Mark Graff joins Red Robin (NASDAQ: RRGB) as chief financial officer
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. has appointed Mark Graff as Chief Financial Officer, effective May 4, 2026. He will become the company’s principal financial officer and principal accounting officer on May 31, 2026, succeeding interim CFO Christopher Meyer when his contractor agreement expires.
Graff previously led a $900 million business across more than 220 restaurants as President of Bonefish Grill and Fine Dining at Bloomin’ Brands and earlier held senior roles in finance, strategy and investor relations. Under his employment agreement, Graff receives a $500,000 annual base salary, an annual bonus targeted at 75% of salary (prorated for 2026), and an equity inducement award targeted at 120% of salary for 2026.
He will also participate in Red Robin’s standard executive benefit plans and its Executive Severance Plan, with a 1.0x cash severance multiplier and 12‑month benefits continuation period in both change in control and non‑change in control qualifying terminations, alongside customary non‑competition, non‑solicitation and confidentiality covenants.
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Insights
Red Robin installs an experienced restaurant executive as permanent CFO, replacing the interim finance lead.
Red Robin appoints Mark Graff as CFO, transitioning from an interim structure to a permanent finance leader. Graff’s background at Bloomin’ Brands, including running a $900 million brand portfolio, combines operational oversight with finance and strategy experience.
His compensation package—$500,000 base salary, a 75% bonus target, and equity valued at 120% of salary—aligns pay with performance and long-term incentives. Participation in the Executive Severance Plan, with 1.0x cash severance and 12‑month benefits, reflects standard protection for a public‑company CFO role.
The filing emphasizes continuity by timing Graff’s assumption of principal financial and accounting officer duties for May 31, 2026, when the interim CFO’s agreement ends. Subsequent disclosures in periodic reports may show how his leadership influences capital planning, margin initiatives and progress on Red Robin’s First Choice Plan.
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
Executive Severance Plan financial
Change in Control Cash Severance Multiplier financial
Non-Change in Control Cash Severance Multiplier financial
Change in Control Qualifying Termination financial
non-competition financial
First Choice Plan financial
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
FAQ
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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| ITEM 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
Departure of Christopher Meyer as Interim Chief Financial Officer
Christopher Meyer’s service as the Company’s interim principal financial officer and principal accounting officer will conclude on May 31, 2026, in connection with the expiration of his independent contractor agreement with the Company, dated November 28, 2025, and the appointment of Mr. Graff as the Company’s principal financial officer and principal accounting officer on such date.
Appointment of Mark Graff as Chief Financial Officer
On April 29, 2026, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Mark Graff to the position of Chief Financial Officer, effective May 4, 2026. Mr. Graff, age 47, will become the Company’s principal financial officer and principal accounting officer on May 31, 2026, succeeding Christopher Meyer, the Company’s interim Chief Financial Officer, in both roles. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Graff most recently served as President of Bonefish Grill and Fine Dining at Bloomin’ Brands, Inc., a casual dining restaurant company, from November 2023 to November 2025, where he led a $900 million business across more than 220 restaurants. During his tenure at Bloomin’ Brands, Mr. Graff held senior leadership roles across finance, strategy and investor relations, from January 2012 to November 2025, leading global business development, capital planning and complex merger and acquisition initiatives. Prior to Bloomin’ Brands, Mr. Graff held positions at Deloitte from 2010 to 2012 and Raymond James from 2004 to 2010.
