Wendy's Executive Compensation (FY25)
WEN · Dublin, OH · Executive and director compensation, fiscal 2022 to 2025
The Wendy's brief, $1,500
Positioning against its disclosed peers, the governance read, incentive design, and the CD&A alignment analysis; the full peer table; a committee-ready PDF.
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Data as of September 7, 2026Latest filing (8-K): May 22, 2026
15 filings cited on this page
Method: intel.velarion.ai/methodology
A report that fails to generate is refunded in full
Published by Velarion Company Intelligence
$1,500Get the executive brief
305 figures on this page: 296 cited to the filing that reported them, 9 calculated from figures it prints. See the citations
What changed from fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2025
The figures that moved, and by how much. Analysis of these figures is part of the Velarion platform.
Say-on-pay support: 97.1% → 93.7% (3.4 points lower)
CEO pay ratio: 604:1 → 181:1 (70.0% lower)
Frequently asked questions
Answers drawn from the data on this page.
Who is Wendy's' chief executive and what were they paid?
Total compensation for Ken Cook, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, came to $4,503,440 in fiscal 2025.
What was Wendy's' say-on-pay result?
For fiscal 2025, shareholders backed the say-on-pay proposal with 93.7% of votes cast including abstentions in favor at the meeting held May 20, 2026.
Which companies are in Wendy's' peer group?
Companies named in the disclosed peer group include Bloomin Brands, Inc., Brinker International, Inc., Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. and Darden Restaurants, Inc., among others.
What is Wendy's' chief executive pay ratio?
The disclosed chief executive pay ratio for fiscal 2025 is 181:1, against median employee compensation of $24,880.
Executive compensation
Every element reported for each named executive officer, by fiscal year.
Fiscal 2022
| Officer | Salary | Bonus | Stock awards | Option awards | Non-equity incentive | Pension and deferred earnings | All other compensation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Todd Penegor Former President and CEO Departed during or after this year | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
Gunther Plosch Former CFO Departed during or after this year | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
Abigail Pringle President, U.S. | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
Fiscal 2023
| Officer | Salary | Bonus | Stock awards | Option awards | Non-equity incentive | Pension and deferred earnings | All other compensation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Todd Penegor Former President and CEO Departed during or after this year | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
Gunther Plosch Former CFO Departed during or after this year | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
Abigail Pringle President, U.S. | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
E.j. Wunsch President, International | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
Fiscal 2024
| Officer | Salary | Bonus | Stock awards | Option awards | Non-equity incentive | Pension and deferred earnings | All other compensation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kirk Tanner President and CEO | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
Gunther Plosch Former CFO Departed during or after this year | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
Todd Penegor Former President and CEO Departed during or after this year | ◇ | — | — | — | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
Abigail Pringle President, U.S. | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
E.j. Wunsch President, International | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
Lindsay Radkoski Chief Marketing Officer, U.S. | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
Kenneth Cook CFO | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
Fiscal 2025
| Officer | Salary | Bonus | Stock awards | Option awards | Non-equity incentive | Pension and deferred earnings | All other compensation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kirk Tanner Former President and Chief Executive Officer Departed during or after this year | ◇ | — | ◇ | — | — | — | ◇ | ◇ |
Ken Cook Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Served on an interim basis | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
E.J. Wunsch President, International | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
John Min Chief Legal Officer and Secretary | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
Pete Suerken President, U.S. | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
A dash means the company reported no figure in that column. $0 is shown only where the filing prints a zero. A negative change in pension value is shown but, as the company reports it, not included in the total.
Equity awards granted
Individual awards as disclosed: type, date, unit counts at each level, and grant date value.
Fiscal 2025
| Officer | Award | Grant date | Threshold units | Target units | Units granted | Maximum units | Exercise price | Grant date fair value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Min | OPTION | ◇ | — | — | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
| John Min | OPTION | ◇ | — | — | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
| John Min | OPTION | ◇ | — | — | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
| John Min | OPTION | ◇ | — | — | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
| John Min | — | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | — | ◇ |
| Ken Cook | OPTION | ◇ | — | — | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
| Ken Cook | PSU | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | — | ◇ |
| Ken Cook | OPTION | ◇ | — | — | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
| Ken Cook | OPTION | ◇ | — | — | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
| Ken Cook | OPTION | ◇ | — | — | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
| Kirk Tanner | PSU | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | — | ◇ |
| Pete Suerken | PSU | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ | — | ◇ | — | ◇ |
| Pete Suerken | OPTION | ◇ | — | — | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
| Pete Suerken | OPTION | ◇ | — | — | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
| Pete Suerken | OPTION | ◇ | — | — | ◇ | — | ◇ | ◇ |
Fiscal 2022, 2024 are included in the PDF.
