8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  December 13, 2016

RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	001-34851	84-1573084
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

6312 S. Fiddler’s Green Circle, Suite 200N Greenwood Village, Colorado	80111
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (303) 846-6000

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

oWritten communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

oSoliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 1.01.Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

The information set forth under Item 5.02 of this Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.02.Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

(c)    Appointment of Guy Constant as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

On December 13, 2016, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (the “Company”) announced it has hired Guy J. Constant, age 52, to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective as of December 14, 2016 (the “Effective Date”).

Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Constant served as Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President of Finance, and Treasurer of Rent-A-Center, Inc. from June 2014 until December 2016. Mr. Constant served as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Brinker International Inc. from September 2010 to March 2014 and also served as its Principal Accounting Officer. He served as the President of Global Business Development of Brinker International, Inc., from January 2013 to March 2014. He served as Senior Vice President of Finance from May 2008 to September 2010 and Vice President of Strategic Planning and Analysis and Investor Relations from September 2005 to May 2008 and Senior Director of Compensation from November 2004 to September 2005. Prior to Brinker, he spent nine years at AMR Corporation, the parent of American Airlines, in various marketing, finance, and human resources positions of increasing scope and responsibility. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from the University of Manitoba and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario.

Mr. Constant is not and has not been involved in any related party transactions with the Company and does not have any family relationships with any other director, executive officer, or any persons nominated for such positions.

In connection with his appointment as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Constant dated as of December 13, 2016 (the “Employment Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, Mr. Constant will serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company for an indefinite period of time until his employment is terminated in accordance with its terms. The Employment Agreement provides, among other things, for the following:

·an annual base salary of $500,000, subject to adjustment from time to time as determined by the Board’s Compensation Committee;

2

·a sign-on bonus of $200,000, subject to a pro-rated clawback if Mr. Constant’s employment with the Company terminates less than 24 full months after the Effective Date;

·a target annual bonus of 70% of base salary, based on the satisfaction of certain performance targets to be determined by the Compensation Committee, with the target percentage subject to adjustment beginning in fiscal 2018;

·sign-on equity awards consisting of (x) a stock option with a Black-Scholes grant date fair value of $400,000, (y) restricted stock units (“RSUs”) with a grant date fair value of $200,000, and (z) performance stock units (“PSUs”) representing that number of shares of the Company’s common stock (at target) equal to $400,000 divided by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on January 3, 2017 (such PSU grant will be subject to approval of the Company’s new equity incentive plan at the shareholder meeting in fiscal year 2017).  The stock option and RSUs will be granted on January 3, 2017, and each award will vest over four years in substantially equal annual installments on the anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to continued employment through each such vesting date. The PSUs will be granted in the first quarter of 2017 and will cliff-vest at the end of a three-year performance cycle, generally subject to Mr. Constant’s continued employment through the applicable vesting date, with the number of awards to be issued to be determined based on achievement of EBITDA and ROIC threshold, target, or maximum objectives.  Specific EBITDA and ROIC targets will be approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017;

·annual long-term incentive awards as may be approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board from time to time.  Beginning with the 2018 fiscal year, the Company agreed to grant Mr. Constant a long-term incentive award with a target grant date value equal to 150% of his base salary; and

·certain other benefits, including an annual car allowance and the right to participate in all savings, retirement, medical, welfare, and insurance plans and programs to the same extent as other senior executive employees of the Company.

Upon either Mr. Constant’s termination by the Company without cause, or by Mr. Constant for good reason (each term as defined in the Employment Agreement), Mr. Constant will receive, among other things, a severance payment equal to his annual base salary then in effect. This amount would be paid in a lump sum in cash within 60 days after the effective date of such termination. The Employment Agreement contains confidentiality, non-compete, and non-interference covenants from Mr. Constant, including a 12-month covenant not to compete with the Company and its subsidiaries (i) in a burger focused restaurant business in the United States, the Canadian provinces of

3

Alberta and British Columbia, or any other country where the Company conducts business as of the date Mr. Constant’s employment terminates or (ii) with certain casual dining and brew-centric restaurant concepts specified in the Employment Agreement or their successors.

