Examining Compensation Dynamics at Good Times Restaurants Inc

Good Times Restaurants Inc. (NASDAQ: GTIM), renowned for its brands like Bad Daddy's Burger Bar and Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard, is a notable player in the retail-eating places industry. With a recently announced fiscal performance review slated for February 6, 2025, the company's financial strategies, including executive compensation, remain of interest to stakeholders and industry observers alike.[^1]


Compensation for executives at Good Times has reflected not only broader industry trends but also the company's internal priorities and strategic imperatives. Focusing on Don Stack, the Senior Vice President of Operations for Good Times Burger and Frozen Custard, the historical compensation data reveals significant shifts over the past few years.

In 2024, Don Stack's total compensation reached $326,998. This figure signified a 6.3% increase from the previous year, where he earned $307,547. Notably, in 2024, Stack's compensation package included a salary of $243,539, supplemented by stock and option awards worth $30,240 and $28,496, respectively. The absence of a direct bonus component was counterbalanced by diversified compensation types such as stock and options in 2024, underscoring the company's evolving approach to aligning executive pay with long-term performance incentives and company growth.[^2]

In contrast, Stack's 2023 compensation mainly revolved around a base salary of $230,000 and a substantial bonus of $35,000, with total earnings significantly backed by an "all other compensation" tally of $42,547. The year prior, in 2022, saw a markedly lower total compensation of $201,689, pointing to a strategic recalibration as the company emerged from pandemic-induced disruptions.[^3]

Historically, Good Times has demonstrated adaptability in its executive compensation strategies, as evidenced by Scott G. LeFever's earnings in 2021 and Susan M. Knutson's in 2019. Notably, LeFever received a substantial bonus of $65,000, making up a critical portion of his $246,236 total compensation.[^4] This pattern of utilizing bonuses as a compensational focal point is consistent, albeit with fluctuations in the structuring of incentives, as seen in the past figures of Knutson, who earned $185,238 in total compensation with a mix of base salary and stock awards.

Currently, GTIM trades at $2.54, reflecting a slight positive change of 2.008% from its previous close. With a market capitalization of $27,071,320, expectations are high for the upcoming earnings report and further financial disclosures from the leadership team, which may include adjustments in executive compensation strategies in response to market conditions and company performance.[^5]

As Good Times continues its trajectory in the dynamic food service sector, understanding the implications of compensation strategies remains crucial for analysts and investors seeking insights into company priorities and future directions.

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1. Good Times Restaurants to Release Fiscal 2025 First Quarter Financial Results on February 6, 2025. Retrieved from [Business Wire](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250130207368/en/Good-Times-Restaurants-to-Release-Fiscal-2025-First-Quarter-Financial-Results-on-February-6-2025/).
2. Compensation data for 2024 – Good Times Restaurants Inc. Retrieved from [U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/825324/000121465925000207/0001214659-25-000207-index.htm).
3. Compensation data for 2023 and 2022 – Good Times Restaurants Inc. [SEC Filings for 2023](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/825324/000143774924001240/0001437749-24-001240-index.htm), [SEC Filings for 2022](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/825324/000121465923000579/0001214659-23-000579-index.htm).
4. Compensation data for 2021 and 2019 – Good Times Restaurants Inc. [SEC Filings for 2021](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/825324/000121465921013282/0001214659-21-013282-index.htm), [SEC Filings for 2019](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/825324/000121465920010528/0001214659-20-010528-index.htm).
5. Snapshot of current stock price for Good Times Restaurants Inc. Retrieved from market data sources.