Texas Roadhouse (TXRH) DEF 14ADefinitive proxy

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Proposal 3—Advisory Vote on Approval of Executive Compensation (Page 87)

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The outcome of the advisory vote on whether to approve the executive compensation detailed in this proxy statement (including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Executive Compensation section and the other related executive compensation tables and related discussions) will be determined by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote. You may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” approval of the executive compensation, or you may “ABSTAIN” from voting on this proposal. A vote to “ABSTAIN” will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” approval of the executive compensation.

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The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” this proposal.

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Proposal 4—To Amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to Remove Class B Shares (Page 89)

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The proposal to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to remove any reference to Class B shares must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock outstanding as of the Record Date. You may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the ratification, or you may “ABSTAIN” from voting on this proposal. A vote to “ABSTAIN” and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” this proposal.

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The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” this proposal.

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Proposal 5—To Amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to Provide for Exculpation of Our Officers as Permitted by Delaware Law (Page 92)

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The proposal to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to include an exculpation of officers must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock outstanding as of the Record Date. You may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the ratification, or you may “ABSTAIN” from voting on this proposal. A vote to “ABSTAIN” and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” this proposal.

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The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” this proposal.

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Proposal 6—To Amend the Company’s Bylaws to Reduce the Ownership Percentage Required for Shareholders to Request a Special Meeting of Shareholders (Page 95)

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The proposal to amend the Company’s Bylaws to reduce the percentage required for a shareholder to request a special meeting from 50% to 25% must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our common stock outstanding as of the Record Date. You may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the ratification, or you may “ABSTAIN” from voting on this proposal. A vote to “ABSTAIN” and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” this proposal.

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The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” this proposal.

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Proposal 7—Advisory Vote on the Shareholder Proposal Regarding the Issuance of a Climate Report and to Set Reduction Targets by the Company (Page 97)

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The outcome of the vote on whether the Company should issue a climate report, at a reasonable cost and omitting proprietary information, describing if, and how, the Company plans to reduce its total GHG emissions and align its business with the Paris Agreement’s goal of maintaining global temperature increases to 1.5°C will be determined by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote. You may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the shareholder proposal, or you may “ABSTAIN” from voting on this proposal. A vote to “ABSTAIN” will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” approval of the shareholder proposal.

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The Board recommends that you vote “AGAINST” this proposal.

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Other Matters

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

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INFORMATION ABOUT PROXIES AND VOTING

Record Date and Voting Securities

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The Board has fixed the record date (the “Record Date”) for the Annual Meeting as the close of business on March 18, 2024. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof. At the close of business on the Record Date, there were outstanding 66,864,958 shares of common stock, each of which is entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting.

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

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Revocability of Proxies

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

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Solicitation of Proxies

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

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Other Voting Considerations

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

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

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

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The advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation (Proposal 3), the advisory vote on the shareholder proposal regarding the issuance of a climate report and to set reduction targets by the Company (Proposal 7), and any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting are also non-routine matters under the applicable rules, so broker non-votes may occur. Because broker non-votes do not count as shares entitled to vote, they do not affect the outcome of the vote on Proposals 3 and 7. With respect to the vote on amending and restating the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to remove references to Class B shares (Proposal 4), the vote to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to include an exculpation of officers (Proposal 5), the vote to amend the Company’s Bylaws to reduce the percentage required to request a special meeting of shareholders (Proposal 6), broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” Proposal 4, 5, and/or 6 (as applicable).

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

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

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ANNUAL MEETING FAQS

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WHEN AND WHERE IS THE ANNUAL MEETING?

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The 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held at the Texas Roadhouse Support Center located at 6040 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville, Kentucky 40205 on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. eastern daylight time.

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WHO CAN ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING?

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The Annual Meeting is open to all shareholders.  If you wish to attend the Annual Meeting, please contact our Investor Relations Department at investment@texasroadhouse.com or (502) 426-9984.

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WHO IS SOLICITING MY PROXY?

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The Company’s Board is soliciting your proxy in connection with the Annual Meeting. Certain of our directors, officers and employees also may solicit proxies on the Board’s behalf by personal contact, telephone, mail, e-mail or other means.

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WHO IS ENTITLED TO VOTE?

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Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 18, 2024 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

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WHAT CONSTITUTES A QUORUM?

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The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock issued and outstanding on the record date will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting.

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HOW DO I VOTE?

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If you are entitled to vote, then you may cast your vote in accordance with any of the following options:

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Telephone and Internet Voting facilities for Shareholders of record will close on 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time on May 15, 2024.

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CAN I CHANGE MY VOTE OR REVOKE MY PROXY?

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Yes, you may revoke your proxy at any time before the closing of the polls at the Annual Meeting by voting at a later date by one of the methods described on the proxy card or by filing a written notice of revocation with, or by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to, Christopher C. Colson, the Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Company, at the Company’s main office address located at 6040 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville, Kentucky 40205 at any time before the Annual Meeting.

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You can also revoke proxies by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to the inspector of election at the Annual Meeting before the close of voting or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. You may attend the Annual Meeting even though you have executed a proxy, but your presence at the Annual Meeting will not automatically revoke your proxy.

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WHAT IS A BROKER NON-VOTE?

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Under rules of the New York Stock Exchange, matters subject to shareholder vote are classified as “routine” or “non-routine.” In the case of routine matters, brokers may vote shares held in “street name” in their discretion if they have not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner.

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In the case of non-routine matters, brokers may not vote shares unless they have received voting instructions from the beneficial owner; therefore, it is important that you complete and return your proxy early so that your vote may be recorded.

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WHAT ITEMS WILL BE VOTED ON AND WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD?

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The Board is requesting that shareholders vote on the following seven proposals at the Annual Meeting and makes the following recommendations with respect to each proposal:

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Recommendation: “FOR”

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Recommendation: “FOR”

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Recommendation: “FOR”

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Recommendation: “FOR”

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Recommendation: “FOR”

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Recommendation: “FOR”

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Recommendation: “AGAINST”

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WHO PAYS FOR THE PROXY SOLICITATION?

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

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WHO COUNTS THE VOTES?

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Computershare, the transfer agent for the Company, will count the votes and will serve as the independent inspector of election at the Annual Meeting.

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WHERE DO I FIND THE VOTING RESULTS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING?

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Results of the vote held at the Annual Meeting will be included on a Form 8-K which is expected to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within one business day after the date of the Annual Meeting.