A dash means the company reported no figure in that column. $0 is shown only where the filing prints a zero. Threshold, target and maximum apply only to performance awards and are never shown for time-based or option awards.
Outstanding awards
Awards still held at fiscal year end.
As disclosed at fiscal 2025 year end
| Officer | Award | Unvested units | Market value of unvested units | Exercise price | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E.J. Wunsch | Option | ◇ | — | ◇ | — |
| RSU | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | |
| RSU | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | |
| RSU | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | |
| RSU | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | |
| RSU | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | |
| RSU | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | |
| Option | ◇ | — | ◇ | — | |
| Option | ◇ | — | ◇ | — | |
| Ken Cook | RSU | ◇ | ◇ | — | — |
| RSU | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | |
| RSU | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | |
| Option | ◇ | — | ◇ | — | |
| Option | ◇ | — | ◇ | — | |
| John Min | RSU | ◇ | ◇ | — | — |
| RSU | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | |
| RSU | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | |
| Option | ◇ | — | ◇ | — | |
| Pete Suerken | RSU | ◇ | ◇ | — | — |
| Option | ◇ | — | ◇ | — | |
| RSU | ◇ | ◇ | — | — |
A dash means the company reported no figure in that column. $0 is shown only where the filing prints a zero.
Severance and change in control
The terms as written in the agreements.
John Min
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary · Offer letter
| Non-compete period | ◇ |
| Non-solicit period | ◇ |
Kirk Tanner
Former President and Chief Executive Officer · Terms as described in the company’s compensation discussion · citing a 2026 filing
| Severance multiple | ◇ |
| Severance base | ◇ |
| Change-in-control multiple | ◇ |
| Benefits continuation on change in control | ◇ |
| Benefits continuation | ◇ |
| Non-compete period | ◇ |
| Non-solicit period | ◇ |
Pete Suerken
President, U.S. · Offer letter
| Severance multiple | ◇ |
| Benefits continuation | ◇ |
| Non-compete period | ◇ |
| Non-solicit period | ◇ |
Director compensation
What each non-employee director was paid.
Fiscal 2025
| Director | Fees earned in cash | Stock awards | Option awards | Non-equity incentive | Pension and deferred earnings | All other compensation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arthur B. Winkleblack Board chair | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | — | — | ◇ |
Peter H. Rothschild | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | — | — | ◇ |
Peter W. May | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | — | — | ◇ |
Wendy C. Arlin | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | — | — | ◇ |
Michelle J. Mathews-Spradlin | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | — | — | ◇ |
Richard H. Gomez | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | — | — | ◇ |
Kristin A. Dolan | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | — | — | ◇ |
Michelle Caruso-Cabrera | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | — | — | ◇ |
Bradley G. Peltz | ◇ | ◇ | — | — | — | — | ◇ |
Kenneth W. Gilbert | ◇ | — | — | — | — | ◇ | ◇ |
Earlier years are included in the PDF.
A dash means the company reported no figure in that column. $0 is shown only where the filing prints a zero.
Director fee schedule
The standing retainers and premiums the board pays, as published.
| Board equity retainer | ◇ |
| Lead independent director premium | ◇ |
| Audit committee chair | ◇ |
| Audit committee member | ◇ |
| Compensation committee member | ◇ |
| Nominating and governance chair | ◇ |
| Nominating and governance member | ◇ |
Disclosed peer group
The companies this board named as its compensation comparison group. The list is disclosure; the comparison is analysis.