The foregoing summary of the material terms of the Employment Agreement is qualified by reference to the full Employment Agreement, a copy of which is expected to be filed with the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2016.

Item 7.01.Regulation FD

On December 13, 2016, the Company issued a press release announcing the appointment of Mr. Constant as the Company’s new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  A copy of this press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference to this Item 7.01.

The information set forth in this Item 7.01 including the information set forth in Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibits.

99.1        Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. Press Release dated December 13, 2016.

4

SIGNATURES

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: December 13, 2016	By:	/s/ Michael L. Kaplan
	Name:	Michael L. Kaplan
	Title:	Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer

5

EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1        Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. Press Release dated December 13, 2016.

6

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Red Robin Announces Appointment of Guy J. Constant as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Greenwood Village, CO — December 13, 2016 — Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., (NASDAQ: RRGB), today announced the appointment of Guy J. Constant as executive vice president and chief financial officer effective December 14, 2016.  Mr. Constant will be responsible for leading financial disciplines at the Company including accounting and control, financial planning and analysis, operations finance, credit and external reporting.

Mr. Constant brings to Red Robin more than 20 years of leadership in corporate finance, including more than a decade in the restaurant industry.  He has extensive experience in operations and financial management for public companies, including strategy development and execution, treasury, financial planning and analysis, financial reporting, board management and investor relations.

“Guy’s finance experience, strategic mindset and results orientation completes our standout Red Robin leadership team as we continue to improve our performance and set Red Robin up to serve generations of guests to come,” said Denny Marie Post, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.’s chief executive officer.  “Throughout his career, Guy has developed and driven high performance teams. We’re pumped to have him join our organization.”

Prior to joining Red Robin, Mr. Constant served as chief financial officer, executive vice president of Finance and treasurer for Rent-A-Center, Inc. He previously served in various executive roles at Brinker International, Inc. including executive vice president and chief financial officer, president of the Chili’s Global Restaurant Division, senior vice president and vice president of Finance and senior director of Executive Compensation. Before his executive tenure at Brinker, he served in various marketing, finance and human resources roles of increasing scope and responsibility at AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines. Mr. Constant earned his Bachelor of Arts in economics and political science from the University of Manitoba and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario.

“I am very excited to join the Red Robin team,” said Guy Constant.  “During my many years in the industry, I have admired the Red Robin brand and business, which has been built upon a strong culture and talented leadership within both Operations and at the Home Office.  I look forward to helping Denny and her team continue to deliver on the promises we have made to our team members, guests and shareholders through Everyday Value and improved service, built upon the foundation of a returns-focused, disciplined approach to capital allocation.”

About Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (NASDAQ: RRGB)

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (www.redrobin.com), 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, is the Gourmet Burger Authority™, famous for serving more than two dozen craveable, high-quality burgers with Bottomless Steak Fries® in a fun environment welcoming to guests of all ages. At Red Robin, burgers are more than just something guests eat; they’re a bonding experience that brings together friends and families, kids and adults. In addition to its many burger offerings, Red Robin serves a wide variety of salads, soups, appetizers, entrees, desserts and signature beverages. Red Robin offers a variety of options behind the bar, including its extensive selection of local and regional beers, and innovative adult beer shakes and cocktails, earning the restaurant a VIBE Vista Award

for Best Beer Program in a Multi-Unit Chain Restaurant. There are more than 540 Red Robin restaurants across the United States and Canada, including Red Robin Express® locations and those operating under franchise agreements. Red Robin… YUMMM®! Connect with Red Robin on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

For investor relations questions contact:

Dara Dierks, ICR

(203) 682-8200

For media relations questions contact:

Brian Farley, Coyne PR

(973) 588-2000