duties and responsibilities following his appointment to Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective as of March 31, 2021, the compensation committee increased Mr. Morgan’s target bonus amount to $450,000 and a maximum bonus amount of $900,000

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for the portion of his 2021 fiscal year service commencing on March 31, 2021 and continuing to and through December 28, 2021.

(3)

With respect to Messrs. Colson and Mujica and Ms. Tobin, the target bonus amounts and maximum bonus amounts listed in the table above relate to the portion of their respective 2021 fiscal year service in which each served as a named executive officer.

Additionally, on December 6, 2021, the compensation committee established an annual short-term cash incentive opportunity with a target bonus amount, along with the minimum and maximum bonus amounts, areas set forth below:


in the table below relating to each Named Executive Incentive Compensation for Fiscal Year 2019

 
 Target
Bonus
($)
 Minimum
Bonus
($)
 Maximum
Bonus
($)
 

W. Kent Taylor

 525,000 0 1,050,000 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President

       

Scott M. Colosi(i)

  350,000  0  700,000 

Former President

          

S. Chris Jacobsen

 200,000 0 400,000 

Chief Marketing Officer

       

Tonya R. Robinson

  200,000  0  400,000 

Chief Financial Officer

          

Doug W. Thompson

 480,000 0 960,000 

Chief Operating Officer

       

(i)
Officer’s 2022 fiscal year service.  The performance criteria and terms of bonus awards are at the discretion of the compensation committee.  As more particularly described above, Mr. Colosi retired as Presidentthe compensation committee continued its two pronged approach with 50% of the target incentive bonus being based on whether the Company achieves an annual EPS growth target of 10% and the remaining 50% being based on June 20, 2019. Upon his retirement, Mr. Colosi forfeited his righta profit sharing pool comprised of 1.75% of the Company’s pre-tax profits (income before taxes minus income attributable to receive hisnon-controlling interests, as reported in our audited consolidated financial statements).  As further described above, depending on the level of achievement of the goals, the bonus for his 2019 fiscal year service.
may be reduced to a minimum of $0 or increased to a maximum of two times the base target amount under the current incentive compensation policy of the compensation committee of the Board. 

Executive Incentive Compensation for Fiscal Year 2022

Target
Bonus
($)

Minimum
Bonus
($)

Maximum
Bonus
($)

Gerald L. Morgan

1,000,000

0

2,000,000

Chief Executive Officer, President

Tonya R. Robinson

400,000

0

800,000

Chief Financial Officer

S. Chris Jacobsen

400,000

0

800,000

Chief Marketing Officer

Christopher C. Colson

400,000

0

800,000

General Counsel, Corporate Secretary

Hernan E. Mujica

400,000

0

800,000

Chief Information Officer

Gina A. Tobin

400,000

0

800,000

Chief Learning and Culture Officer

Stock Awards.Awards. We make equity awards in the form of restricted stock units, which represent the conditional right to receive one share of our common stock upon satisfaction of the vesting requirements. Restricted stock units offer the Named Executive Officers a financial interest in the Company and align their interests with those of our shareholders. We also believe that the market price of our publicly traded


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common stock represents the most appropriate metric for determining the value of the equity portion of our Named Executive Officers'Officers’ compensation packages. The overall compensation packages for our Named Executive Officers offer base salaries and target cash bonus amounts and feature restricted stock unit awards.  While the initial grant of restricted stock unit awards is based on a fixed dollar amount starting with the 2022 fiscal year, as opposed to a fixed number of restricted stock units for prior year service, the ultimate value of whichthe restricted stock unit awards is dependent upon the performance of the Company and the price of our common stock.stock at the time such restricted stock units vest. The compensation committee evaluates the stock compensation for each specific Named Executive Officer on an annual basis to determine the right combination of rewards and incentives through the issuance of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units to drive company performance without encouraging unnecessary or excessive risk taking by all of the Named Executive Officers as a whole. Under this approach, the Named Executive Officers receive a combination of service based restricted stock units andand/or performance based restricted stock units, with a significant portion of some of the Named Executive Officer'sOfficer’s compensation being tied to the grant of such performance based restricted stock units. We believe that the service based restricted stock awards are inherently performance based since their value varies in response to investor sentiment regarding overall Company performance at the time of vesting. Moreover, by only providing one year's worth of restrictedgiving the compensation committee the discretion to grant certain stock unitsawards (if any) in its discretion to our Named Executive Officers inunder the 2018 2021

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Employment Agreements, the compensation committee has the opportunity to adjust a significantlarge portion of the total compensation for the Named Executive Officers on an annual basis to more accurately reflect the overall performance of the Company, which may include the issuance of service based restricted stock units and/or restricted stock units based on the achievement of defined goals to be established by the compensation committee for any and/or all of our Named Executive Officer. Additionally, each 2018While the Company previously granted retention grants for our Named Executive Officers under their respective prior employment agreements, the 2021 Employment Agreement for Messrs. Colosi, Jacobsen and Thompson, and Ms.��Robinson provide forAgreements do not include any similar retention grants. The compensation committee will evaluate whether to grant additional retention grants in the future as a "retention" grantpart of restricted stock units, which vest upon completionits annual evaluation of the term of their 2018 Employment Agreement oncompensation packages for the condition that the applicable Named Executive Officer is still serving the Company on the vesting date, and Mr. Taylor's 2018 Employment Agreement provides for a long-term "retention" grant of restricted stock units, which vest on January 8, 2023 on the condition that Mr. Taylor is still serving the Company on the vesting date.Officers.

In addition, the 20182021 Employment Agreements for Messrs. Taylor, Colosi,Morgan, Thompson, Jacobsen, Colson, and JacobsenMujica and Ms.Mss. Robinson contain bifurcated awardsand Tobin permit the compensation committee to grant in its discretion any combination of service based restricted stock units andand/or performance based restricted stock units for all or aany portion of the term of their respective 2018the 2021 Employment Agreements.  For the performance based awards that have or may be granted to the Named Executive Officers, the compensation committee has established a two-pronged approach which mirrors the approach used for annual cash incentive bonuses. Under this approach, a percentage of the target equity award is based on whether the Company achieves the annual EPS Performance Goal, and a percentage is based on the Profit Sharing Pool comprised of 1.5%1.75% of the Company'sCompany’s pre-tax profits (income before taxes minus income attributable to non-controlling interests, as reported in our audited financial statements). After the end of the fiscal year, the compensation committee determines whether and to what extent the EPS Performance Goal has been met, and the portion of the Profit Sharing Pool to which each officer is entitled. Each 1% change from the EPS Performance Goal results in an increase or decrease of 10% of the portion of the target amount attributable to the achievement of the EPS Performance Goal. For example, if we achieve 11% EPS growth, the number of shares awarded would be 110% of the portion of the target amount attributable to the achievement of the EPS Performance Goal. Conversely, if we achieve 9% EPS growth, the award would be 90% of the portion of the target amount attributable to the achievement of the EPS Performance Goal. The remaining percentage of the Named Executive Officers'Officers’ equity award will fluctuate directly with Company pre-tax profits at fixed participation percentages and maximum amounts which are determined within 60 days following the commencement of the Company'sCompany’s fiscal year. Both portions of the performance based equity award may be reduced to a minimum of $0 or increased to a maximum of two times the target amount for each individual participant. Both portions of the performance based equity award can also be adjusted downward (but not upward) by the compensation committee in its discretion. Performance based equity awards with respect to fiscal year 20192021 were paid at 124.6%187.9% of the total target amount for all or a portion of the fiscal year in which a Named Executive Officer served in such role, based on an increase in actual EPS growth of 11.9%682.5% and an actual Profit Sharing Pool of $3,102,743$4,273,076 calculated on fiscal year 20192021 pre-tax profit of $206,849,534.$284,871,733. For discussion of


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the percentages assigned by the compensation committee to each component of the performance based equity awards for Messrs. Taylor, Colosi,Morgan, Thompson, and Jacobsen, and Thompson, and Ms. Robinson (as applicable), refer to the associated tables below.

The total number of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units granted to each Named Executive Officer reflects each Named Executive Officer'sOfficer’s job responsibilities and individual contribution to the success of the Company.

Service Based Restricted Stock Units.    Except as noted below,Units.  Each 2021 Employment Agreement provides that the numbercompensation committee may grant certain stock awards to the Named Executive Officers during the term of the respective 2021 Employment Agreements. In connection with the same, the compensation committee granted service based restricted stock units granted under the 20182021 Employment Agreements areas shown in the table below with respect to each Named Executive Officer’s 2021 fiscal year service and are subject to the Named Executive Officer still serving the Company on the vesting date.

 
 Service
Based
Restricted
Stock Units
vesting on
January 8,
2019
pursuant to
2018
Employment
Agreements
 Service
Based
Restricted
Stock Units
vesting on
June 11,
2019
pursuant to
2018
Employment
Agreements
 Service
Based
Restricted
Stock Units
vesting on
August 27,
2019
pursuant to
2018
Employment
Agreements
 Service
Based
Restricted
Stock Units
vesting on
January 8,
2020
pursuant to
2018
Employment
Agreements
 Service Based
Restricted
Stock Units
vesting on
January 8,
2021 pursuant
to 2018
Employment
Agreements(1)
 Service Based
Restricted
Stock Units
vesting on
January 8,
2023 pursuant
to 2018
Employment
Agreements(2)
 Total
Service
Based
Restricted
Stock Units
granted
pursuant to
2018
Employment
Agreements
 

W. Kent Taylor

 10,000   10,000 10,000 75,000 105,000 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President

               

Scott M. Colosi

  10,000      10,000(3) 15,000(3)   35,000 

Former President

                      

S. Chris Jacobsen

 (4)  5,000 15,000  20,000 

Chief Marketing Officer

               

Tonya R. Robinson

    7,000    10,000  20,000    37,000 

Chief Financial Officer

                      

Doug W. Thompson

   2,000 10,000 22,500  34,500 

Chief Operating Officer

               

31


(1)
With respect to Messrs. Colosi, Jacobsen, and Thompson and Ms. Robinson, this number includes a retention

Service Based Restricted Stock Units for 2021 Fiscal Year

Number of Service Based
Restricted Stock
Units vesting on
January 8, 2022
pursuant to
2021 Employment
Agreements

W. Kent Taylor

10,000

Late Chairman, Late Chief Executive Officer

Gerald L. Morgan

10,000(1)

Chief Executive Officer, President

Doug W. Thompson

10,000(2)

Former Chief Operating Officer

Tonya R. Robinson

10,000

Chief Financial Officer

S. Chris Jacobsen

7,000

Chief Marketing Officer

Christopher C. Colson

7,500(3)

General Counsel, Corporate Secretary

Hernan E. Mujica

4,750(4)

Chief Information Officer

Gina A. Tobin

4,500(5)

Chief Learning and Culture Officer

(1)The 10,000 service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Morgan for fiscal year 2021 are comprised of (i) 5,000 service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Morgan on January 8, 2021, and (ii) 5,000 service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Morgan on March 31, 2021.  These shares are in addition to 1,250 service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Morgan on February 24, 2021 and scheduled to vest on February 24, 2022 relating to his Q4 2020 service.

(2)As previously described, Mr. Thompson retired as Chief Operating Officer of the Company on November 29, 2021.  Upon his retirement, Mr. Thompson forfeited his right to receive the 10,000 service based restricted stock units relating to his 2021 fiscal year service vesting on January 8, 2022.

(3)These service restricted stock units granted to Mr. Colson are in addition to (i) the 1,125 service based restricted stock units granted on February 24, 2021 and scheduled to vest on February 24, 2022 relating to his Q4 2020 service, and (ii) the 1,125 service based restricted stock units granted on May 5, 2021 and scheduled to vest on May 5, 2022 relating to his Q1 2021 service.

(4)These service restricted stock units granted to Mr. Mujica are in addition to (i) the 2,375 service based restricted stock units granted on February 24, 2021 and scheduled to vest on February 24, 2022 relating to his Q4 2020 service, (ii) the 2,375 service based restricted stock units granted on May 5, 2021 and scheduled to vest on May 5, 2022 relating to his Q1 2021 service, and (iii) the 2,375 service based restricted stock units granted on August 4, 2021 and scheduled to vest on August 4, 2022 relating to his Q2 2021 service.

(5)These service restricted stock units granted to Ms. Tobin are in addition to (i) the 1,000 service based restricted stock units granted on February 24, 2021 and scheduled to vest on February 24, 2022 relating to her Q4 2020 service, (ii) the 1,500 service based restricted stock units granted on May 5, 2021 and scheduled to vest on May 5, 2022 relating to her Q1 2021 service, and (iii) the 1,500 service based restricted stock units granted on August 4, 2021 and scheduled to vest on August 4, 2022 relating to her Q2 2021 service.

32


Additionally, on December 6, 2021, the compensation committee authorized the grant of service based restricted stock units under each 2021 Employment Agreement equal to the dollar amount described in the table below for each Named Executive Officer with respect to their 2022 fiscal year service.  These service based restricted stock units were calculated by dividing the dollar amount described in the table below by the per share closing sales price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the grant, which will vestsuch quotient rounded up or down to the nearest 100 shares. Additionally, these shares were granted on January 8, 2021, provided the applicable Named Executive Officer is still serving the Company on the vesting date.

(2)
With respect to Mr. Taylor, this number represents a retention grant of restricted stock units which2022 and will vest on January 8, 2023, provided Mr. Taylorthe Named Executive Officer is still servingemployed by the Company onas of the vesting date.