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WHO IS “BUBBA” AND WHY IS HE REFERENCED IN THE PROXY?

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Bubba was the nickname of W. Kent Taylor, the Company’s late founder, and is the namesake of our Bubba’s 33 restaurant concept. As used in Compensation Discussion and Analysis and in honor of Mr. Taylor, we use the headings “Bubba Who” (outlining our Named Executive Officers), “Bubba What” (outlining what we do and do not do from an executive compensation standpoint), and “Bubba How” (outlining our philosophy on executive compensation).  

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND OUR BOARD

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Director Summaries

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Meetings of the Board

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The Board met on seven occasions and its standing committees (audit committee, compensation committee, and nominating and corporate governance committee) met on 20 occasions during our fiscal year ended December 26, 2023, which consistent of (i) 12 meetings of the audit committee, (ii) four meetings of the compensation committee, and (iii) four meetings of the nominating and corporate governance committee. Of the seven meetings of the Board, three were joint meetings among the Board, the compensation committee and/or the nominating and corporate governance committee. Each incumbent director attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and its committees on which such director served during his or her period of service in fiscal 2023. In addition, the Company expects all members of the Board to attend the Annual Meeting. All incumbent directors attended the 2023 annual meeting. Four regular Board meetings are currently scheduled for the 2024 fiscal year. Executive sessions of non-employee directors, without management directors or employees present, are typically scheduled in conjunction with each regularly scheduled Board meeting. The role of each standing committee is more fully described below.

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

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Leadership Structure. The Board consists of seven independent directors, one non-independent non-employee director and one executive director. Following the passing of W. Kent Taylor, the Company’s founder and then Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Board named Gregory N. Moore as Chairman of the Board on March 19, 2021. Mr. Moore joined the Board in 2005 following the Company’s initial public offering in 2004. Until his appointment as Chairman of the Board, Mr. Moore had previously served as the Board’s Lead Independent director since the creation of that position in 2012. The responsibility and authority of the Lead Independent director are delineated in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which can be found on the Company’s website at www.texasroadhouse.com. The Board determined that a separation of the duties and responsibilities of the Chairman of the Board from those of the Chief Executive Officer was appropriate during the transition following the death of the Company’s founder.  As more particularly described below, Mr. Morgan, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, was appointed to the Board on June 15, 2021.

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Role of the Board and Management. As more specifically described in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Company’s business is conducted by the officers and employees under the direction of the Chairman of the Company, and if there is no Chairman, then the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and under the oversight of the Board.  In connection with the same, the Board’s role is to enhance the long-term value of the Company for its shareholders. The Board is elected annually by the Company’s shareholders to oversee management and the execution of the Company’s strategy, and to ensure that the long-term interests of the shareholders are being served. In order to fulfill these obligations, the Board is responsible for establishing broad corporate policies, setting and overseeing the Company’s strategic direction and overseeing the management of the Company.

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Strategic Planning and Strategic Initiatives. In addition to and as part of the broad responsibilities described in the immediately preceding paragraph, the Board plays an instrumental oversight role in the strategic planning and initiatives of the Company to ensure that the appropriate processes, systems, and organizational infrastructure is in place to support and align all management teams and functions toward the execution of the Company’s mission, vision and purpose. The Board’s oversight role includes succession and organizational planning, human capital management, governance, corporate policy and process development, enterprise risk management, business planning and development, and capital structure and allocation. 

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As a part of this role, the Board reviews the Company’s strategy with management to ensure that the Company and the Board are aligned on the long-term goals and strategic initiatives of the Company. At every quarterly Board meeting, the Board and management conduct a strategic overview of one of the Company’s main restaurant brands (including the international business) and is continually updated throughout the year on the performance of each brand or business unit. Additionally, the Board conducts periodic reviews of the manner in which the Company is allocating its capital to ensure that the Board and the management of the Company are in agreement on how the Company is managing its asset portfolio. Finally, the Board provides direct oversight over certain other strategic initiatives or transactions implemented by the Company, including new store

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Risk, Director of Internal Audit, and Program Director of Business Continuity and Data Privacy, meets regularly to identify emerging risk areas and key risk areas for the Company, and serves as a liaison between the subject matter risk committees and the executive risk committee described below.  Additionally, the ERM team conducts a periodic review of a risk register, including an in-depth focus on high priority risks, as well as evaluates the composition of existing subject matter risk committees and/or the potential need for the creation of new subject matter risk committees based on its review of the risk register and conducts a gap analysis with respect to the key risks identified on the Company’s risk register to the Company’s applicable lines of available insurance coverage. The risk register is reviewed with the audit committee and the executive risk committee. Finally, the Company has an executive risk committee consisting of the Named Executive Officers and the Vice Presidents of Operation for each of the Company’s three main concepts which meet throughout the year to determine risk priorities and make decisions on key areas of risk.  

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Additionally, as indicated above, the ERM team regularly updates the audit committee on the results of its risk management activities at least twice per year. Moreover, specific subject matter risk committees periodically report to the audit committee the risk-based initiatives being performed by the applicable risk committee. The audit committee is routinely advised of strategic, operational, financial, legal, data privacy, corporate sustainability, responsible alcohol service, and cybersecurity risks, and the audit committee reviews and is informed of specific activities to manage these risks, such as policies and procedures, insurance plans, indemnification obligations, and internal controls (as and if applicable).

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

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The audit committee and the compensation committee jointly perform an annual risk assessment of our compensation programs for all employees to determine whether these programs encourage unnecessary or excessive risk taking. In conducting this review, each of our compensation programs is evaluated on a number of criteria aimed at identifying any incentive programs that deviate from our risk management objectives. Based on this review in 2023, both the audit committee and the compensation committee concluded that we have the right combination of rewards and incentives to drive company performance, without encouraging unnecessary or excessive risk taking by our employees. In connection with the foregoing, the Company has not established a system of incentives that is reasonably likely to lead to excessive or inappropriate risk taking by employees or create a risk reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. Specifically, the audit and compensation committees identified the following components of our compensation programs that mitigate the likelihood of excessive risk taking to meet performance targets: equity incentive compensation in the form of restricted stock units; long term contracts and a financial buy-in requirement for restaurant management; a guaranteed base salary within our support center management personnel; minimums and maximums on profit sharing compensation within our support center management personnel; robust internal controls; operational focus on top line sales growth; and, a business model which focuses on a strong balance sheet, relatively low debt, prudent growth, and sustainable long-term profitability.