Fiscal 2025
- Bloomin Brands, Inc. BLMN
- Brinker International, Inc. EAT
- Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. CMG
- Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. CBRL
- Darden Restaurants, Inc. DRI
- Dine Brands Global, Inc. DIN
- Domino's Pizza, Inc. DPZ
- Jack in the Box Inc. JACK
- McDonald's Corporation MCD
- Papa John's International Inc. PZZA
- Restaurant Brands International Inc. QSR
- Starbucks Corporation SBUX
- Texas Roadhouse, Inc. TXRH
- YUM! Brands, Inc. YUM
Say-on-pay history
Shareholder support for the compensation program, by year.
| Year | Meeting | Support | Votes for | Votes against | Abstentions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 20, 2026 | = | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ |
| 2024 | May 21, 2025 | = | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ |
| 2023 | May 21, 2024 | = | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ |
| 2022 | May 16, 2023 | = | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ |
| 2021 | May 18, 2022 | = | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ |
| 2020 | May 18, 2021 | = | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ |
| 2019 | May 27, 2020 | = | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ |
| 2018 | June 4, 2019 | = | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ |
| 2017 | June 5, 2018 | = | ◇ | ◇ | ◇ |
Chief executive pay ratio
As calculated and reported by the company.
Ratio
◇
Median employee compensation
◇
Chief executive total compensation
◇
What this page does not include
Everything above is a fact Wendy's disclosed, and it is free. Everything below is our analysis of those facts, and it is not.
Peer benchmarking
Where Wendy's sits against its disclosed peers — percentile position by role and by pay element, and the ranking behind it. The disclosed peer group is free; comparisons across it are part of the Velarion platform.
Executive Compensation Report — $1,500Written compensation analysis
A read of the pay program as designed and as paid: incentive structure, goal rigor, the alignment between the committee's stated philosophy and what the numbers show.
Executive Compensation Report — $1,500Board and governance analysis
Committee composition, independence, director pay positioning, and the governance provisions read together rather than listed.
Board Governance Report — $1,200Realizable pay
What the awards above are actually worth today against what they were valued at on grant, and what the gap says about the pay-for-performance link.
Velarion IntelligenceAdviser switching and vote outcomes
Two datasets covering compensation-adviser changes and what followed a contested vote. Both are part of the Velarion platform.
Inquire about accessMultiple companies at once
Cross-company views, cohort screens, and data export across the industries we cover. This page is one company; the platform is all of them.
Velarion IntelligenceCitations
Every figure on this page is cited to the document that reported it. Select any figure to see its citation.
305 figures on this page: 296 cited to the filing that reported them, 9 calculated from figures it prints.
296 cited to the filing
9 calculated from the filing
Documents cited
- 0001193125-26-236835Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
- 0001193125-26-1402202025 Director Compensation · 2025 Grants of Plan-Based Awards · 2025 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE · Compensation Discussion and Analysis · and 2 more sections
- 0000030697-25-000039Exhibit
- 0001193125-25-125119Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
- 0001193125-25-0723822024 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
- 0000030697-24-000018Exhibit
- 0001193125-24-145508
- 0001193125-24-0872792023 Summary Compensation Table
- 0001193125-23-147102
- 0001193125-23-0856152022 Summary Compensation Table
- 0001193125-22-155087
- 0001193125-21-166712
- 0001193125-20-154378
- 0001193125-19-166223Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
- 0001193125-18-186383
Cite this data
This page is free to cite. Attribution we ask for:
Velarion, “Wendy's executive compensation, FY2022–FY2025.” https://intel.velarion.ai/comp/WEN (accessed 2026).
Short form: data: Velarion
The Wendy's brief, $1,500
Positioning against its disclosed peers, the governance read, incentive design, and the CD&A alignment analysis; the full peer table; a committee-ready PDF.
From $1,200 for the board report; $2,400 for both.
15 filings cited on this page
Method: intel.velarion.ai/methodology
A report that fails to generate is refunded in full
Published by Velarion Company Intelligence
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Peers Wendy's discloses
The companies named in WEN's own disclosed peer group.
Bloomin Brands, Inc.Brinker International, Inc.Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.Darden Restaurants, Inc.Dine Brands Global, Inc.Domino's Pizza, Inc.Jack in the Box Inc.McDonald's CorporationPapa John's International Inc.Restaurant Brands International Inc.Starbucks CorporationTexas Roadhouse, Inc.YUM! Brands, Inc.
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Free to read and cite. Redistribution or bulk use of the dataset requires a data license. Talk to us about the data license.
Cite this data
APA
Velarion Company Intelligence. (2026). Velarion database: executive and board compensation data (Version 2026Q3) [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22283854
BibTeX
@misc{velarionData2026,
author = {{Velarion Company Intelligence}},
title = {Velarion database: executive and board compensation data},
year = {2026},
version = {2026Q3},
doi = {10.5281/zenodo.22283854},
publisher = {Zenodo},
url = {https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22283854}
}