(3)
As previously described, Mr. Colosi retired as President

Service Based Restricted Stock Units for 2022 Fiscal Year

Service Based
Restricted Stock Units
vesting on January 8, 2023
pursuant to 2021
Employment Agreements ($)

Number of Service Based Restricted Stock Units vesting on January 8, 2023 pursuant to 2021 Employment Agreements(1)

Gerald L. Morgan

1,100,000

12,200

Chief Executive Officer, President

Tonya R. Robinson

500,000

5,500

Chief Financial Officer

S. Chris Jacobsen

400,000

4,400

Chief Marketing Officer

Christopher C. Colson

500,000

5,500

General Counsel, Corporate Secretary

Hernan E. Mujica

500,000

5,500

Chief Information Officer

Gina A. Tobin

500,000

5,500

Chief Learning and Culture Officer

(1)

For the service based restricted stock units described in this footnote (1), fair value is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the grant, which was $90.22 for these grants. Using the formula described in the immediately foregoing paragraph prior to this table, each Named Executive Officer was granted the number of service based restricted stock units described in the table above for their respective 2022 fiscal year service. These are not amounts paid to or received by the Named Executive Officers. The amounts listed above represent the grant date fair value determined in accordance with ASC 718 of restricted stock units granted under the Company’s 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Detailed information under ASC 718 is set forth in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2021. The Company cautions that the amounts reported in the table above for these awards may not represent the amounts that the Named Executive Officers will actually realize from the awards. Whether, and to what extent, a Named Executive Officer realizes value will depend on the Company’s actual operating performance, stock price fluctuations and the Named Executive Officer’s continued service with the Company.

33


Performance Based Restricted Stock Units.Units.  The number of performance based restricted stock units granted to Messrs. Taylor, Colosi, Thompson, and Jacobsen and Ms. Robinson for the 20192021 fiscal year under their 2018


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2021 Employment Agreement, and the number of shares of common stock which actually vested based on the Company'sCompany’s performance, are shown in the table below:

Performance Based Restricted Stock Units for 2021 Fiscal Year

Target Number
of Performance
Based Restricted
Stock Units
Granted for
2021 pursuant to
2021
Employment
Agreements

Minimum
Number
of Performance
Based Restricted
Stock Units
pursuant to
2021
Employment
Agreements

Maximum
Number
of Performance
Based Restricted
Stock Units
pursuant to
2021
Employment
Agreements

Actual Number
of Shares
Issued for
2021 following
Certification of
2021
Performance
Goals(1)

W. Kent Taylor

50,000

0

100,000

17,757(2)

Late Chairman, Late Chief Executive Officer

Gerald L. Morgan

15,000(3)

0

30,000

28,179

Chief Executive Officer, President

Doug W. Thompson

20,000

0

40,000

0(4)

Former Chief Operating Officer

Tonya R. Robinson

2,500(5)

0

5,000

4,697

Chief Financial Officer

S. Chris Jacobsen

5,000

0

10,000

9,393

Chief Marketing Officer

 
 Target Number of
Performance Based
Restricted Stock
Units Granted for
2019 pursuant to
2018 Employment
Agreements
 Minimum
Number of
Performance
Based Restricted
Stock Units
pursuant to
2018
Employment
Agreements
 Maximum
Number of
Performance
Based Restricted
Stock Units
pursuant to
2018
Employment
Agreements
 Actual Number of
Shares Issued for
2019 following
Certification of
2019 Performance
Goals(1)
 

W. Kent Taylor

 50,000 0 100,000 62,303 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President

         

Scott M. Colosi

  40,000  0  80,000  0(2)

Former President

             

Doug W. Thompson

 20,000 0 40,000 24,921 

Chief Operating Officer

         

S. Chris Jacobsen

  7,000  0  14,000  8,722 

Chief Marketing Officer

             

(1)
The shares underlying the performance based restricted stock units attributable to the 2019 fiscal year were issued on February 28, 2020. The compensation committee determined that 50% of the performance based restricted stock unit award for the 2019 fiscal year would be based on an EPS growth target of 10%, which portion would be reduced or increased by 10% for every 1% of annual growth in EPS less than or in excess of the 10% goal, and that 50% of the performance based restricted stock unit award for the 2019

(1)The shares underlying the performance based restricted stock units attributable to the 2021 fiscal year were issued on February 25, 2022. The compensation committee determined that 50% of the performance based restricted stock unit award for the 2021 fiscal year would be based on an EPS growth target of 10%, which portion would be reduced or increased by 10% for every 1% of annual growth in EPS less than or in excess of the 10% goal, and that 50% of the performance based restricted stock unit award for the 2021 fiscal year would be based on a pre-tax profit target opportunity equal to the percentage payout of 1.5% of pre-tax earnings divided by the bonus pool target set by the compensation committee for the performance period.

(2)As described above, Mr. Taylor passed away on March 18, 2021. The shares listed above reflect a prorated portion of the 50,000 performance based restricted stock units previously granted relating to this 2021 fiscal year service.

(3)The 15,000 performance based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Morgan for fiscal year 2021 are comprised of (i) 2,500 performance based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Morgan on January 8, 2021, and (ii) 12,500 performance based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Morgan on March 31, 2021.

(4)As described above, Mr. Thompson retired as Chief Operating Officer of the Company on November 29, 2021.  Upon his retirement, Mr. Thompson forfeited his right to receive any performance based restricted stock units relating to his 2021 fiscal year service.

(5)The 2,500 performance based restricted stock units granted to Ms. Robinson for fiscal year 2021 are comprised of (i) 2,000 performance based restricted stock units granted to Ms. Robinson on January 8, 2021, and (ii) 500 performance based restricted stock units granted to Ms. Robinson on March 31, 2021.

34


As described above, each 2021 Employment Agreement provides that the compensation committee formay grant certain stock awards to the performance period.

(2)
As described above, Mr. Colosi retired as PresidentNamed Executive Officers during the term of the Companyrespective 2021 Employment Agreements. In connection with the same, on June 20, 2019. Upon his retirement, Mr. Colosi forfeited his right to receive any performance based restricted stock units relating to his 2019 fiscal year service.

        The numberDecember 6, 2021, the compensation committee authorized the grant of performance based restricted stock units grantedas described in 2020the table below to Messrs. Taylor, Thompson,Morgan and Jacobsen and Ms. Robinson under their respective 20182021 Employment Agreements for the 2020their respective 2022 fiscal year is shownservice.  These performance based restricted stock units will be calculated by dividing the target dollar amount described in the table below.below by the per share closing sales price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the grant, which such quotient rounded up or down to the nearest 100 shares.  Additionally, these performance based restricted stock units were granted to each respective executive officer on January 8, 2022 and will vest on January 8, 2023, subject to the achievement of defined goals established by the compensation committee of the Board. The actual number of shares that will be issued to each of Messrs. Taylor, Thompson,Morgan and Jacobsen, and Ms. Robinson for fiscal year 20202022 based on achievement of the performance goals assigned to these grants by the compensation committee will not be calculated until the first quarter of 2021.2023.


Performance Based Restricted Stock Units for 2022 Fiscal Year

Target
Performance
Based Restricted
Stock Units
vesting on
January 8, 2023
pursuant to
2021
Employment
Agreements($)(1)

Minimum
Performance
Based Restricted
Stock Units
pursuant to
2021
Employment
Agreements($)

Maximum
Performance
Based Restricted
Stock Units
pursuant to
2021
Employment
Agreements($)

Target Number
of Performance
Based Restricted
Stock Units
vesting on
January 8, 2023
pursuant to
2021
Employment
Agreements(2)

Gerald L. Morgan

1,100,000

0

2,200,000

12,200

Tonya R. Robinson

400,000

0

800,000

4,400

S. Chris Jacobsen

400,000

0

800,000

4,400

(1)The compensation committee determined that 50% of the performance based restricted stock unit award for 2022 would be based on an EPS growth target of 10%, which portion would be reduced or increased by 10% for every 1% of annual growth in EPS less than or in excess of the 10% goal, and that 50% of the performance based restricted stock unit award for 2021 would be based on a pre-tax profit target opportunity equal to the percentage payout of 1.75% of pre-tax earnings divided by the bonus pool target set by the compensation committee for the performance period. The performance based restricted stock unit award for Messrs. Morgan and Jacobsen and Ms. Robinson with respect to fiscal year 2022 will be certified in the first quarter of 2023.

(2)For the performance based restricted stock units described in this footnote (2), fair value is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the grant, which was $90.22 for these grants. Using the formula described in the immediately foregoing paragraph prior to this table, each Named Executive Officer was granted the target number of performance based restricted stock units described in the table above for their respective 2022 fiscal year service. These are not amounts paid to or received by these Named Executive Officers. The amounts listed above represent the grant date fair value determined in accordance with ASC 718 of restricted stock units granted under the Company’s 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Detailed information under ASC 718 is set forth in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2021. The Company cautions that the amounts reported in the table above for these awards may not represent the amounts that these Named Executive Officers will actually realize from the awards.

35


Table of Contents

 
 Target Number of
Performance
Based Restricted
Stock Units
vesting on
January 8, 2021
pursuant to 2018
Employment
Agreements(1)
 Minimum Number
of Performance
Based Restricted
Stock Units
pursuant to 2018
Employment
Agreements
 Maximum Number
of Performance
Based Restricted
Stock Units
pursuant to 2018
Employment
Agreements
 

W. Kent Taylor

 50,000 0 100,000 

Doug W. Thompson

  20,000  0  40,000 

S. Chris Jacobsen

 7,000 0 14,000 

Tonya R. Robinson

  2,000  0  4,000 

(1)
The compensation committee determined that 50% of the performance based restricted stock unit award for 2020 would be based on an EPS growth target of 10%, which portion would be reduced or increased by 10% for every 1% of annual growth in EPS less than or in excess of the 10% goal, and that 50% of the performance based restricted stock unit award for 2019 would be based on a pre-tax profit target opportunity equal to the percentage payout of 1.5% of pre-tax earnings divided by the bonus pool target set by the compensation committee for the performance period. The performance based restricted stock unit award for Messrs. Taylor, Thompson, and Jacobsen and Ms. Robinson with respect to fiscal year 2020 will be certified in the first quarter of 2021.

        The 2018 Employment Agreements further provide that the compensation committee may, in its discretion, grant additional performance based restricted stock units to Messrs. Taylor, Thompson, and Jacobsen, and Ms. Robinson with respect to future performance periods.

    Separation and Change in Control Arrangements

        Except

The 2021 Employment Agreements generally provide that if a Named Executive Officer’s employment is terminated during the term of the 2021 Employment Agreement for a Qualifying Reason (as defined below), the Company will pay the Named Executive Officer three months of base salary (except for Mr. Taylor, who will receive a crisp $100 bill), unless the termination occurs within 12 months following a Change in Control (as defined below), in which case the applicable Named Executive Officer’s current base salary remaining for the then existing term of his or her respective 2021 Employment Agreement will be paid. In addition, if any Named Executive Officer’s termination occurs for a Qualifying Reason within 12 months following a Change in Control, the applicable Named Executive Officer shall be paid any incentive bonus earned but not yet paid for any fiscal year ended before the date of termination, plus an incentive bonus for the year in which the date of termination occurs, equal to the applicable Named Executive Officer’s target bonus for that year, prorated based on the number of days in the eventfiscal year elapsed before the date of termination. For purposes of the 2021 Employment Agreements, termination for a “Qualifying Reason” is generally defined to be attributable to one of the following: (i) the result of the applicable Named Executive Officer having submitted to the Company the Named Executive Officer’s resignation in accordance with a request by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, provided that such request is not based on the Company’s finding that Cause (as defined below) for termination exists, (ii) a termination by the Named Executive Officer for Good Reason (as defined below) within 12 months of a changeChange in control,Control, or (iii) a termination by the 2018Company for any reason other than Cause or as a result of death or disability which entitles the Named Executive Officer to benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan. Under the 2021 Employment Agreements, a termination by a Named Executive Officer (a separation, including a voluntary retirement, initiated by a Named Executive Office other than per a request described above), other than for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change in Control, shall not be a Qualifying Reason. Additionally, termination for “Cause” means a termination by the Company for one or more of the following reasons: (a) a Named Executive Officer’s conviction of, or being charged with having committed, a felony; (b) a Named Executive Officer’s acts of dishonesty or moral turpitude that are detrimental to the business of the Company; (c) a Named Executive Officer’s acts or omissions that such Named Executive Officer knew or should have reasonably known were likely to damage the business of the Company; (d) a Named Executive Officer’s failure to obey the reasonable and lawful directions of the Company, including, without limitation, the Company’s policies and procedures (including the Company’s policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation), and the Texas Roadhouse, Inc. Code of Conduct; (e) a Named Executive Officer’s failure to perform such Named Executive Officer’s obligations under his or her 2021 Employment Agreement; (f) a Named Executive Officer’s willful breach of any agreement or covenant contained within his or her 2021 Employment Agreement or any fiduciary duty owed to the Company; and/or (g) a Named Executive Officer’s unsatisfactory performance of such Named Executive Officer’s duties after: (A) he or she has received written notice of the general nature of the unsatisfactory performance, and (B) he or she has failed to cure the unsatisfactory performance within 30 days thereafter to the satisfaction of the Company.  

As used in the 2021 Employment Agreements, a “Change in Control” means that one of the following events has taken place: (i) consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with Mr. Taylor providesany other entity, other than a merger or consolidation that no severance would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving or resulting entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving or resulting entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; (ii) consummation of a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (other than such a sale or disposition immediately after which such assets will be owned directly or indirectly by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the common stock of the Company immediately before such sale or disposition); or (iii) any Person becomes the beneficial owner (as determined pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of securities representing in excess of 50% of the aggregate voting power of the outstanding securities of the Company as required to be disclosed in a report on Schedule 13D of the Exchange Act. The Board has the full and final authority, in its sole discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control, and any incidental matters relating thereto. The 2021 Employment Agreements also provide for the reduction of Change in Control payments to the maximum amount that could be paid to himthe Named Executive Officers without giving rise to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code. Additionally, as used in the 2021 Employment Agreements, “Good Reason” given by a Named Executive Officer in a notice of termination must be based on: (a) the assignment to such Named Executive Officer of a different title or job responsibilities that result in a substantial decrease in the level of responsibility from those in effect immediately before the Change in Control; (b) a reduction by the Company or the surviving company in such Named Executive Officer’s base pay as in effect immediately before the Change in Control; (c) a significant reduction by the Company or the surviving company in total benefits available to such Named Executive

36


Officer under cash incentive, stock incentive and other employee benefit plans after the Change in Control compared to the total package of such benefits as in effect before the Change in Control; (d) the requirement by the Company or the surviving company that such Named Executive Officer be based more than 50 miles from where such Named Executive Officer’s office is located immediately before the Change in Control, except for required travel on company business to an extent substantially consistent with the business travel obligations which such Named Executive Officer undertook on behalf of the Company before the Change in Control; or (e) the failure by the Company to obtain from any Successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company an agreement to assume obligations under the 2021 Employment Agreement.

