DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

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Preliminary Proxy Statement
 [  ]Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
 [X]Definitive Proxy Statement
 [  ]Definitive Additional Materials
 [  ]Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

FAT BRANDS INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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[X]
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

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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.
  
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November 20, 2020

Dear Stockholder:

 

You are cordially invited to the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of FAT Brands Inc. (the “Company”) to be held on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 1:00 pm Pacific Standard Time at the Company’s corporate offices located at 9720 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500, Beverly Hills, CA 90212.

At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to elect two Class III directors and one Class I director to our Board of Directors and ratify the appointment of Baker Tilly US, LLP, Certified Public Accountants, as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 27, 2020.

Your vote is important. We encourage you to vote promptly whether or not you plan to attend the meeting. Please sign, date and mail the proxy card that you received in the mail in the envelope provided. Instructions regarding voting are contained on the proxy card. Alternatively, you may vote by e-mail, fax or via the internet.

If you plan to attend the meeting, please bring your notice, proxy card or proof of your ownership of FAT Brands Inc. common stock as of November 11, 2020 as well as a valid picture identification. Whether or not you attend the meeting, we encourage you to consider the matters presented in the proxy statement and vote as soon as possible.

Due to the current environment related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will enforce the appropriate social distancing protocols and request that all stockholders who attend the Annual Meeting in person must wear an appropriate face covering. In addition, the Company will employ a screener to conduct temperature checks of all attendees prior to allowing admission to the Annual Meeting.

Sincerely,
Andrew A. Wiederhorn
Chief Executive Officer

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholders Meeting to Be Held on December 10, 2020 — the Company’s Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at http://ir.fatbrands.com/financial-information/annual-reports.

 

FAT Brands Inc.

9720 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500

Beverly Hills, CA 90212

 

August 11, 2022

 

November 20, 2020To the Stockholders of FAT Brands Inc.:

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

The 2020 annual meeting2022 Annual Meeting of stockholdersStockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of FAT Brands Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2020Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 1:2:00 pmp.m. Pacific Standard Time.,Time, at the Company’s corporate offices located at 9720 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, for the following purposes:

 

1. to elect two Class III directors to our Board of Directors to serve until the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their successors are elected and qualified;

2. to elect one Class I director to our Board of Directors to serve until the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until his successor is elected and qualified;

3. to ratify the decision of our Audit Committee to appoint Baker Tilly US, LLP, Certified Public Accountants, as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 27, 2020; and

4. to transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponements.

1.To elect two Class II directors to the Board of Directors, each to serve until the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified.
2.To approve an amendment to the Company’s 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan to authorize additional shares for issuance under the Plan.
3.To approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.
4.To approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the frequency of future votes on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.
5.To ratify the appointment of Baker Tilly US, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 25, 2022; and
6.Transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponements thereof.

 

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on November 11, 2020August 3, 2022 as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponements. It is important that your shares be represented at the Annual Meeting regardless of the size of your holdings. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please provide your proxy by following the instructions described below in the Proxy Statement.

Important notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on September 20, 2022: The Proxy Statement and 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available online at http://ir.fatbrands.com/financial-information/annual-reports.

Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares you own. In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules, instead of mailing a printed copy of our proxy materials to each stockholder of record, we are furnishing proxy materials to our stockholders via the Internet. If you received a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials unless you request to receive them in accordance with the instructions provided in the Notice. The Notice contains instructions on how to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials over the Internet. The Notice also instructs how you may submit your notice or proxy card. On or about November 20, 2020, we mailedover the Internet. If you received a Notice and would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy card, proxy statement andmaterials, including our Annual Report to our stockholders.

Please submit your proxy by marking, dating and signingon Form 10-K, follow the proxy cardinstructions for requesting such materials included and returning it promptly in the envelope enclosed, or by using the other voting methods available by e-mail, fax or via the internet. If you are able to attend the Annual Meeting and wish to vote your shares personally, you may do so at any time before the proxy is exercised.

Due to the current environment related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will enforce the appropriate social distancing protocols and request that all stockholders who attend the Annual Meeting in person must wear an appropriate face covering. In addition, the Company will employ a screener to conduct temperature checks of all attendees prior to allowing admission to the Annual Meeting.Notice.

 

 By order of the Board of Directors,
  
 Rebecca D. HershingerAllen Z. Sussman
 Secretary

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY SOLICITATION INFORMATION1
PROPOSAL NO. 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS4
PROPOSAL NO. 2 — AMENDMENT TO 2017 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN7
PROPOSAL NO. 3 — ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS11
PROPOSAL NO. 4 — ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE VOTES ON THE COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS12
PROPOSAL NO. 5 — RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM12
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE14
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS18
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION20
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION22
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS23
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS25
OTHER MATTERS27
2021 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K27
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2023 ANNUAL MEETING28
APPENDIX A – AMENDMENT TO 2017 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLANA-1

FAT BRANDS INC.

9720 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500

Beverly Hills, CA 90212

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
December 10, 2020

September 20, 2022

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY SOLICITATION INFORMATION

 

The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of FAT Brands Inc., a Delaware corporation (the(“we”, “us”, “our” or theCompany”), for use at our 2020 annual meeting2022 Annual Meeting of stockholdersStockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Thursday, December 10, 2020Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at 1:2:00 pmp.m. Pacific Standard Time at the Company’s corporate offices located at 9720 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, and at any adjournment or postponements thereof.

 

ThisPursuant to rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, we are making this proxy statement available to our stockholders electronically via the Internet. On or about August 11, 2022, we are mailing a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) to the holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock as of the close of business on August 3, 2022 (the “record date”), other than those stockholders who previously requested electronic or paper delivery of communications from us. The Notice contains instructions on how to access over the Internet an electronic copy of our proxy materials, including this proxy statement and accompanyingour 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Notice also contains instructions on how to request a paper copy of our proxy card were first sentmaterials. We believe that this process will allow us to our stockholders on or about November 20, 2020. Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked byprovide you with the person giving it at any time before its use by delivering to us (Attention: Secretary) no later than 5:00 p.m. local time December 9, 2020,information you need in a written noticetimely manner, while conserving natural resources and lowering the costs of revocation, delivery of a duly executed proxy card bearing a later date, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.Meeting. The Notice provides instructions on how to cast your vote.

 

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE VOTE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ONLINE, BY PHONE OR BY COMPLETING, SIGNING AND DATINGUSING ONE OF THE PROXY CARD ENCLOSED WITH THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND RETURNING ITMETHODS DESCRIBED IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.NOTICE.

 

Who is entitled to vote?

 

If you were a holder of FAT Brands Inc. Class A common stock or Class B common stock at the close of business on November 11, 2020, the (“record date,”) either as a stockholder of record or as the beneficial owner of shares held in street name, you may direct a vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the record date, we had 11,926,264 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to be voted. Eachvote 15,300,691 shares of Class A common stock and 1,270,805 shares of Class B common stock. Stockholders will have the right to one vote per share of Class A common stock and 2,000 votes per share of Class B common stock held as of the record date. Our Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote as a single class on all matters described in this proxy statement for which your vote is entitledbeing solicited. Stockholders are not permitted to one vote.cumulate votes with respect to the election of directors.

 

What does it mean to be a stockholder of record or beneficial holder and who can vote in person at the meeting?meeting?

Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name. If on the record date, your shares were registered directly in your name with the Company’s transfer agent, VStock Transfer, then you are a stockholder of record and you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting or vote by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote by completing your proxy card, by telephone, or through the internet, to ensure that your vote is counted.

 

Beneficial Holder: Owner of Shares Held in Street Name: If, on the record date, your shares were held in an account at a broker, bank, or other financial institution (collectively referred hereinto as “broker”broker), then you are the beneficial holder of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that broker. The broker holding your account is considered the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As the beneficial holder, you have the right to direct your broker on how to vote the shares in your account. As a beneficial holder, you are invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, since you are not a stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker giving you the legal right to vote the shares at the Annual Meeting, as well as satisfy the Annual Meeting admission criteria set out in the Notice.Meeting.

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What constitutes a quorum?

 

Our Bylaws require that a quorum – that is, the holders of a majority of allthe voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of our commoncapital stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting – be present, in person or by proxy, before any business may be transacted at the Annual Meeting (other than adjourning the Annual Meeting to a later date to allow time to obtain additional proxies to satisfy the quorum requirement).

 

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How do I vote by proxy before the meeting?

Before the meeting, you may vote your shares in one of the following three ways if your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, VStock Transfer.

By mail by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage paid envelope provided.
By Internet at http://www.vstocktransfer.com/proxy. You may log-on using the control number printed on the proxy card. Voting will be open until 11:59 pm (ET) on December 9, 2020.
By electronic mail at Vote@vstocktransfer.com or facsimile at 646-536-3179. Please mark, sign and date your proxy card and send a copy via e-mail attachment or facsimile.

Please refer to the proxy card for further instructions on voting via the Internet and by telephone. Please follow the directions on your proxy card carefully.

May I vote my shares in person at the Annual Meeting?

 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, attendees at this year’s Annual Meeting will be required to wear a face covering and adhere to social distancing requirements. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will be limited to stockholders or their proxy holders. If you are a proxy holder for a stockholder of record whose shares are registered in his or her name, you must provide a copy of thea proxy from the stockholder of record.record authorizing you to vote such shares. If you are a beneficial holder who holds shares through a broker, bank or similar organization, you must provide proof of beneficial ownership as of the close of business on the record date, such as a brokerage or bank account statement, a copy of the proxy from the broker or other agent, or other similar evidence of ownership. Each attendee must also present valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. Cameras recording devices and other electronicrecording devices will not be permitted at the Annual Meeting.

 

How can I revoke my proxy?

 

If you are a stockholder of record and have sent in your proxy, you may change your vote by revoking your proxy by means of any one of the following actions which, to be effective, must be taken before your proxy is voted at the Annual Meeting:

 

Sending a written notice to revoke your proxy to the Company’s Secretary at its corporate offices. To be effective, the Company must receive the notice of revocation before the Annual Meeting commences.
Transmitting a proxy by mail at a later date than your prior proxy. To be effective, the Company must receive the later dated proxy before the Annual Meeting commences. If you fail to date or to sign that later proxy, however, it will not be treated as a revocation of an earlier dated proxy.
Attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person or by proxy in a manner different than the instructions contained in your earlier proxy.

 

If you are a beneficial holder you may submit new voting instructions by contacting your broker. You may also change your vote or revoke your voting instructions in person at the Annual Meeting if you obtain a signed proxy from the broker giving you the right to vote the shares.

 

What will happen if I do not vote on a proposal?

 

A properly executed proxy received by us prior to the Annual Meeting, and not revoked, will be voted as directed by the stockholder on that proxy. If a stockholder provides no specific direction with respect to a proposal, a signedproperly completed proxy card returned by a stockholder will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations as set forth in this proxy statement. As of the date of this proxy statement, we are not aware of any matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting other than as stated in this proxy statement and the accompanying notice of Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, the proxy card gives discretionary authority to the persons named in it to vote the shares in their own discretion.

 

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What vote is required to approve each item?

 

Proxies marked as abstentions or withheld votes will be counted as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. If a broker indicates on its proxy that it does not have discretionary voting authority to vote shares on one or more proposals at the Annual Meeting (a “broker non-vote”broker non-vote), such shares will still be counted in determining whether a quorum is present. Brokers or other nominees who hold shares in “street name” for the beneficial owner of those shares typically have the authority to vote in their discretion on “routine” proposals when they have not received instructions from the beneficial owner. However, brokers are not allowed to exercise their voting discretion with respect to the election of directors or other “non-routine” proposals without specific instructions from the beneficial owner. Of the matters on the agenda for the Annual Meeting, only the ratification of the selection of our auditors is considered to be a “routine” proposal for the purposes of brokers exercising their voting discretion.

 

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Proposal No. 1 – Election of Directors. AssumingProvided that a quorum of the stockholders is present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting, a plurality of the votes cast is required for the election of directors. As a result, the two nominees who receive the highest number of votes cast for Class III director will be elected as Class III directors, and the one nominee who receives the highest number ofII directors. Withheld votes, cast for Class I director will be elected as a Class I director. “Withhold” votes will have no effect. Abstentionsabstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of the election of directors.

 

Proposal No. 2 – Vote to Amend 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on this item will be required for the approval of this proposal. This proposal is considered to be a “non-routine” matter, so if you hold your shares in street name and do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank, or other agent that holds your shares, your broker, bank, or other agent will not have discretionary authority to vote your shares on this proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal, and broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this proposal.

Proposal No. 3 – Non-Binding Advisory Vote on the Compensation of Named Executive Officers. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on this item will be required for the approval of this proposal. This proposal is considered to be a “non-routine” matter, so if you hold your shares in street name and do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank, or other agent that holds your shares, your broker, bank, or other agent will not have discretionary authority to vote your shares on this proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal, and broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this proposal.

Proposal No. 4 – Non-Binding Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Future Votes on the Compensation of Named Executive Officers. The option receiving the greatest number of votes cast (one, two or three years) will be considered the frequency selected by the stockholders. This proposal is considered to be a “non-routine” matter, so if you hold your shares in street name and do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank, or other agent that holds your shares, your broker, bank, or other agent will not have discretionary authority to vote your shares on this proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of this proposal.

Proposal No. 5 – Vote for the Ratification of Selection of Independent Public Accounting Firm. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on this item will be required for the ratification of the selection of Baker Tilly US, LLP. This proposal is considered to be a “routine” matter, so if you hold your shares in street name and do not provide voting instructions to your broker, bank, or other agent that holds your shares, your broker, bank, or other agent will have discretionary authority to vote your shares on this proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal.

 

Other Items. For any other item of business that may be presented at the Annual Meeting, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting will be required for approval. A properly executed proxy marked “ABSTAIN” with respect to any such matter will not be voted. Because abstentions represent shares entitled to vote, the effect of an abstention will be the same as a vote against a proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of such a proposal.

 

Can I exercise rights of appraisal or other dissenters’ rights at the Annual Meeting?

