Board of Directors

James Neuhauser, Executive Chairman

James Neuhauser has served as Executive Chairman since July 2022. Mr. Neuhauser has served as a member of our board since October 2017. Mr. Neuhauser was formerly a Senior Managing Director in the Private Capital Markets Group of Stifel Nicolas & Company. Before that, he worked for FBR & Co., where he was an early member of the firm, spending 25 years in various roles including Chief Investment Officer, Head of Investment Banking, and Head of the Real Estate and Financial Services groups in Investment Banking through October 2016. He also served as Head of FBR’s Commitment Committee and was a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Prior to joining FBR, Mr. Neuhauser was a Senior Vice President of Trident Financial Corporation for seven years, where he specialized in managing stock offerings for mutual to stock conversions of thrift institutions. Before joining Trident, he worked in commercial banking with the Bank of New England. Mr. Neuhauser is a CFA charter holder and a member of the Society of Financial Analysts. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan. Mr. Neuhauser was selected to our Board of Directors because he brings substantial expertise in financial and strategic planning, investment banking complex financial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and leadership of complex organizations.

Edward H. Rensi, Vice Chairman

Edward H. Rensi has served on our board since its formation and became Vice Chairman in July 2022. Previously, he served as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Rensi is the retired president and chief executive officer of McDonald’s USA. Prior to his retirement in 1997, Mr. Rensi devoted his entire professional career to McDonald’s, joining the company in 1966 as a grill man and part-time manager trainee in Columbus, Ohio. He was promoted to restaurant manager within a year and went on to hold nearly every position in the restaurant and field offices, including franchise service positions in Columbus, Ohio, and Washington, D.C. In 1972, he was named Philadelphia district manager, and later became regional manager and regional vice president. In 1978, he transferred from the field to the company’s home office in Oak Brook, Illinois, as vice president of Operations and Training, where he was responsible for personnel and product development. In 1980, he became executive vice president and chief operations officer and was appointed senior executive vice president in 1982. Mr. Rensi was promoted to president and chief operating office of McDonald’s USA in 1984. In 1991, he was named chief executive officer. As president and chief executive officer, his responsibilities included overseeing all domestic company-owned and franchisee operations, in addition to providing direction relative to sales, profits, operations and service standards, customer satisfaction, product development, personnel, and training. Since his retirement, Mr. Rensi has held consulting positions. From January 2014 to July 2015, Mr. Rensi served as director and interim CEO of Famous Dave’s of America, Inc. Mr. Rensi received his B.S. in Business Education from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Rensi was selected to our Board of Directors because of his long career in hospitality, and because he possesses particular knowledge and experience in strategic planning and leadership of complex organizations and hospitality businesses.

Andrew A. Wiederhorn, Director

Andrew A. Wiederhorn has served as a director and President and Chief Executive Officer of FAT Brands Inc. since its formation. Mr. Wiederhorn has served as the Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer of Fatburger North America, Inc. since 2006 and Buffalo’s Franchise Concepts, Inc. since 2011. He also served as the Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer of Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc. since its formation in 1997. Mr. Wiederhorn previously founded and served as the Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer of Wilshire Financial Services Group Inc. and Wilshire Credit Corporation. He also previously served on the board of directors of Fabricated Metals, Inc., The Boy Scouts of America Cascade Pacific Council, The Boys and Girls Aid Society of Oregon, University of Southern California Associates, Citizens Crime Commission of Oregon, and Economic Development Council for the City of Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Wiederhorn was featured as the Fatburger CEO on the CBS television program Undercover Boss in 2013.

Kenneth J. Anderson, Director

Kenneth J. Anderson has served a member of our board since October 2021. Mr. Anderson has more than 35 years of experience in advising families, corporate executives and business owners, providing financial strategies related to taxes, estate planning, investments, insurance and philanthropy. Mr. Anderson currently serves as the CEO of the investment firm, Cedar Tree Capital, where he provides strategic planning to high-net-worth family groups with a focus on public equities and alternative investments. Prior to Cedar Tree Capital, Mr. Anderson served as a Director at leading independent wealth management firm, Aspiriant, where he also was a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Anderson was one of the co-founders of Quintile Wealth Management and myCFO, an integrated wealth management firm established in 2002 in Los Angeles, which merged with Kochis Fitz in 2008 to become Aspirant. Prior to Quintile, Ken was a Tax Partner at Arthur Andersen LLP for 20 years. In addition to his decades of professional experience, Mr. Anderson is a certified public accountant and licensed attorney.

Amy V. Forrestal , Director

Amy V. Forrestal has served a member of our board since October 2021. Ms. Forrestal is a seasoned executive and investment banker for companies in the restaurant and franchising industries. Ms. Forrestal serves as Managing Director of Brookwood Associates, an investment banking firm based in Atlanta, GA. Ms. Forrestal established Brookwood’s Restaurant and Hospitality Group, and spearheaded noteworthy deals for brands such as Beef O’ Brady’s, Fuddruckers, Rita’s Italian Ice, Quiznos, Zoes Kitchen and The Habit Burger Grill. Prior to joining Brookwood, Ms. Forrestal was a Managing Director in Banc of America Securities’ Mergers and Acquisitions group. Over her 15 years at Banc of America Securities and its predecessor organizations, including NationsBanc Montgomery Securities, Ms. Forrestal advised senior management teams, boards of directors and business owners in a variety of strategic and financial transactions, including acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, exclusive sales, divestitures, ESOPs, public equity and debt offerings and private equity and debt placements.

Lynne L. Collier, Director

Lynne L. Collier has served as a member of our board since July 2022. Ms. Collier is an independent director and brings nearly 30 years of experience in public capital markets, with a focus on the restaurant industry. Most recently, Ms. Collier served as a Managing Director in the Investor Relations Division at ICR Inc. Prior to that, Ms. Collier had a 25-year career in equity research as a sell-side Consumer Analyst including for Loop Capital and Canaccord Genuity. Ms. Collier was selected to our Board of Directors because she brings extensive experience in both the financial and restaurant sectors.