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

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Cybersecurity.  In the course of our operations, the Company receives and maintains sensitive information from our guests, employees, partners and business operations.  To address cybersecurity threats to this information, the Company has used a risk-based approach to create and implement a detailed set of information security policies and procedures that are based on frameworks established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.  The Company’s Head of Information Security leads the Company’s cybersecurity efforts under the direct oversight of our Chief Technology Officer. Together, these individuals have over 50 years of experience involving information technology, including security, auditing, compliance, systems and

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programming.  Additionally, the Company engages in the use of external cybersecurity experts for training, contingency planning, consultation and process documentation.  

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The Company has implemented detective and preventative controls designed to ensure the appropriate level of protection for the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data stored on or transferred through our information technology resources.  Additionally, we have a risk assessment process to identify risks associated with our use of third-party service providers and have implemented specific processes and controls designed to mitigate those identified risks. Both internal and third-party audits are performed routinely to verify that these controls are effective. Additionally, the Company has implemented trainings designed to provide best practices for protecting our network and systems, and also routinely leads exercises for employees to reinforce the risk and proper handling of targeted emails. The Company’s Head of Information Security is responsible for developing and implementing these controls and training exercises with support from our information technology department. 

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The Company’s enterprise risk management program has established an internal risk committee to evaluate information governance risks.  This committee comprises members of management of the Company’s information technology, human resources, marketing, accounting, risk, procurement, training, finance and legal functions, and is focused on performing risk assessments to identify areas of concern and implement appropriate changes to enhance its cybersecurity and privacy policies and procedures. The internal risk committee is informed of the Company’s risk prevention and mitigation efforts on at least a quarterly basis by the Head of Information Security. The committee is also briefed on detection and remediation of cybersecurity incidents in a timely manner following the detection of any potential events.  

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The Company has a crisis response team comprising senior members of various corporate functions to oversee the response to various crises including potential crises arising from cybersecurity incidents that may impact the Company and/or its vendor partners.  This team conducts regular tabletop exercises to simulate responses to cybersecurity incidents. To the extent there is a cybersecurity incident impacting the Company and/or a vendor partner, the crisis response team’s process would be to ensure that our Head of Information Security and Chief Technology Officer are informed immediately and that the potential impact of the incident and remedial measures arising from the incident are communicated to the executive officers of the Company.

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The Board has authorized the audit committee to oversee the Company’s risk assessment and risk management practices and strategies.  This delegation includes maintaining responsibility for overseeing the Company’s enterprise risk management program.  As a part of this oversight role, the audit committee receives regular updates from management on cybersecurity and privacy risks impacting the Company, which includes benchmarking these risks versus the industry.  Our Board members also engage in ad hoc conversations with management on cybersecurity-related news events, receive training specific to cybersecurity risks and threats and regularly discuss any updates to our cybersecurity risk management and strategy programs.

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Corporate Sustainability. The Board and the Company take great pride in our corporate sustainability program and our appreciation for, and commitment to, our employees and for the communities in which we serve. Our commitment is evident from our passion and history of dedication to corporate citizenship, diversity, and the manner in which we often consider sustainability as part of our strategy, operating model and overall decision-making process. This commitment also includes the continued execution of our existing corporate sustainability activities, as well as the identification of future opportunities. We actively pursue opportunities and partnerships that help conserve resources, reduce waste, and have a positive impact on our communities, as well as partner with other organizations and source products from suppliers who share our commitment to corporate sustainability. As a result, the Board reviews the Company’s corporate sustainability initiatives as a part of their oversight role of the Company’s business strategy and risk management. In particular, the Board receives periodic updates, at least annually, of our corporate sustainability initiatives from management. The Company also includes an update on some of these initiatives in the Company’s Annual Report.    

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Additionally and as described above, risks relating to corporate sustainability are managed by the Company as a part of the Company’s enterprise management program and under the oversight of the audit committee.  In connection with the same, the Company has established an internal subject matter risk committee to evaluate environmental, social and governance matters. This committee is comprised of members of

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management from the Company’s legal, human resources, communications, procurement, investor relations, and financial reporting functions.  At least annually, the corporate sustainability risk committee reports to the audit committee of the risk-based initiatives being performed by the committee.

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In 2017, we released our initial corporate sustainability report which outlined the four core pillars of our corporate sustainability efforts: Food, Community, Employees, and Conservation.  Our goal is to update our corporate sustainability report annually. The current report is available on the Company’s website at www.texasroadhouse.com. Unless specifically referenced in this proxy statement, the content posted on, or accessible through, our website is not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement or any of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and may be revised by us (in whole or in part) at any time and from time to time.

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Committees of the Board

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The Board has three standing committees:

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(i)the audit committee;

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(ii)the compensation committee; and

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(iii)the nominating and corporate governance committee.

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

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

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The audit committee is also directly responsible for the following: (a) pre-approves all audit and permitted non-audit related services provided by our independent auditors (which can be found on the Company’s website at www.texasroadhouse.com), (b) the appointment, compensation, retention, and oversight of the Company’s independent auditors, and (c) periodically reviews the Company’s independent auditors. In connection with the audit committee’s appointment of the Company’s independent auditors, the audit committee evaluates the service level of the incumbent independent auditor on an annual basis, which includes criteria such as prior year quality of service, industry and technical expertise, independence, resource availability, and reasonableness and competitiveness of fees, as well as solicits the input of key management employees during its evaluation.

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The audit committee reviews all of the Company’s earning press releases, Quarterly and Annual Reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, respectively, prior to filing with the SEC, and such other applicable financial disclosure documents (as and if applicable). The audit committee is also responsible for producing an annual report on its activities for inclusion in this proxy statement. The Board evaluated the credentials of and designated Ms. Epps and Messrs. Moore and Warfield as audit committee financial experts. The audit committee met 12 times during fiscal year 2023, which were comprised of six regular meetings of the audit committee and six meetings solely related to the audit committee’s review of the Company’s quarterly earnings release and filings

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with the SEC.  During the 2023 fiscal year, the audit committee was comprised of Ms. Epps and Messrs. Crawford, Jones, Moore, Warfield, and Zarley.  Ms. Widmer also served on the audit committee for a portion of the 2023 fiscal year until she stepped down from the committee in May 2023. During the 2024 fiscal year, the audit committee is comprised of Ms. Epps and Messrs. Crawford, Jones, Moore, and Warfield.  Ms. Epps currently serves as the chairperson of the audit committee and was the chairperson of the audit committee during the 2023 fiscal year.  All of the current members of the audit committee are “independent,” as that term is defined in the listing standards under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2) and meet the criteria for independence under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules adopted by the SEC, and all members of the audit committee during the 2023 fiscal year were “independent” under such applicable rules.