While the individual 2021 Employment Agreements do not address the manner in which unvested stock awards, if any, will be handled upon the termination of employment, but he would be entitleda Named Executive Officer, the specific restricted stock unit award agreement and/or performance restricted stock unit award agreement entered into by the Named Executive Officers upon the grant of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units provide that (A) if a Change in Control occurs prior to receive a giftthe vesting date of a crisp $100 bill if his employment were to besuch restricted stock units and the Named Executive Officer is terminated by the Company without cause before the end of the term. The 2018 Employment Agreement for each of Messrs. Colosi, Jacobsen, and Thompson, and Ms. Robinson provides that, except in the event of a change in control,Cause, or (B) if the Company terminates their employment without cause before the end of the term and the applicable Named Executive Officer signsis terminated for Good Reason within 12 months following a releaseChange in Control, then such unvested service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units shall become vested as of all claims against the Company, then the Company will pay a severance payment equal to any bonus for a year already ended (even if not yet paid at termination), plus the Named Executive Officer's base salary for a perioddate of 180 days, and payment of a fixed sum ($175,000 for Mr. Colosi, $100,000 for Mr. Jacobsen, $225,000 for Mr. Thompson, and $100,000 for Ms. Robinson). Similar payments are due totermination. Additionally, such specific restricted stock unit award agreement and/or performance restricted stock unit award agreement entered into by the Named Executive Officers under the 2018 Employment Agreementsprovide that if employment was orany Named Executive Officer’s continuous service is terminated by reasonbecause of death or disability beforeprior to the endvesting date for the applicable grant of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units (as and if applicable), then such applicable restricted stock units become immediately vested in an amount equal to the term. total number of granted restricted stock units multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar months or portions thereof from grant date of such restricted stock units through the date on which such Named Executive Officer’s continuous service is terminated due to death or disability and the denominator of which is the total number of calendar months or portion thereof in the vesting period for such restricted stock unit grants.

The Company provides these severance payments to allow for a period of transition and in exchange forare generally contingent upon the Named Executive Officer’s execution of a full release of claims against the Company.Company, and continued compliance with the non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality and other restrictive covenants. If the Named Executive Officer’s employment is terminated for any reason other than a Qualifying Reason (such as the officer’s death, disability or for Cause), then the Company will pay to the Named Executive Officer only the base salary accrued for the last period of actual employment and any accrued paid time off in accordance with policies of the Company in effect from time to time. The salary component of the severance payments is subject to deductions and withholdings and is to be paid to the Named Executive Officers in periodic installments in accordance with our normal payroll practices. The fixed sum is paid in a single lump sum, and any bonus component of the severance payments for a performance period that ended before termination is to be paid on the same date as the payment would have been made had his or her employment not been terminated.

        The 2018 Employment Agreements also provide that if the Named Executive Officer's employment is terminated other than for cause following a change in control, or if the Named Executive Officer resigns for good reason following a change in control because he or she is required to relocate, and the Company's successor does not agree to be bound by the agreement, or the Named Executive Officer's responsibilities, pay or total benefits are reduced, then in such an event each such Named Executive Officer will receive severance payments in an amount equal to the Named Executive Officer's base salary


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and incentive bonus through the end of the term of the agreement but not less than one year. In addition, the Named Executive Officer's unvested stock awards, if any, will become vested as of the date of termination. Moreover, with respect to each of the Named Executive Officers under their respective 2018 Employment Agreements, if his or her employment is terminated under such circumstances and the Named Executive Officer has not yet been granted service based restricted stock units or performance based restricted stock units, as applicable under the respective Named Executive Officer's 2018 Employment Agreements, for either or both of the second and third years of his or her employment agreement, the Named Executive Officer will be issued the target number of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units (as applicable) set forth above for each of these years. The payments and acceleration of vesting of the stock awards are contingent upon the Named Executive Officer signing a full release of claims against the Company. The salary component of the severance payments is subject to deductions and withholdings and is to be paid to the Named Executive Officers in periodic installments in accordance with our normal payroll practices or in a lump sum at the discretion of the compensation committee and in compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. The bonus component of the severance payments to the Named Executive Officers is to be paid on the same date as the payment would have been made had his or her employment not been terminated.

        According to the terms of the 2018 Employment Agreements, a change in control means that one of the following events has taken place: (1) the shareholders of the Company approve (a) a merger or statutory plan of exchange involving the Company ("Merger") in which the Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation or pursuant to which the Common Stock, $0.001 par value ("Common Stock") would be converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a Merger involving the Company in which the holders of Common Stock immediately prior to the Merger have substantially the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation after the Merger, or (b) a sale, lease, exchange, or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution; (2) during any period of 12 months or less, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted a majority of the Board cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof unless the nomination or election of such new directors was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were directors at the beginning of such period; (3) a tender or exchange offer (other than one made by (a) the Company, or (b) Mr. Taylor or any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or other entity in which Mr. Taylor owns a direct or indirect ownership of 50% or more, or controls 50% or more of the voting power [collectively, the "Taylor Parties"]) is made for the Common Stock (or securities convertible into Common Stock) and such offer results in a portion of those securities being purchased and the offeror after the consummation of the offer is the beneficial owner (as determined pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended [the "Exchange Act"]), directly or indirectly, of securities representing in excess of the greater of at least 20% of the voting power of outstanding securities of the Company or the percentage of the voting power of the outstanding securities of the Company collectively held by all of the Taylor Parties; or (4) any person other than a Taylor Party becomes the beneficial owner of securities representing in excess of the greater of 20% of the aggregate voting power of the outstanding securities of the Company as disclosed in a report on Schedule 13D of the Exchange Act or the percentage of the voting power of the outstanding securities of the Company collectively held by all of the Taylor Parties. No change of control will be deemed to have occurred for purposes of an individual 2018 Employment Agreement by virtue of any transaction which results in the affected Named Executive Officer, or a group of persons which includes the affected Named Executive Officer, acquiring, directly or indirectly, securities representing 20% or more of the voting power of outstanding securities of the Company.

The estimated amounts that would have been payable to a Named Executive Officer under the 20182021 Employment Agreements are more fully described in "Termination,“Termination, Change of Control and Change of Responsibility Payments."


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Additionally, on June 20, 2019,November 30, 2021, Mr. ColosiThompson and the Company announced that Mr. ColosiThompson would be retiring as PresidentChief Operating Officer of the Company effective as of June 20, 2019.November 29, 2021. On JulyDecember 3, 2019,2021, the Company entered into the Colosi ConsultingThompson Separation Agreement with Mr. Colosi.Thompson. Under the Colosi ConsultingThompson Separation Agreement, which expired on March 1, 2020, the Company agreed to pay to Mr. ColosiThompson an aggregate sum of $500,000$4,745,000 (less any applicable withholdings and/or deductions), which will be paid in bi-weeklythree installments overin accordance with the term of the Colosi Consulting Agreement. In addition, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Colosi an aggregate sum of $1,400,000,following schedule: (i) $1,581,667 due and payable no later than December 27, 2021; (ii) $1,581,666 due and payable on January 31, 2022; and (iii) $1,581,666 due and payable on March 1, 2020. Under14, 2022. These amounts reflect a monetized amount of incentive bonus, service based restricted stock units and performance based restricted stock units that Mr. Thompson would have otherwise received for his 2021 fiscal year service to the termsextent Mr. Thompson had remained with the Company through the end of the Colosi Consulting Agreement, Mr. Colosi agreed to be available upon reasonable notice to consult on matters assigned by the Company.fiscal year. The Colosi ConsultingThompson Separation Agreement also provided a general release of claims through June 20, 2019. Finally, the Colosi Consulting Agreement reaffirmedby Mr. Thompson and affirmed certain obligations of Mr. Colosi under his 2018 employment agreement,2021 Employment Agreement, including, without limitation, obligations pertaining to confidentiality, non-competition, non-hire, and non-solicitation.

37


Hedging and Pledging Policies

The Company has an insidera stock trading policy that, among other things, prohibits all of our employees (including our executive officers) and our directors from engaging in speculative trading in the Company'sCompany’s shares, which prohibition includes any arrangement by which a shareholder or option holder changes his or her economic exposure to changes in the price of the stock. Prohibited arrangements include buying standardized put or call options, writing put or call options, selling stock short, buying or selling securities convertible into other securities, or merely engaging in a private arrangement where the value of the agreement varies in relation to the price of the underlying security. Such arrangements are prohibited because these transactions may give the appearance of improper trades and look disloyal. In addition, our insiderstock trading policy strongly discourages employees (including our executive officers) and our directors from holding the Company'sCompany’s securities in a margin account or otherwise pledging these securities as collateral for a loan. As of the date of this proxy statement, none of our Named Executive Officers and non-employee directors hold the Company'sCompany’s securities in a margin account or have otherwise pledged them as collateral for a loan.

    Compensation Committee Report

The compensation committee has reviewed and discussed the "Compensation“Compensation Discussion and Analysis"Analysis” required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management. Based on such review and discussions, the compensation committee recommended to the Board that the "Compensation“Compensation Discussion and Analysis"Analysis” be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference into the Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.28, 2021.

All members of the compensation committee concur in this report.

    James R. Zarley, Chair

    Michael A. Crawford

    Donna E. Epps

    Gregory N. Moore

    Curtis A. Warfield

    Kathleen M. Widmer


38


Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the total compensation earned with respect to the fiscal years 2021, 2020, and 2019 2018, and 2017 for Mr. Morgan, our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Taylor, our late Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and President, and Ms. Robinson, our Chief Financial Officer. It also includes such information for eachat least three of our three other most highly compensated executive officers during fiscal year 2019,2021, as and if applicable.

Name and Principal
Position

Year

Salary
($)

Bonus
($)(1)

Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
Awards
($)(2)(3)

Non-equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(4)

All Other
Compensation
($)(5)

Total
($)(3)

Gerald L. Morgan

2021

411,269

��

2,394,513

880,832

83,151

3,769,765

Chief Executive Officer, President

2020

100,000

200

291,726

772,944

300

1,165,170

W. Kent Taylor

2021

100,962

4,753,200

112,500

19,502

4,986,164

Late Chairman, Late

2020

121,154

3,358,800

7,213

133,772

3,620,939

Chief Executive Officer

2019

525,000

3,711,600

654,181

8,961

4,899,742

Tonya R. Robinson

2021

343,269

200

998,855

446,168

1,788,492

Chief Financial

2020

245,482

200

671,760

3,290

920,732

Officer

2019

298,077

200

1,237,200

249,212

1,161

1,785,850

Doug W. Thompson

2021

435,122

2,376,600

4,745,000

7,556,722

Former Chief Operating

2020

122,960

200

1,679,400

7,896

7,800

1,818,256

Officer

2019

450,000

200

2,629,050

598,108

8,961

3,686,319

S. Chris Jacobsen

2021

343,269

200

950,640

410,944

7,800

1,712,853

Chief Marketing

2020

242,981

200

671,760

3,290

6,658

924,889

Officer

2019

314,481

200

742,320

249,212

8,961

1,315,174

Christopher C. Colson

2021

323,077

200

945,109

319,290

1,497

1,589,173

General Counsel, Corporate Secretary

Hernan E. Mujica

2021

337,707

200

1,142,042

284,783

1,764,732

Chief Information Officer

Gina A. Tobin

2021

334,423

200

822,315

238,141

1,395,079

Chief Learning and Culture Officer

Name and Principal Position
 Year Salary ($) Bonus
($)(1)
 Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock Awards
($)(2)(3)
 Non-equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
 All Other
Compensation
($)
 Total
($)(3)
 

W. Kent Taylor

 2019 525,000  3,711,600 654,181 8,961 4,899,742 

Chairman, Chief Executive

 2018 525,000   829,316 8,782 1,363,098 

Officer, President

 2017 525,000  7,314,300 710,240 8,670 8,558,210 

Tonya R. Robinson

  
2019
  
298,077
  
200
  
1,237,200
  
249,212
  
1,161
  
1,785,850
 

Chief Financial Officer

  2018  250,633  200  626,775  208,601  982  1,087,191 

Scott M. Colosi

 

2019

 


219,808

 



 


4,020,900

 



 


1,727,455

(4)


5,968,163
 

Former President

 2018 450,000 200  552,877 8,782 1,011,859 

 2017 450,000 200 2,709,000 473,494 8,670 3,641,364 

S. Chris Jacobsen

  
2019
  
314,481
  
200
  
742,320
  
249,212
  
8,961
  
1,315,174
 

Chief Marketing Officer

  2018  300,000  200    315,930  8,782  624,912 

  2017  300,000  200  541,800  236,747  8,670  1,087,417 

Doug W. Thompson

 

2019

 


450,000

 


200

 


2,629,050

 


598,108

 


8,961

 


3,686,319
 

Chief Operating Officer

 2018 450,000 200 1,271,240 659,430 8,782 2,389,652 

(1)
This column represents holiday bonus awards paid to the Named Executive Officers for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, December 25, 2018, and December 26, 2017.