 

No. Under Delaware law, holders of our voting stock are not entitled to demand appraisal of their shares or exercise similar rights of dissenters as a result of the approval of any of the proposals to be presented at the Annual Meeting.

 

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Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?

 

WeThe Company will pay the cost of soliciting proxies for the Annual Meeting. Proxies may be solicited by our regular employees in person, or by mail, courier, telephone or facsimile. Arrangements also may be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the forwarding of solicitation material to the beneficial owners of stock held of record by such persons. We may reimburse such brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection therewith.

Voting Agreement with Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc.

Our largest stockholder, Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. (“FCCG”), has entered into a Voting Agreement with us which provides that FCCG will, subject to certain conditions, vote all of its stock in the Company at annual and special meetings of our stockholders, including the Annual Meeting, and any actions taken by written consent of our stockholders, in the same proportion as the votes or consents cast by our other stockholders on all matters, except matters involving the sale, merger or change of control of the Company. Such obligations of FCCG under the Voting Agreement are not yet effective, and therefore FCCG has formed a special committee consisting of two directors of FCCG (the “Special Committee”) who are authorized to vote in their discretion FCCG’s shares at the Annual Meeting.

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What does it mean if I receive more than one Notice of Annual Meeting?

 

Some stockholders may have their shares registered in different names or hold shares in different capacities. For example, a stockholder may have some shares registered in his or her name, individually, and others in his or her capacity as a custodian for minor children or as a trustee of a trust. In that event, you will receive multiple copies of this proxy statement and multiple proxy cards. If you want all of your votes to be counted, please be sure to sign, date and return all of those proxy cards.

What does it mean if multiple members of my household are stockholders but we only received one Notice of Annual Meeting or set of proxy materials in the mail?

The Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries, such as brokers, to satisfy the delivery requirements for notices and proxy materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single notice or set of proxy materials addressed to those stockholders. In accordance with a prior notice sent to certain brokers, banks, dealers or other agents, we are sending only one notice or full set of proxy materials to those addresses with multiple stockholders unless we received contrary instructions from any stockholder at that address. This practice, known as “householding,” allows us to satisfy the requirements for delivering notices or proxy materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single copy of these documents. Householding helps to reduce our printing and postage costs, reduces the amount of mail you receive and helps to preserve the environment. If you currently receive multiple copies of the notice or proxy materials at your address and would like to request “householding” of your communications, please contact your broker. Once you have elected “householding” of your communications, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent.

To receive a separate copy, or, if a stockholder is receiving multiple copies, to request that we only send a single copy of the Notice of Annual Meeting and proxy materials,Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, you may contact us at our corporate offices at 9720 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

PROPOSAL NO. 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders will be asked to elect:elect two Class II directors to the Board of Directors to serve until the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualified.

two Class III directors to the Board of Directors, each to serve until the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their successors are elected and qualified, and
one Class I director to the Board of Directors to serve until the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until his successor is elected and qualified.

 

The term of the existing Class II directors will expire at this year’s Annual Meeting, the terms of the Class III directors will expire at this year’sthe Annual Meeting to be held in 2023, and the terms of the Class III directors will expire at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2022. There are currently no serving Class I directors. In order to rebalance the directors among the three classes, our Board of Directors has proposed the election of Messrs. Rensi and Neuhauser at this year’s Annual Meeting to serve as Class III directors for a three-year term expiring at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and the election of Mr. Wiederhorn to serve as a Class I director for a one-year term expiring at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Mr. Wiederhorn has agreed to stand for re-election as a Class I director.2024.

 

If a nominee is unable or unwilling to serve, the shares to be voted for such nominee that are represented by proxies will be voted for any substitute nominee designated by the Board of Directors. If a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting, the two nominees for Class III director receiving the highest number of votes cast, in person or by proxy, and the one nominee for Class III director receiving the highest number of votes cast, in person or by proxy, will be elected to serve as a Class III directors and Class I director, respectively.II director. Abstentions and broker nonvotes will have no effect on the election of directors. If not otherwise specified, proxies will be voted “FOR” the two nominees for Class III director listed below and “FOR” the one nominee for Class III director listed below.

 

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE

“FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE TWO CLASS III NOMINEES NAMED BELOW, AND FORTHE ELECTION OF THE ONE CLASS I NOMINEEII NOMINEES NAMED BELOW.

 

Nominees for Class II Director for Terms Ending at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Amy V. Forrestal, age 56, has served on our Board of Directors since October 2021. Ms. Forrestal is a seasoned executive and investment banker for companies in the restaurant and franchising industries. Ms. Forrestal serves as Managing Director of Brookwood Associates, an investment banking firm based in Atlanta, GA. Ms. Forrestal established Brookwood’s Restaurant and Hospitality Group, and spearheaded noteworthy deals for brands such as Beef O’ Brady’s, Fuddruckers, Rita’s Italian Ice, Quiznos, Zoes Kitchen and The Habit Burger Grill. Prior to joining Brookwood, Ms. Forrestal was a Managing Director in Banc of America Securities’ Mergers and Acquisitions group. Over her 15 years at Banc of America Securities and its predecessor organizations, including NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Ms. Forrestal advised senior management teams, boards of directors and business owners in a variety of strategic and financial transactions, including acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, exclusive sales, divestitures, ESOPs, public equity and debt offerings and private equity and debt placements. Ms. Forrestal received a Bachelor of Arts degree in math and economics from Duke University. Ms. Forrestal was selected to our Board of Directors because she brings substantial expertise in financial and strategic planning, investment banking, complex financial transactions and mergers and acquisitions, particularly for companies in the restaurant and franchising industries.

Squire Junger, age 72, has served on our Board of Directors since October 2017. Mr. Junger is a co-founder and a managing member of Insight Consulting LLC, a management consulting firm based in the Los Angeles area, providing advice in mergers and acquisitions, corporate divestitures, business integration diagnostics, real estate investment, acquisition, development and construction and litigation support services. Prior to co-founding Insight in 2003 he was a partner at Arthur Andersen LLP, which he joined in 1972. Mr. Junger co-developed and managed the west coast Transaction Advisory Services practice at Andersen, providing comprehensive merger and acquisition consulting services to both financial and strategic buyers and sellers. Mr. Junger is a certified public accountant in California and received Bachelor of Science and M.B.A. degrees from Cornell University. Mr. Junger was selected to our Board of Directors because he brings substantial expertise in financial and strategic planning, public accounting, mergers and acquisitions, and leadership of complex organizations.

Continuing Class III Director Nominees forDirectors with Terms Ending at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

Lynne L. Collier, age 54, has served on our Board of Directors since July 2022. Ms. Collier is an experienced capital markets professional, with nearly 30 years of experience in public capital markets and a focus on the restaurant industry. Most recently, Ms. Collier served as a Managing Director in the Investor Relations Division of ICR Inc. Prior to that, Ms. Collier had a 25-year career in equity research as a sell-side Consumer Analyst, including for Loop Capital, Canaccord Genuity and Sterne Agee. Ms. Collier received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Baylor University and an M.B.A. in finance from Texas Christian University. Ms. Collier was selected to our Board of Directors because she brings substantial expertise in the capital markets industry and investor relations, particularly for companies in the restaurant and hospitality industries.

James C. Neuhauser, age 63, has served on our Board of Directors since our inception in March 2017, and became Executive Chairman of the Board in July 2022. He previously served as a Senior Managing Director in the Private Capital Markets Group of Stifel Nicolas & Company from May 2017 until July 2022. Mr. Neuhauser also serves as a managing member of Turtlerock Capital, LLC, a private company that finances and invests in real estate development projects. Mr. Neuhauser previously held senior positions at FBR & Co. over 24 years, including Chief Investment Officer, Head of Investment Banking, Head of the Commitment Committee and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Prior to joining FBR, Mr. Neuhauser was a Senior Vice President of Trident Financial Corporation for seven years, where he specialized in managing stock offerings for mutual to stock conversions of thrift institutions. Before joining Trident, he worked in commercial banking with The Bank of New England. Mr. Neuhauser is a CFA charter holder and a member of the Society of Financial Analysts. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan. Mr. Neuhauser was selected to our Board of Directors because he brings substantial expertise in financial and strategic planning, investment banking, complex financial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and leadership of complex organizations.

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Edward H. Rensi, age 76,77, has served on the boardour Board of directors of FAT Brands Inc.Directors since its formationour inception in March 2017, and became Chairman of the Board onin October 20, 2017. In July 2022, Mr. Rensi transitioned to the role of Vice-Chairman of the Board and Lead Independent Director. Mr. Rensi is the retired president and chief executive officer of McDonald’s USA. Prior to his retirement in 1997, Mr. Rensi devoted his entire professional career to McDonald’s, joining the company in 1966 as a “grill man” and part-time manager trainee in Columbus, Ohio. He was promoted to restaurant manager within a year, and went on to hold nearly every position in the restaurant and field offices, including franchise service positions in Columbus Ohio and Washington, D.C. In 1972, he was named Philadelphia district manager, and later became regional manager and regional vice president. In 1978, he transferred from the field to the company’s home office in Oak Brook, Illinois, as vice president of Operations and Training, where he was responsible for personnel and product development. In 1980, he became executive vice president and chief operations officer, and was appointed senior executive vice president in 1982. Mr. Rensi was promoted to president and chief operating office of McDonald’s USA in 1984. In 1991, he was named chief executive officer. As president and chief executive officer, his responsibilities included overseeing all domestic company-owned and franchisee operations, in addition to providing direction relative to sales, profits, operations and service standards, customer satisfaction, product development, personnel, and training. Mr. Rensi was directly responsible for management of McDonald’s USA, which consisted of eight geographic zones and 40 regional offices. During his 13-year term as president, McDonald’s experienced phenomenal growth. U.S. sales doubled to more than $16 billion, the number of the U.S. restaurants grew from nearly 6,600 to more than 12,000, and the number of U.S. franchisees grew from 1,600 to more than 2,700. Since his retirement, Mr. Rensi has held consulting positions. From January 2014 to July 2015, Mr. Rensi served as director and interim CEO of Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. Mr. Rensi received his B.S. in Business Education from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Rensi was selected to our Board of Directors because of his long career in hospitality and restaurant franchising, and because he possesses particular knowledge and experience in strategic planning and leadership of complex organizations and hospitality businesses.

 

Continuing Class I Directors with Terms Ending at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

James NeuhauserKenneth J. Anderson, age 61,68, has served on the boardour Board of directorsDirectors since October 2021, and was a director of FAT Brandsour former parent company, Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. since its formation., until December 2020. Mr. Neuhauser is a Senior Managing Director in the Private Capital Markets Group of Stifel Nicolas & Company. Mr. Neuhauser is also the Managing Member of Turtlerock Capital, LLC, a company that finances and invests in real estate development projects. He previously worked for FBR & Co. forAnderson has more than 2435 years including positionsof experience in advising families, corporate executives and business owners, providing financial strategies related to taxes, estate planning, investments, insurance and philanthropy. Mr. Anderson currently serves as Chief Investment Officer, Head of Investment Banking and Headthe CEO of the Real Estateinvestment firm, Cedar Tree Capital, where he provides strategic planning to a high net-worth family group with a focus on public equities and Financial Services groups in Investment Banking through October 2016. Healternative investments. Prior to Cedar Tree Capital, Mr. Anderson was a founder and client service director at a leading independent wealth management firm, Aspiriant, where he also served as Head of FBR’s Commitment Committee and was a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Prior to joining FBR,Board of Directors. Mr. NeuhauserAnderson was a Senior Vice Presidentclient service director at myCFO until its sale in 2002 and prior to that a Tax Partner at Arthur Andersen LLP for 20 years. In addition to his decades of Trident Financial Corporation for seven years, where he specialized in managing stock offerings for mutual to stock conversions of thrift institutions. Before joining Trident, he worked in commercial banking with the Bank of New England.professional experience, Mr. NeuhauserAnderson is a CFA charter holdercertified public accountant and a member of the Society of Financial Analysts. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan.licensed attorney. Mr. NeuhauserAnderson was selected to our Board of Directors because he brings substantial expertise in financial and strategic planning, investment banking complex financial transactions, mergers and acquisitions,public accounting, tax planning and leadership of complex organizations.

Class I Director Nominee for Term Ending at the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

Andrew A. Wiederhorn, age 54,56, has served on our Board of Directors and as a directorour President and Chief Executive Officer since our inception in March 2017. Mr. Wiederhorn also serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of FAT Brands Inc. since its formation. Mr. Wiederhorn has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Fatburger North America, Inc. since 2006 and Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts, Inc. since 2011.our principal operating subsidiaries. He also served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of our former parent company, Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc., since its formation in 1997. Mr. Wiederhorn previously founded and served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Wilshire Financial Services Group Inc. and Wilshire Credit Corporation. Mr. Wiederhorn received his B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California in 1987, with an emphasis in Finance and Entrepreneurship. He previously served on the Board of Directors of Fabricated Metals, Inc., The Boy Scouts of America Cascade Pacific Council, The Boys and Girls Aid Society of Oregon, University of Southern California Associates, Citizens Crime Commission of Oregon, and Economic Development Council for the City of Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Wiederhorn was also featured as the Fatburger CEO on the CBS television program “Undercover Boss” in 2013. Mr. Wiederhorn was selected to our Board of Directors because of his roleexperience and history in ourthe founding and growth of our Company, his long career in hospitality, and because he possesses particularhis knowledge and experience in strategic planning and leadership of complex organizations, particularly in the restaurant and hospitality businesses.industries.

 

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ContinuingPROPOSAL NO. 2

AMENDMENT TO 2017 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN TO AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL SHARES FOR ISSUANCE UNDER THE PLAN

At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders will be asked to approve an amendment (the “Share Increase Amendment”) to the Company’s 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to increase the number of shares of Class II Director with Term EndingA common stock currently issuable under the Plan from 4,000,000 shares to 5,000,000 shares. The Share Increase Amendment has been approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, subject to stockholder approval. The full text of the Share Increase Amendment is attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement.