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

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(i)assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities relating to the design, administration and oversight of employee compensation programs and benefit plans of the Company’s executive officers;

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(ii)discharges the Board’s duties relating to the compensation of the Company’s executive officers and non-employee directors; and

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(iii)reviews the performance of the Company’s executive officers.

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The compensation committee is also responsible for reviewing and discussing with management the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” in this proxy statement and recommending its inclusion in this proxy statement to the Board, as well as performing the other duties and responsibilities described in its charter. The compensation committee met four times during fiscal year 2023.  During the 2023 fiscal year, the compensation committee was comprised of Mss. Epps and Widmer and Messrs. Crawford, Jones, Moore, Warfield, and Zarley. During the 2024 fiscal year, the compensation committee is comprised of Messrs. Crawford and Moore, and Ms. Widmer.  Mr. Crawford currently serves as the chairperson of the compensation committee, but Mr. Zarley served as the chairperson of the compensation committee during the fiscal year 2023. All of the current members of the compensation committee are “independent” under all applicable rules, including the listing standards under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2) and the requirements of the SEC, and all members of the compensation committee during the 2023 fiscal year were “independent” under such applicable rules.

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

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

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(ii)if a vacancy on the Board occurs, making recommendations to the Board regarding the selection and approval of the candidate to fill such vacancy either by election by the Company’s shareholders or appointment by the Board;

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(iii)reviewing the qualifications and independence of, approving the nominations of, and recommending to the Board those persons to be nominated for membership on the Board and presented for shareholder approval at the annual meeting;

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

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

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Additionally, the nominating and corporate governance committee annually conducts on the Board’s behalf a confidential self-assessment. As a part of the annual self-assessment, each director provides, without

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limitation, an assessment on the effectiveness and functionality of the Board. Each director completes an assessment form and sends it to the chairperson of the nominating and corporate governance committee, who compiles the results and presents them to the Board. In connection with such self-assessment process and the preparation of the Company’s D&O Questionnaires, the nominating and corporate governance committee, together with the Chairman of the Board, evaluate each director’s upcoming professional responsibilities to determine the committees on which such non-employee directors will serve and to evaluate each director’s ability to perform its duties as set forth in the Company’s corporate governance guidelines.

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The nominating and corporate governance committee routinely evaluates the size and composition of the Board and the variety of professional expertise represented by the Board members in relation to the Company’s business. To assist in this process, the nominating and corporate governance committee has identified certain interpersonal skills and professional skills desirable for some and/or all of the directors on the Board. The interpersonal skills are personal attributes that each director should possess and include ethics and integrity, leadership skills, negotiation skills, and crisis management skills.  The professional skills are an assessment of governance and industry-based skill areas which should be held collectively by the Board but not necessarily by each director and contain skills relating to (i) financial, risk, and compliance skills, (ii) governance and management skills, and (iii) sector and industry specific skills.  As a part of its review of those persons to be nominated for membership on the Board at the Annual Meeting, the nominating and corporate governance committee takes a holistic view of the Board to strive to have a diverse Board in terms of core skills, industry experience, tenure and other diversity characteristics.

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The nominating and corporate governance committee met four times during fiscal year 2023.  During the 2023 fiscal year, the nominating and corporate governance committee was comprised of Mss. Epps and Widmer and Messrs. Crawford, Jones, Moore, Warfield, and Zarley. During the 2024 fiscal year, the nominating and corporate governance committee is comprised of Mss. Epps and Widmer and Messrs. Jones and Warfield. Mr. Warfield currently serves as the chairperson of the nominating and corporate governance committee and was the chairperson of the nominating and corporate governance committee during the 2023 fiscal year.  All of the current members of the nominating and corporate governance committee are “independent” under all applicable rules, including the listing standards under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2) and the requirements of the SEC, and all members of the nominating and corporate governance committee during the 2023 fiscal year were “independent” under such applicable rules.

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Policy Regarding Consideration of Candidates for Director

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Shareholder recommendations for Board membership should include, at a minimum, the name of the candidate, age, contact information, present principal occupation or employment, qualifications and skills, background, last five years’ employment and business experience, a description of current or previous service as director of any corporation or organization, other relevant biographical information, and the nominee’s consent to service on the Board. Under the Company’s bylaws, in order for a shareholder nominee to be eligible for election or reelection as a director of the Company, such shareholder nominee will be required to (i) complete and deliver a detailed questionnaire in the form that current non-employee directors and executive officers of the Company complete, and (ii) complete and deliver a signed written representation and agreement in the form that current non-employee directors and executive officers of the Company have completed providing that such proposed nominee (A) is not and will not become a party to (a) any transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such proposed nominee, if elected as a director, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Company or (b) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such proposed nominee’s ability to comply, if elected as a director, with such proposed nominee’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (B) is not, and will not become a party to, any transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Company with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, payment, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Company, (C) in such proposed nominee’s individual capacity, would be in compliance, if elected as a director, and will comply with applicable law (including applicable fiduciary duties under state law), stock exchange listing standards and publicly disclosed corporate governance, ethics, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Company, and any other Company policies and guidelines applicable to directors, (D) intends to serve a full term if elected as a

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director and (E) will provide facts, statements and other information in all communications with the Company and its stockholders that are or will be true and correct in all material respects, and that do not and will not omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

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

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The Company currently retains a corporate recruiter to assist in identifying candidates for open positions at the Company. Upon request, this recruiter also assists in identifying and evaluating candidates for director.  While the Company does not routinely pay an additional fee for this service, based on the recent additions to our Board described below, we have paid certain amounts to a corporate recruiter for their assistance in our nationwide searches.

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On June 2, 2023, the nominating and corporate governance committee recommended to the Board that the number of directors be increased by one and that Mr. Jones be appointed to the Board as an independent director; the Board approved this recommendation. In connection with the appointment, the Board desired to add a Board member with extensive restaurant industry experience. Mr. Jones was referred to the nominating and corporate governance committee by our corporate recruiter following a nationwide search. Following his referral, Mr. Jones met extensively with management of the Company and our existing members of the Board prior to the nominating and corporate governance committee’s decision to recommend his appointment. Mr. Jones was nominated as a non-employee director because of his chief executive and board of director experience as well as his extensive knowledge of the restaurant industry where he has over 40 years of experience in the industry.  

