# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001705012
**File Stem:** 0001493152-26-000827
**Filing Date:** 2026-1
**Character Count:** 19348
**Document Hash:** 99480af8dcf13bfd37a2064120e8ca4f
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001493152-26-000827.hdr.sgml**: 20260107

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001493152-26-000827

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 15

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20251231

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260107

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260107

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Fat Brands, Inc
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001705012
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 07 Trade & Services
- **EIN:** 821302696
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1228

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-38250
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26516338

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 9720 WILSHIRE BLVD.,
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 500
- **CITY:** BEVERLY HILLS
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 90212
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 310-406-0600

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 9720 WILSHIRE BLVD.,
- **STREET 2:** SUITE 500
- **CITY:** BEVERLY HILLS
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 90212

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'?

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549**

**FORM 8-K**

**CURRENT REPORT**

**Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934**

**Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 31, 2025**

**FAT Brands Inc.**

**(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)**

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Delaware** | **001-38250** | **82-1302696** |
| **(State or Other Jurisdiction**<br> **of Incorporation)** | **(Commission**<br> **File Number)** | **(IRS Employer**<br> **Identification No.)** |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **9720 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500**<br> **Beverly Hills, CA** | **90212** |
| **(Address of Principal Executive Offices)** | **(Zip Code)** |

---

**Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (310) 319-1850**

**Not Applicable**

**(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)**

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instructions A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

**Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:**

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| **Class A Common Stock** | **FAT** | **The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC** |
| **Class B Common Stock** | **FATBB** | **The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC** |
| **Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock** | **FATBP** | **The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC** |

---

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

**Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers;Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.**

On December 31, 2025, FAT Brands Inc. (the "**Company**") entered into letter agreements (the "**Letter Agreements**") with the following named executive officers of the Company regarding certain compensation matters: Kenneth Kuick, Chief Financial Officer; Thayer Wiederhorn, Chief Operating Officer; and Taylor Wiederhorn, Chief Development Officer (the "**NEOs**"). Pursuant to the Letter Agreements, each of the NEOs agreed to waive their previously granted but unpaid bonuses for fiscal year 2024, and the Company agreed to pay 50% of such amounts as retention bonuses to the NEOs, which amounted to $500,000 for Kenneth Kuick, $550,000 for Thayer Wiederhorn, and $550,000 for Taylor Wiederhorn (the "**Retention Bonuses**"). Such amounts were paid to each NEO on January 2, 2026. In addition, each of the NEOs received a base salary increase from $550,000 to $950,000 effective January 1, 2026 (the "**Salary Increases**").

The Letter Agreements provide that the right of each NEO to keep the Retention Bonuses and Salary Increases are subject to their continued employment with the Company until the earlier of (i) June 30, 2026 or (ii) should the Company file for protection under Chapter 11 or any other provision of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, the effective date of the Company's plan of reorganization or liquidation, or the date on which such Chapter 11 case is dismissed or converted to a case under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code. If, prior to the earlier of such events, an NEO voluntarily terminates his employment (other than as a result of death or disability) or if the NEO's employment is terminated for cause (as defined in the Letter Agreement), such NEO will be required to repay the portions of the Retention Bonus and Salary Increase already received, less applicable taxes.

The preceding description of the Letter Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Letter Agreement filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by this reference.

**Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.**

(d) <u>Exhibits</u>.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit No.** | **Description** |
| 10.1 | [Form of Letter Agreement, dated December 31, 2025](ex10-1.htm) |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |

---

**SIGNATURES**

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: January 7, 2026

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **FAT Brands Inc.** | **FAT Brands Inc.** |
| By: | */s/ Kenneth J. Kuick* |
|  | Kenneth J. Kuick |
|  | Chief Financial Officer |

---

## Exhibit 10.1

**Exhibit 10.1**

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| ![](ex10-1_001.jpg)<br>| <br>**Andrew Wiederhorn**<br>Chief Executive Officer<br>FAT Brands Inc.<br>9720 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500<br> Beverly Hills, CA 90212 | <br>**Direct:**310.402-0601<br><u>andy@fatbrands.com</u> |

---

December 31, 2025

[NAME OF OFFICER]

9720 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500

Beverly Hills, CA 90212

*Via electronic email* to [EMAI]

**Re: Retention Bonus / Salary Increase**

 **<br> Dear [NAME]:** 

We consider your continued service and dedication to FAT Brands Inc. (collectively with its subsidiaries and affiliates and any successors thereto, the "**Company**") essential to our business. To encourage you to remain employed with the Company and to address any concerns about your job security, we are pleased to offer you a retention bonus of $[__________] (the "**Retention Bonus**"), upon the terms and conditions set forth in this letter agreement (this "**Retention Agreement**"). In addition, your base compensation will be increased from $[__________] to $[__________] effective January 1, 2026 (such incremental amount is referred to herein as the "**Salary Increase**"). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in <u>Exhibit A</u> attached hereto.