The Company is seeking to increase the number of shares under the Plan to 5,000,000 shares of Class A common stock in order to have a sufficient number of shares (and an appropriate buffer amount) to award to individuals who newly join the Company and those who are eligible to receive equity awards as part of their ongoing compensation packages, as well as to support future awards to attract, incentivize and retain highly qualified individuals. The Plan originally provided for a maximum of 1,000,000 shares, which amount was increased to 4,000,000 shares in 2021 as the Company’s employee base has grown.

The following table sets forth certain information about awards currently outstanding under the Plan:

2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan 

As of

August 3, 2022

 
Total Stock Options Outstanding  2,610,936 
Total Restricted Stock Awards Outstanding  460,000 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Stock Options Outstanding $10.51 
Weighted-Average Remaining Duration of Stock Options Outstanding  8.55 years 
Total shares available for grant under the Plan  929,064 
Total shares of Class A common stock outstanding  15,300,691 

The closing price of the Company’s Class A common stock on August 3, 2022 was $8.86 per share. The ratification and approval of the Share Increase Amendment is not anticipated to have any effect on the benefits to be received by the Company’s employees and officers under the Plan.

Vote Required for Approval and Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The Share Increase Amendment requires the approval of a majority of the votes cast on this proposal at the 2022 Annual Meeting, provided that a quorum is present. If the stockholders do not approve the Share Increase Amendment, the Company will continue to operate the Plan under its current provisions, but will be limited in its ability to make future grants and incentives under the Plan.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S 2017 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AS DESCRIBED HEREIN.

Summary of StockholdersMaterial Features of the Plan

The 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is a comprehensive incentive compensation plan under which we can grant equity-based and other incentive awards to officers, employees and non-employee directors of, and consultants and advisers to, the Company and its subsidiaries (each, a “participant”). The purpose of the Plan is to help us attract, motivate and retain such persons and ensure that their compensation incentives are aligned with stock price appreciation.

Administration. The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Plan Committee”), consisting of persons who are each (i) “Outside Directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), (ii) “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and (iii) “independent” for purposes of the director independence standards of NASDAQ.

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Grant of Awards; Shares Available for Awards.

The Plan provides for the grant of awards which are incentive stock options (“ISOs”), non-qualified stock options (“NQSOs”), unrestricted shares, restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance stock, performance units, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), tandem stock appreciation rights, distribution equivalent rights, or any combination of the foregoing, although only employees are eligible to receive ISOs. We have reserved a total of 4,000,000 shares of Class A common stock for issuance as or under awards to be made under the Plan. To the extent that an award (or portion of an award) lapses, expires, is canceled, is terminated unexercised or ceases to be exercisable for any reason, or the rights of its holder terminate, any shares subject to such award shall be deemed not to have been issued for purposes of determining the maximum aggregate shares which may be issued under the Plan and shall again be available for the grant of a new award. However, shares that have actually been issued under the Plan, shares not issued or delivered as a result of the net settlement of an SAR or option, shares used to pay the exercise price or withholding taxes related to an award, and shares repurchased on the open market with the proceeds from the exercise of any option, will not be available for future issuance under the Plan.

The number of shares for which awards which are options or SARs may be granted to a participant under the Plan during any calendar year is limited to 50,000 shares. For purposes of qualifying awards as “performance-based” compensation under Code Section 162(m), the maximum amount of cash compensation that may be paid to any person under the Plan in any single calendar year is $1,000,000. Such amount would act as a limit on cash payments made under Performance Unit Awards or Performance Stock Awards, but would not apply to other types of awards, such as Restricted Stock Unit Awards or Options.

Stock Options. The term of each stock option will be as specified in the option agreement; provided, however, that except for stock options which are ISOs, granted to an employee who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules applicable under Code Section 424(d)) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or of any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation thereof (both as defined in Section 424 of the Code), within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code (a “ten percent stockholder”), no option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant (five (5) years for an employee who is a ten percent stockholder). The price at which a share may be purchased upon exercise of a stock option shall be determined by the Plan Committee; provided, however, that such option price (i) shall not be less than the fair market value of an share on the date such stock option is granted, and (ii) shall be subject to adjustment as provided in the Plan. In addition, the Plan provides that an option agreement may allow the underlying stock option to be settled by the delivery of cash rather than shares, with a cash amount equal to the value of shares that would be deliverable to a participant under the “cashless exercise” procedure described in Section 7.4 of the Plan. The decision to deliver cash rather than shares will be made in the sole discretion of the Plan Committee.

The Plan also prohibits the Plan Committee from “re-pricing” outstanding stock options (reducing the exercise price of an outstanding option or granting a new award or payment in substitution for or upon cancellation of options previously granted) without advance approval of the Company’s stockholders or as a result of a change of control, recapitalization or reorganization as provided in the Plan.

Unrestricted Stock Awards. Pursuant to the terms of the applicable unrestricted stock award agreement, an unrestricted stock award is the award or sale of shares to employees, non-employee directors or non-employee consultants, which are not subject to transfer restrictions in consideration for past services rendered to the Company or for other valid consideration.

Restricted Stock Awards. A restricted stock award is a grant or sale of shares to the holder, subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Plan Committee or the Board of Directors may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), in such installments or otherwise, as the Plan Committee or the Board of Directors may determine at the date of grant or purchase or thereafter.

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Restricted Stock Unit Awards. A restricted stock unit award provides for a grant of shares or a cash payment to be made to the holder upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual service-related vesting requirements, based on the number of units awarded to the holder. The Plan Committee will set forth in the applicable restricted stock unit award agreement the individual service-based vesting requirements which the holder would be required to satisfy before the holder would become entitled to payment and the number of units awarded to the holder. At the time of such award, the Plan Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions. The holder of a restricted stock unit will be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the fair market value of a share, or one (1) share, as determined in the sole discretion of the Plan Committee and as set forth in the restricted stock unit award agreement, for each restricted stock unit subject to such restricted stock unit award, if and to the extent the holder satisfies the applicable vesting requirements.

 

Squire JungerPerformance Stock Awards. , age 70, becameA performance stock award provides for the distribution of shares (or cash equal to the fair market value of shares) to the holder upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual and/or FAT Brands goals or objectives. The Plan Committee will set forth in the applicable performance stock award agreement the performance goals and objectives (and the period of time to which such goals and objectives shall apply) which the holder and/or the Company would be required to satisfy before the holder would become entitled to the receipt of shares (or cash equal to the fair market value of shares) pursuant to such holder’s performance stock award and the number of shares of shares subject to such performance stock award.

Performance Unit Awards. A performance unit award provides for a membercash payment to be made to the holder upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual and/or Company (or affiliate) performance goals or objectives based on selected performance criteria, based on the number of units awarded to the holder. The Plan Committee will set forth in the applicable performance unit award agreement the performance goals and objectives (and the period of time to which such goals and objectives shall apply) which the holder and/or the Company would be required to satisfy before the holder would become entitled to payment, the number of units awarded to the holder and the dollar value assigned to each such unit. At the time of such award, the Plan Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions. The holder of a performance unit will be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the dollar value assigned to such unit under the applicable performance unit award agreement if the holder and/or the Company satisfies (or partially satisfies, if applicable under the applicable performance unit award agreement) the performance goals and objectives set forth in such performance unit award agreement.

Stock Appreciation Rights. An SAR provides the participant to whom it is granted the right to receive, upon its exercise, cash or shares equal to the excess of (A) the fair market value of the boardnumber of directorsshares subject to the SAR on the date of exercise, over (B) the product of the number of shares subject to the SAR multiplied by the base value for the SAR, as determined by the Plan Committee or the Board of Directors. The Plan Committee will set forth in the applicable SAR award agreement the terms and conditions of the SAR, including the base value for the SAR (which shall not be less than the fair market value of an share on the date of grant), the number of shares subject to the SAR and the period during which the SAR may be exercised and any other special rules and/or requirements which the Plan Committee imposes on the SAR. No SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of grant. A tandem SAR is a SAR granted in connection with a related option, the exercise of some or all of which results in termination of the entitlement to purchase some or all of the shares under the related option. If the Plan Committee grants a SAR which is intended to be a tandem SAR, the tandem SAR will be granted at the same time as the related option and additional restrictions apply.

Distribution Equivalent Rights. A distribution equivalent right entitles the holder to receive bookkeeping credits, cash payments and/or share distributions equal in amount to the distributions that would be made to the holder had the holder held a specified number of shares during the period the holder held the distribution equivalent rights. The Plan Committee will set forth in the applicable distribution equivalent rights award agreement the terms and conditions, if any, including whether the holder is to receive credits currently in cash, is to have such credits reinvested (at fair market value determined as of the date of reinvestment) in additional shares or is to be entitled to choose among such alternatives.

Recapitalization or Reorganization. Subject to certain restrictions, the Plan provides for the adjustment of shares underlying awards previously granted if, and whenever, prior to the expiration or distribution to the holder of shares underlying an award theretofore granted, the Company shall effect a subdivision or consolidation of our shares or the payment of a stock dividend on shares without receipt of consideration by the Company.

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Change of Control. The Plan provides that the Committee may, in its discretion, in connection with a Change of Control event (as defined in the Plan) provide for the acceleration of any time periods, or the waiver of any other conditions, relating to the vesting, exercise, payment or distribution of an Award so that any Award to a person whose employment has been terminated as a result of a Change of Control may be vested, exercised, paid or distributed in full on or before a date fixed by the Committee, or provide for the purchase of Awards from an employee whose employment has been terminated as a result of a Change of Control.

Amendment and Termination. The Plan will continue in effect, unless sooner terminated pursuant to its terms, until the tenth anniversary of the date on which it was originally adopted by the Board of Directors (except as to awards outstanding on that date). The Board of Directors may terminate the Plan at any time with respect to any shares for which awards have not theretofore been granted; provided, however, that the Plan’s termination shall not materially and adversely impair the rights of a holder with respect to any award theretofore granted without the consent of the holder. The Board of Directors will have the right to alter or amend the Plan or any part thereof from time to time; provided, however, that without the majority vote of our stockholders, no amendment or modification of the Plan may (i) materially increase the benefits accruing to holders, (ii) except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, materially increase the number of shares subject to the Plan or the individual award agreements, (iii) materially modify the requirements for participation, or (iv) amend, modify or suspend certain re-pricing prohibitions or amendment and termination provisions as specified in the Plan.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Plan

The following is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences under current tax law to the Company (to the extent it is subject to U.S. federal income taxation on its net income) and to participants in the Plan who are individual citizens or residents of the United States for federal income tax purposes (“U.S. Participants”) of stock options which are ISOs, or stock options which are NQSOs, unrestricted stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock, performance units, SARs, and dividend equivalent rights. This summary does not purport to cover all of the special rules that may apply, including special rules relating to limitations on our ability to deduct certain compensation, special rules relating to deferred compensation, golden parachutes, U.S. Participants subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or the exercise of a stock option with previously-acquired shares. This summary assumes that U.S. Participants will hold their shares as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. In addition, this summary does not address the foreign, state or local or other tax consequences, or any U.S. federal non-income tax consequences, inherent in the acquisition, ownership, vesting, exercise, termination or disposition of an award under the Plan, or shares issued pursuant thereto. Participants are urged to consult with their own tax advisors concerning the tax consequences to them of an award under the Plan or shares issued thereunder pursuant to the Plan.

A U.S. Participant generally does not recognize taxable income upon the grant of a NQSO if structured to be exempt from or comply with Code Section 409A. Upon the exercise of a NQSO, the U.S. Participant generally recognizes ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares acquired on the date of exercise over the exercise price thereof, and the Company generally will be entitled to a deduction for such amount at that time. If the U.S. Participant later sells shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a NQSO, the U.S. Participant recognizes a long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the period for which the shares were held. A long- term capital gain is generally subject to more favorable tax treatment than ordinary income or a short-term capital gain. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

A U.S. Participant generally does not recognize taxable income upon the grant or, except for purposes of the U.S. alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) the exercise, of an ISO. For purposes of the AMT, which is payable to the extent it exceeds the U.S. Participant’s regular income tax, upon the exercise of an ISO, the excess of the fair market value of the shares subject to the ISO over the exercise price is a preference item for AMT purposes. If the U.S. Participant disposes of the shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO more than two years after the date of grant and more than one year after the transfer of the shares to the U.S. Participant, the U.S. Participant generally recognizes a long-term capital gain or loss, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction. However, if the U.S. Participant disposes of such shares prior to the end of either of the required holding periods, the U.S. Participant will have ordinary compensation income equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value of such shares on the date of exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on the disposition of such shares) over the exercise price paid for such shares, and the Company generally will be entitled to deduct such amount.

A U.S. Participant generally does not recognize income upon the grant of a SAR. The U.S. Participant recognizes ordinary compensation income upon exercise of the SAR equal to the increase in the value of the underlying shares, and the Company generally will be entitled to a deduction for such amount.

A U.S. Participant generally does not recognize income on the receipt of a performance stock award, performance unit award, restricted stock unit award, unrestricted stock award or dividend equivalent rights award until a cash payment or a distribution of shares is received thereunder. At such time, the U.S. Participant recognizes ordinary compensation income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares or the amount of cash received over any amount paid therefor, and the Company generally will be entitled to deduct such amount at such time.

A U.S. Participant who receives a restricted stock award generally recognizes ordinary compensation income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of such shares at the time the restriction lapses over any amount paid for the shares. Alternatively, the U.S. Participant may make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed on the fair market value of such shares at the time of grant. The Company generally will be entitled to a deduction at the same time and in the same amount as the income that is required to be included by the U.S. Participant.

PROPOSAL NO. 3

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are asking stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in accordance with the SEC’s rules in the “Executive Compensation” section of this proxy statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, is not intended to address any specific item of compensation or any specific named executive officer, but rather the overall compensation of all of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this proxy statement as a whole.

The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or our Board of Directors. The say-on-pay vote will, however, provide information to us regarding investor sentiment about our executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices, which the Compensation Committee will be able to consider when determining future executive compensation. The Board of Directors and Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and to the extent there is any significant vote against our named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, we will consider our stockholders’ concerns and the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any additional actions are necessary.