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Additionally, on February 28, 2024, the nominating and corporate governance committee recommended to the Board that the number of directors be increased by one and that Ms. Abell be appointed to the Board as an independent director; the Board approved this recommendation. In connection with the appointment, the Board desired to add a Board member with extensive restaurant industry experience. Ms. Abell was referred to the nominating and corporate governance committee by our corporate recruiter following a nationwide search. Following her initial referral for service as a director, Ms. Abell met extensively with management of the Company and our existing members of the Board prior to the nominating and corporate governance committee’s decision to recommend her appointment.  Ms. Abell was nominated as a non-employee director because of her executive and board experience as well as her extensive knowledge of the restaurant industry where she has over 30 years of experience in the industry.

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

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Compensation of Directors

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As further discussed in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the compensation committee and management of the Company did not utilize specific market targets when establishing the compensation for the non-employee directors but utilized Equilar (the Company’s external executive and director compensation database aggregator) to review non-director compensation of peer companies as a reference to establish non-director compensation. This review was used in establishing the fixed dollar amount on service based restricted stock units granted to our non-employee directors more particularly described below. Similar to our compensation philosophy for our executive officers, we believe that issuing service based restricted stock units to our non-employee directors aligns their interests with those of our shareholders. Specifically, since the bulk of each non-employee director’s compensation lies in the value of the service based restricted stock units granted, the non-employee directors are motivated to continually improve the Company’s performance in the hope that the performance will be reflected by the stock price on the vesting date of their service based restricted stock units. Moreover, we believe that the service based restricted stock unit awards drive director alignment with maximizing shareholder value because the value of the service based restricted stock units varies in response to investor sentiment regarding overall Company performance at the time of vesting.

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As described more fully below, the following table summarizes the total compensation earned for fiscal year 2023 for each of the non-employee directors.

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For the service based restricted stock units described in footnote (1) (other than for Mr. Jones), fair value is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the grant, which was $93.52 for the grants to the non-employee directors. Using the formula described in the immediately foregoing paragraph of footnote (1), Mr. Moore, as Chairman of the Board, was granted 3,300 service based restricted stock units for his 2023 fiscal year service, and each remaining non-employee director (other than Mr. Jones) was granted 2,400 service based restricted stock units for their respective 2023 fiscal year service. The amounts listed above represent the grant date fair value determined in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“ASC 718”) of restricted stock units granted under the Company’s 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Detailed information under ASC 718 is set forth in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2023. No other equity awards were granted to the non-employee directors during the period of time covered by this table. The Company cautions that the amounts reported in the Director Compensation Table for these awards may not represent the amounts that the non-employee directors will actually realize from the awards. Whether, and to what extent, a non-employee director realizes value will depend on fluctuation in the Company’s stock price and the non-employee director’s continued service on the Board.  

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

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The compensation committee established that all non-employee directors would receive the following cash and stock compensation relating to their 2023 fiscal year service:

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Additionally, the compensation committee established that all non-employee directors will receive the following cash and stock compensation relating to their 2024 fiscal year service:

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In connection with Ms. Abell’s appointment to the Board, on February 29, 2024, she was granted 1,300 service based restricted stock units, which represents the prorated amount of service based restricted stock units granted to the other non-employee directors as described above. The fair value is equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the grant, which was $147.77 for the grant to Ms. Abell. These service based restricted stock units will vest on January 8, 2025.

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Code of Conduct

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

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

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

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Vendor Expectations. In addition to the Company’s Code of Conduct, the Company has established vendor expectations setting forth our expectations regarding our relationship with our vendors, including the manner in which our vendors conduct their business, the manner in which they treat their employees, and our expectation that our vendors will comply with all applicable laws and regulations relating to their business operations including those laws prohibiting the use of forced labor or the facilitation of slavery and human trafficking. Our vendor expectations are available in their entirety on the Company’s website at www.texasroadhouse.com.

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Stock Ownership Guidelines

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Our Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines to further align the financial interests of the Company’s executive officers and non-employee directors with the interests of our shareholders. During 2023, the guidelines provided that our Chief Executive Officer should own, at a minimum, the lesser of 100,000 shares or $2,500,000 in then-current market value, our President should own, at a minimum, the lesser of 40,000 shares or $1,000,000 in then-current market value, and our other executive officers and non-employee directors should own, at a minimum, the lesser of 10,000 shares or $500,000 in then-current market value. The executive officers and non-employee directors were expected to achieve the stock ownership levels under these guidelines within five years of assuming their respective positions and the Company evaluated the compliance with these stock ownership guidelines at the end of each fiscal year.  All executive officers and non-employee directors who have been in their role for five years were in compliance with these stock ownership guidelines at the end of fiscal 2023.

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On February 22, 2024 and following an annual review of our corporate governance practices, the Board updated the stock ownership guidelines to provide for the following:  (A) our Chief Executive Officer should own, at a minimum, five (5) times the then-current amount of his or her annual base salary, (B) our President should own, at a minimum, four (4) times the then-current amount of his or her annual base salary, (C) all other Named Executive Officers should, own, at a minimum, three (3) times the then-current amount of his or her annual base salary, and (D) each non-employee director should own, at a minimum, the greater of (i) five (5) times the then-current amount of annual Board cash compensation received by each non-employee director, or (ii) $500,000 in then-current market value.  Similar to the Board’s prior stock ownership guidelines, the executive officers and non-employee directors are expected to achieve the stock ownership levels under these guidelines within five years of assuming their respective positions. The Company evaluates the compliance with these stock ownership guidelines at the end of each fiscal year and it will be calculated based on the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the applicable fiscal year.

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Succession Planning

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

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Mandatory Retirement Age for Board Service

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

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In furtherance of this policy, Mr. Zarley is being nominated for re-election for the last time at the Annual Meeting.  Mr. Zarley is our longest tenured member of the Board, being appointed to the Board in 2004 as a part of the Company’s initial public offering. He was appointed to the Board because of his chief executive and information technology experience in developing industries, his technology experience, and his transactional experience.  During his time on the Board, he has continued to serve on each of the three committees of the Board and has provided both formal and informal mentorship and leadership, most recently as the chairperson of the compensation committee. The Company thanks Mr. Zarley for his almost 20 years of service to the Board and the tremendous value that he has brought to the Company during his tenure, including during key transitional moments in the Company’s history (specifically following the sudden passing of our founder Kent Taylor).

