Andy Wiederhorn Returns to Fat Brands
Sometimes stepping away from a role for a while gives leaders a whole new perspective on their company and its future. Andy Wiederhorn, CEO of Fat Brands, spent more than a year as an outside consultant and strategic advisor to the company. It allowed him an opportunity to focus on long-term strategy and capital allocation.
StreetFight recently caught up with the leader of Fat Brands, which currently has more than 2,300 locations and 18 distinct brands. Andy Wiederhorn’s reflections reveal several important leadership lessons.
What are you looking forward to most in your return as CEO?
“I look forward to continuing our momentum and focusing on our strategic pillars, which include organic expansion, targeted acquisitions, increasing our manufacturing facility’s capacity, and focusing on our balance sheet. Our talented leadership team has been laser-focused on delivering on these pillars, and I am eager to build on our recent successes.”
What positive changes happened during your hiatus? What did you learn?
“We continue to drive organic growth, with over 200 development deals signed this year, and approximately 100 new units set to open by the end of 2025. Additionally, we signed our first third-party contract for our manufacturing facility, which produces cookie dough and dry pretzel mix, to supply Great American Cookies’ products to Chuck E. Cheese locations nationwide. We see a significant opportunity to scale our output at the facility, which is currently operating at 40%.”
What’s on the agenda for the months ahead? How will AI and robotics impact the business?
“Guest value continues to be paramount in today’s economic environment. And when I say value, this goes beyond price. Our brand ambassador program, which encourages restaurants to engage with their communities, combined with guest experience initiatives tailored to resonate with frontline employees, is helping our teams feel more empowered and motivated—ultimately driving stronger guest satisfaction and repeat visits.
Regarding the use of AI, we are leaning into this technology where we see fit. For example, we are testing AI at a select number of Fazolis’ locations to enhance the customer ordering processing in a way that maintains the human connection our fans love about the brand.”
Andy Wiederhorn is not alone in seeing the value of a “CEO Sabbatical.” Rolling Stone recently published an article about the value of leaders stepping away from their businesses for a while.
Among some of the major 2025 moves within FAT Brands are:
- U.S. location expansion, led by Fatburger, Johnny Rockets, Fazoli’s, Round Table Pizza, and Twin Peaks.
- International reach into markets including Asia and Latin America.
- Digital sales for brands like Great American Cookies prove that we are indeed living in a phygital restaurant world.
- Manufacturing expansion for Great American Cookie and Pretzelmaker.
- Close connections to franchisees through marketing programs that encourage empowerment and success. We heard more about these at Street Fight LIVE 2025.
- Continued growth of the Fat Brands Foundation, a program designed to give back to the communities the company serves.
There’s something refreshing about a CEO who doesn’t return to “disrupt,” but instead returns to refine, empower, and scale what works. The “CEO sabbatical” might just be the new strategic reset.