Stockholders are urged to read the Summary Compensation Table and other related compensation tables and narrative under the heading “Executive Compensation” below, which provide specific information on the compensation of the named executive officers. The Compensation Committee and Board of Directors believe that the Company’s policies and procedures are effective in achieving our goals, and that the compensation of the named executive officers reported in this proxy statement reflects and supports these compensation policies and procedures.

Based on the above, the Company is asking stockholders to approve the following advisory resolution at the Annual Meeting:

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders of FAT Brands Inc. approve, on October 20, 2017. Mr. Junger is a co-founder and a managing membernon-binding advisory basis, the compensation of Insight Consulting LLC, a management consulting firm basedthe Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the Los Angeles area, providing adviceSummary Compensation Table and the related compensation tables, notes and narrative in mergers and acquisitions, corporate divestitures, business integration diagnostics, real estate investment, acquisition, development and construction and litigation support services. Priorthe proxy statement for the Company’s Annual Meeting.”

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

PROPOSAL NO. 4

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF

FUTURE VOTES ON THE COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are asking stockholders to co-founding Insightvote on whether future non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation (such as Proposal No. 3 in 2003 he was a partner at Arthur Andersen LLP, which he joined in 1972. Mr. Junger co-developed and managedthis proxy statement) should occur every one year, every two years or every three years. This is the west coast Transaction Advisory Services practice at Andersen, providing comprehensive merger and acquisition consulting services to both financial and strategic buyers and sellers. Mr. Jungerfirst year that the non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal No. 3) is a certified public accountant in California and received Bachelor of Science and M.B.A. degrees from Cornell University. Mr. Junger was selected tobeing held. After careful consideration, our Board of Directors because he brings substantial expertisehas determined that a vote on executive compensation that occurs annually is the most appropriate alternative for the Company, and therefore recommends that you vote for a one-year interval for future non-binding votes on executive compensation.

In formulating its recommendation, our Board of Directors considered that since compensation decisions are made annually, an annual advisory vote on executive compensation will allow stockholders to provide more frequent and direct input on our compensation philosophy, policies and practices. An annual approach provides regular input by stockholders, while allowing time to evaluate the effects of our compensation program on performance over a longer period. However, we understand that our stockholders may have different views as to what is the best approach for the Company, and we look forward to hearing from our stockholders on this proposal.

You may cast your vote on your preferred voting frequency by choosing the option of one year, two years, three years or abstain from voting when you vote in financialresponse to the resolution set forth below:

“RESOLVED, that the option of once every one year, two years, or three years that receives the highest number of votes cast for this resolution will be determined to be the preferred frequency with which the Company is to hold a stockholder vote to approve the compensation of the named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and strategic planning, mergersExchange Commission, including the compensation tables and acquisitions,other related disclosure.”

The option of one year, two years or three years that receives the highest number of votes cast by stockholders will be the frequency for the advisory vote on executive compensation that has been selected by stockholders. However, this vote is advisory and leadershipis not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or our Board of complex organizations.Directors. The Board may decide that it is in the best interests of our stockholders and the Company to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation more or less frequently than the option approved by our stockholders.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR “ONE YEAR” AS THE FREQUENCY WITH WHICH STOCKHOLDERS ARE PROVIDED FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

 

Meetings of the Board of DirectorsPROPOSAL NO. 5

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

DuringA resolution will be presented at the Annual Meeting to ratify the appointment by our Audit Committee of Baker Tilly US, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm to examine our financial statements for the fiscal year endedending December 29, 2019, the Board of Directors held four meetings. Each incumbent director attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the board of directors25, 2022, and meetings of the committeesto perform other appropriate accounting services.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF BAKER TILLY US, LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 25, 2022.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors originally engaged Baker Tilly US, LLP (“Baker Tilly”) as our independent registered public accounting firm in November 2020, replacing Squar Milner LLP (“Squar Milner”), whose audit practice was combined with Baker Tilly. Squar Milner was previously engaged as our independent registered public accounting firm since June 2019.

Prior to engaging Baker Tilly, the Company did not consult with such firm regarding the application of accounting principles to a specific completed or contemplated transaction or regarding the type of audit opinion that might be rendered by such firm on the Company’s financial statements, and such firm did not provide any written or oral advice that was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any such accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue. The reports of Baker Tilly on the Company’s financial statements for the 2021 and 2020 fiscal years did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the year fiscal ended December 27, 2020, there were no disagreements (as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and related instructions) with Squar Milner on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures, which hedisagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Squar Milner would have caused it to make reference to such disagreement in its reports.

The Audit Committee reviews the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm on an annual basis and has determined that Baker Tilly US, LLP is independent. In addition, the Audit Committee pre-approves all work and fees that are performed by our independent registered public accounting firm.

Representatives of Baker Tilly are expected to attend the Annual Meeting or she serves, except that Jeff Lotman who attended 60%be available by telephone conference to respond to appropriate questions and will have the opportunity to make a statement, if desired.

The affirmative vote of the meetingsholders of a majority of the shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on this item will be required to ratify the appointment of Baker Tilly. The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of its appointment of Baker Tilly as our independent registered public accounting firm. If not otherwise specified, validly executed proxies will be voted “FOR” this proposal.

Although stockholder ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm is not required by our bylaws or otherwise, we are submitting the selection of Baker Tilly to our stockholders for ratification to permit stockholders to participate in this important corporate decision. If not ratified, the Audit Committee will reconsider the selection, although the Audit Committee will not be required to select a different independent registered public accounting firm for our Company.

Audit Fees. Baker Tilly US, LLP, Los Angeles, California, has served as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ending December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020. The aggregate accounting fees for these fiscal are as follows (dollars in thousands):

  

December 26,

2021

  

December 27,

2020

 
Audit fees $1,128  $329 
Audit related fees $418  $45 
Tax fees $  $ 
All other fees $  $ 

13

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board Composition and Leadership Structure

From the inception of our Company in 2017 until July 2022, Edward Rensi served as the independent Chairman of our Board of Directors. In July 2022, James Neuhauser, who served as an independent director since our inception, was appointed Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and meetings of committeesMr. Rensi became Vice-Chairman and Lead Independent Director. Our founder, Andrew Wiederhorn, continues to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Board of Directors on which he serves.

EachCompany and a member of the Board of DirectorsDirectors. The Board believes that the Company and its stockholders are best served by this leadership structure because it is expectedvaluable to attend annualhave the breadth of experience and depth of knowledge of our Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chair, balanced by the significant role of our Lead Independent Director in overseeing management and leading meetings of our stockholders, eitherindependent directors.

Board’s Role in person or telephonically,Risk Oversight

Our Board of Directors believes that open communication between management and eachthe Board member attendedof Directors is essential for effective risk management and oversight. The Board meets with our 2019 annual meetingChief Executive Officer and other members of stockholderssenior management at Board of Director meetings, where, among other topics, they discuss strategy and risks in person, exceptthe context of reports from the management team and evaluate the risks inherent in significant transactions. While our Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for Mr. Holtzman who attendedrisk oversight, our Board committees assist the 2019 annual meeting telephonicallyBoard of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities in certain areas of risk. The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to risk management in the areas of major financial risk exposures, internal control over financial reporting, disclosure controls and Mr. Lotman who did not attend. Dueprocedures, legal and regulatory compliance. The Compensation Committee assists the Board in assessing risks created by the incentives inherent in our compensation policies. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic, we do not expect that allmanagement of our directors will attend the Annual Meeting in person.corporate, legal and regulatory risk.

 

Director Independence

 

The Board has determined that each of the current directors other than Mr.and nominees, except Messrs. Neuhauser and Wiederhorn, is independent within the meaning of the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (referred to as the SEC)SEC and the director independence standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”), as currently in effect. Furthermore, the Board has determined that each current member of the Committees of theeach Board committee is “independent” under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the director independence standards of NASDAQ applicable to each such committee, as currently in effect.

 

Code of Ethics

 

The Board of Directors hasWe have adopted a written code of business ethics designed, in part,that applies to deter wrongdoingour directors, officers and to promote honest and ethical conduct,employees, including the ethical handling of actualour principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships, full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that we file withcontroller, or submit to the SEC and in our other public communications, compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations, the prompt internal reporting of violationspersons performing similar functions. We have posted a current copy of the code under the Corporate Governance section of our website at https://ir.fatbrands.com. In addition, we intend to an appropriate personpost on our website all disclosures that are required by law or persons, as identified in the code, and accountability for adherenceNASDAQ listing standards concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the code.

Anti-Hedging Policy and Trading Restrictions

The code of ethics applies to all ofCompany’s Insider Trading Policy restricts certain transactions in our securities and prohibits our directors, executive officers and employees. A copycertain other key employees (and their respective family and household members) from purchasing or selling any type of security while aware of material non-public information about the codeCompany or from providing such material non-public information to any person who may trade while aware of ethicssuch information. Trading by our officers and directors, as well as other employees who may be expected in the ordinary course of performing their duties to have access to material non-public information, is available in on our website at https://ir.fatbrands.com/corporate-governance.

We intend to disclose any amendments to, or waivers of, our code of ethics as it appliesrestricted to certain persons by filing themquarterly trading windows. While we do not have a policy that specifically prohibits hedging the economic risk of stock ownership in a current report on Form 8-K.our stock, we discourage our officers, directors and employees from entering into certain types of hedges with respect to our securities. Our Insider Trading Policy also prohibits short-sales and similar transactions and margining of Company stock.

 

 614

 

Communications with the Board

 

Correspondence from our stockholders to the Board of Directors or any individual directors or officers should be sent to our Secretary. Correspondence addressed to either the Board of Directors as a body, or to all of the directors in their entirety, will be sent to the chairmanChairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our Secretary will regularly provide to the Board of Directors a summary of all such stockholder correspondence that the Secretary receives on behalf of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has approved this process for stockholders to send communications to the Board.

 

CommitteesBoard Meetings

During fiscal 2021, our Board of Directors held 44 meetings. Each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of the committees of the Board of Directors on which he or she serves. Each Board member is expected to attend our annual meetings of stockholders, either in person or telephonically. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one Board member attended our 2021 annual meeting in person and the others attended telephonically.

Board Committees

 

OurTo assist it in carrying out its duties, the Board of Directors has three standing Committees—delegated certain authority to an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Audit and Compensation. Each committee operates under a charter that has been approved by our Board. Current copies of each Committee’s charter are posted on our website at https://ir.fatbrands.com/corporate-governance.

Committee. The following table sets forth the three standing Committees of our Board, the current members of each Committee,Board committee as of December 26, 2021 and the number of meetings held by the Board and committees during our Board of Directors and Committees during fiscal 2019:year ended December 26, 2021:

 

 As of December 26, 2021 
Director 

Board of

Directors

 

Audit

Committee

 

Compensation

Committee

 

Nominating

and Corporate

Governance

Committee

 Board of Directors  Audit Committee  Compensation Committee  

Nominating

and Corporate

Governance

Committee

 
Edward H. Rensi  Chair   X   Chair   Chair   Chair      Chair   Chair 
James Neuhauser  X   Chair   X   X 
James C. Neuhauser  X   Chair   X    
Kenneth J. Anderson  X   X   X   X 
Amy V. Forrestal  X   X      X 
Squire Junger  X   X   X   X   X   X       
Andrew A. Wiederhorn  X            X          
Number of meetings in fiscal 2019:  4   6   1   1 
Meetings in 2021:  44   4   3   2 

A.       NominatingIn July 2022, James Neuhauser was appointed Executive Chairman of the Board, and Corporate Governance CommitteeLynne Collier joined the Board as a new independent director. These appointments resulted in a change in the composition of the committees of the Board effective as of July 26, 2022. The following table sets forth the current members of each Board committee as of August 3, 2022:

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for the following, among other matters, as required from time to time:

 identify qualified individuals to serve as membersAs of the Company’s board of directors;August 3, 2022
Directorreview the qualifications

Board of

Directors

Audit CommitteeCompensation Committee

Nominating

and performance of incumbent directors;Corporate

Governance

Committee

Edward H. Rensireview and consider candidates who may be suggested by any director or executive officer or by any stockholder of the Company; and

Vice-Chairman /

Lead Independent Director

ChairChair
James C. Neuhauserreview considerations relating to board composition, including size of the board, term, and the criteria for membership on the board.Executive Chairman
Kenneth J. AndersonXChairX
Lynne L. CollierXXX
Amy V. ForrestalXXX
Squire JungerXXX
Andrew A. WiederhornX

 

The Nominating Committee may receive recommendations for director nominees from a varietyprimary functions of sources, including from stockholders, management and board members. Stockholders may recommend any person to be a director by writing to our Secretary and must include (a) a brief descriptioneach committee of the candidate, (b) the candidate’s name, age, business address and residence address, (c) the candidate’s principal occupation and the number of shares of our capital stock beneficially owned by the candidate, and (d) any other information that would be required under the rules of the SEC in a proxy statement listing the candidate as a nominee for director. Recommended candidates may be required to provide additional information. Submissions should be sent to the following address: Chairman of the Nominating Committee, c/o Secretary, FAT Brands Inc., 9720 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500, Beverly Hills, CA 90212.

The Nominating Committee will review all recommended candidates at the same time and will subject all candidates to the same review criteria. Members of our Board of Directors should be qualified, dedicated and ethical individuals who have experience relevant to our operations and understand the complexities of our business environment. The Nominating Committee further develops recommendations regarding the appropriate skills and characteristics required of directors in the context of the current composition of our Board of Directors, and these recommendations are submitted to the Board of Directors for review and approval. In conducting this assessment, the Nominating Committee considers knowledge, skills, experience in business, finance, administration and relevant technical disciplines, social experience, gender and racial diversity and other attributes that the Committee determines will contribute to our success and achievement of its business and social goals. In addition, at least a majority of our directors must be independent, all members of the Audit Committee must be independent and also satisfy heightened independence and qualification criteria under the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC and NASDAQ, and all members of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee must be independent.described below:

 7

 

B.       Audit Committee

 

The Audit Committee is responsible for, the following, among other matters, as required from time to time:matters:

 

appointing, compensating, retaining, evaluating, terminating and overseeing our independent registered public accounting firm;
discussing with our independent registered public accounting firm their independence from management;
reviewing with our independent registered public accounting firm the scope and results of their audit;
approving all audit and permissible non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm;
overseeing the financial reporting process and discussing with management and our independent registered public accounting firm the interim and annual financial statements that we file with the SEC;
reviewing and monitoring our accounting principles, accounting policies, financial and accounting controls and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and
establishing procedures for the confidential anonymous submission of concerns regarding questionable accounting, internal controls or auditing matters.