(2)
Reflects the grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 of performance based restricted stock units and service based restricted stock units granted pursuant to the Company's long term incentive plan using the closing price of the Company's common stock on the last trading day immediately preceding the grant date. These are not amounts paid to or received by the Named Executive Officers.

(1)

This column represents holiday bonus awards paid to the Named Executive Officers for the fiscal years ended December 28, 2021, December 29, 2020, and December 31, 2019.  

(2)

Reflects the grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 of performance based restricted stock units and service based restricted stock units granted pursuant to the Company’s long term incentive plan using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day immediately preceding the grant date. These are not amounts paid to or received by the Named Executive Officers.

The Company cautions that the amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table for these awards may not represent the amounts that the Named Executive Officers will actually realize from the awards. Whether, and to what extent, a Named Executive Officer realizes value will depend on the Company'sCompany’s actual operating performance, stock price fluctuations and the Named Executive Officer'sOfficer’s continued service with the Company. Additional information on all outstanding stock awards is reflected in the "Grants“Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table"Table” and the "Outstanding“Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table."

(3)

39


(3)

With respect to Mr. Morgan, (i) amounts for the 2021 fiscal year include (a) the performance based restricted stock units and service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Morgan during the 2021 fiscal year relating to his 2021 year service, and (b) the service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Morgan during the 2021 fiscal year relating to his Q4 2020 service, and (ii) amounts for the 2020 fiscal year include the service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Morgan during the 2020 fiscal year relating to his 2020 year service and granted prior to his appointment to President.

With respect to Mr. Taylor, (i) amounts for the 2021 fiscal year include the performance based restricted stock units and service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Taylor during the 2021 fiscal year relating to his 2021 year service (ii) amounts for the 2020 fiscal year include the performance based restricted stock units and service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Taylor during the 2020 fiscal year relating to his 2020 year service, and (iii) amounts for the 2019 fiscal year include the performance based restricted stock units and service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Taylor during the 2019 fiscal year relating to his 2019 year service, and (ii) amounts for the 2017 fiscal year include (a) the performance based restricted stock units and service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Taylor during the 2017 fiscal year relating to his 2018 year service, and (b) the "retention" restricted stock units granted under his 2018 Employment Agreement as more particularly described above.
service.

With respect to Mr. Colosi,Ms. Robinson, (i) amounts for the 2019 fiscal year include (a) the performance based restricted stock units and service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Colosi during the 2019 fiscal year relating to his 2019 year service, and (b) the "retention" restricted stock units granted to Mr. Colosi during the 2019 fiscal year, and (ii) amounts for the 20172021 fiscal year include the performance based restricted stock units and service based restricted stock units granted to


Table of Contents

    Mr. Colosi Ms. Robinson during the 20172021 fiscal year relating to his 2018her 2021 year service. With respect to the restricted stock units granted to Mr. Colosi for the 2019 fiscal year, upon his retirement, he forfeited his right to receive such units which had a grant date fair value of $4,020,900.

    With respect to Mr. Jacobsen, (i)service, (ii) amounts for the 20192020 fiscal year include the performance based restricted stock units and service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. JacobsenMs. Robinson during the 20192020 fiscal year relating to his 2019her 2020 year service, and (ii) amounts for the 2017 fiscal year include the "retention" restricted stock units granted to Mr. Jacobsen under his 2018 Employment Agreement as more particularly described above.

    With respect to Ms. Robinson, (i)(iii) amounts for the 2019 fiscal year include (a) the service based restricted stock units granted to Ms. Robinson during the 2019 fiscal year relating to her 2019 year service, and (b) the "retention"“retention” restricted stock units granted to Ms. Robinson during the 2019 fiscal year, and (ii)year.

    With respect to Mr. Thompson, (i) amounts for the 20182021 fiscal year include the performance based restricted stock units and service based restricted stock units granted to Ms. RobinsonMr. Thompson during the 20182021 fiscal year relating to her 2018his 2021 year service.

    With respectservice, (ii) amounts for the 2020 fiscal year include the performance based restricted stock units and service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Thompson (i)during the 2020 fiscal year relating to his 2020 year service, and (iii) amounts for the 2019 fiscal year include (a) the performance based restricted stock units and service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Thompson during the 2019 fiscal year relating to his 2019 year service, and (b) the "retention"“retention” restricted stock units granted to Mr. Thompson during the 2019 fiscal year.

    With respect to Mr. Jacobsen, (i) amounts for the 2021 fiscal year include the performance based restricted stock units and service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Jacobsen during the 2021 fiscal year relating to his 2021 year service, (ii) amounts for the 20182020 fiscal year include the performance based restricted stock units and service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Jacobsen during the 2020 fiscal year relating to his 2020 year service, and (iii) amounts for the 2019 fiscal year include the performance based restricted stock units and service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Jacobsen during the 2019 fiscal year relating to his 2019 year service.

    With respect to Mr. Colson, amounts for the 2021 fiscal year include (a) the service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. ThompsonColson during the 20182021 fiscal year relating to his 20182021 year service including certain grants made prior to his appointment to General Counsel, and (b) the service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Colson during the 2021 fiscal year relating to his Q4 2020 service.

(4)

With respect to Mr. Colosi's all other compensation amount described for 2019, Mr. Colosi received (i) approximately $323,529 under the Colosi Consulting AgreementMujica, amounts for the period commencing on the start of the Colosi Consulting Agreement through December 31, 2019, (ii) $1,400,000 on March 1, 2020 following the conclusion of his consulting service under the Colosi Consulting Agreement, and (iii) $3,926 for other amounts earned during2021 fiscal year 2019include (a) the service based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Mujica during the 2021 fiscal year relating to his 2021 year service including certain grants made prior to his retirement; provided, however,designation of an executive officer as Chief Information Officer, and (b) the column does not include approximately $176,471 thatservice based restricted stock units granted to Mr. Colosi earned underMujica during the Colosi Consulting Agreement2021 fiscal year relating to his Q4 2020 service.

With respect to Ms. Tobin, amounts for the period commencing on January 1,2021 fiscal year include (a) the service based restricted stock units granted to Ms. Tobin during the 2021 fiscal year relating to her 2021 year service including certain grants made prior to her appointment to Chief Learning and Culture Officer, and (b) the service based restricted stock units granted to Ms. Tobin during the 2021 fiscal year relating to her Q4 2020 and continuing through March 1, 2020.

service.


40


(4)

As described above, Mr. Thompson retired as Chief Operating Officer of the Company on November 29, 2021. Upon his retirement, Mr. Thompson forfeited his right to receive any bonus relating to his 2021 fiscal year service.

(5)

The amount included for Mr. Morgan with respect to fiscal year 2021 includes $81,654 paid by the Company toward to Mr. Morgan’s relocation expenses to Louisville, Kentucky.

We believe that the personal safety and security of our senior executives is of the utmost importance to the Company and its shareholders. In connection with the same, we may from time to time provide personal security services to certain executives. Security services include home security systems and monitoring and, in some cases, personal security services. For fiscal year 2021, the Company paid $17,941 toward Mr. Taylor’s personal security prior to his passing, and for fiscal year 2020, the Company paid $130,155 toward Mr. Taylor’s personal security.

The amount included for Mr. Thompson with respect to fiscal year 2021 includes the total amount paid to Mr. Thompson by the Company under the Thompson Separation Agreement.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal Year 2019
2021

The following table presents information with respect to grants of stock awards to the applicable Named Executive Officers during fiscal year 2019.2021.  


Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(1)

All Other Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of Stock
or Units

Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards

Name

Grant Date

Minimum

Target

Maximum

(2)

($)(3)

W. Kent Taylor

Service Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2022

January 8, 2021

10,000

792,200

Performance Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2022

January 8, 2021

50,000(4)

100,000

3,961,000

Gerald L. Morgan

Service Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2022

January 8, 2021

5,000

396,100

Performance Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2022

January 8, 2021

2,500(4)

5,000

198,050

Service Based RSUs vesting on February 24, 2022

February 24, 2021

1,250

112,838

Service Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2022

March 31, 2021

5,000

482,150

Performance Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2022

March 31, 2021

12,500(4)

25,000

1,205,375

 
  
 Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(1)
  
 Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock and
Option Awards
($)(3)
 
 
  
 All Other Stock
Awards: Number
of Shares of Stock
or Units(2)
 
Name
 Grant Date Minimum Target Maximum 

W. Kent Taylor

             

Service Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2020

 January 8, 2019    10,000 618,600 

Performance Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2020

 January 8, 2019  50,000(4)100,000  3,093,000 

Scott M. Colosi

                  

Service Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2020

 January 8, 2019        10,000  618,600 

Service Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2021

 January 8, 2019        15,000  927,900 

Performance Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2020

 January 8, 2019    40,000(4) 80,000    2,474,400 

S. Chris Jacobsen

             

Service Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2020

 January 8, 2019    5,000 309,300 

Performance Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2019

 January 8, 2019  7,000(4)14,000  433,020 

Tonya R. Robinson

                  

Service Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2020

 January 8, 2019        10,000  618,600 

Service Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2021

 January 8, 2019        10,000  618,600 

Doug W. Thompson

             

Service Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2020

 January 8, 2019    10,000 618,600 

Service Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2021

 January 8, 2020    12,500 773,250 

Performance Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2020

 January 8, 2019  20,000(4)40,000  1,237,200 

41


(1)
These amounts reflect the minimum, target, and maximum number

Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(1)

All Other Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of Stock
or Units

Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards

Name

Grant Date

Minimum

Target

Maximum

(2)

($)(3)

Doug W. Thompson

Service Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2022

January 8, 2021

10,000

792,200

Performance Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2022

January 8, 2021

20,000(4)

40,000

1,584,400

Tonya R. Robinson

Service Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2022

January 8, 2021

10,000

792,200

Performance Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2022

January 8, 2021

2,000(4)

4,000

158,440

Performance Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2022

March 31, 2021

500(4)

1,000

48,215

S. Chris Jacobsen

Service Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2022

January 8, 2021

7,000

554,540

Performance Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2022

January 8, 2021

5,000(4)

10,000

396,100

Christopher C. Colson

Service Based RSUs vesting on February 24, 2022

February 24, 2021

1,125

101,554

Service Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2022

March 31, 2021

7,500

723,225

Service Based RSUs vesting on May 5, 2022

May 5, 2021

1,125

120,330

Hernan E. Mujica

Service Based RSUs vesting on February 24, 2022

February 24, 2021

2,375

214,391

Service Based RSUs vesting on May 5, 2022

May 5, 2021

2,375

254,030

Service Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2022

June 15, 2021

4,750

462,840

Service Based RSUs vesting on August 4, 2022

August 4, 2021

2,375

210,781

42


Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive Plan
Awards(1)

All Other Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of Stock
or Units

Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards

Name

Grant Date

Minimum

Target

Maximum

(2)

($)(3)

Gina A. Tobin

Service Based RSUs vesting on February 24, 2022

February 24, 2021

1,000

90,270

Service Based RSUs vesting on May 5, 2022

May 5, 2021

1,500

160,440

Service Based RSUs vesting on January 8, 2022

June 15, 2021

4,500

438,480

Service Based RSUs vesting on August 4, 2022

August 4, 2021

1,500

133,125

(1)

These amounts reflect the minimum, target, and maximum number of shares issuable under performance awards. The related performance targets and certain results are described in detail in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”  

(2)

Each stock award consists of service based restricted stock units, where each unit represents the conditional right to receive one share of our common stock upon satisfaction of vesting requirements. See the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for the conditions of accelerated vesting upon termination of employment other than for cause.

(3)

Reflects the grant date fair value computed in accordance with ASC 718 of the target number of performance based restricted stock units and service based restricted stock units granted to the Named Executive Officers using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the last trading day immediately preceding the grant date, which was based on the following:

(i)With respect to Mr. Taylor, 10,000 service based restricted stock units and 50,000 performance based restricted stock units granted on January 8, 2021 at $79.22.  

(ii)With respect to Mr. Morgan, 5,000 service based restricted stock units and 2,500 performance based restricted stock units granted on January 8, 2021 at $79.22, 1,250 service based restricted stock units granted on February 24, 2021 at $90.27, and 5,000 service based restricted stock units and 12,500 performance based restricted stock units granted on March 31, 2021 at $96.43.

(iii)With respect to Mr. Thompson, 10,000 service based restricted stock units and 20,000 performance based restricted stock units granted on January 8, 2021 at $79.22.

(iv)With respect to Ms. Robinson, 10,000 service based restricted stock units and 2,000 performance based restricted stock units granted on January 8, 2021 at $79.22 and 500 performance based restricted stock units granted on March 31, 2021 at $96.43.

(v)With respect to Mr. Jacobsen, 7,000 service based restricted stock units and 5,000 performance based restricted stock units granted on January 8, 2021 at $79.22.

(vi)With respect to Mr. Colson, 1,125 service based restricted stock units granted on February 24, 2021 at $90.27, 7,500 service based restricted stock units granted on March 31, 2021 at $96.43, and 1,125 service based restricted stock units granted on May 5, 2021 at $106.96.

43


(vii)With respect to Mr. Mujica, 2,375 service based restricted stock units granted on February 24, 2021 at $90.27, 2,375 service based restricted stock units granted on May 5, 2021 at $106.96, 4,750 service based restricted stock units granted on June 15, 2021 at $97.44, and 2,375 service based restricted stock units granted on August 4, 2021 at $88.75.

(viii)With respect to Ms. Tobin, 1,000 service based restricted stock units granted on February 24, 2021 at $90.27, 1,500 restricted stock units granted on May 5, 2021 at $106.96, 4,500 service based restricted stock units granted on June 15, 2021 at $97.44, and 1,500 service based restricted stock units granted on August 4, 2021 at $88.75.

These are not amounts paid to or received by the Named Executive Officers. For discussion of the assumptions used in determining these values, see Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

(4)
The amount included in the table above represents the target award opportunity. Performance based equity awards with respect to fiscal year 2019 were paid at 124.6% of the total target amount for all or a portion
28, 2021.