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Shareholder Engagement

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Shareholder engagement is an important component of our overall approach to corporate governance. It provides us the opportunity to update investors on our business as well as to receive feedback from them. Our Investor Relations team serves as our primary point of contact with investors, potential investors, and investment analysts. Additionally, throughout the year, members of our executive team, Board, and restaurant-level operators may participate in the investor dialogue.

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Our interaction with the investment community occurs in a number of ways, including one-on-one and group phone calls, analyst-sponsored conferences, our Annual Meeting, and our quarterly earnings calls. Topics discussed vary but typically include corporate strategy, financial results and outlook, new restaurant development, commodity and wage inflation, capital allocation, and various governance and corporate sustainability matters. Investor feedback and sentiment is shared with senior management and the Board on a regular basis.  

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During 2023, management of the Company interacted with shareholders owning approximately 65% of the outstanding shares of the Company as of the end of fiscal year 2023.  These interactions ranged from one-on-one phone/video calls, face-to-face meetings at investor conferences, video calls during virtual non-deal roadshows, participants listening to virtual fireside chats between members of management and sell-side analysts, and conversations with stewardship teams regarding corporate governance.

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Board Orientation and Continuing Education

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The Board believes that a thorough understanding of the Company’s business is required to enable a director to make a substantial contribution to the Board.  As such, all new directors will participate in an orientation program within a reasonable period of time following such director’s initial appointment or election to the Board. The orientation program may consist of meetings with senior management of the Company designed to familiarize each new director with the Company’s strategic plans, financial planning and key policies and procedures as well as training within the Company’s restaurant facilities.  Additionally, the Company, from time to time, may provide the Board with internal training programs or presentations from internal or outside third-party experts on topics that will assist the directors in carrying out their Board responsibilities. Finally, the directors are encouraged to participate in continuing education and other programs provided by outside sources and to share any applicable learnings from such programs with the other directors on the Board.  As a part of the Board’s continued education, the directors on the Board annually complete the compliance trainings that are similar to those provided to certain employees. Further, the Company annually budgets a certain amount of funding to reimburse directors for related costs to attend such programs.

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Director Independence

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The Board currently consists of nine directors – seven of whom are independent, as that term is defined in the listing standards under Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2) and meet the criteria for independence under the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The nominating and corporate governance committee evaluates the relationships of each director and director nominee and makes a recommendation to the Board as to whether to make an affirmative determination that such director or director nominee is independent.  In connection with such review, the nominating and corporate governance committee evaluates the relevant transactions or relationships between each director, or any of his or her family members, and the Corporation, its senior management and its independent auditors.  In connection with determining the directors to stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting (as more particularly described in Proposal 1) and upon recommendation of the nominating and corporate governance committee, the Board has affirmatively determined that Messrs. Moore, Crawford, Jones and Warfield and Mses. Abell, Epps and Widmer are independent under the applicable criteria for service on the Board and the various Board committees upon which each serves (as and if applicable).  The nominating and corporate governance committee determined that Mr. Morgan is not independent due to his service as the Company’s principal executive officer and that Mr. Zarley is not independent due to his interest in a franchisee as described in “Related Party Transactions.”  

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STOCK OWNERSHIP INFORMATION

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The following table sets forth as of March 7, 2024 certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock of (i) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table (the “Named Executive Officers”), (ii) each non-employee director or nominee for director of the Company, (iii) all directors and current executive officers as a group, and (iv) each shareholder known by the Company to be the owner of 5% or more of the Company’s common stock.  

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

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Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

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Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of stock ownership and reports of changes in stock ownership and to provide the Company with copies of all such filed forms. Based solely on its review of such copies or written representations from reporting persons, the Company believes that all reports were filed on a timely basis during the fiscal year ended December 26, 2023 with the exception of a Form 4 for Mr. Humpich that was filed on January 10, 2024 relating to the acquisition of 743 service based restricted stock units received by Mr. Humpich on August 3, 2023 relating to his Q2 2022 service and the acquisition of 653 service based restricted stock units received by Mr. Humpich on November 2, 2023 relating to his Q3 2022 service.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

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Bubba Who: Our Executive Officers

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Bubba What: What We Do and What We Don’t Do

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Bubba How: How We Pay

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

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Initial Executive Compensation Under Executive Employment Agreements.

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We entered into employment agreements with Gerald L. Morgan, Regina A. Tobin, D. Christopher Monroe, Christopher C. Colson, Hernan E. Mujica, Travis C. Doster, Tonya R. Robinson, and S. Chris Jacobsen, each of which are Named Executive Officers. As used herein, the employment agreements, as amended (as and if applicable), with Messrs. Morgan, Monroe, Colson, Mujica, and Jacobsen and Mss. Tobin and Robinson shall be referred to collectively as the “Executive Employment Agreements” and with respect to any Named Executive Officer having an employment agreement, as a “Executive Employment Agreement”. As further described below, the Company did not enter into an Executive Employment Agreement with Keith V. Humpich in connection with his service as interim Chief Financial Officer and/or principal accounting officer (as applicable).

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Each Executive Employment Agreement (other than with Mr. Doster) has an initial term expiring on January 7, 2024 which automatically renews for successive one-year terms thereafter unless either party elects

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not to renew by providing written notice to the other party at least 60 days before expiration.  Mr. Doster’s Executive Employment Agreement has an initial term expiring on January 8, 2025 which automatically renews for successive one-year terms thereafter unless either party elects not to renew by providing written notice to the other party at least 60 days before expiration.  

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As more particularly described below, on January 5, 2023, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement and Release of Claims (the “Robinson Separation Agreement”) with Ms. Robinson relating to Ms. Robinson’s retirement as Chief Financial Officer of the Company effective as of January 4, 2023.  Additionally and as more particularly described below, on August 3, 2023, the Company entered into a Separation Agreement and Release of Claims (the “Jacobsen Separation Agreement”) with Mr. Jacobsen relating to his resignation as Chief Marketing Officer of the Company effective as of August 3, 2023.