 

Our Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee meets the definition of “independent director” for purposes of serving on an audit committee under Rule 10A-3 and NASDAQ standards.rules. In addition, our Board of Directors has determined that Messrs. Neuhausereach of Mr. Anderson and Mr. Junger each qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.

 

The Board of Directors adopted a charter for the Audit Committee on October 19, 2017. A copy of the Audit Committee charter is available in the Corporate Governance section of our website at https://ir.fatbrands.com. The Audit Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of the charter on an annual basis.

Audit Committee Report

 

The following is the report of the Audit Committee with respect to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019.26, 2021. The information contained in this report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference in such filing.

 

Management is responsible for our internal controls and the financial reporting process. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of our financial statements in accordance with Public Company Accounting Oversight Board standards and to issue a report thereon. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes, including the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal controls.

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed our audited financial statements with management. The Audit Committee is satisfied that the internal control system is adequate and that we employ appropriate accounting and reporting procedures.

 

The Audit Committee has also discussed with our independent registered public accounting firms, Squar Milner LLP (prior to November 1, 2020) andfirm, Baker Tilly US, LLP, (on and after November 1, 2020), matters relating to their judgments about the quality, as well as the acceptability, of our accounting principles as applied in its financial reporting as required to be discussed by Statement ofPCAOB Auditing StandardsStandard No. 61, Communications16, “Communications with Audit Committees, as amended by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 90, Audit Committee Communications, that includes, among other items, matters related to the conduct of the audit of our financial statements.Committees”. In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with our accounting firmsfirm their independence from management and us, as well as the matters in the written disclosures received from the independent registered public accounting firm as required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees.

 8

 

Based on the Audit Committee’s review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that our audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 201926, 2021 for filing with the SEC.

 

 SUBMITTED BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE:
  
 James NeuhauserKenneth J. Anderson
Lynne L. Collier
Amy V. Forrestal
 Squire Junger
Edward Rensi

 

C.       Compensation Committee

 

The Compensation Committee is responsible for assisting our Board of Directors in discharging its responsibilities relating to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, other executive officers and outside directors, as well as administering stock incentive plans. During the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019,26, 2021, there were no employee directors on the Compensation Committee and no Compensation Committee interlocks.

 

The Compensation Committee is responsible for the following, among other matters, as required from time to time:

 

 reviewing and recommending to our Board of Directors the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers and ourthe outside directors;
 conducting a performance review of our Chief Executive Officer;
 administering the Company’s incentive-compensation plans and equity-based plans as in effect or as adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors;
 approving any new equity compensation plan or material change to an existing plan where stockholder approval has not been obtained;
 reviewing our compensation policies; and
 if required, preparing the report of the Compensation Committee for inclusion in our annual proxy statement.

 

Compensation Committee Report

Our Compensation CommitteeThe Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussion,adopted a charter for the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board thaton October 19, 2017. A copy of the Compensation DiscussionCommittee charter is available in the Corporate Governance section of our website at https://ir.fatbrands.com. The Compensation Committee reviews and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEEreassesses the adequacy of the charter on an annual basis.

 

Edward Rensi

Squire Junger

James Neuhauser

17

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Overview of Compensation ProgramNominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

The CompensationNominating and Corporate Governance Committee administers our executive compensation programs and is responsible for establishing, implementing,the following, among other matters, as required from time to time:

identify qualified individuals to serve as members of the Company’s Board of Directors;
review the qualifications and performance of incumbent directors;
review and consider candidates who may be suggested by any director or executive officer or by any stockholder of the Company; and
review considerations relating to board composition, including size of the board, term, and the criteria for membership on the board.

The Board of Directors has adopted a charter for the Nominating and monitoring adherence to our compensation philosophy. Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, retain, and motivate high-caliber executives and to focus the interestsCorporate Governance Committee on October 19, 2017. A copy of the executives on objectives that enhance stockholder value. These goals are attained by emphasizing “pay for performance” by having a portionCompensation Committee charter is available in the Corporate Governance section of our website at https://ir.fatbrands.com. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of the executive’s compensation dependent upon business resultscharter on an annual basis.

Board Diversity

Pursuant to NASDAQ’s rules on board diversity disclosure, below is information about the diversity of the Board of Directors as of the date of this proxy statement:

Board Diversity Matrix (as of August 11, 2022)
             
Total Number of Directors 7 
Part I: Gender Identity Female  Male  Non-Binary  

Did Not

Disclose

Gender

 
Directors  2   5       
Part II: Demographic Background                
African American or Black            
Alaskan Native or American Indian            
Asian            
Hispanic or Latinx            
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander            
White  2   5       
Two or More Races or Ethnicities            
LGBTQ+  
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background  

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Below is a list of the names and by providing our executives with equity interests in the Company. The principal elementsages, as of August 3, 2022, of our executive compensation program include base salary, discretionary bonusofficers and stock options.a description of the business experience of each of them.

NameAgePosition
Andrew A. Wiederhorn56President and Chief Executive Officer, Director
Kenneth J. Kuick53Chief Financial Officer
Thayer D. Wiederhorn34Chief Operating Officer
Taylor A. Wiederhorn34Chief Development Officer
Robert G. Rosen55Executive Vice President of Capital Markets
Allen Z. Sussman57Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Secretary
Ron Roe45Senior Vice President of Finance

For the biography of Andrew A. Wiederhorn, please see “Proposal No. 1 – Election of Directors” above.

 

Throughout this proxy statement, the individuals whoKenneth J. Kuick has served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer during fiscal year 2019,since May 31, 2021. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Kuick served as Chief Financial Officer of Noodles & Company, a national fast-casual restaurant concept, from November 2018 to August 2020, where he was responsible for leading the Company’s finance, accounting and supply chain operations. Prior to that, Mr. Kuick served as Chief Accounting Officer of VICI Properties Inc., a real estate investment trust specializing in casino properties, from October 2017 to August 2018, where he was responsible for accounting, consolidated financial operations, capital markets transactions, treasury, internal audit, tax and external reporting. Prior to that, Mr. Kuick served as Chief Accounting Officer of Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment Corporation, and as Vice President, Assistant Controller for Caesars Entertainment Corporation. Mr. Kuick is a Certified Public Accountant and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Business Systems from Taylor University.

Thayer Wiederhorn has served as the Chief Operating Officer since November 2021 where he is responsible for day-to-day business operations and providing leadership to management to ensure short-term and long-term business strategies are implemented and executed and that the organization’s capabilities are optimized. Prior to that, Mr. Wiederhorn served as Chief Marketing Officer since March 2017 where he oversaw global branding and marketing for over 2,000 franchise-owned restaurants. Mr. Wiederhorn served as Vice President - Marketing of Fatburger North America Inc. and Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts Inc. From June 2012 through March 2017 and as Director of Marketing of Fatburger North America Inc. from July 2011 through June 2012. Additionally, he served as Marketing Coordinator from April 2011 through June 2011 and Brand Development Agent from October 2010 through April 2011. Mr. Wiederhorn started his career working in Fatburger restaurants and food-trucks. Mr. Wiederhorn received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Finance Business Economics, from the University of Southern California.

Taylor Wiederhorn has served as the Chief Development Officer since October 2017. Previously, Mr. Wiederhorn served as Vice President - Franchise Marketing and Development for Fatburger North America from September 2011 until October 2017. Mr. Wiederhorn graduated from the USC Marshall School of Business with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in corporate Finance.

Robert G. Rosen has served as the Executive Vice President of Capital Markets since April 2021. Prior to joining the company, he had been the Managing Member of Kodiak Financial Group LLC since 2004. Kodiak invests in credit classes of ABS and MBS securities, purchases individual real estate loans and portfolios, purchases and manages real estate developments and invests in private equity transactions as well as venture capital transactions. Mr. Rosen began his career in commercial banking, focusing on direct lending for Fleet Bank (then Fleet Norstar Bank) in Albany NY after completing their extensive management training program. This was followed in 1990 by a career on Wall Street, working for Bankers Trust (now Deutsche Bank) and Kidder Peabody in structured finance and investment banking focusing primarily on credit derivatives including securitizations, asset-based lending as well as financing and banking commercial banks and other originators of securitizable assets. After Kidder, Mr. Rosen joined Black Diamond Advisors and Black Diamond Securities (and ultimately Black Diamond Capital Management). He served as a Director and FINOP of the Black Diamond entities, with a continued focus on structured finance transactions and credit as well as portfolio management (banking, sales and trading) and servicing. Mr. Rosen continued his career at Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi and several buy side firms. He continues to be a long-term consultant to Black Diamond Capital Management and serves on multiple advisory boards and committees of Black Diamond. Mr. Rosen holds an MBA and a BA degree from Union College in Managerial Economics.

Allen Z. Sussman has served as the General Counsel and Executive Vice President for Corporate Development since March 2021. Prior to that time, Mr. Sussman was a partner at the law firm of Loeb & Loeb LLP in Los Angeles, California, specializing in corporate and securities law, and served as the primary outside corporate and securities counsel of FAT Brands. Prior to private practice, in the early 1990s Mr. Sussman served as an attorney with the Division of Enforcement of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, DC. Mr. Sussman holds a B.S. degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and a J.D. degree from Boston University School of Law.

19

Ron Roe currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Finance. Prior to August 16, 2018, Mr. Roe served as the Chief Financial Officer since 2009 and served as the Vice President of Finance from 2007 to 2009. Prior to 2007, Mr. Roe was an acquisitions associate for Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. He began his career as an investment banking analyst with Piper Jaffray. Mr. Roe attended UC Berkeley, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Based solely on a review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 and amendments thereto furnished to us for the year ended December 26, 2021, our directors, officers, or beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock timely furnished reports on all Forms 3, 4 and 5, except that (i) Squire Junger filed two late Form 4s for two transactions, (ii) Kenneth Anderson filed one late Form 4 for one transaction, (iii) Amy Forrestal filed two late Form 4s for two transactions, (iv) Kenneth Kuick filed a late Form 3 and two late Form 4s for two transactions, (v) Thayer Wiederhorn filed one late Form 4 for one transaction, (vi) Taylor Wiederhorn filed one late Form 4 for one transaction, (vii) Ron Roe filed two late Form 4s for two transactions, (viii) each of Allen Sussman and Robert Rosen filed a late Form 3, and (ix) Fog Cutter Holdings, LLC filed a late Form 3 and one late Form 4 for one transaction.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the compensation for the fiscal years ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020 awarded to, earned by, or paid to our principal executive officer and our other two most highly compensated executive officers. We refer to the individuals included in the Summary Compensation Table below, are referred to as theour “named executive officers.”

 9

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

The Compensation Committee believes that the most effective executive compensation program is one that is designed to reward the achievement of specific annual, long-term and strategic goals. Further, the Compensation Committee seeks to align executives’ interests with those of the stockholders by rewarding performance at or above established goals, with the ultimate objective of improving stockholder value and positioning the Company for future growth. The Compensation Committee is responsible for evaluating both performance and compensation levels to ensure that the Company maintains its ability to attract and retain superior employees in key positions and that compensation provided to key employees remains competitive relative to the compensation paid to similarly situated executives of companies the Compensation Committee deems from time to time to be comparable in terms of size and goals. To align the goals of the Company’s executives with the Company’s objectives, the Compensation Committee believes executive compensation packages provided by the Company to its executives, including the named executive officers, should include both cash and stock-based compensation. Neither the Company nor the Compensation Committee has retained a compensation consultant to review or advise on our policies and procedures with respect to executive compensation.

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name and
Principal
Position
 Fiscal Year  Salary(1)  Bonus  Stock Awards  Option Awards (2)  Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation  Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings  All Other Compensation  Total 
Andrew A. Wiederhorn  2019  $400,000  $-  $-  $13,863  $-  $-  $-  $413,863 
Chief Executive Officer  2018  $400,000  $-  $-  $19,962  $-  $-  $-  $419,962 
                                     
Rebecca D. Hershinger  2019  $256,731  $21,635  $-  $12,230  $-  $-  $-  $290,596 
Chief Financial Officer (3)  2018  $105,769  $10,417  $-  $4,124  $-  $-  $-  $120,310 
                                     
Donald J. Berchtold,  2019  $400,000  $-  $-  $13,863  $-  $-  $-  $413,863 
EVP – Chief Concept Officer  2018  $400,000  $-  $-  $19,962  $-  $-  $-  $419,962 
                                     
Ron Roe,  2019  $300,000  $-  $-  $13,863  $-  $-  $-  $313,863 
Senior Vice President of Finance (4)  2018  $300,000  $-  $-  $19,962  $-  $-  $-  $319,962 
Name and Principal Position Fiscal Year  Salary ($)  Bonus ($)  Stock Awards (2) ($)  Option Awards (2) ($)  All Other Compensation (3) ($)  Total ($) 
Andrew A. Wiederhorn  2021   546,615   1,500,000      607,000   221,294   2,874,909 
Chief Executive Officer  2020   400,000         5,548      405,548 
                             
Robert G. Rosen (1)  2021   395,866   480,000   857,000   607,000      2,339,866 
EVP, Capital Markets                            
                             
Kenneth J. Kuick (1)  2021   253,077   200,000   1,040,000   607,000   25,000   2,125,077 
Chief Financial Officer                            

 

Explanatory Notes:

 

(1) Reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for salary paid or accrued on behalf of the named executives for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018.