(4)

The amount included in the table above represents the target award opportunity. Performance based equity awards with respect to fiscal year 2021 were paid at 187.9% of the total target amount for all or a portion of the fiscal year in which a Named Executive Officer served in such role, based on an increase in actual EPS of 682.5% and an actual Profit Sharing Pool of $4,273,076 calculated on fiscal year 2021 pre-tax profit of $284,871,733.  


44


    of the fiscal year in which a Named Executive Officer served in such role, based on actual EPS growth of 11.9% and an actual Profit Sharing Pool of $3,102,743 calculated on fiscal year 2019 pre-tax profit of $206,849,534.

Outstanding Equity Awards

The following table presents information with respect to outstanding stock option awards, stock awards, and equity incentive plan awards as of December 31, 201928, 2021 by the Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Colosi)Messrs. Taylor and Thompson).


Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table

Stock Awards

Equity Incentive Plan Awards

Name

Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)

Market Value
of Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)(1)

Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)

Market
Value
of Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)(1)

Gerald L. Morgan

11,250(2)

1,008,225

15,000(3)

1,344,300

Chief Executive Officer, President

Tonya R. Robinson

10,000(4)

896,200

2,500(5)

224,050

Chief Financial Officer

S. Chris Jacobsen

7,000(6)

627,340

5,000(7)

448,100

Chief Marketing Officer

Christopher C. Colson

9,750(8)

873,795

General Counsel, Corporate Secretary

Hernan E. Mujica

11,875(9)

1,064,238

Chief Information Officer

Gina A. Tobin

8,500(10)

761,770

Chief Learning and Culture Officer

 
 Stock Awards Equity Incentive Plan Awards 
Name
 Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
 Market
Value
of Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)(1)
 Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
 Market
Value
of Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)(1)
 

W. Kent Taylor

 85,000(2)4,787,200 50,000(3)2,816,000 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President

         

S. Chris Jacobsen

  15,000(4) 844,800  7,000(5) 394,240 

Chief Marketing Officer

             

Tonya R. Robinson

 20,000(6)1,126,400   

Chief Financial Officer

         

Doug W. Thompson

  22,500(7) 1,267,200  20,000(8) 1,126,400 

Chief Operating Officer

             

(1)
Market value was computed using the Company's closing stock price on the last trading day of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, which was $56.32.

(2)

(1)

Market value was computed using the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of our fiscal year ended December 28, 2021, which was $89.62.    

(2)

The vesting schedule is as follows: 10,000 service based restricted stock units on January 8, 2022 and 1,250 service based restricted stock units on February 24, 2022.

(3)

Consists of performance awards which will vest and be earned, if at all, at the time of a determination by our compensation committee that certain Company performance measures have been satisfied. If and to the extent earned, the vesting schedule is as follows: 15,000 performance based restricted stock units on January 8, 2022.

(4)The vesting schedule is as follows: 10,000 sharesservice based restricted stock units on January 8, 2020, and 75,000 shares on January 8, 2023.

(3)
Consists of performance awards which will vest and be earned, if at all, at the time of a determination by our compensation committee that certain Company performance measures have been satisfied. If and to the extent earned, the vesting schedule is as follows: 50,000 shares on January 8, 2020.

(4)
The vesting schedule is as follows: 5,000 shares on January 8, 2020, and 10,000 shares on January 8, 2021.

(5)
Consists of performance awards which will vest and be earned, if at all, at the time of a determination by our compensation committee that certain Company performance measures have been satisfied. If and to the extent earned, the vesting schedule is as follows: 7,000 shares on January 8, 2020.

(6)
The vesting schedule is as follows: 10,000 shares on January 8, 2020, and 10,000 shares on January 8, 2021.

(7)
The vesting schedule is as follows: 10,000 shares on January 8, 2020, and 12,500 shares on January 8, 2021.

(8)
Consists of performance awards which will vest and be earned, if at all, at the time of a determination by our compensation committee that certain Company performance measures have been satisfied. If and to the extent earned, the vesting schedule is as follows: 20,000 shares on January 8, 2020.
2022.

(5)

Consists of performance awards which will vest and be earned, if at all, at the time of a determination by our compensation committee that certain Company performance measures have been satisfied. If and to the extent earned, the vesting schedule is as follows: 2,500 performance based restricted stock units on January 8, 2022.

(6)The vesting schedule is as follows: 7,000 service based restricted stock units on January 8, 2022.

(7)

Consists of performance awards which will vest and be earned, if at all, at the time of a determination by our compensation committee that certain Company performance measures have been satisfied. If and to the extent earned, the vesting schedule is as follows: 5,000 performance based restricted stock units on January 8, 2022.


45


(8)

The vesting schedule is as follows: 7,500 service based restricted stock units on January 8, 2022, 1,125 service based restricted stock units on February 24, 2022 and 1,125 service based restricted stock units on May 5, 2022.

(9)

The vesting schedule is as follows: 4,750 service based restricted stock units on January 8, 2022, 2,375 service based restricted stock units on February 24, 2022, 2,375 service based restricted stock units on May 5, 2022, and 2,375 service based restricted stock units on August 4, 2022.

(10)

The vesting schedule is as follows: 4,500 service based restricted stock units on January 8, 2022, 1,000 service based restricted stock units on February 24, 2022, 1,500 service based restricted stock units on May 5, 2022, and 1,500 service based restricted stock units on August 4, 2022.

See the "Compensation“Compensation Discussion and Analysis"Analysis” for the conditions of accelerated vesting upon termination of employment other than for cause.

Stock Vested

The following table presents information with respect to stock awards vested during the fiscal year ended December 31, 201928, 2021 by the Named Executive Officers.


Stock Vested Table

Stock Vested Table

Name

Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting
(#)

Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(1)

W. Kent Taylor

80,979

7,632,882(i)

Late Chairman, Late Chief Executive Officer

Gerald L. Morgan

5,000

468,763(ii)

Chief Executive Officer, President

Doug W. Thompson

23,816

1,886,704(iii)

Former Chief Operating Officer

Tonya R. Robinson

20,132

1,594,857(iv)

Chief Financial Officer

S. Chris Jacobsen

15,461

1,224,820(v)

Chief Marketing Officer

Christopher C. Colson

4,500

421,886(vi)

General Counsel, Corporate Secretary

Hernan E. Mujica

9,500

890,649(vii)

Chief Information Officer

Gina A. Tobin

3,750

352,290(viii)

Chief Learning and Culture Officer

(1)

The value realized upon vesting of restricted stock units represents the fair value of the underlying shares based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the vesting date, which is in accordance with the following:

(i)$79.22 with respect to the 10,000 service based restricted stock units which vested on January 8, 2021, $79.22 with respect to the 3,290 performance based restricted stock units which vested on January 8, 2021 but became reportable on February 26, 2021, $97.21 with respect to 1,890 service based restricted stock units which vested on March 18, 2021 (which reflects a prorated portion of 10,000 service based restricted stock units that vested upon Mr. Taylor’s death), $97.21 with respect to 48,042 “retention” restricted stock units which vested on March 18, 2021 (which reflects a prorated portion of 75,000 “retention” restricted stock units that vested upon Mr. Taylor’s death), and $97.21 with respect to 17,757 performance based restricted stock units
Name
 Number of
Shares Acquired
on Vesting (#)
 Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(1)
 

W. Kent Taylor

 88,983 5,504,488(i)

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President

     

Scott M. Colosi

  73,186  4,527,286(ii)

Former President

       

S. Chris Jacobsen

 15,000 927,900(iii)

Chief Marketing Officer

     

Tonya R. Robinson

  10,000  563,310(iv)

Chief Financial Officer

       

Doug W. Thompson

 22,000 1,338,860(v)

Chief Operating Officer

     

46


(1)
The value realized upon vesting of restricted stock units represents the fair value of the underlying shares based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the vesting date, which is in accordance with the following:

(i)
$61.86 with respect to the 10,000 service based restricted stock units which vested on January 8, 2019, and $61.86 with respect to the 78,983 performance based restricted stock units which vested on January 8, 2019 but became reportable on February 22, 2019.

(ii)
$61.86 with respect to the 10,000 service based restricted stock units which vested on January 8, 2019, and $61.86 with respect to the 63,186 performance based restricted stock units which vested on January 8, 2019 but became reportable on February 22, 2019.

(iii)
$61.86 with respect to the 15,000 restricted stock units which vested on January 8, 2019.

(iv)
$62.52 with respect to the 1,500 restricted stock units which vested on February 26, 2019, $54.72 with respect to 1,500 restricted stock units which vested on May 6, 2019, and $55.35 with respect to 7,000 restricted stock units which vested on June 11, 2019.

(v)
$61.86 with respect to the 20,000 restricted stock units which vested on January 8, 2019, and $50.83 with respect to 2,000 restricted stock units which vested on August 27, 2019.
which vested on March 18, 2021 but became reportable on February 25, 2022 (which reflect a prorated portion of 50,000 performance based restricted stock units that vested upon Mr. Taylor’s death but were determined after certain Company performance measures have been satisfied during the 2021 fiscal year).

(ii)$90.88 with respect to the 1,250 service based restricted stock units which vested on March 1, 2021, $104.63 with respect to the 1,250 service based restricted stock units which vested on May 10, 2021, $91.71 with respect to the 1,250 service based restricted stock units which vested on August 9, 2021, and $87.79 with respect to the 1,250 service based restricted stock units which vested on November 3, 2021.

(iii)$79.22 with respect to the 22,500 service based restricted stock units which vested on January 8, 2021 and $79.22 with respect to the 1,316 performance based restricted stock units which vested on January 8, 2021 but became reportable on February 26, 2021.

(iv)$79.22 with respect to the 20,000 service based restricted stock units which vested on January 8, 2021 and $79.22 with respect to the 132 performance based restricted stock units which vested on January 8, 2021 but became reportable on February 26, 2021.

(v)$79.22 with respect to the 15,000 service based restricted stock units which vested on January 8, 2021 and $79.22 with respect to the 461 performance based restricted stock units which vested on January 8, 2021 but became reportable on February 26, 2021.

(vi)$90.88 with respect to the 1,125 service based restricted stock units which vested on March 1, 2021, $104.63 with respect to the 1,125 service based restricted stock units which vested on May 10, 2021, $91.71 with respect to the 1,125 service based restricted stock units which vested on August 9, 2021, and $87.79 with respect to the 1,125 service based restricted stock units which vested on November 3, 2021.

(vii)$90.88 with respect to the 2,375 service based restricted stock units which vested on March 1, 2021, $104.63 with respect to the 2,375 service based restricted stock units which vested on May 10, 2021, $91.71 with respect to the 2,375 service based restricted stock units which vested on August 9, 2021, and $87.79 with respect to the 2,375 service based restricted stock units which vested on November 3, 2021.

(viii)$90.88 with respect to the 750 service based restricted stock units which vested on March 1, 2021, $104.63 with respect to the 1,000 service based restricted stock units which vested on May 10, 2021, $91.71 with respect to the 1,000 service based restricted stock units which vested on August 9, 2021, and $87.79 with respect to the 1,000 service based restricted stock units which vested on November 3, 2021.

Termination, Change of Control and Change of Responsibility Payments

If a Named Executive Officer had resigned or been terminated any reason or for cause other than a Qualifying Reason (as defined above) prior to the expiration of the term of his or her 20182021 Employment Agreement, the Named Executive Officer would have received payment of his or her annual base salary then in effect through the date of resignation or termination.termination as well as any accrued paid time off that might be due at such termination in accordance with policies of the Company in effect from time to time, and the Company shall have no other severance obligations under such 2021 Employment Agreement.

If a Named Executive Officer had been terminated prior to the expiration of the term of his or her 20182021 Employment Agreement for a Qualifying Reason, the Company will pay the Named Executive Officer three months of base salary, unless the termination occurs within 12 months following a Change in Control (as defined above), in which case the applicable Named Executive Officer’s current base salary remaining for the then existing term of his or her respective 2021 Employment Agreement will be paid.

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In addition, if any Named Executive Officer’s termination occurs for a Qualifying Reason within 12 months following a Change in Control, the applicable Named Executive Officer shall be paid any incentive bonus earned but not yet paid for any fiscal year ended before the date of termination, plus an incentive bonus for the year in which the date of termination occurs, equal to the applicable Named Executive Officer’s target bonus for that year, prorated based on the number of days in the fiscal year elapsed before the date of termination.  

While the individual 2021 Employment Agreements do not address the manner in which unvested stock awards, if any, will be handled upon the termination of a Named Executive Officer, the specific restricted stock unit award agreement and/or performance restricted stock unit award agreement entered into by the Named Executive Officers upon the grant of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units provide that (A) if a Change in Control occurs prior to the vesting date of such restricted stock units and the Named Executive Officer is terminated by the Company without Cause, or (B) if the Named Executive Officer is terminated for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change in Control, then such unvested service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units shall become vested as a resultof the date of termination.  Additionally, such specific restricted stock unit award agreement and/or performance restricted stock unit award agreement entered into by the Named Executive Officers provide that if any Named Executive Officer’s continuous service is terminated because of death or disability prior to the vesting date for the applicable grant of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units (as and if applicable), then such Named Executive Officer's beneficiary or estate would have been entitled to receiveapplicable restricted stock units become immediately vested in an amount equal to the total number of granted restricted stock units multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar months or portions thereof from grant date of such officer's annual base salary then in effectrestricted stock units through the date of terminationon which such Named Executive Officer’s continuous service is terminated due to death or disability plus any earned but unpaid bonus, plusand the amountdenominator of which is the total number of calendar months or portion thereof in the vesting period for such Named Executive Officer's annual base salary then in effect for


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180 days following the termination, plus a fixed bonus amount as follows: for Mr. Taylor, $262,500; for Mr. Colosi, $175,000; for Mr. Jacobsen, $100,000; for Ms. Robinson, $100,000; and, for Mr. Thompson, $225,000.