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Each Executive Employment Agreement establishes an annual base salary for the term of the respective Executive Employment Agreement. During the term of the Executive Employment Agreement, base salary increases are at the discretion of the compensation committee; provided, however, none of the Named Executive Officer’s base salary may be decreased during the term of the Executive Employment Agreement except for decreases that are applied generally to the other Named Executive Officers in an amount no greater than 10% over the prior year. Each Executive Employment Agreement also provides an annual short-term cash incentive opportunity with a target bonus based on the achievement of defined goals to be established by the compensation committee, with increases in the target bonus amount to be made at the discretion of the compensation committee during the term of the Executive Employment Agreement. In addition to cash compensation, each Executive Employment Agreement provides that the compensation committee may grant certain stock awards to the Named Executive Officers during the term of the respective Executive Employment Agreements, the types and amounts of which are subject to the compensation committee’s discretion based on their annual review of the performance of the Company and of the individual Named Executive Officers. As of the date of this proxy statement and as more particularly described below, certain Named Executive Officers received an annual grant of service based restricted stock units relating to their 2023 year service and 2024 year service, respectively. Additionally, certain Named Executive Officers received grants of performance based restricted stock units relating to their 2023 year service and 2024 year service, respectively. Finally, while the Company previously granted retention grants for our Named Executive Officers under their prior employment agreements, the compensation committee has not made any similar retention grants for the Named Executive Officers under the Executive Employment Agreements. The compensation committee will evaluate whether to grant additional retention grants in the future as a part of its annual evaluation of the compensation packages for the Named Executive Officers.  

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Under the Executive Employment Agreements, each Named Executive Officer has agreed not to compete with us during the term of his or her employment and for a period of two years following his or her termination of employment.  Additionally, the Executive Employment Agreements include certain confidentiality, non-solicitation, and non-disparagement provisions. Finally, the Executive Employment Agreement contains a similar “clawback” provision setting forth that any compensation paid or payable to the Executive Employment Agreement or any other agreement or arrangement with the Company shall be subject to recovery or reduction in future payments in lieu of recovery pursuant to any Company clawback policy in effect from time to time, whether adopted before or after the date of the Executive Employment Agreement.

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The Company has established a clawback policy whereby the Company shall reasonably promptly recover the Erroneously Awarded Compensation Received by an Executive Officer in accordance with the applicable rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market and Rule 10D-1 following an Accounting Restatement.  In such an event, the compensation committee has the discretion to determine the appropriate method of recovering such Erroneously Awarded Compensation Received, including, without limitation, requiring reimbursement of cash incentive-based compensation, seeking recovery of any gain realized on the vesting of any equity-based awards, offsetting the recouped amount from any compensation otherwise owed by the Company, and/or cancelling outstanding vested or unvested equity awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to take such actions if the compensation committee determines that recovery would be impracticable and the compensation committee has determined that either (a) the direct expenses paid to a third party to assist in enforcing the Company’s clawback policy would exceed the amount to be recovered or (b) recovery would likely

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cause an otherwise tax-qualified retirement plan, under which benefits are broadly available to employees of the Company, to fail to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.  

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For the purposes of the clawback policy, (A) the term “Erroneously Awarded Compensation” means, with respect to each Executive Officer in connection with an Accounting Restatement, the amount of Clawback Eligible Incentive Compensation (as hereinafter defined) that exceeds the amount of incentive-based compensation that otherwise would have been received had it been determined based on the restated amounts, computed without regard to any taxes paid; (B) the term “Clawback Eligible Incentive Compensation” means all incentive-based compensation received by an Executive Officer (i) on or after October 2, 2023, (ii) after beginning service as an Executive Officer, (iii) who served as an Executive Officer at any time during the applicable performance period relating to any Incentive-based Compensation (whether or not such Executive Officer is serving at the time the Erroneously Awarded Compensation is required to be repaid to the Company), (iv) while the Company has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange or a national securities association, and (v) during the applicable Clawback Period (as hereinafter defined); (C) the term “Clawback Period” means, with respect to any Accounting Restatement, the three completed fiscal years of the Company immediately preceding the restatement date, and if the Company changes its fiscal year, any transition period of less than nine months within or immediately following those three completed fiscal years, provided that a transition period of greater than nine months will be deemed a completed fiscal year; (D) the term “Accounting Restatement” means an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, including any required accounting restatement to correct an error in previously issued financial statements that is material to the previously issued financial statements (a “Big R” restatement), or that would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period (a “little r” restatement); and (E) the term “Executive Officer” means each individual who is currently or was previously designated as an “officer” of the Company as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act.

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Executive Compensation Starting With 2022 Fiscal Year.

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During 2021 and pursuant to the authority granted under its charter, the compensation committee engaged FW Cook as an independent compensation consultant to advise the compensation committee on compensation for the executive officers beginning with the 2022 fiscal year, together with analysis and services related to such executive compensation. Specifically, the compensation committee asked the consultant to provide market data, review the design of the executive compensation packages, and provide guidance on cash and equity compensation for the Company’s executive officers.  As a part of this review, the chairperson of the compensation committee, the independent compensation consultant and management of the Company agreed on a list of the following 14 peer companies to evaluate their executive compensation:  

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Based in part on the recommendation of our third party compensation consultant and the review of the market data provided to the compensation committee, the total compensation package established for each Named Executive Officer for their respective 2022 fiscal year service reflected a shift in the compensation breakdown among the base salary, bonus, and equity components to a more weighted emphasis on non-equity compensation as well as a shift from a fixed number of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units to a fixed dollar amount with respect to such service based restricted stock units.  The compensation committee utilized this compensation philosophy and structure when establishing executive compensation for each applicable Named Executive Officer’s 2023 fiscal year service and 2024 fiscal year

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service, respectively.  FW Cook does not currently provide any other services to the Company, and the compensation committee has determined that FW Cook has sufficient independence from us and our executive officers to allow FW Cook to offer objective information and/or advice.  

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With respect to establishing executive compensation for the 2023 fiscal year and 2024 fiscal year, respectively, the compensation committee and management of the Company utilized the services of Equilar (the Company’s external executive and director compensation database aggregator) to review the executive compensation by continuing to review the same peer companies listed in the table above. Equilar does not currently provide any other services to the Company, and the compensation committee has determined that Equilar has sufficient independence from us and our executive officers to allow them to offer objective information and/or advice.