(2) Reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, in accordance with ASC 718 of awards pursuant to the Stock Option Plan. Assumptions used in the calculation of this amount for fiscal year ended December 29, 2019 are included in footnote 16 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019, included in Part IV of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. During 2018, Mr. Wiederhorn, Mr. Roe, and Mr. Berchtold were each granted options to purchase 15,318 shares of common stock with an aggregate grant date fair value of $8,329, respectively. During 2018, Ms. Hershinger was granted options to purchase 40,849 shares of common stock with an aggregate grant date fair value of $23,692. During 2017, Mr. Wiederhorn, Mr. Roe, and Mr. Berchtold were each granted options to purchase 15,318 shares of common stock with an aggregate grant date fair value of $35,550, respectively.

 10(1)Robert G. Rosen was appointed as EVP, Capital Markets in March 2021 and Kenneth J. Kuick was appointed as Chief Financial Officer in May 2021; therefore, Mr. Rosen and Mr. Kuick were not NEOs in 2020.

(3) Ms. Hershinger became our Chief Financial Officer effective August 16, 2018.

(4) Mr. Roe served as our Chief Financial Officer until August 15, 2018. He currently serves as our Senior Vice President of Finance.

(2)Reflects the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal years ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020, in accordance with ASC 718 of awards pursuant to the Stock Option Plan. Assumptions used in the calculation of this amount for fiscal year ended December 26, 2021 are included in footnote 16 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2021, included in Part IV of its 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(3)The amount disclosed for Mr. Wiederhorn reflects the aggregate incremental cost to the Company of providing him with certain personal use of leased aircraft pursuant to his employment agreement. This cost is calculated based on the applicable hourly rate charged to the Company for leased aircraft. The amount disclosed for Mr. Kuick reflects relocation benefits related to his appointment as Chief Financial Officer in May 2021.

 

Executive Employment Agreements

 

There are no written employment agreements between the Company and any of its employees.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 2019 YEAR ENDemployees, other than Andrew A. Wiederhorn. On November 18, 2021, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) with Andrew A. Wiederhorn, who has served as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer since its inception. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Wiederhorn’s term as Chief Executive Officer will continue for a period of three years from July 1, 2021, the effective date of the Employment Agreement, unless earlier terminated as provided in the Employment Agreement, and will be automatically extended for additional terms of successive two year periods unless the Company or Mr. Wiederhorn gives written notice of the termination of his employment at least 180 days prior to the expiration of the then current termination date.

 

2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan

Our Board has adopted and approvedPursuant to the 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The PlanEmployment Agreement, Mr. Wiederhorn’s annual base salary is a comprehensive incentive compensation plan under which we can grant equity-based and other incentive awards$750,000, subject to officers, employees and directors of, and consultants and advisers to, FAT Brands and its subsidiaries. The purpose ofan annual merit-based increases in the Plan is to help us attract, motivate and retain such persons and thereby enhance stockholder value. The Plan allows for management and the Board of Directors to award stock incentives to substantially all employees as a retention incentive and to ensure that employees’ compensation incentives are aligned with stock price appreciation. The Plan provides for a maximum of 1,021,250 shares available for grant, which amount is adjusted for our February 2019 common stock dividend.

Administration. The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committeesole discretion of the Board of Directors (the “Plan Committee”).Directors. Mr. Wiederhorn will also be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus in the sole discretion of the Board, with a target annual discretionary Bonus of up to 100% of base salary and a maximum of 300% of base salary for exceptional performance in the sole discretion of the Board. Mr. Wiederhorn’s eligibility to receive a bonus for any particular calendar year is subject to the achievement by him and the Company, as applicable, of personal and Company-wide targets to be established by the Company in the discretion of the Board.

 

Grant of Awards; Shares Available for Awards. The Plan provides forPursuant to the grant of a varietyEmployment Agreement, Mr. Wiederhorn will be eligible to receive awards of equity awards, including incentivefrom time to time in the form of stock options, (“ISOs”), non-qualified stock options (“NQSOs”), unrestricted shares, restricted shares,purchase rights and/or restricted stock units, performance stock, performance units, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), tandem stock appreciation rights, distribution equivalent rights, or any combinationawards. Such awards will be subject to the achievement by Mr. Wiederhorn and the Company, as applicable, of the foregoing, to key management employees, non-employee directors,personal and non-employee consultants of FAT Brands (each a “participant”) (however, solely FAT Brands employees are eligible for incentive stock option awards). To the extent that an award (or portion of an award) lapses, expires, is canceled, is terminated unexercised or ceasesCompany-wide targets to be exercisable for any reason, orestablished by the rights of its holder terminate, any sharesCompany, on such terms and subject to such awardconditions as the Board shall be deemed not to have been issued for purposes of determining the maximum aggregate shares which may be issued under the Plan and shall again be available for the grant of a new award. However, shares that have actually been issued under the Plan shall not be available for future issuance under the Plan, unless unvested shares are forfeited or repurchased by FAT Brands at the lower of their original purchase price or their fair market value at the time of repurchase.

Amendment and Termination. The Plan shall continue in effect, unless sooner terminated pursuant to its terms, until the tenth (10th) anniversarydetermine as of the date on which itof any such grant. In the event of a change in control (as defined in the Employment Agreement), Mr. Wiederhorn’s continuous employment is adoptedinvoluntarily terminated without “cause” (as defined in the Employment Agreement), or Mr. Wiederhorn resigns from continuous employment for “good reason” (as defined in the Employment Agreement), and in any case other than as a result of his death or disability, then 100% of the equity awards that are then unvested will become fully vested. In addition, in the event that Mr. Wiederhorn’s employment is terminated by the BoardCompany without “cause” or by Mr. Wiederhorn for “good reason”, Mr. Wiederhorn will be entitled to receive severance of Directors (except as12 months of base salary payable on the Company’s regular payroll schedule.

The Employment Agreement also entitles Mr. Wiederhorn to awards outstanding on that date). The Board of Directors may terminateparticipate in the Plan at any time with respect to any shares for which awards have not theretofore been granted; provided, however,benefit plans or programs that the Plan’s termination shall not materiallyCompany may make available to employees and adversely impair the rights of a holder with respect to any award theretofore granted without the consent of the holder. The Board of Directors shall have the right to alter or amend the Plan or any part thereoftheir families from time to time; provided, however,time. The Employment Agreement also provides for certain other ancillary benefits, including the reimbursement of all reasonable business expenses and, for security purposes, use at the Company’s expense of private aircraft transportation for all business-related travel. The Company will also bear expenses for Mr. Wiederhorn’s personal use of private aircraft transportation that without a majoritydoes not exceed 100 hours of our stockholders, no amendment or modificationflight time in any calendar year. In addition, Mr. Wiederhorn is entitled to 25 days of the Plan may (i) materially increase the benefits accruing to holders, (ii) except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, materially increase the numberpaid time off during each twelve-month period of shares subject to the Plan or the individual award agreements, (iii) materially modify the requirements for participation, or (iv) amend, modify or suspend certain re-pricing prohibitions or amendment and termination provisions as specified therein.

employment.

 

 1121

 

Outstanding Equity Awards At Fiscal 2021 Year End

 

The following table summarizes the outstanding equity award holdings of our named executive officers as of December 29, 2019, as adjusted for the February 28, 2019 stock dividend.26, 2021.

 

  Option Awards  Stock Awards 
Name Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable  Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable  Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)  Option Exercise Price($)  Option Expiration Date Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)  Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested($)  Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested(#)  Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested($) 
Andrew A.  10,212   5,106   -  $11.75  10/19/2027  -   -   -   - 
Wiederhorn, Chief Executive Officer  5,106   10,212   -  $5.28  12/10/2028  -   -   -   - 
Rebecca D.  8,510   17,021   -  $7.83  7/30/2028  -   -   -   - 
Hershinger, Chief Financial Officer  5,106   10,212   -  $5.28  12/10/2028  -   -   -   - 
Donald J.  10,212   5,106   -  $11.75  10/19/2027  -   -   -   - 
Berchtold, EVP – Chief Concept Officer  5,106   10,212   -  $5.28  12/10/2028  -   -   -   - 
Ron Roe  10,212   5,106   -  $11.75  10/19/2027  -   -   -   - 
Senior Vice President of Finance  5,106   10,212   -  $5.28  12/10/2028  -   -   -   - 
  Option Awards
Name Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable  Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable  Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)  Option Exercise Price($)  Option Expiration Date
Andrew A. Wiederhorn  15,318        $11.75  10/19/2027
Chief Executive Officer  15,318        $5.28  12/10/2028
     100,000     $11.43  11/16/2031
Robert G. Rosen     100,000     $11.43  11/16/2031
EVP, Capital Markets                  
Kenneth J. Kuick     100,000     $11.43  11/16/2031
Chief Financial Officer                  

 

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 

None of the named executives acquired shares of the Company’s stock through exercise of options during the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019.26, 2021.

 

Retirement Plans

We sponsor a 401(k) retirement plan that is available to all of our employees. Participants may make tax deferred contributions to the plan. We do not currently match any portion of employee contributions to the plan.

Employee Benefits and Perquisites

All of our full-time employees, including our named executive officers, are eligible to participate in various health and welfare plans maintained by us, including:

medical, dental and vision group insurance programs;
medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts; and
group life insurance programs.

Our named executive officers participate in these plans on the same basis as other eligible employees. We do not maintain any supplemental health and welfare plans for our named executive officers. We believe the benefits described above are necessary and appropriate to provide a competitive compensation package to our named executive officers.

No Tax Gross-Ups

We do not make gross-up payments to cover our named executive officers’ personal income taxes that may pertain to any of the compensation or perquisites paid or provided by our company.

 12

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

The Company uses a combination of cash and stock-based incentive compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on the Boardboard of Directors.directors. In setting director compensation, the Company considers the significant amount of time that our directors expend in fulfilling their duties to the Company as well as the skill-level required by the Company of members of the Board of Directors.

 

Effective with our initial public offering on October 20, 2017, we paidWe pay each non-employee director serving on our Board of Directors $40,000$80,000 in annual cash compensation, plus an annual equity award of stock options to acquire 15,000 shares of common stock, subject to adjustments for stock splits. To the extent that any non-employee director serves on one or more committees of our Board of Directors, we paid an additional $20,000 in cash compensation annually. Beginning in August 2020, the amount of annual cash compensation payable to non-employee directors was increased to $80,000 and an additional $40,000 in annual cash compensation for service on Board committees, plusand an annual equity award of stock options to acquire 30,636 shares of common stock. The stock options issued to directors are awarded under our 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan. The non-employee director compensation policy may be amended, modified or terminated at any time by our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.

 

At various times upon the quarterly payment dates of the cash component of director compensation, the Board has allowed each independent director to elect to receive his or her cash compensation in the form of common stock of the Company at market value at the time the election is made. Under such arrangement, during fiscal 20192021, the independent directors elected to acquire an aggregate of 68,3341,401 shares of common stock in 2021 at a weighted average price per share of $5.27.$10.70.

 

The terms of the equity award described above are set forth in the 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan is a comprehensive incentive compensation plan under which we can grant equity-based and other incentive awards to officers, employees and directors of, and consultants and advisers to, FAT Brands and its subsidiaries. The Plan currently provides for a maximum of 4,000,000 shares available for grant and is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation we paid or accrued to our non-employee directors duringfor the fiscal 2019 and 2018:year ended December 26, 2021:

 

Name Year  Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)
  Stock
Awards
($)
  Option
Awards
($)(1)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
  Change in
Pension
Value and Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
  All Other
Compensation
($)
  Total
($)
 
                         
Edward H. Rensi (2)  2019  $60,000  $  $14,827  $  $  $  $74,827 
   2018  $60,000  $  $19,962  $  $  $  $79,962 
                                 
Marc L. Holtzman (2)  2019  $60,000  $  $14,827  $  $  $  $74,827 
   2018  $60,000  $  $19,962  $  $  $  $79,962 
                                 
Squire Junger (2)  2019  $60,000  $  $14,827  $  $  $  $74,827 
   2018  $60,000  $  $19,962  $  $  $  $79,962 
                                 
Silvia Kessel (2)  2019  $60,000  $  $14,827  $  $  $  $74,827 
   2018  $60,000  $  $19,962  $  $  $  $79,962 
                                 
Jeff Lotman (2)  2019  $60,000  $  $14,827  $  $  $  $74,827 
   2018  $60,000  $  $19,962  $  $  $  $79,962 
                                 
James Neuhauser (2)  2019  $60,000  $  $14,827  $  $  $  $74,827 
   2018  $60,000  $  $19,962  $  $  $  $79,962 
Name Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)
  Stock
Awards
($)
  Option
Awards
($)(1)
  Total
($)
 
             
Edward H. Rensi  120,000      44,000   164,000 
Kenneth A. Anderson (2)  30,000      14,000   44,000 
Amy V. Forrestal (2)  15,000   15,000   14,000   44,000 
Squire Junger  120,000      44,000   164,000 
James Neuhauser  120,000      44,000   164,000 

 

 13

Explanatory Notes:

(1)Reflects the dollar amount of awards pursuant to the Plan recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the fiscal yearsyear ended December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018.26, 2021. Assumptions used in the calculation of this amount for fiscal year ended December 29, 2019 are included in footnote 16 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in Part IV of the Company’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. During fiscal 2019 and 2018,2021, the directors were each director was granted options to purchase 15,30630,636 shares of common stock each year with an aggregate grant date fair value of $5,998 and $8,329, respectively.$186,000.
 
(2)Mr. Rensi has served onAnderson and Ms. Forrestal were appointed to the Board since its formation and became the Chairman of the Board onDirectors effective as of October 20, 2017. Mr. Neuhauser has served on the Board since its formation. Mr. Junger has served on the Board since October 20, 2017. Mr. Holtzman served on the Board from October 20, 2017 until May 25, 2020, at which point 30,636 of his unvested stock options expired. Ms. Kessel served on the Board from October 20, 2017 until May 7, 2020, at which point 30,636 of her unvested stock options expired. Mr. Lotman served on the Board from October 20, 2017 until February 4, 2020, at which point 30,636 of his unvested stock options expired.19, 2021.