In order to be eligible to receive the Retention Bonus and Salary Increase, you must sign and return this Retention Agreement to me by end of business on December 31, 2025, acknowledging your agreement to the terms specified in this Retention Agreement. If you accept this offer, then (i) on or about January 2, 2026, we will advance and prepay to you the full amount of the Retention Bonus in cash, less all applicable withholdings and deductions required by law, and (ii) effective January 1, 2026, the Salary Increase will become effective, in each case subject to your agreement to repay the Net After-Tax Value (as defined in Exhibit A) of the Retention Bonus and Salary Increase if they are not earned pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth below.

Except as otherwise provided in this Retention Agreement, in order to earn the Retention Bonus and Salary Increase, the following eligibility criteria must be satisfied on the earlier to occur of June 30, 2026 and the Emergence Date (such earlier date, the "**Vesting Date**"):

1. Your
 performance has been satisfactory, as determined in the Company's sole discretion,
 from the date of this Retention Agreement through the Vesting Date.

2. You
 are actively employed by the Company on the Vesting Date. For complete clarity, this means
 you must be actively employed with or engaged by the Company (meaning your employment or
 engagement has not been terminated by either party) on the Vesting Date to earn the Retention
 Bonus and Salary Increase.

3. You
 have not given notice of your intent to resign from employment on or before the Vesting Date.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the other terms and conditions set forth in this paragraph, you will also earn the Retention Bonus and Salary Increase, and will not have to repay the Net After-Tax Value thereof if your employment or engagement is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined in Exhibit A), or by reason of death or Disability (as defined in Exhibit A), on or prior to the Vesting Date, subject to (except in the case of death) your execution, delivery and non-revocation of a general release of claims (in the form to be provided by the Company) within 45 days following the termination of your employment; provided that if you fail to return the release or you revoke the release within the applicable revocation period, you will not have earned the Retention Bonus and Salary Increase, and will be required to promptly repay the Net After-Tax Value of the Retention Bonus and Salary Increase.

If at any time prior to the Vesting Date your employment or engagement is terminated by the Company for Cause or you voluntarily resign for any reason, you will not earn the Retention Bonus and Salary Increase, and you will be required to promptly repay the Net After-Tax Value of the Retention Bonus and Salary Increase. The Company has the sole authority and discretion to determine whether any termination for Cause has occurred, and such determination will be final and binding.

If you are required to repay the Net After-Tax Value of the Retention Bonus and Salary Increase under this Retention Agreement, the Company may offset and reduce any other compensation owed to you, such as unpaid wages, unreimbursed business expenses and deferred compensation payments, by the amount of the Net After-Tax Value you are required to repay. However, no compensation will be reduced if doing so would violate applicable law, or would result in penalty taxes under Section 409A (as defined below). The Company reserves all other rights and remedies available to recoup the Net After-Tax Value of the Retention Bonus and Salary Increase advanced to you under this Retention Agreement, including the right to file a legal claim in court.

Acceptance of this Retention Bonus waives your right to accept any other or additional bonus or salary increase for any period prior to January 1, 2026.

**You acknowledge and agree that your employment remains at-will, meaning that you and the Company may terminate the employment relationship with you at any time, with or without Cause, and with or without notice.**

This Retention Agreement is intended to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder ("**Section 409A**") and shall be construed and administered in accordance with such intent.

Nothing in this Retention Agreement shall prevent you from (i) communicating directly with, cooperating with, or providing information to, or receiving financial awards from, any federal, state or local government agency, including without limitation the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or the U.S. National Labor Relations Board, without notifying or seeking permission from the Company, (ii) exercising any rights you may have under Section 7 of the U.S. National Labor Relations Act, or (iii) discussing or disclosing information about unlawful acts in the workplace, such as harassment or discrimination based on a protected characteristic or any other conduct that you have reason to believe is unlawful.