        Except as otherwise noted with respect to Mr. Colosi, theThe following table lists the estimated amounts payable to a Named Executive Officer pursuant to the 20182021 Employment Agreements if his or her employment had been terminated without causefor a Qualifying Reason unrelated to a change of control or death or disability on December 31, 2019,28, 2021, the last day of our fiscal year, provided that each Named Executive Officer signed a full release of all claims against us.


Termination Payments Table

Termination Payments Table

Name

Total Estimated
Cash
Payments
($)(1)

Gerald L. Morgan

112,500

Chief Executive Officer, President

Doug W. Thompson

4,745,000(2)

Former Chief Operating Officer

Tonya R. Robinson

87,500

Chief Financial Officer

S. Chris Jacobsen

87,500

Chief Marketing Officer

Christopher C. Colson

87,500

General Counsel, Corporate Secretary

Hernan E. Mujica

87,500

Chief Information Officer

Gina A. Tobin

87,500

Chief Learning and Culture Officer

(1)If the employment of any of Mss. Robinson and Tobin and Messrs. Morgan, Jacobsen, Colson, and Mujica is terminated under those circumstances, then the Company will pay him or her three months of their applicable base salary.

(2)As more particularly described above, this amount includes the actual amount paid by the Company to Mr. Thompson pursuant to the Thompson Separation Agreement and is comprised of three installments
Name
 Total
Estimated
Cash
Payments
($)(1)
 

W. Kent Taylor

 100 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President

   

Scott M. Colosi

  1,900,000(2)

Former President

    

S. Chris Jacobsen

 504,554 

Chief Marketing Officer

   

Tonya R. Robinson

  497,157 

Chief Financial Officer

    

Doug W. Thompson

 1,045,026 

Chief Operating Officer

   

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(1)
Mr. Taylor is entitled to a crisp $100 bill upon the termination of his employment without cause. If the employment of Mr. Jacobsen had been terminated under those circumstances, he would have received any bonus for a year already ended (even if not yet paid at termination), plus the proportionate share of his annual base salary then in effect ($315,000) for 180 days, plus $100,000. If the employment of Ms. Robinson had been terminated under those circumstances, she would have received any bonus for a year already ended (even if not yet paid at termination), plus the proportionate share of her annual base salary then in effect ($300,000) for 180 days, plus $100,000. If the employment of Mr. Thompson had been terminated under those circumstances, he would have received any bonus for a year already ended (even if not yet paid at termination), plus the proportionate share of his annual base salary then in effect ($450,000) for 180 days, plus $225,000.

(2)
As more particularly described above, this amount includes the actual amount paid by the Company to Mr. Colosi pursuant to the Colosi Consulting Agreement and is comprised of (i) an aggregate sum of $500,000 in bi-weekly installments over the term of the Colosi Consulting Agreement, and (ii) $1,400,000 paid to Mr. Colosi on March 1, 2020. As previously discussed, upon his retirement, Mr. Colosi forfeited his right to all outstanding equity awards and he reaffirmed certain obligations under his 2018 employment agreement, including, without limitation, obligations pertaining to non-competition, non-hire, and non-solicitation
in accordance with the following schedule: (i) $1,581,667 due and payable no later than December 27, 2021; (ii) $1,581,666 due and payable on January 31, 2022; and (iii) $1,581,666 due and payable on March 14, 2022. As previously discussed, upon his retirement, Mr. Thompson forfeited his right to all outstanding equity awards and he reaffirmed certain obligations under his 2021 Employment Agreement, including, without limitation, obligations pertaining to non-competition, non-hire, and non-solicitation

The following table lists the estimated amounts payable to a Named Executive Officer (other than Mr. Colosi)pursuant to the 2021 Employment Agreements and applicable equity incentive agreements if his or her employment had been terminated without causeCause following a change of control,Change in Control or if any of the officers had resigned his or her positionNamed Executive Officer resigns for good reasonGood Reason within 12 months following a changeChange of control,Control, on December 31, 2019,28, 2021, the last day of our fiscal year, provided that each Named Executive Officer signed a full release of claims against us.


Change in Control, Change in Responsibilities Payments Table

Name

Estimated
Cash
Payments
($)(1)

Estimated Value of
Newly Vested
Stock Awards
($)(2)

Total
($)

Gerald L. Morgan

2,155,405

2,352,525

4,507,930

Chief Executive Officer, President

Tonya R. Robinson

1,403,049

1,120,250

2,523,299

Chief Financial Officer

S. Chris Jacobsen

1,343,114

1,075,440

2,418,554

Chief Marketing Officer

Christopher C. Colson

1,227,214

873,795

2,101,009

General Counsel, Corporate Secretary

Hernan E. Mujica

1,192,990

1,064,238

2,257,228

Chief Information Officer

Gina A. Tobin

1,011,514

761,770

1,773,284

Chief Learning and Culture Officer

(1)

If the employment of any of the Named Executive Officers listed above had been terminated without Cause following a Change of Control, or if any of the Named Executive Officers listed above had resigned his or her position for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change of Control, the Named Executive Officer would have received the amount of his or her then current base salary through the end of the term of the Named Executive Officer’s employment agreement, together any incentive bonus earned but not yet paid for any fiscal year ended before the date of termination, plus an incentive bonus for the year in which the date of termination occurs, equal to the applicable Named Executive Officer’s target bonus for that year, prorated based on the number of days in the fiscal year elapsed before the date of termination.  Had a Named Executive Officer’s employment been so terminated on December 28, 2021, each of Messrs. Morgan, Jacobsen, Colson, and Mujica, and Mss. Robinson and Tobin would have received payment through January 7, 2024.    

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Change in Control, Change in Responsibilities Payments Table

Name
 Estimated
Cash
Payments
($)(1)
 Estimated Value of
Newly Vested
Stock Awards
($)(2)
 Total
($)
 

W. Kent Taylor

 1,714,249 10,982,400 12,696,649 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President

       

S. Chris Jacobsen

  770,253  1,914,880  2,685,133 

Chief Marketing Officer

          

Tonya R. Robinson

 754,965 1,689,600 2,444,565 

Chief Financial Officer

       

Doug W. Thompson

  1,536,738  4,083,200  5,629,938 

Chief Operating Officer

          

(1)
If

For the employmentpurposes of any ofthis footnote (1), the Named Executive Officers listed above had been terminated without cause following a change of control, or if any of the Named Executive Officers listed above had resigned his or her position for good reason following a change of control, the Named Executive Officer would have received the amount of his or her then current base salary and target incentive bonus through the end of the term of the Named Executive Officer's employment agreement, but not less than one year. Had a Named Executive Officer's employment been so terminated on December 31, 2019, each of Messrs. Taylor, Jacobsen, and Thompson, and Ms. and Robinson would have received payment through January 7, 2021.

        The table below details the estimated payment for each Named Executive Officer.

Name
 Salary ($) Bonus ($) Total
Estimated
Payments
($)
 

W. Kent Taylor

 535,068 1,179,181 1,714,249 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President

       

S. Chris Jacobsen

  321,041  449,212  770,253 

Chief Marketing Officer

          

Tonya R. Robinson

 305,753 449,212 754,965 

Chief Financial Officer

       

Doug W. Thompson

  458,630  1,078,108  1,536,738 

Chief Operating Officer

          
(2)
Each Named Executive Officer's restricted stock units would have become immediately vested upon a termination of his or her employment without cause following a change of control, or if any of the Named Executive Officers had resigned his or her position for good reason following a change of control. In addition, if any of Messrs. Taylor, Colosi, Jacobsen, and Thompson, and Ms. Robinson had not yet been granted performance based restricted stock units for the third year of their respective employment agreement, they would be issued the target number of units set forth in their respective 2018 Employment Agreements and as more particularly identified in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table above for each such year. The amounts shown in this column represent the value of the restricted stock units at the closing price of our common stock on the last trading day of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, which was $56.32. The number of restricted stock units which would have vested on that date are shown in "Outstanding Equity Awards."

Name

Salary
($)

Bonus
($)

Total
Estimated
Payments
($)

Gerald L. Morgan

913,562

1,241,844

2,155,405

Chief Executive Officer, President

Tonya R. Robinson

710,548

692,501

1,403,049

Chief Financial Officer

S. Chris Jacobsen

710,548

632,566

1,343,114

Chief Marketing Officer

Christopher C. Colson

710,548

516,666

1,227,214

General Counsel, Corporate Secretary

Hernan E. Mujica

710,548

482,442

1,192,990

Chief Information Officer

Gina A. Tobin

710,548

300,966

1,011,514

Chief Learning and Culture Officer

(2)

While the individual 2021 Employment Agreements do not address the manner in which unvested stock awards, if any, will be handled upon the termination of a Named Executive Officer, the specific restricted stock unit award agreement and/or performance restricted stock unit award agreement entered into by the Named Executive Officers upon the grant of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units provide that each Named Executive Officer’s service based restricted stock units and performance based restricted stock units would have become immediately vested upon a termination of his or her employment (A) if a Change in Control occurs prior to the vesting date of such restricted stock units and the Named Executive Officer is terminated by the Company without Cause, or (B) if the Named Executive Officer is terminated for Good Reason within 12 months following a Change in Control. The amounts shown in this column represent the value of the restricted stock units at the closing price of our common stock on the last trading day of our fiscal year ended December 28, 2021, which was $89.62. The number of service based restricted stock units and performance based restricted stock units which would have vested on that date are shown in “Outstanding Equity Awards.”

CEO Pay Ratio

Under Section 953(b) of the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, a U.S. publicly traded corporation is required to disclose the ratio between their Chief Executive Officer'sOfficer’s annual total compensation to the total compensation of such corporation'scorporation’s median employee after excluding the Chief Executive Officer'sOfficer’s compensation. To identify our median employee, we used the 20192021 total cash


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compensation for all individuals (other than Mr. Taylor,Morgan, our CEO) who were employed by us as of December 31, 2019,28, 2021, the last day of our 20192021 fiscal year. For the purposes of calculating our employee'semployee’s total cash compensation, we used our employee'semployee’s base wages identified on our employees'employees’ W-2 forms. As a part of our calculation, we included all employees, whether employed by us on a full-time or part-time basis, and we annualized the compensation of any employee whom we hired during our 20192021 fiscal year and who was working for us at the end of our fiscal year. As of December 31, 2019,28, 2021, approximately 72%71% of our employees were part-time employees and our average employee worked approximately 2319 hours per week.

We identified our median employee as a part-time server in Bismarck, North DakotaZanesville, Ohio who worked an average of 1520 hours per week.  After identifying our median employee, we calculated the annual total compensation for such employee as $13,483,$16,234, which is determined using the same methodology we used for our Named Executive Officers as set forth in the 20192021 Summary Compensation Table described above.

50


As more particularly described in the 20192021 Summary Compensation Table, the annual total compensation for Mr. Taylor,Morgan, our CEO, for our 20192021 fiscal year is $4,900,645$3,769,765 and the ratio between the compensation for our CEO and the compensation for our median employee is 363232 to 1. Note that since the SEC rules allow companies to use various methodologies and assumptions, apply certain exclusions, and make reasonable estimates relating to a specific company'scompany’s employee base when identifying the median employee, the CEO pay ratio disclosed by other companies may not be comparable with the CEO pay ratio disclosed in this paragraph. Additionally, the pay ratio between our CEO and our median employee may vary year to year based, in part, on the grant date value of any restricted stock units granted to our CEO in any given year.


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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The audit committee of the Board (the "Committee"Committee) is currently composed of threesix directors, all of whom meet the criteria for independence under the applicable NASDAQ and Securities & Exchange Commission (the "SEC"SEC) rules and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Committee acts under a written charter adopted by the Board, a copy of which is available on the Company'sCompany’s website atwww.texasroadhouse.com.  The Committee is currently comprised of Mss. Epps and Widmer and Messrs. Crawford, Moore, Warfield, and Zarley. Mr. Moore currently serves as the chairperson of the Committee. The Board evaluated the credentials of and designated Ms. Epps and Messrs. Moore and Warfield as audit committee financial experts.

The Committee has prepared the following report on its activities and with respect to the Company'sCompany’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 201928, 2021 (the "AuditedAudited Financial Statements"Statements).