There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Graff and any other persons pursuant to which he was appointed as Chief Financial Officer, and no family relationships among any of the Company’s directors or executive officers and Mr. Graff. Additionally, Mr. Graff has no direct or indirect interest in any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
In connection with Mr. Graff’s appointment as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, Mr. Graff and the Company entered into an employment agreement, dated April 29, 2026 (the “Employment Agreement”). The Employment Agreement provides for the following compensation: (i) an annual base salary of $500,000; (ii) eligibility to receive an annual bonus with a target of 75% of Mr. Graff’s base salary, prorated for the Company’s 2026 fiscal year; and (iii) an equity inducement award with a target value equal to 120% of Mr. Graff’s base salary for the Company’s 2026 fiscal year, with the opportunity to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive program in subsequent fiscal years. Mr. Graff may also participate in the Company’s standard benefit plans, as may be amended from time to time, in which other executive officers are eligible to participate, and will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Executive Severance Plan, as described under the heading “Employment Agreements, Separation Arrangements, and Executive Severance Plan―Executive Severance Plan” in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on March 26, 2026, and which description is incorporated by reference herein, with a “Change in Control Cash Severance Multiplier” of 1.0, a “Change in Control Benefits Continuation Period” of 12 months, a “Non-Change in Control Cash Severance Multiplier” of 1.0, a “Non-Change in Control Benefits Continuation Period” of 12 months, and a “Restricted Period” of 12 months in the event of a Change in Control Qualifying Termination or 12 months in the event of a Non-Change in Control Qualifying Termination (in each case, as such terms are defined in the Executive Severance Plan). Mr. Graff will be subject to customary restrictive covenants in the Employment Agreement, including nondisclosure of confidential information, nondisparagement, return of Company property, and, during employment and for the twelve months following termination of employment, non-competition and non-solicitation of employees, and non-interference with suppliers and business relations of the Company.
The foregoing summary does not purport to be a complete description and is qualified in its entirety by the Employment Agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
| ITEM 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits |
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Description |
| 10.1 | Employment Agreement, by and between Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. and Mark Graff, dated April 29, 2026 |
| 99.1 | Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. Press Release dated April 29, 2026 |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC. | |||
| Date: April 30, 2026 | |||
| By: | /s/ Sarah A. Mussetter | ||
| Name: | Sarah A. Mussetter | ||
| Title: | Chief Legal Officer | ||
EXHIBIT 99.1
For
media relations questions:
Hannah Atteberry, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.
media@redrobin.com
For investor relations questions:
Jeff
Priester, ICR
investor@redrobin.com
RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC. APPOINTS MARK GRAFF AS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., April 29, 2026 – Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (NASDAQ: RRGB) today announced that it has appointed Mark Graff as Chief Financial Officer, effective May 4. Graff succeeds Chris Meyer, who joined the company as Interim Chief Financial Officer in December 2025.
“The appointment of Mark Graff represents an important step forward for our organization. With his experience in financial strategy and operational excellence, Mark will play a key role in shaping our future and advancing our strategic priorities,” said Dave Pace, President and CEO of Red Robin. “We look forward to the leadership and perspective he will bring as we continue to execute on our First Choice Plan.”
Pace added, “I also want to extend my sincere thanks to Chris Meyer for stepping out of retirement to serve in an interim capacity and for providing continuity and steady leadership to our finance team and the entire organization as we conducted a thorough search for the right long-term candidate.”
With more than a decade at Bloomin’ Brands, Graff brings deep financial expertise and direct operational leadership to Red Robin. Most recently, he served as President of Bonefish Grill and Fine Dining, where he led a $900M business across more than 220 restaurants. Over the course of his tenure at Bloomin’ Brands, Graff held senior leadership roles across finance, strategy and investor relations, as well as leading global business development, capital planning and merger & acquisition initiatives. Earlier in his career, he worked at Deloitte Consulting and at Raymond James in investment banking. He holds a bachelor’s degree from The Pennsylvania State University.
“I’m honored to join Red Robin and look forward to partnering with the leadership team to maintain a strong focus on the company’s financial foundation, support its strategic priorities and drive sustainable, long-term growth,” said Graff.
About Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (NASDAQ: RRGB)
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (www.redrobin.com), is a casual dining restaurant chain founded in 1969 that operates through its wholly owned subsidiary, Red Robin International, Inc., and under the trade name, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews. We believe nothing brings people together like burgers and fun around our table, and no one makes moments of connection over craveable food more memorable than Red Robin. We serve a variety of burgers and mainstream favorites to Guests of all ages in a casual, playful atmosphere. In addition to our many burger offerings, Red Robin serves a wide array of salads, appetizers, entrees, desserts, signature beverages and Donatos Pizza at select locations. It's easy to enjoy Red Robin anywhere with online ordering available for to-go, delivery and catering. Sign up for the royal treatment by joining Red Robin Royalty® today and enjoy Bottomless perks and delicious rewards across nearly 500 Red Robin locations in the United States and Canada, including those operating under franchise agreements. Red Robin… YUMMM®!
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