How much do the CEOs of major international restaurant chains earn? The American news platform Nation’s Restaurant News conducted research and compared the 10 highest-paid food CEOs with the average salary of their staff: a shocking comparison.

10. Brinker International - $7.7 million

Brinker International includes restaurants like Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy.

  • Number of restaurants worldwide: approximately 1.600

  • CEO Kevin Hochman salary: $7.7 million per year

  • Average salary of a Brinker International employee: approximately $23.269 per year 

9. The Cheesecake Factory - $8.1 million

  • Number of restaurants worldwide: approximately 375

  • CEO David Overtorn salary: $8.1 million per year

  • Average salary of a The Cheesecake Factory employee: approximately $32.777 per year

3 things that stand out about this list:

  1. All of these restaurant chains are American in origin.

  2. Generally speaking, the lower the CEO's salary, the higher the average employee's salary.

  3. All 10 CEO's are male.

8. Wingstop - $9.2 million

  • Number of restaurants worldwide: approximately 2.500

  • CEO Michael Skipworth salary: $9.2 million per year

  • Average salary of a Wingstop employee: approximately $29.745 per year

7. Darden Restaurants - $12 million

Darden Restaurants includes restaurants like Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse.

  • Number of restaurants worldwide: approximately 1.900

  • CEO Ricardo Cardenas salary: $12 million per year

  • Average salary of a Darden Restaurants employee: approximately $22.755 per year

6. Shake Shack - $13.1 million

  • Number of restaurants worldwide: approximately 400

  • CEO Robert Lynch salary: $13.1 million per year

  • Average salary of a Shake Shack employee: approximately $22.730 per year

5. Restaurant Brands International Inc. - $14.5 million

Restaurant Brands International includes Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes, and Firehouse Subs restaurants.

  • Number of restaurants worldwide: approximately 30.000

  • CEO Joshua Kobza salary: $14.5 million per jaar

  • Average salary Restaurant Brands International employee: information not available

4. McDonald’s - $18.2 million

  • Number of restaurants worldwide: approximately 40.000

  • CEO Christopher Kempczinski salary: $18.2 million per jaar

  • Average salary McDonald’s employee: approximately $17.492 per year

3. Chipotle - $19.1 million

  • Number of restaurants worldwide: approximately 3.700

  • CEO Scott Boatwright salary: $19.1 million per year

  • Average salary Chipotle employee: approximately $16.666 per year

2. Yum! Brands - $24.7 million

Yum! Brands includes KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.

  • Number of restaurants worldwide: approximately 61.000

  • CEO David Gibbs salary: $24.7 million per year

  • Average salary Yum! Brands employee: approximately $17.160 per year

1. Starbucks - $95.8 million

  • Number of restaurants worldwide: approximately 38.000

  • CEO Brian Niccol salary: $95.8 million per year

  • Average salary Starbucks employee: approximately $14.674 per year