    The Committee met 1415 times during fiscal year 2019,2021, which were comprised of six regular meetings of the Committee, and two meetings per quarter relating to the Committee'sCommittee’s review of the Company'sCompany’s quarterly earnings release and filings with the SEC.SEC, and one special meeting to discuss emerging events which occurred between regularly scheduled meetings. The Committee'sCommittee’s meetings included private sessions with the Company'sCompany’s independent auditors and internal auditors (as needed), as well as executive sessions consisting of only Committee members. The Committee also met periodically in private sessions with management, including Named Executive Officers (as needed);

The Committee reviewed the acknowledgement process for the Company'sCompany’s Code of Conduct and the corresponding results;

The Committee reviewed the scope, plans, and results of the testing performed by the Company'sCompany’s internal auditors and independent auditors in their assessments of internal control over financial reporting and the consolidated financial statements;

The Committee evaluated and reviewed the Company’s internal audit function, including, without limitation, the independence, competence, staffing adequacy and authority of the function; the ability of the internal audit function to raise issues to the appropriate level of authority; and the reporting relationships among the Company’s internal auditors, financial management, and the Committee;

The Committee reviewed matters submitted to it via the Company'sCompany’s whistleblower hotline and/or other reporting mechanisms regarding concerns about allegedly questionable financial, accounting, and/or auditing matters (if any);

The Committee reviewed with management, including the internal auditors, the Company’s General Counsel, the independent auditors, and the Company'sCompany’s risk committee team consisting of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Vice President of Legal,Legendary People and Risk, and Vice President of Finance, the independent auditors, the Company'sCompany’s practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management. The overall adequacy and effectiveness of the Company'sCompany’s legal, regulatory, and ethical compliance programs were also reviewed, as well as the Company'sCompany’s cybersecurity controls and system standards;

standards.  Additionally and as a part of the Committee’s oversight responsibilities, the Committee received reports on risks relating to certain business functions within the Company, including cybersecurity, together with reports from the Company’s information security and governance risk committee and the environmental, social, and governance risk committee;

The Committee reviewed with the Company's Vice President of LegalCompany’s General Counsel the Company'sCompany’s disclosures with respect to current lawsuits (as and if applicable);

The Committee reviewed comment letters received from the SEC, if any, together with management'smanagement’s response to such letters;

The Committee pre-approved all audit, audit-related, and permissible non-audit services provided to the Company by KPMG LLP, the Company'sCompany’s independent auditors, for the 20192021 fiscal year, before management

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engaged the independent auditors for those purposes, pursuant to and in accordance with the Texas Roadhouse, Inc. Policy for Pre-Approval of Services Provided by External Audit Firm (which is available on the Company'sCompany’s website at www.texasroadhouse.com);

On a quarterly basis, the Committee discussed with KPMG LLP the matters required to be discussed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight BoardBoard’s Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communications with Committees;

The Committee discussed with KPMG LLP their written disclosures and letter required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent auditor'sauditor’s communications with the Committee concerning independence;

The Committee reviewed the selection, application, and disclosure of critical accounting policies;


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    The Committee reviewed with KPMG LLP the selection and disclosure of the critical audit mattersmatter(s) set forth in the independent auditor'sauditor’s report of the Company'sCompany’s Form 10-K;

The Committee reviewed the Company'sCompany’s quarterly earnings press releases prior to issuance;

The Committee reviewed and discussed the Company'sCompany’s Audited Financial Statements for the 20192021 fiscal year with management and the independent auditors;

As mentioned above, the Committee reviewed the Company'sCompany’s Quarterly and Annual Reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K prior to filing with the SEC;

SEC and acknowledged that the Committee did not have any objections to the filing of the same;

The Committee evaluated the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of KPMG LLP. In connection with such appointment, the Committee evaluated the service level of the incumbent independent auditor, which included criteria such as prior year quality of service, industry and technical expertise, independence, resource availability, and reasonableness and competitiveness of fees, as well as solicited the input of key management employees during its evaluation; and

Based on the review and discussion referred to above, and in reliance thereon, the Committee recommended to the Board that the Audited Financial Statements be included in the Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019,28, 2021, for filing with the SEC.

All members of the Committee concur in this report.

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Related Party Transactions

The Committee'sCommittee’s charter provides that the Committee will review and approve any transactions between us and any of our executive officers, non-employee directors, and 5% shareholders, or any members of their immediate families, in which the amount involved exceeds the threshold limits established by the regulations of the SEC. In reviewing a related-party transaction, the Committee considers the material terms of the transaction, including whether the terms are generally available to an unaffiliated third party under similar circumstances. Unless specifically noted, the transactions described below were either entered into before our initial public offering in 2004 and the subsequent formation of the Committee.Committee or before the individual listed below became a Named Executive Officer.

Grants of Franchise or License Rights

We have licensed or franchised restaurants to companies owned in part by certain Named Executive Officers. The licensing or franchise fees paid by these companies to us range from 0.0% to 4.0% of restaurant sales, which is the amount we typically charge to franchisees. We believe that allowing certain Named Executive Officers with ownership interests in our restaurants that pre-dated our initial public offering to continue to maintain those ownership interests adds an ongoing benefit to the Company by making those Named Executive Officers more invested in the overall success of the brand.

Ownership of


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franchised restaurants by our current and/or former Named Executive Officers as of the end of the 20192021 fiscal year is listed below.

Restaurant
 Name and
Ownership
 Initial
Franchise
Fee
 Royalty
Rate
 Royalties
Paid to
Us in
Fiscal Year
2019
($)
 Management,
Supervision or
Accounting Fees
Paid to Us in
Fiscal Year
2019
($)
 

Billings, MT

 W. Kent Taylor (27.5%)  4.0%222,294 27,787 

 Scott M. Colosi (2.0%)     

Everett, MA

 W. Kent Taylor (28.75%)    4.0% 277,760  34,720 

Fargo, ND

 Scott M. Colosi (5.05%)  4.0%204,383 25,548 

Lexington, KY

 W. Kent Taylor (3.33%)    2.0% 112,338  23,724 

McKinney, TX

 Scott M. Colosi (2.0%)  4.0%286,599 35,825 

Muncie, IN

 W. Kent Taylor (4.91%)      50,000   

Omaha, NE

 Scott M. Colosi (10.99%)  4.0%231,165 28,896 

Port Arthur, TX

 W. Kent Taylor (15.0%)    4.0% 236,302  29,538 

 Scott M. Colosi (3.0%)             

Wichita, KS

 W. Kent Taylor (24.05%)  4.0%330,413 41,302 

 Scott M. Colosi (4.0%)     

Restaurant

Name and Ownership

Initial
Franchise
Fee

Royalty
Rate

Royalties
Paid to
Us in
Fiscal Year
2021
($)

Management,
Supervision,
and/or
Accounting
Fees
Paid to Us
in Fiscal Year
2021
($)(1)

Billings, MT

W. Kent Taylor(2) (27.5%)

4.0%

237,192

33,885

El Cajon, CA

Gerald L. Morgan (2.0%)

4.0%

370,374

28,266

Everett, MA

W. Kent Taylor(2) (28.75%)

4.0%

246,245

35,178

McKinney, TX

Gerald L. Morgan (2.0%)

4.0%

316,551

45,256

Muncie, IN

W. Kent Taylor(2) (4.91%)

50,000

Brownsville, TX

Gerald L. Morgan (3.06%)

4.0%

336,276

48,038

Port Arthur, TX

W. Kent Taylor(2) (15.0%)

4.0%

228,910

32,701

Wichita, KS

W. Kent Taylor (24.05%)

4.0%

327,633

46,805

Oceanside, CA

Gerald L. Morgan (2.0%)

4.0%

322,454

25,911

(1)

The management, supervision and/or accounting fees described in this table are fees paid by the operating entity of the applicable franchise location to the Company pursuant to a separate management agreement.

(2)

As discussed above, Mr. Taylor passed away on March 18, 2021. Mr. Taylor’s interest in the franchise restaurants listed above are now in the Estate of W. Kent Taylor.

For the 20192021 fiscal year, the total amount of distributions received by Mr. Taylor (or the Estate of W. Kent Taylor) and Mr. ColosiMorgan relating to their ownership interests in the above-referenced franchised restaurants were $1,525,985$1,418,535 and $192,308,$116,453, respectively.  These amounts do not reflect compensation paid by the Company to Mr. Taylor and/or Mr. ColosiMorgan during the 20192021 fiscal year; rather, these amounts were paid by the applicable franchise entity and reflect a return on investment in these separate restaurant locations.  None of the beneficiaries of the Estate of W. Kent Taylor are current and/or former Named Executive Officers.

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On March 19, 2004, we entered into a preliminary franchise agreement with a company which iswas 95% owned by Mr. Taylor to develop a restaurant at a location which iswas to be determined. The terms of the preliminary franchise agreement provideprovided for no initial franchise fees and royalties of 3.5% of restaurant sales. During fiscal year 2019,2021, we received no payment from this franchise restaurant, as none was due.due because such franchise restaurant was never built prior to Mr. Taylor’s passing. This preliminary franchise agreement is of no further force and effect following Mr. Taylor’s passing on March 18, 2021.

The franchise agreements and preliminary franchise agreement that we have entered into with ourthese current and/or former Named Executive Officers contain the same terms and conditions as those agreements that we enter into with our other Texas Roadhouse domestic franchisees except, in some instances, the initial franchise fees and the royalty rates, which are currently $40,000 and 4.0%, respectively, for our other domestic franchisees. We have the contractual right, but not the obligation, to acquire the restaurants owned by oursuch Named Executive Officers based on a pre-determined valuation formula which is the same as the formula contained in the Texas Roadhouse domestic franchise agreements that we have entered into with other franchisees with whom we have such rights. A preliminary agreement for a franchise may be terminated if the franchisee does not identify and obtain our approval of its restaurant management personnel, locate and obtain our approval of a suitable site for the restaurant or does not demonstrate to us that it has secured necessary capital and financing to develop the restaurant. Once a franchise agreement has been entered into, it may be terminated if the franchisee defaults in the performance of any of its obligations under the agreement, including its obligations to operate the restaurant in strict accordance with our standards and specifications. A franchise agreement may also be terminated if a franchisee becomes insolvent, fails to make its required payments, creates a threat to the public health or safety, ceases to operate the restaurant or misuses the Texas Roadhouse trademarks.

Ownership Interest in Majority-Owned Joint Venture Entities

        Upon his appointment to Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Thompson held anWe have current and/or former Named Executive Officers that have ownership interest in thecertain Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Gilbert-East, AZ, which is a restaurantrestaurants that isare owned by an entity that the


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Company controls and in which the Company holds a 52.5% ownership interest. The Company believesWe believe that allowing certain Named Executive Officers to have ownership interests in restaurants provides an ongoing benefit to the Company by making these persons more invested in the overall success of the brand. As

Ownership of such Texas Roadhouse restaurants by our current and/or former Named Executive Officers as of the end of the 20192021 fiscal year Mr. Thompson held a 35.5% ownership interest is listed below.

Restaurant

Name and Ownership

Management or
Supervision Fees
Paid to Us
in Fiscal Year 2021
($)

Gilbert-East, AZ

Doug W. Thompson(i)(41.5%)

304,270

Mansfield, TX

Gerald L. Morgan (34.5%)

305,431

(i)As previously described, Mr. Thompson retired as Chief Operating Officer of the Company on November 29, 2021.  

For the Gilbert-East, AZ restaurant, which entity paid $260,055 to us for management and supervision fees. Additionally, for the 20192021 fiscal year, the total amount of distributions received by Mr. Thompson and Mr. Morgan relating to histheir ownership interestinterests in the Gilbert-East, AZ restaurant was $476,090.above-referenced restaurants were $519,888 and $478,948, respectively. These amounts do not reflect compensation paid by the Company to Mr. Thompson and/or Mr. Morgan during the 20192021 fiscal year; rather, these amounts were paid by the applicable entity and reflect a return on investment in thisthese separate restaurant location.locations.

Other Related Transactions

We entered into a real estate lease agreementsagreement for the franchise restaurantsrestaurant located in Everett, MA, of which Mr.the Estate of W. Kent Taylor beneficially owns 28.75%, and Fargo, ND, of which Mr. Colosi owns 5.05%, before our granting franchise rights for those restaurants.restaurants in the Everett, MA restaurant location. We have subsequently assigned the leaseslease to the franchisees,franchisee, but we remain contingently liable if athe franchisee defaults under the terms of a lease.the lease agreement. The Everett lease expires in February 2023, and the Fargo lease expires in July 2021.2023.

We previously entered into a real estate lease agreementsagreement for the Company restaurantsrestaurant located in Gilbert-East, AZ. We subsequently assigned the lease to a joint venture operating entity, but we remain contingently liable if the entity defaults under the terms of the lease.lease agreement. The Gilbert-East lease expires in July 2023.2023


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PRESENTATION OF PROPOSALS

PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Company'sCompany’s bylaws provide for not less than one and not more than 15 directors. Our Board currently consists of fiveseven directors. At the Annual Meeting, we are electing fiveseven directors to hold office until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 20212023 and until a successor is elected and qualified. Although it is not anticipated that any of the nominees listed below will decline or be unable to serve, if that should occur, the proxy holders may, in their discretion, vote for a substitute nominee.

Nominees for Election as Directors

Set forth below are the Board members who will stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting, together with their age, all Company positions and offices they currently hold, and the year in which they joined the Board.

Name
 Age Position or Office Director
Since
 
Gregory N. Moore 70 Director 2005 
W. Kent Taylor 64 Director; Chairman & CEO  2004 
Curtis A. Warfield 51 Director 2018 
Kathleen M. Widmer 58 Director  2013 
James R. Zarley 75 Director 2004 

Name

Age

Position or Office

Director
Since

Michael A. Crawford

54

Director

2020

Donna E. Epps

57

Director

2021

Gregory N. Moore

72

Chairman of the Board; Director

2005

Gerald L. Morgan

61

Chief Executive Officer; President; Director

2021

Curtis A. Warfield

53

Director

2018

Kathleen M. Widmer

60

Director

2013

James R. Zarley

77

Director

2004

Recommendation

Recommendation

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES FOR THE DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY SET FORTH ABOVE.


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PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

As more particularly described in this proxy statement, the audit committee is directly responsible for managing the Company'sCompany’s independent auditors, which includes, without limitation, (i) pre-approving all audit and permitted non-audit services provided by our independent auditors, and (ii) the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the Company'sCompany’s independent auditors. In connection with the audit committee'scommittee’s appointment of the Company'sCompany’s independent auditors, the audit committee evaluates the service level of the incumbent independent auditor on an annual basis, which includes criteria such as prior year quality of service, industry and technical expertise, independence, resource availability, and reasonableness and competitiveness of fees, as well as solicits the input of key management employees during its evaluation.