This Retention Agreement contains all of the understandings and representations between the Company and you relating to the Retention Bonus and Salary Increase, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, discussions, agreements, representations and warranties, both written and oral, with respect thereto; provided, however, that this Retention Agreement shall not supersede any other agreements between the Company and you, and specifically, your offer letter and any restrictive covenants shall remain in full force and effect.

This Retention Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing signed by you and the undersigned or another duly authorized officer or signatory of the Company.

This Retention Agreement and all related documents, and all matters arising out of or relating to this Retention Agreement, whether sounding in contract, tort, statutes or otherwise, are governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to conflicts-of-law principles that would cause the laws of any other jurisdiction to apply.

Any disputes regarding, relating to, or arising out of this Retention Agreement shall be resolved in binding arbitration through JAMS, subject to the JAMS Commercial Arbitration Rules then in effect. The parties agree that all arbitration costs, including any JAMS or arbitrator fees, shall be paid by the Company. The arbitration shall take place in Los Angeles, California before a single arbitrator selected by the parties. The arbitrator shall have no authority to award either party damages that, in the aggregate, exceed the amounts payable by the Company to you hereunder. The parties agree that each party will be responsible for its own attorneys' fees in connection with any such arbitration.

*The remainder of this page is intentionally blank. Signature page follows.*

Please sign and date this Retention Agreement and return the signed copy to the undersigned by close of business on December 31, 2025.

We look forward to your continued employment with us.

Sincerely,

 <br> Name: <br> Title:

**Accepted and agreed:**

[NAME]

 <br> <br> Date: December 31, 2025

**EXHIBIT A**

**Definitions**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. "Cause"
 means the following, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a. you
 commit fraud or theft, or are convicted of, or plead guilty or *nolo contendere* to,
 either a felony, a misdemeanor (other than a traffic offense) or any crime involving fraud
 or moral turpitude;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;b. in
 carrying out your duties, you engage in conduct that constitutes gross neglect or willful
 misconduct. Your action or inaction shall not be considered "willful" unless
 so done or omitted intentionally and without your reasonable belief that your action or inaction
 was in the best interests of the Company, and shall not include failure to act by reason
 of total or partial incapacity due to your physical or mental illness;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;c. you
 materially breach any provision of any employment agreement with the Company (including but
 not limited to any applicable restrictive covenants) or breach any fiduciary duty or duty
 of loyalty owed to the Company or its stakeholders;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;d. you
 engage in any wrongful or questionable conduct which does or which is reasonable likely to
 bring the Company into public disgrace or embarrassment, or which is reasonable likely to
 cause one or more of its customers or clients to cease doing business with, or reduce the
 amount of business with, the Company or that otherwise has a serious and detrimental impact
 on the Company or its employees;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;e. you
 substantially fail to perform your duties or responsibilities at a satisfactory level other
 than due to disability, or violate any express direction of any lawful rule, regulation or
 policy established by the Company or your supervisor which is consistent with the scope of
 your duties to the Company, and such failure, refusal or violation continues uncured for
 a period ten (10) days after written notice from the Company to you specifying the failure,
 refusal or violation and the Company's intention to terminate your employment for Cause;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;f. you
 commit any act or omission resulting in or intended to result in direct material personal
 gain to you at the expense of the Company, or the customers or the Company; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;g. you
 disclose without authorization trade secrets or other confidential and proprietary information
 of the Company.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. "Disability"
 means permanent and total disability as determined by the Company in accordance with uniform
 principles consistently applied, upon the basis of such evidence as the Company deems necessary
 and desirable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any payment that is subject
 to Section 409A, no condition shall constitute a "Disability" for purposes of
 this Retention Agreement unless such condition also constitutes a disability as defined under
 Section 409A.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. "Emergence
 Date" means, should the Company file for protection under Chapter 11, or any other
 provision, of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, (i) the effective date of the Company's plan
 of reorganization or liquidation, or (ii) the date on which such Chapter 11 case is dismissed
 or converted to a case under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4. "Net
 After-Tax Value" means an amount equal to the amount of the Retention Bonus plus Salary
 Increase actually received by you through the measurement date, reduced by the highest effective
 marginal combined federal, state and local income tax rate applicable to individual taxpayers
 residing in your city and state during the period(s) in which you received such payments.