 

PROPOSAL NO. 2
APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

A resolution will be presented at the Annual Meeting to ratify the appointment by our Audit Committee of Baker Tilly US, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm to examine our financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 27, 2020, and to perform other appropriate accounting services.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF BAKER TILLY US, LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 27, 2020.PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

 

On November 1, 2020, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors engaged Baker Tilly US, LLP (“Baker Tilly”) as our independent registered public accounting firm, replacing Squar Milner LLP (“Squar Milner”), whose audit practice was combined with Baker Tilly on that date. Squar Milner was previously engaged as our independent registered public accounting firm on June 6, 2019 upon approval of the Audit Committee, due to the resignation of our prior accounting firm, Hutchinson and Bloodgood LLP (“Hutchinson”), upon its decision to cease audit and review work for publicly traded companies.

Prior to engaging each of Baker Tilly and Squar Milner, the Company did not consult with either firm regarding the application of accounting principles to a specific completed or contemplated transaction or regarding the type of audit opinions that might be rendered by either firm on the Company’s financial statements, and neither firm provided any written or oral advice that was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any such accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue.

The report of independent registered public accounting firm of Squar Milner on the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. The report of independent registered public accounting firm of Hutchinson on the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.

During the year fiscal ended December 29, 2019, and during the interim period from the end of the 2019 fiscal year through November 1, 2020, the date of resignation, there were no disagreements (as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and related instructions) with Squar Milner on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Squar Milner would have caused it to make reference to such disagreement in its reports. During the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018, and during the interim period from the end of the 2018 fiscal year through June 3, 2019, the date of resignation, there were no disagreements (as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and related instructions) with Hutchinson on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Hutchinson would have caused it to make reference to such disagreement in its reports.

 14

Representatives of Baker Tilly are expected to attend the Annual Meeting or be available by telephone conference to respond to appropriate questions and will have the opportunity to make a statement, if desired.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. The Audit Committee reviews the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm on an annual basis and has determined that Baker Tilly is independent. In addition, the Audit Committee pre-approves all work and fees that are performed by our independent registered public accounting firm.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on this item will be required to ratify the appointment of Baker Tilly. The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of its appointment of Baker Tilly as our independent registered public accounting firm. If not otherwise specified, validly executed proxies will be voted “FOR” this proposal.

Audit Fees. The aggregate accounting fees for the fiscal years ending December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

  Fiscal year ending December 29, 2019  Fiscal year ending December 30, 2018 
Audit Fees $244  $331 
Audit-Related Fees $55  $174 
Tax Fees $0  $0 
All Other Fees $39  $46 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Executive Officers

The names of our executive officers, their titles and their ages as of November 11, 2020 are as follows:

NameAgePosition
Andrew A. Wiederhorn54President and Chief Executive Officer, Director
Rebecca D. Hershinger47Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
Donald J. Berchtold75Executive Vice President and Chief Concept Officer
Gregg Nettleton64President and Chief Operating Officer, Casual Dining Division
Ron Roe43Senior Vice President of Finance

Andrew A. Wiederhorn – see Mr. Wiederhorn’s background above under “Election of Directors.”

Rebecca D. Hershinger has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary since August 16, 2018. Ms. Hershinger previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of Genius Brands International, Inc., a publicly traded global children’s media company that creates and licenses animated entertainment content, from April 2016 to April 2018. She also served as the Chief Financial Officer of Genius from October 2014 through June 2015 after consulting with the company beginning in March 2014. In 2012, she founded CFO Advisory Services Inc., an accounting and business advisory services firm, headquartered in Park City, UT. From 2008 through 2012, Ms. Hershinger was Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Finance & Corporate Development for SpectrumDNA, Inc., a publicly traded, but currently inactive, social media marketing and application development company that had been located in Park City, UT. Ms. Hershinger was an independent financial consultant in San Francisco between 2007 and 2008. Ms. Hershinger was employed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. in Los Angeles, California from 1999 to 2005, holding various positions ultimately rising to the level of Vice President, Finance & Corporate Development. Between 1995 and 1998, Ms. Hershinger worked as an analyst for JP Morgan Chase & Co. in Los Angeles and New York. Ms. Hershinger received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business, in Washington, D.C., and a Masters in Business Administration from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. She also completed studies at the International Finance & Comparative Business Policy Program at Oxford University, Oxford England.

 15

Donald J. Berchtold currently serves as our Executive Vice President and Chief Concept Officer. Prior to February 20, 2018, Mr. Berchtold served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Fatburger North America. Mr. Berchtold has also served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of FCCG since 2006 and in various other positions at FCCG prior to 2006. From 1991 to 1999, Mr. Berchtold served as Senior Vice President of Wilshire Financial Services Group Inc. and its sister company Wilshire Credit Corporation. Prior to 1990, Mr. Berchtold was the owner-operator of his own business that included a dinner house, catering company and other food service concepts, and was active in the Restaurants of Oregon Association. Mr. Berchtold holds a BSC degree in Finance and Marketing from the University of Santa Clara.

Gregg Nettleton has served as the President and Chief Operating Officer, Casual Dining Division since October 2017. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Nettleton served as President and Chief Executive Officer of GBS Enterprises, an international management consulting firm, since 2011. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Nettleton served as a consultant and Board member Black Angus Steakhouses, LLC. From 2002 to 2004, he served as Chief Marketing officer of International House of Pancakes Inc. and received the award for “Turnaround Chain of the Year” in 2003, and from 2000 to 2001, he served as Interim Chief Marketing Officer of Applebee’s International, Inc. Mr. Nettleton received his B.S. in Management Science from the State University of New York at Geneseo in Geneseo, New York and his M.B.A. in Marketing and Sales from Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Ron Roe currently serves as our Senior Vice President of Finance. Prior to August 16, 2018, Mr. Roe served as our Chief Financial Officer since 2009 and served as our Vice President of Finance from 2007 to 2009. Prior to 2007, Mr. Roe was an acquisitions associate for FCCG. He began his career as an investment banking analyst with Piper Jaffray. Mr. Roe attended UC Berkeley, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

Based solely on a review of Forms 3, 4 and 5 and amendments thereto furnished to us for the year ended December 29, 2019, our directors, officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock timely furnished reports on all Forms 3, 4 and 5, except that Marc Holtzman filed two late Form 4s, one with one transaction and one with two transactions, Squire Junger filed three late Form 4s, one with one transaction and two with two transactions, Silvia Kessel filed two late Form 4s, one with one transaction and one with two transactions, Jeff Lotman filed three late Form 4s, two with one transaction and one with two transactions, James Neuhauser filed two late Form 4s, one with one transaction and one with two transactions, Edward Rensi filed three late Form 4s two with one transaction and one with two transactions, and Andrew Wiederhorn filed one late Form 4 with two transactions.

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERSCommon Stock

 

The following table sets forth information, as of November 11, 2020,August 3, 2022, with respect to the beneficial ownership of our Class A common stock and our non-voting 8.25% SeriesClass B Cumulative Preferred Stockcommon stock by:

 

 each person known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our Common Stock;Class A common stock or Class B common stock;
 each of our directors;
 
each of our named executive officers; and
 all of our executive officers and directors as a group.

 

The number of shares beneficially owned by each stockholder is determined under rules issued by the SEC and includes voting power (if applicable) or investment power with respect to securities. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which the individual or entity has sole or shared voting power (if applicable) or investment power. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by an individual or entity and the percentage ownership of that person, shares subject to options, or other rights held by such person that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of the effective date of the disclosure, are considered outstanding, although these shares are not considered outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of all listed stockholders is c/o FAT Brands Inc., 9720 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500, Beverly Hills, California 90212. Each of the stockholders listed below has sole voting power (if applicable) and sole investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by such stockholder unless noted otherwise, subject to community property laws where applicable.

As of November 11, 2020,August 3, 2022, there were 11,926,264issued and outstanding 15,300,691 shares of ourClass A common stock issued and outstanding.1,270,805 shares of Class B common stock.

 

  

Class A Common

Stock

Beneficially Owned

  

Class B Common

Stock

Beneficially Owned

  Percent of Total Voting 
Name of beneficial owner Number  %  Number  %  Power † 
Greater than 5% Stockholders              
Fog Cutter Holdings LLC  7,033,297(1)  45.9%  706,514   55.6%  55.5%
HOT GFG LLC  2,259,594(2)  14.8%     *   * 
Geode Capital Holdings LLC     *   77,586   6.1 %(3)  6.1%
Gregory Fortunoff and certain persons  843,430(4)  5.5%  49,596   3.9%  3.9%
Named Executive Officers and Directors                  
Andrew A. Wiederhorn  7,207,265(5)  46.6%  709,847   55.9%  55.8%
Robert G. Rosen  100,000(6)  *   10,000   *   * 
Kenneth J. Kuick  100,000(6)  *   10,000   *   * 
Kenneth J. Anderson  166,408(7)  *   16,353   1.3%  1.3%
Lynne L. Collier  10,000   *           * 
Amy V. Forrestal  13,091(7)  *      *   * 
Squire Junger  196,061(8)  1.3%  3,000   *   * 
James Neuhauser  269,097(9)  1.8%  8,803   *   * 
Edward Rensi  94,602(10)  *   3,354   *   * 
All directors and executive officers as a group (13 persons)  8,859,754(11)  60.6%  818,650   64.4%  64.4%

 16Represents the voting power with respect to all shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting as a single class, beneficially owned by the holder. Each share of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote per share and each share of Class B common stock is entitled to 2,000 votes per share.

  

Common Stock

Beneficially Owned

  

Series B Preferred Stock

Beneficially Owned

 
Name of beneficial owner Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage 
Greater than 5% Stockholders                
Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc.  9,698,436(1)  81.2%  74,449   11.2%
Gregory Fortunoff and certain persons  621,815(2)  5.2%  21,113   3.2%
Named Executive Officers and Directors                
Andrew A. Wiederhorn  48,862(3)  *   25,567   3.9%
Rebecca D. Hershinger  27,232(4)  *   -   - 
Donald J. Berchtold  25,530(3)  *   -   - 
Ron Roe  25,530(3)  *   -   - 
Squire Junger  108,263(5)  *   5,327   * 
James Neuhauser  118,673(5)  1.0%  4,261   * 
Edward Rensi  64,178(5)  *   -   - 
All directors and executive officers as a group (eleven persons)  521,028(6)  4.3%  35,155   5.3%

*Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the class.
(1)Includes warrants to purchase 19,148 shares of the Company’sClass A common stock. The sole manager of Fog Cutter Holdings, LLC is Andrew Wiederhorn, and its address is 9720 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500, Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(2)Based on a Schedule 13G filed on March 8, 2022 jointly by HOT GFG LLC and Ms. Rachel Serruya. Ms. Serruya is the sole Director and President of HOT GFG LLC, and may be deemed to have voting and investment power over these shares. Ms. Serruya disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities except to the extent of her indirect pecuniary interest therein, if any. The address provided by HOT GFG LLC is 210 Shields Court, Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R8V2.
(3)Based on a Schedule 13G filed on February 9, 2022 jointly by Geode Capital Holdings LLC and Geode Capital Management, LLC. The address provided by Geode is 100 Summer Street, 12th Floor, Boston, MA 02110.
(4)Includes warrants to purchase 167,435 shares of Class A common stock. Based in part on a Schedule 13D/A filed jointly on August 28, 2020September 3, 2021 by Gregory Fortunoff, Scott Fortunoff, Laurie Fortunoff, Jill Gerstenblatt and Darren Gerstenblatt, with an address at 49 West 37th Street, New York, NY 10018. Each such person expressly disclaims beneficial ownership for all purposes of the shares of Common Stock and/or Series B Preferred Stockshares beneficially owned by each other person.
(3)(5)Includes shares and warrants held by Fog Cutter Holdings, LLC. Mr. Wiederhorn shares voting and dispositive power over such shares and warrants but disclaims beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Mr. Wiederhorn beneficially holds directly 173,968 shares of Class A common stock, comprised of 23,332 shares of Class A common stock, options to purchase an additional 30,636 shares of Class A common stock that have vested or will vest within 60 days of the effective date of the disclosure, and warrants that are exercisable for an additional 120,000 shares of Class A common stock, including warrants for 100,000 shares owned by Mr. Wiederhorn’s spouse, to which he disclaims beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Does not include unvested options to purchase an additional 100,000 shares of Class A common stock.
(6)Does not include unvested options to purchase an additional 100,000 shares of Class A common stock.
(7)Does not include unvested options to purchase an additional 30,363 shares of Class A common stock.
(8)Includes options to purchase 25,53051,060 shares of the Company’sClass A common stock that have vested or will vest within 60 days of the effective date of the disclosure. Does not include unvested options to purchase an additional 5,10656,166 shares of the Company’sClass A common stock. Includes warrants to purchase 25,000 shares of Class A common stock.