In connection with the same and pursuant to its charter, the audit committee has appointed the firm of KPMG LLP to serve as the independent auditors to audit the consolidated financial statements and the internal control over financial reporting of the Company for the fiscal year which ends on December 29, 2020.27, 2022. The Board and the audit committee jointly agree that the continued retention of KPMG LLP is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders. Accordingly, a resolution will be presented at the Annual Meeting to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP. If the shareholders fail to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP, the audit committee will take this result into account when appointing an independent auditor for the 20202022 fiscal year. Even if the appointment is ratified, the audit committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm as the Company'sCompany’s independent auditors at any time during the year if the audit committee believes that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. One or more representatives of KPMG LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Fees Paid to the Independent Auditors

KPMG LLP Fees for Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020

2021($)

2020($)

Audit Fees

748,400

756,478

Audit-related Fees

20,000

15,000

Tax Fees

15,751

15,424

All Other Fees

1,780

784,551

788,682

        We incurred the following fees to KPMG LLP for fiscal years 2019 and 2018:

 
 2019($) 2018($) 

Audit Fees

 761,380 789,676 

Audit-related Fees

    7,375 

Tax Fees

 24,938 20,903 

All Other Fees

  1,500  1,500 

 787,818 819,454 

KPMG LLP charged $761,380$748,400 in fiscal year 20192021 and $789,676$756,478 in fiscal year 20182020 for audit fees. These include professional services in connection with the audit of the Company'sCompany’s annual consolidated financial statements and its internal control over financial reporting. They also include reviews of the Company'sCompany’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company'sCompany’s Quarterly and Annual Reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K and for services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the fiscal years shown.  Additionally, the fees for fiscal years 20192021 and 20182020 contain approximately $41,380$18,400 and $55,676,$18,478, respectively, related to statutory audits. Finally,

Audit-related Fees.  KPMG LLP charged $15,000 in both fiscal year 2021 and fiscal year 2020 for their consent to include the feesCompany’s annual consolidated financial statements in both of our franchise disclosure documents.  KPMG LLP also charged $5,000 in fiscal year 2021 for fiscal years 2019their review of our 2021 long-term incentive plan and 2018 contain approximately $20,000 and $69,000, respectively,the issuance of their consent related to the adoption of new accounting pronouncements.form S-8 filing.  

        Audit-RelatedTax Fees.KPMG LLP charged $7,375$15,751 in fiscal year 2018 for audit-related services2021 and $15,424 in fiscal year 2018.


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        Tax Fees.    KPMG LLP charged $24,938 in fiscal year 2019 and $20,903 in fiscal year 20182020 for consulting and compliance services.

All Other Fees.KPMG LLP charged $1,500$1,780 in each fiscal year 2019 and fiscal year 20182020 for access to their Accounting Research Online tool.

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Pre-approval Policies and Procedures

The audit committee pre-approved all audit, audit-related, and permissible non-audit services provided to the Company by KPMG LLP before management engaged the auditors for those purposes. The policy of the audit committee is to review all engagement letters for accounting firms for non-audit services.

Recommendation

Recommendation

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF KPMG LLP AS THE COMPANY'SCOMPANY’S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE 20202022 FISCAL YEAR.


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PROPOSAL 3

ADVISORY VOTE ON APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Board requests shareholder approval of the compensation of the Company'sCompany’s Named Executive Officers as described in the "Compensation“Compensation Discussion and Analysis," the Executive Compensation section and the other related executive compensation tables and related discussions in this proxy statement. As an advisory vote, the outcome of the voting on this proposal is not binding upon the Company; however, the compensation committee, which is responsible for establishing and administering the Company'sCompany’s executive compensation program, values the opinions expressed by shareholders on this proposal and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for the Company'sCompany’s executive officers. Additionally, the compensation committee invites shareholders to express any questions or concerns regarding the Company'sCompany’s compensation philosophy for our executive officers by correspondence addressed to Texas Roadhouse, Inc. Compensation Committee, 6040 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville, Kentucky 40205.

The objective of the compensation committee in setting and evaluating the compensation of our executive officers is to promote the sustained profitability of the Company. Compensation for the Named Executive Officers is divided into three key components: (1) base salary, which provides a secure base of compensation and serves to motivate and retain our Named Executive Officers; (2) a cash bonus, which rewards our Named Executive Officers for the success of the Company as measured by growth in the Company'sCompany’s earnings per diluted share and its overall pre-tax profit, and for each Named Executive Officer'sOfficer’s individual contribution to that success; and (3) grants of restricted stock units, which offer the Named Executive Officers a financial interest in the long-term success of the Company and align their interests with those of our shareholders. The types of restricted stock units that may be granted by the compensation committee in its discretion are (i) service based restricted stock units, which grant the Named Executive Officers the conditional right to receive shares of our common stock that vest after a defined period of service, (ii) "retention"“retention” restricted stock units, which vest upon the completion of the term of an individual Named Executive Officer'sOfficer’s agreement or such longer date as determined by the compensation committee, and (iii) performance based restricted stock units, which are calculated based on the achievement of certain Company performance targets established by the compensation committee and vest over a period of service. While “retention” restricted stock units were granted by the compensation committee under the prior employment agreements, the compensation committee has not made any similar retention grants for the Named Executive Officers under the 2021 Employment Agreements. The compensation committee will evaluate whether to grant additional retention grants in the future as a part of its annual evaluation of the compensation packages for the Named Executive Officers.  

The compensation packages for our Named Executive Officers offer base salaries and target cash bonus amounts and feature restricted stock unit awards. While the initial grant of restricted stock unit awards is based on a fixed dollar amount starting with the 2022 fiscal year, as opposed to a fixed number of restricted stock units for prior year service, the ultimate value of whichthe restricted stock unit awards is dependent upon the performance of the Company and the price of our common stock.stock at the time such restricted stock units vest. Under the 2021 Employment Agreements, the compensation committee has been granted greater flexibility in establishing the compensation for our Named Executive Officers. Specifically, each 2021 Employment Agreement establishes an annual base salary for the term of the respective 2021 Employment Agreements, with base salary increases being left to the discretion of the compensation committee. Additionally, each 2021 Employment Agreement provides an annual short-term cash incentive opportunity with a target bonus based on the achievement of defined goals to be established by the compensation committee, with increases in the target bonus amount to be made at the discretion of the compensation committee during the term of the 2021 Employment Agreement. Finally and in addition to cash compensation, each 2021 Employment Agreement provides that the compensation committee may grant certain stock awards to the Named Executive Officers during the term of the respective 2021 Employment Agreements, the types and amounts of which are subject to the compensation committee’s discretion based on their annual review of the performance of the Company and of the individual Named Executive Officers

The compensation committee evaluates the stock compensation for each specific Named Executive Officer on an annual basis to determine the right combination of rewards and incentives through the issuance of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units to drive company performance without encouraging unnecessary or excessive risk taking by all of the Named Executive Officers as a whole. Under this approach, the Named Executive Officers receive a combination of service based restricted stock units andand/or performance based restricted stock units, with a significant portion of some of the Named Executive Officers'Officers’ compensation being tied to the grant of such performance based restricted stock units. By conditioning a significant portion of certain Named Executive Officer'sOfficer’s performance based restricted stock unit grants upon the achievement of defined performance goals to be established by

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the compensation committee, combined with the stock ownership guidelines for our Named Executive Officers more particularly described above, we have created a more direct relationship between compensation and shareholder value. Additionally, by only providing one year's worth of restrictedgiving the compensation committee the discretion to grant certain stock unitsawards (if any) in its discretion to our Named Executive Officers under their 2021 Employment Agreements, the compensation committee has the opportunity to adjust a significant portion of the total compensation for the Named Executive Officers on an annual basis to more accurately reflect the overall performance of the Company, which may include the issuance of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units. Overall, we believe this approach provides the Named Executive Officers with a compensation package which promotes the sustained profitability of the Company and aligns the interests of our Named Executive Officers with those of our shareholders. The compensation packages also reflect a pragmatic response to external market conditions; that is, total compensation that is competitive with comparable


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positions in similar industries, including the casual dining sector of the restaurant industry, but which is reasonable and in the best interests of our shareholders.

This structure, along with the culture and values of our Company, allows the Company to attract and retain top talent, while also encouraging our Named Executive Officers to keep their focus on both long-term business development and short-term financial growth. The Board was pleased to receive shareholder approval of the compensation packages of our Named Executive Officers in the advisory vote at the 20192021 annual meeting and again requests approval of the compensation packages of our Named Executive Officers.

Recommendation

Recommendation

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DETAILED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.


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SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Under Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act, shareholders may present proposals to be included in the Company proxy statement for consideration at the next annual meeting of its shareholders by submitting their proposals to the Company in a timely manner. Any such proposal must comply with Rule 14a-8.

The Company'sCompany’s bylaws, a copy of which is available on the Company'sCompany’s website at www.texasroadhouse.com, require shareholders who intend to propose business for consideration by shareholders at the 20212023 annual meeting, other than shareholder proposals that are included in the proxy statement, to deliver written notice to the principal executive offices of the Company on or before December 4, 20202, 2022 (reflecting 120 calendar days prior to the one year anniversary of the date of the Company'sCompany’s proxy statement issued in connection with the prior year'syear’s annual meeting). This notice must include a description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the name and address of the shareholder proposing such business and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the business is being brought, the class, series and number of shares of the Company which are beneficially owned by the shareholder and such other beneficial owner and any material interest of the shareholder and such other beneficial owner in such business. Similar requirements are set forth in the Company'sCompany’s bylaws with respect to shareholders desiring to nominate candidates for election as director. Exchange Act rules permit management to vote proxies in its discretion in certain cases if the shareholder does not comply with these deadlines, and in certain other cases notwithstanding the shareholder'sshareholder’s compliance with these deadlines. If a shareholder submitting a matter to be raised at the Company'sCompany’s next annual meeting desires that such matter be included in the Company'sCompany’s proxy statement for that meeting, such matter must be submitted to the Company no later than December 4, 2020.2, 2022.

The rules of the SEC set forth standards for what shareholder proposals the Company is required to include in a proxy statement for an annual meeting.


SHAREHOLDERS'SHAREHOLDERS’ COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARD

Shareholders that want to communicate in writing with the Board, or specific directors individually, may send proposed communications to the Company'sCompany’s Corporate Secretary, Christopher C. Colson, at 6040 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville, Kentucky 40205. The proposed communication will be reviewed by Mr. Colson andand/or by the audit committee.committee (as appropriate). If the communication is appropriate and serves to advance or improve the Company or its performance, then it will be forwarded to the Board or the appropriate director.


FORM 10-K

The Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019,28, 2021, accompanies this proxy statement. The Company'sCompany’s Annual Report does not form any part of the material for solicitation of proxies.

Any shareholder who wishes to obtain, without charge, a copy of the Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019,28, 2021, which includes financial statements, and is required to be filed with the SEC, may access it atwww.texasroadhouse.comwww.texasroadhouse.com in the Investors section or may send a written request to Christopher C. Colson, Corporate Secretary Texas Roadhouse, Inc., 6040 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville, Kentucky 40205.

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OTHER BUSINESS

The Board is not aware of any other matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than those set forth herein and routine matters incident to the conduct of the meeting. If any other matters should properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the persons


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named in the proxy, or their substitutes, intend to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

Graphic

GRAPHIC

Christopher C. Colson

Corporate Secretary

Louisville, Kentucky

April 3, 20201, 2022

Please vote your shares through any of the methods described on the proxy card as promptly as possible, whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person. If you do attend the Annual Meeting, you may still vote in person, since the proxy may be revoked at any time before its exercise by delivering a written revocation of the proxy to the Company'sCompany’s Corporate Secretary.


Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q + 1. Election of Directors: For Withhold For Withhold For Withhold 01 - Gregory N. Moore 02 - W. Kent Taylor 03 - Curtis A. Warfield 04 - Kathleen M. Widmer 05 - James R. Zarley For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 2. Proposal to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as Texas Roadhouse’s independent auditors for 2020. 3. Say on Pay - An advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation. Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. + 1 U P X 036XVA B Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to count. Please date and sign below. A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommend a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposals 2 and 3. 2020 Annual Meeting Proxy Card

62

q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q Notice of 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders Proxy Solicited by Board of Directors for Annual Meeting — May 14, 2020 Christopher Colson and Tonya Robinson, or any of them, each with the power of substitution, are hereby authorized to represent and vote the shares of the undersigned, with all the powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Texas Roadhouse, Inc. to be held on May 14, 2020 or at any postponement or adjournment thereof. Shares represented by this proxy will be voted by the shareholder. If no such directions are indicated, the Proxies will have authority to vote FOR the election of the Board of Directors and FOR Proposals 2 and 3. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. (Items to be voted appear on reverse side) Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

Your vote matters – here’s how to vote! You may vote online or by phone instead of mailing this card. Votes submitted electronically must be received by 1:00 a.m. Eastern Time on May 14, 2020. Online Go to www.investorvote.com/TXRH or scan the QR code — login details are located in the shaded bar below. Phone Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories and Canada Save paper, time and money! Sign up for electronic delivery at Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. www.investorvote.com/TXRH Please do not write outside the designated areas. q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q + 1. Election of Directors: For Withhold For Withhold For Withhold 01 - Gregory N. Moore 02 - W. Kent Taylor 03 - Curtis A. Warfield 04 - Kathleen M. Widmer 05 - James R. Zarley For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 2. Proposal to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as Texas Roadhouse’s independent auditors for 2020. 3. Say on Pay - An advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation. Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. + 5 2 A V 036XUA B Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to count. Please date and sign below. A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommend a vote FOR all the nominees listed and FOR Proposals 2 and 3. 2020 Annual Meeting Proxy Card

q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q + Notice of 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders Proxy Solicited by Board of Directors for Annual Meeting — May 14, 2020 Christopher Colson and Tonya Robinson, or any of them, each with the power of substitution, are hereby authorized to represent and vote the shares of the undersigned, with all the powers which the undersigned would possess if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Texas Roadhouse, Inc. to be held on May 14, 2020 or at any postponement or adjournment thereof. Shares represented by this proxy will be voted by the shareholder. If no such directions are indicated, the Proxies will have authority to vote FOR the election of the Board of Directors and FOR Proposals 2 and 3. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. (Items to be voted appear on reverse side) Change of Address — Please print new address below. + C Non-Voting Items Texas Roadhouse, Inc. Small steps make an impact. Help the environment by consenting to receive electronic delivery, sign up at www.investorvote.com/TXRH