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Summary of Executive Compensation

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The compensation packages for our Named Executive Officers offer base salaries and target cash bonus amounts and feature restricted stock unit awards, the value of which is dependent upon the performance of the Company and the price of our common stock.  Such packages for our Named Executive Officers are comprised of the following four main components (three of which are expressly tied to the performance of the Company):  

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The compensation committee evaluates the stock compensation for each specific Named Executive Officer on an annual basis to determine the right combination of rewards and incentives through the issuance of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units to drive company performance without encouraging unnecessary or excessive risk taking by all of the Named Executive Officers as a whole. Under this approach, the Named Executive Officers receive a combination of service based restricted stock units and performance based restricted stock units. Additionally and by conditioning a significant portion of the Named Executive Officer’s performance based restricted stock unit grants upon the achievement of defined performance goals to be established by the compensation committee, combined with the stock ownership guidelines for our Named Executive Officers more particularly described above, we have created a more direct relationship between compensation and shareholder value. Moreover, by giving the compensation committee the discretion to grant certain stock awards (if any) in its discretion to our Named Executive Officers under the Executive Employment Agreements, the compensation committee has the opportunity to adjust a significant portion of the total compensation for the Named Executive Officers on an annual basis to more accurately reflect the overall performance of the Company, which may include the issuance of service based restricted stock units and/or performance based restricted stock units. Overall, we believe this approach provides the Named Executive Officers with a compensation package which promotes the sustained profitability of the

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

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

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In deciding to continue and modify many of our existing executive compensation practices, our compensation committee considered that the holders of approximately 91% of the votes cast at our 2023 annual meeting on an advisory basis approved the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the proxy statement for the 2023 annual meeting. None of the Named Executive Officers, including Mr. Morgan, participated in the creation of their own compensation packages.

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Elements of Compensation

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

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Each Named Executive Officer’s Executive Employment Agreement provides that the compensation committee will establish the annual base salary for the Named Executive Officers at the commencement of the term of their respective Executive Employment Agreement. Pursuant to each Named Executive Officer’s Executive Employment Agreement, the compensation committee established an annual base salary for each Named Executive Officer. During the term of the respective Executive Employment Agreement, base salary increases are at the discretion of the compensation committee. In furtherance of the foregoing, the compensation committee established the annual base salary for each Named Executive Officer for the 2023 fiscal year as shown below.

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As noted above, the compensation committee may increase each Named Executive Officer’s base salary in its discretion. The base salary of each Named Executive Officer for their 2024 fiscal year service is set forth in the following table:

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

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Under the compensation committee’s charter, the compensation committee may award an annual cash incentive to the Named Executive Officers, which is the grant of a right to receive a payment of cash that is subject to targets and maximums, and that is contingent on achievement of performance objectives during the Company’s fiscal year. These cash incentives are also subject to the terms and conditions of the Executive Employment Agreements and reflect each Named Executive Officer’s job responsibilities and individual contribution to the success of the Company.

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In furtherance of the foregoing, the compensation committee established a two-pronged approach to tying the incentive compensation to the Company’s performance. Under this approach, 50% of the target incentive bonus is awarded based on whether the Company achieves an annual EPS growth target of 10% (the “EPS Performance Goal”). The other 50% is based on a profit sharing pool (the “Profit Sharing Pool”) comprised of 1.75% of the Company’s pre-tax profits (income before taxes less net income attributable to non-controlling interests, as reported in our audited consolidated financial statements), which pool is distributed among our Named Executive Officers and certain other members of the Company’s director-level management based on a pre-determined percentage interest in the pool and subject to certain pre-determined maximum amounts. After the end of the fiscal year, the compensation committee determines whether and to what extent the EPS Performance Goal has been met, and the portion of the Profit Sharing Pool to which each Named Executive Officer is entitled. Depending on the level of achievement of the EPS Performance Goal each year, 50% of the incentive bonus may be reduced to a minimum of $0 or increased to a maximum of two times the target amount. Each 1% change from the EPS Performance Goal results in an increase or decrease of 10% of the portion of the target bonus amount attributable to the achievement of the EPS Performance Goal. For example, if we achieve 11% EPS growth, the bonus payable would be 110% of the portion of the target bonus attributable to the achievement of the EPS Performance Goal. Conversely, if we achieve 9% EPS growth, the bonus payable would be 90% of the portion of the target bonus attributable to the achievement of the EPS Performance Goal. The remaining 50% of the Named Executive Officers’ incentive bonus will fluctuate directly with Company pre-tax profits at fixed participation percentages and maximum amounts which are determined within 60 days following the commencement of the Company’s fiscal year.

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The annual profit sharing component allows the Named Executive Officers to participate in a profit sharing pool with other members of the Company’s director-level management team. By allowing this level of participation in the Company’s overall profits, the compensation committee encourages responsible growth and aligns the interests of the Named Executive Officers with those of other management employees of the Company. This portion of the incentive bonus may be reduced to a minimum of $0 if the Company ceases to be profitable or for other reasons that the compensation committee determines, and may be increased to a maximum of two times the target amount established for each individual participant. Both portions of the incentive bonus can be adjusted downward (but not upward) by the compensation committee in its discretion.

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Cash incentive bonuses with respect to fiscal year 2023 were paid at 127.3% of the total target amount for the fiscal year in which a Named Executive Officer served in such role, based on an increase in actual EPS

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of 14.3% and an actual Profit Sharing Pool of $6,116,701 calculated on fiscal year 2023 pre-tax profit of $349,525,785.

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

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In connection with the foregoing, the compensation committee established an annual short-term cash incentive opportunity with a target bonus as set forth in the table below relating to each Named Executive Officer’s 2023 fiscal year service.  The performance criteria and terms of bonus awards are at the discretion of the compensation committee.  As more particularly described above, the compensation committee continued its two pronged approach with 50% of the target incentive bonus being based on whether the Company achieves an annual EPS growth target of 10% and the remaining 50% being based on a Profit Sharing Pool comprised of 1.75% of the Company’s pre-tax profits (income before taxes less net income attributable to non-controlling interests, as reported in our audited consolidated financial statements).  As further described above, depending on the level of achievement of the goals, the bonus may be reduced to a minimum of $0 or increased to a maximum of two times the base target amount under the current incentive compensation policy of the compensation committee of the Board. 

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The compensation committee established an annual short-term cash incentive opportunity with a target bonus as set forth in the table below relating to each Named Executive Officer’s 2024 fiscal year service.  The performance criteria and terms of bonus awards are at the discretion of the compensation committee.  As more particularly described above, the compensation committee continued its two pronged approach with 50% of the target incentive bonus being based on whether the Company achieves an annual EPS growth target of 10% and the remaining 50% being based on a Profit Sharing Pool comprised of 1.75% of the Company’s pre-tax profits (income before taxes less net income attributable to non-controlling interests, as reported in our audited consolidated financial statements).  As further described above, depending on the level of achievement of the goals, the bonus may be reduced to a minimum of $0 or increased to a maximum of two times the base target amount under the current incentive compensation policy of the compensation committee of the Board. 

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