(4)(9)Includes options to purchase 27,23251,060 shares of the Company’sClass A common stock that have vested or will vest within 60 days of the effective date of the disclosure. Does not include unvested options to purchase an additional 13,61756,166 shares of the Company’sClass A common stock. Includes warrants to purchase 20,000 shares of Class A common stock
(5)(10)Includes options to purchase 30,63651,060 shares of the Company’sClass A common stock that have vested or will vest within 60 days of the effective date of the disclosure. Does not include unvested options to purchase an additional 45,95456,166 shares of the Company’sClass A common stock.
(6)(11)Includes aggregate options to purchase 297,850306,360 shares of the Company’sClass A common stock that have vested or will vest within 60 days of the effective date of the disclosure. Does not include aggregate unvested options to purchase an additional 187,221729,770 shares of the Company’sClass A common stock. Includes warrants to purchase 165,000 shares of Class A common stock, 100,000 of which are owned by Mr. Wiederhorn’s spouse, to which he disclaims beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

Preferred Stock

 

* RepresentsThe following table sets forth information, as of August 3, 2022, with respect to the beneficial ownership of less than 1%our non-voting Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) by each of the class.our directors, each of our named executive officers, and all of our executive officers and directors as a group. As of August 3, 2022, there were issued and outstanding 9,158,109 shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

 

Series B Preferred Stock
Beneficially Owned
Name of beneficial ownerShares%
Named Executive Officers and Directors
Andrew A. Wiederhorn980*
Robert G. Rosen232*
Kenneth J. Kuick2,000*
Kenneth J. Anderson10,431*
Lynne L. Collier*
Amy V. Forrestal*
Squire Junger25,000*
James Neuhauser*
Edward Rensi7,781*
All directors and executive officers as a group (13 persons)49,919*

*Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the class.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

Reportable Related Person Transactions

 

Other than the transactions described below, or in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, since the beginning of the 2019our 2020 fiscal year, which began on December 30, 2019, there has not been, nor is there currently proposed, any transaction or series of similar transactions to which we were or will be a party:

 

 in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000; and
 in which any director, executive officer, stockholder who beneficially owns 5% or more of our common stock or any member of their immediate family had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

 17

Participation in Public Offering -Merger with Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. – On or about October 4, 2019,December 10, 2020, the Company completedentered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. (“FCCG”), Fog Cutter Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the initialCompany (“Merger Sub”), and Fog Cutter Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings”). At the time of the Merger Agreement, FCCG owned approximately 81.5% of our outstanding common stock. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, FCCG agreed to merge with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”). Upon closing of its continuous public offeringthe Merger, the former stockholders of FCCG became direct stockholders of the Company who held, in the aggregate, 9,679,288 shares of the Company’s common stock (the same number of shares of common stock held by FCCG immediately prior to the Merger) and received certain limited registration rights with respect to the shares received in the Merger. As a result of the Merger, FCCG’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Homestyle Dining, LLC, Fog Cap Development LLC, Fog Cap Acceptance Inc. and BC Canyon LLC, became indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. In connection with the Merger, the Company declared a special stock dividend (the “Preferred OfferingSpecial Dividend”) payable to holders of up to $30,000,000our Common Stock, other than FCCG, on the record date consisting of units (“Units”) at $25.00 per Unit, with each Unit comprised0.2319998077 shares of one share of 8.25% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”) and 0.60 warrants (the “Warrants”) for each outstanding share of Common Stock held by such stockholders, with the value of any fractional shares of Series B Preferred Stock to purchase common stock at $8.50 per share, exercisable for five years. At the initial closingbe paid in cash. FCCG did not receive any portion of the Preferred Offering,Special Dividend, which had a record date of December 21, 2020 and payment date of December 23, 2020. The Special Dividend was intended to reflect consideration for the potential financial impact of the Merger on the common stockholders other than FCCG, including the assumption of certain debts and obligations of FCCG by the Company completed the sale of 43,080 Units for gross proceeds of $1,077,000. The following reportable related persons participated in the initial closingby virtue of the Company’s Preferred Offering:Merger.

 

Andrew Wiederhorn acquired 20,000 Units for $500,000, comprised of 20,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and 12,000 Warrants to purchase 12,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $8.50 per share.
Squire Junger acquired 5,000 Units for $125,000, comprised of 5,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and 3,000 Warrants to purchase 3,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $8.50 per share.

Issuance of Series B Preferred Stock – In the aggregate, Mr. Wiederhorn, Mr. Junger and other related parties acquired 33,000 Series B Units for $825,000 comprised of 33,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and 19,800 Series B Warrants to purchase 19,800 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at $8.50 per share.

On July 13, 2020, in connection with the Company’s underwrittenour public offering of Series B Preferred Stock, on July 13, 2020 we exchanged 15,000 shares of Series A Fixed Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) then held by FCCG at face value ($100.00 per share) for 60,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, and new warrants,exchanged $361,224 in accrued dividends due to FCCG under the Series A Preferred Stock for an additional 14,449 shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

Tax Sharing Agreement – Effective upon our initial public offering in October 2017, we entered into a Tax Sharing Agreement with FCCG that provides that FCCG would, to the extent permitted by applicable law, file consolidated federal and state income tax returns with the Company entered intoand its subsidiaries. Under the following additional transactions:   Tax Sharing Agreement, the Company would pay FCCG the amount that its current tax liability would have been had it filed a separate return. During the fiscal year ended December 27, 2020, the Company recorded a receivable from FCCG in the amount of $158,000 under the Tax Sharing Agreement, which was added to the intercompany receivable. The Tax Sharing Agreement was terminated upon our Merger with FCCG in December 2020.

The Company entered into an agreement to exchange 15,000 outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, plus accrued dividends thereon, held by FCCG at face value for shares of Series B Preferred Stock valued at $25.00 per share.
The Company entered into agreements to exchange 19,800 outstanding Warrants held by directors of the Company that were originally issued in October 2019 for 165,000 new warrants pursuant to Warrant Exchange Agreements in consideration of their consent to amend and restate the terms of the Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock.
The Company entered into agreements to exchange 12,000 outstanding Warrants held by other stockholders that were originally issued in October 2019 for 100,000 new warrants pursuant to Warrant Exchange Agreements in consideration of their consent to amend and restate the terms of the Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock.

 

Due From Affiliates – We have open accountsOn April 24, 2020, we entered into an Intercompany Revolving Credit Agreement with affiliated entities under the common control of FCCG resulting in net amounts due to us of $25,967,000 as of December 29, 2019.(the “Intercompany Agreement”). The Company had previously extended credit to FCCG pursuant to a certainan Intercompany Promissory Note (the “Original Note”), dated October 20, 2017, with an initial principal balance of $11,906,000. Subsequent to the issuance of the Original Note, the Company and certain of ourits direct or indirect subsidiaries made additional intercompany advances inadvances. Pursuant to the aggregate amount of $10,523,000. The Original Note and additional advances earn interest at a rate of 10% per annum. DuringIntercompany Agreement, the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019, we recorded accrued interest income on the intercompany receivable due from FCCG of $1,528,000, and a separate payablerevolving credit facility was subject to FCCG in the amount of $51,000 under our Tax Sharing Agreement with FCCG, which amount was offset against the intercompany receivable.

The intercompany amounts include a preferred capital investment by us in Homestyle Dining LLC (“HSD”) in the amount of $4 million made effective July 5, 2018 (the “Preferred Interest”). FCCG owns all of the common interests in HSD. The holder of the Preferred Interest is entitled to a 15% priority return on the outstanding balance of the investment (the “Preferred Return”). Any available cash flows from HSD on a quarterly basis are to be distributed to pay the accrued Preferred Return and repay the Preferred Interest until fully retired. During the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019, we recorded accrued interest income on the Preferred Interest of $600,000. On or before the five-year anniversary of the investment, the Preferred Interest is to be fully repaid, together with all previously accrued but unpaid Preferred Return. FCCG has unconditionally guaranteed repayment of the Preferred Interest in the event HSD fails to do so.

Subsequent to December 29, 2019, on April 24, 2020, the Company entered into an Intercompany Revolving Credit Agreement with FCCG (“Intercompany Agreement”), which bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum, hashad a five-year term with no prepayment penalties, and hashad a maximum capacity of $35,000,000, inclusive of the existing intercompany balances discussed above.$35,000,000. All additional borrowings under the Intercompany Agreement arewere subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, in advance, on a quarterly basis and may bewere subject to other conditions.conditions as set forth by the Company. The initial balance under the Intercompany Agreement totaled $21,067,000 including the balance of the Original Note, borrowings subsequent to the Original Note, accrued and unpaid interest income, and other adjustments through December 29, 2019,2019. The Intercompany Agreement was terminated and totaled $33,382,000 as of September 27,intercompany balances were eliminated in consolidation upon our Merger with FCCG in December 2020.

 

 18

 

Family Relationships

The following family members of Andrew Wiederhorn and Donald Berchtold are employed by the Company in the capacities indicated below:

 

 Thayer Wiederhorn, son of Andrew Wiederhorn, serves as Chief MarketingOperating Officer of the Company. During fiscal 2019,2021, Thayer Wiederhorn received total cash compensation from the Company of approximately $300,000,$1,080,000, participated in the general welfare and benefit plans of the Company and vested in stock options to purchase 10,212zero shares of the Company’s common stock granted in previous years. Andrew Wiederhorn does not have a material interest in Thayer Wiederhorn’s employment, nor do they share a household.
   
 Taylor Wiederhorn, son of Andrew Wiederhorn, serves as Chief Development Officer of the Company. During fiscal 2019,2021, Taylor Wiederhorn received total cash compensation from the Company of approximately $300,000,$960,000, participated in the general welfare and benefit plans of the Company and vested in stock options to purchase 10,212zero shares of the Company’s common stock granted in previous years. Andrew Wiederhorn does not have a material interest in Taylor Wiederhorn’s employment, nor do they share a household.
   
 Mason Wiederhorn, son of Andrew Wiederhorn, serves as Creative Director of the Company. During fiscal 2019,2021, Mason Wiederhorn received total cash compensation from the Company of approximately $250,000,$740,000, participated in the general welfare and benefit plans of the Company and vested in stock options to purchase 10,212zero shares of the Company’s common stock granted in previous years. Andrew Wiederhorn does not have a material interest in Mason Wiederhorn’s employment, nor do they share a household.
Jacob Berchtold, son of Donald Berchtold, serves as COO, Fast Casual Division, of the Company. During fiscal 2019, Jacob Berchtold received total cash compensation from the Company of approximately $200,000, participated in the general welfare and benefit plans of the Company and vested in stock options to purchase 10,212 shares of the Company’s common stock granted in previous years. Donald Berchtold does not have a material interest in Jacob Berchtold’s employment, nor do they share a household.

 

OTHER BUSINESSMATTERS

 

The Board of Directors is not aware of any other matters to come before the Annual Meeting. If any other matter should properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy intend to vote the proxy according to their best judgment.

 

THIS DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR2021 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019, WHICH CONTAINS INFORMATION ON OPERATIONS AND OUR AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. COPIES OF THESE REPORTS HAVE BEEN MAILED TO STOCKHOLDERS OF RECORD TOGETHER WITH THE PROXY STATEMENT. COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST WITHOUT CHARGE FOR REQUESTORS WHO INCLUDE IN THEIR WRITTEN REQUEST A GOOD-FAITH REPRESENTATION THAT SUCH REQUESTOR WAS A BENEFICIAL OWNER OF OUR COMMON STOCK AS OF NOVEMBER 11, 2020. PLEASE WRITE TO:

 

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 26, 2021 (the “Annual Report”) was filed with the SEC on March 23, 2022. A copy of the Annual Report is available free of charge online at http://ir.fatbrands.com/financial-information/annual-reports, or from the SEC at its website at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain a copy of our Annual Report, free of charge, by sending a written request to FAT BRANDS INC.
Brands Inc., 9720 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500,

Beverly Hills, CA 90212,

Attention: Rebecca D. HershingerCorporate Secretary. The Annual Report and any information contained on or accessed through our website is not incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement and is not considered proxy solicitation material.

 

Copies may also be obtained without charge through our website at http://ir.fatbrands.com/financial-information/annual-reports.

 1927

 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 20212023 ANNUAL MEETING

 

Under SEC Rule 14a-8, any stockholder desiring to submit a proposal for inclusion in our proxy materials for our 20212023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must provide the Company with a written copy of that proposal by no later than 120 days before the first anniversary of the date of this proxy statement, or July 23, 2021,April 13, 2023, and meet the other requirements of the SEC in effect at that time. However, if the date of our 20212023 Annual Meeting changes by more than 30 days from the anniversary of the date on which our 20202022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is held, then the deadline would be a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials for our 20212023 Annual Meeting. Matters pertaining to such proposals, including the number and length thereof, eligibility of persons entitled to have such proposals included and other aspects are governed by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the rules of the SEC thereunder and other laws and regulations to which interested stockholders should refer. The Secretary of the Company must receive timely stockholder proposals or nominations in writing at the principal executive offices of the Company at FAT Brands Inc., 9720 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

 

Stockholders wishing to make a director nomination or bring a proposal to be considered at the 20212023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (but not include it in the Company’s proxy materials) must provide written notice of such proposal to the Secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of the Company indicated above not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the first anniversary of the 20202022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or between August 12, 2021May 23, 2023 and September 11, 2021,June 22, 2023, provided that if the date of the 20212023 Annual Meeting is advanced by more than thirty (30) days, or delayed by more than seventy (70) days, from the anniversary date of the 20202022 Annual Meeting, or if no Annual Meeting is held in 2020,2022, notice must be delivered not earlier than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the 20212023 Annual Meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the 20212023 Annual Meeting and the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 20212023 Annual Meeting is first made. Any matter so submitted must also comply with the other provisions of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws and be submitted in writing to the Secretary at the corporate offices of the Company indicated above.

28

Appendix A

AMENDMENT TO THE

FAT BRANDS INC.

2017 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

July 26, 2022

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of FAT Brands Inc. (the “Company”) has heretofore established the FAT Brands Inc. 2017 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”);

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors desires to amend the Plan to increase the maximum number of shares of Class A common stock of the Company available for grants of “Awards” (as defined under the Plan) thereunder from 4,000,000 to 5,000,000, all of which are to be available as grants as Incentive Stock Options; and

WHEREAS, Article XVII of the Plan authorizes the Board of Directors to amend the Plan to increase the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan, subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders at which a quorum is present.

NOW, THEREFORE, subject to approval of the Company’s stockholders, effective as of the date hereof, the Plan is hereby amended as follows:

Section 5.1(a) of the Plan is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:

“(a) Share Reserve. The Committee may from time to time grant Awards to one or more Employees, Directors and/or Consultants determined by it to be eligible for participation in the Plan in accordance with the provisions of Article VI. The maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to all Awards may not exceed Five Million (5,000,000) (subject to adjustment in the same manner provided in Article XV with respect to Shares subject to Awards then outstanding) (the “Share Reserve”).”

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Amendment as evidence of its adoption by the Board of Directors of the Company on the date set forth above.

 

 By order of the Board of DirectorsFAT BRANDS INC.
  
 Andrew A. WiederhornBy:/s/ Allen Sussman
 Chief Executive OfficerName: Allen Sussman
Title:Secretary
Date:July 26, 2022

Beverly Hills, California

November 20, 2020

 

20

 

A-1