Ken Kuick and Rob Rosen: FAT Brands names co-CEOs to replace Andy Wiederhorn

FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. named co-chief executive officers (Ken Kuick and Rob Rosen) to replace founder Andy Wiederhorn, who announced her departure in March. Andy Wiederhorn maintains his role as board chairman but leaves the day-to-day operations to Ken Kuick, the brand’s CFO, and Rob Rosen, who has served as VP of Capital Markets.

Kuick and Rosen will continue in their respective roles while assuming the co-chief executive officer’s role effective May 5. The new co-chief executive officers will focus on maintaining Fat’s rapid expansion pace and the success of its fastest-growing brands.

Ken Kuick is the former CFO of Noodles & Co, while Rob Rosen is a Wall Street veteran with over 30 years of experience at Fleet Bank, Kidder Peabody, Bank of Tokyo, and Black Diamond Capital Management.

FAT Brands owns 17 restaurant brands: Round Table Pizza, Fatburger, Marble Slab Creamery, Johnny Rockets, Fazoli’s, Twin Peaks, Great American Cookies, Hot Dog on a Stick, Buffalo’s Cafe & Express, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Pretzelmaker, Elevation Burger, Native Grill & Wings, Yalla Mediterranean and Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses.

“Over the last few years, Ken and Rob have played a tremendous role in the unprecedented growth of FAT Brands,” Andy Wiederhorn said in the release. “Their financial acumen and track record for hitting key company benchmarks make them well-positioned to take on the CEO role together. I look forward to continuing to work with Ken and Rob in the Chairman of the Board position to aid in the continued success of FAT Brands.”

At the end of March, FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. fired most of its board and gave seats to Andrew Wiederhorn’s children, Mason, Taylor and Thayer Wiederhorn, and their grandfather, Donald Berchtold. The action was undertaken by the majority shareholder, Fog Cutter Capital, which is owned by Andrew Wiederhorn, the ougtoing CEO and current chairman of the board at Fat Brands.

MANAGEMENT TEAM at FAT Brands Inc.

Ken Kuick, Co-CEO and Chief Financial Officer
Rob Rosen, Co-CEO and EVP of Capital Markets
Thayer D. Wiederhorn, Chief Operating Officer
Taylor A. Wiederhorn, Chief Development Officer
Allen Sussman, EVP and General Counsel
Jenn Johnston, President, Quick Service Restaurant Division
Joe Hummel, CEO Twin Peaks, President Polished Casual Division
Jake Berchtold, COO – Fast Casual Division
Gregg Nettleton, President and COO – Casual Dining Division
Doug Bostick, President, Fazoli’s
Donald J. Berchtold, Chief Concept Officer
Mason A. Wiederhorn, Chief Brand Officer
Ron Roe, Senior Vice President of Finance
Michael Chachula, Chief Information Officer
Jeremy Theisen, Chief Growth Officer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS at FAT Brands Inc.

Andrew A. Wiederhorn, Chairman
Donald J. Berchtold, Director
Tyler B. Child, Director
Lynne L. Collier, Director
Mark Elenowitz, Director
Kenneth R. Kepp, Director
Carmen Vidal, Director
Mason A. Wiederhorn, Director
Taylor A. Wiederhorn, Director
Thayer D. Wiederhorn, Director (son)

Ken Kuick, Co-CEO and Chief Financial Officer: Ken Kuick serves as Co-CEO of FAT Brands Inc., a role he currently holds in addition to the Chief Financial Officer position that he was appointed to in 2021. Prior to joining FAT Brands Inc., Kuick served as Chief Financial Officer for Noodles & Company (NASDAQ: NDLS). Kuick also served as Chief Accounting Officer for VICI Properties (NYSE: VICI), a real estate investment trust, and as Chief Accounting Officer for Caesars Entertainment Operating Company, a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR). Mr. Kuick received a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Computer Science from Taylor University.

Rob Rosen, Co-CEO and EVP of Capital Markets: Rob Rosen serves as Co-CEO of FAT Brands Inc., a role he currently holds in addition to the EVP of Capital Markets position that he was appointed to in 2021. Mr. Rosen is a Wall Street veteran with over 30 years of experience in structured finance, banking, lending, and portfolio management. Mr. Rosen has worked on the banking side for Fleet Bank, Kidder Peabody, and Bank of Tokyo and has spent over 20 years working with Black Diamond Capital Management in a variety of management, board-level, and advisory capacities. Mr. Rosen received both a bachelor’s degree in Economics and an MBA from Union College.

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