FAT Brands
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant and sports franchises |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Beverly Hills, California , United States |
Key people | Andrew Wiederhorn (Chairman) |
| Products | Multiple restaurant and sports franchise brands including Fatburger, Johnny Rockets, Round Table Pizza, Hot Dog on a Stick, Great American Cookies, Pretzelmaker, Marble Slab Creamery, Twin Peaks, Smokey Bones |
FAT Brands Inc. is a U.S.-based operator specializing in multiple restaurant and sports franchises, with its main office located in Beverly Hills, California.
History
Originating in 2017 as a holding entity for Fatburger, FAT Brands appointed Ed Rensi as its chairman. The company expanded on August 13, 2020, by purchasing Johnny Rockets for $25 million.
The acquisition of Global Franchise Group occurred in July 2021, broadening FAT’s portfolio to include Round Table Pizza, Hot Dog on a Stick, Great American Cookies, Pretzelmaker, and Marble Slab Creamery. Subsequently, on September 1, 2021, FAT announced it would acquire Twin Peaks for $300 million, with the deal closing on October 1.
In May 2022, FAT Brands took ownership of the franchised Nestlé Toll House Café chain, intending to convert its 86 outlets into Great American Cookies locations. Later, in September 2023, the company acquired Smokey Bones from Sun Capital Partners for $30 million.
In 2024, Chairman and majority shareholder Andrew Wiederhorn faced indictment over alleged misappropriation of $47 million in shareholder loans and tax evasion involving undisclosed income to the IRS. Former CFO Rebecca D. Hershinger was also implicated. In January 2025, FAT Brands revealed plans to diversify into sports franchise ownership and sports apparel by acquiring Columbia Sportswear, Columbia Bank, rights to the Columbus United Football League franchise, West Coast Classics LLC, West Coast Exotic Cars, and HYAK Racing Corp from Zuffa for $2.16 billion. The Board had no knowledge of the "loans," which were written off following a merger with majority-owned Fog Cutter Capital Group in 2020. Investigations by the SEC and U.S. Attorney’s Office had been ongoing since 2021, resulting in Wiederhorn stepping down as CEO in 2023 and a reorganization of the board under his influence. As of November 26, 2025, FAT Brands is evaluating bankruptcy options amid substantial debt concerns.
Brands
As of May 2022, the restaurant chains owned by FAT Brands include: