Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On November 17, 2020, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (the “Corporation”) announced that John W. Peyton, age 53, has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and as a director of the Corporation, effective January 4, 2021. Mr. Peyton succeeds Stephen P. Joyce, who resigned as Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Corporation, effective January 4, 2021.
Mr. Peyton has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Realogy Franchise Group since 2016. Prior to Realogy, Mr. Peyton spent 17 years with Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, holding various positions including Chief Marketing Officer, Senior Vice President of Global Operations and Chief Operations Officer, North America Hotel Division, among others.
Per the terms of Mr. Peyton’s Employment Agreement with the Corporation, he will receive a compensation package consisting of the following: (1) an annual base salary of $1,000,000; (2) participation in the Corporation’s annual incentive plan with a target payout of 100% of base salary and a guaranteed payout of 50% of the target amount for 2021; (3) participation in the Corporation’s long-term equity incentive award program with a grant date value for the 2021 fiscal year of not less than $3,500,000; and (4) a cash signing bonus of $1,200,000 (which is subject to pro rata repayment if Mr. Peyton resigns within two years after his start date). In addition, as of his start date Mr. Peyton will receive a one-time special grant of restricted stock units having a grant date value of $3,500,000 and a one-time special grant of stock options with a grant date value of $1,000,000. One-half of this special grant of restricted stock units will vest on each of the first and second anniversaries of the start date assuming Mr. Peyton remains continuously employed by the Corporation through such date or has a qualifying termination prior to such vesting date. One-third of this special stock option grant will vest on each of the first, second, and third anniversaries of the start date assuming Mr. Peyton remains continuously employed by the Corporation through such date or has a qualifying termination of employment prior to such vesting date. Mr. Peyton will also be entitled to participate in standard health and other benefit plans and perquisites that may be extended generally to the most senior executive officers of the Corporation. Mr. Peyton’s Employment Agreement provides for certain cash payments to be made to Mr. Peyton in connection with qualifying terminations, including a cash payment at a multiple of two times his base salary and annual bonus, or three times his base salary and bonus if the termination occurs within 24 months after a change in control. Additionally, in connection with a qualifying termination, Mr. Peyton’s equity awards (other than the special grants described above) are subject to accelerated prorated vesting based on the length of time served plus an additional 24 months, with performance-based awards also subject to the achievement of actual performance conditions. If the qualifying termination occurs within 24 months after a change in control, then all time-vested awards will accelerate in full and all performance-vested awards will convert to time-vested awards upon the change in control and accelerate in full upon termination.
In connection with his resignation as Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Corporation, Mr. Joyce entered into an Amendment to Employment Agreement with the Corporation. Pursuant to the terms of the Amendment to Employment Agreement, Mr. Joyce shall remain employed as a non-executive special advisor to the Corporation through February 16, 2021. Mr. Joyce shall continue to receive base salary, additional compensation, and benefits through February 1, 2021 and thereafter will participate in the Corporation’s benefit plans through his termination date.
A copy of the Corporation’s press release announcing the appointment of John W. Peyton and the departure of Mr. Joyce is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.