Eric Gatoff is the CEO of Nathan's Famous, known for its iconic hot dogs and food franchises. He took the top job in January 2007 after serving as corporate counsel since 2003. Gatoff’s background is in law; he has a...

Eric Gatoff is the CEO of Nathan's Famous, known for its iconic hot dogs and food franchises. He took the top job in January 2007 after serving as corporate counsel since 2003. Gatoff’s background is in law; he has a Juris Doctor from Fordham University and a B.B.A. in Finance from George Washington University. His experience includes working as a partner at a law firm focusing on media and entertainment, which gives him a unique perspective in a food business. Under his leadership, the company implemented performance-based bonuses linked to financial goals, which shows he values results. Gatoff has been involved in significant stock trading activities, with his holds dropping from a peak of nearly $6 million to around $5 million recently. This reflects his active role in managing personal and company investments. Eric’s journey has been marked by steady growth and calculated moves in the business world, demonstrating how legal expertise can blend with corporate leadership successfully.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Nathan's Famous CEOs

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Eric Gatoff

CEO of Nathan's Famous

Education

J.D. from Fordham University School of Law

Field of Expertise

Legal & Compliance - Law

Sector of Economy

Consumer Cyclical

Born

July 15, 1965 - 59 years ago

CEO of Nathan's Famous for

18 years 5 months (Jan 2007 - Present)

Previous Experience

Partner at Grubman, Indursky & Schindler, P.C.

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Eric Gatoff

Holdings

See how much did Eric Gatoff make over time.

Eric Gatoff's stock holdings in Nathan's Famous have seen interesting fluctuations. Starting from a high of about $6.02 million in November 2019, his wealth in stock dipped to under $4.0 million in mid-2020 amid market instability. However, it bounced back...

Eric Gatoff's stock holdings in Nathan's Famous have seen interesting fluctuations. Starting from a high of about $6.02 million in November 2019, his wealth in stock dipped to under $4.0 million in mid-2020 amid market instability. However, it bounced back slightly to around $5.54 million in January 2023, illustrating a resilient recovery in the stock's value. Gatoff’s holdings have been consistent with the company’s performance and reflect his commitment to the business. This gives insight into how he manages both his investments and his professional role in the company.

Mar 17, 2025

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shares

NATH @ $93.76

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Eric Gatoff.

NATH

25,000 shares

NATH

Jun 4, 2013

Received

NATH

4,000 shares

NATH

May 23, 2013

Inheritance

Compensation History

See how much did Eric Gatoff make over time.

Eric Gatoff's compensation reflects a blend of salary, performance bonuses, and other benefits. In 2008, he earned a total of $537,531, including a salary of $229,327 and a bonus of $210,000 tied to specific company goals. His total compensation has seen changes over the years, aligning with the company’s performance metrics that include net income and cash flow improvement. This structure emphasizes his role in driving financial success at Nathan's, with awards designed to retain and motivate executives to meet strategic goals. Each year, his earnings are tied closely to how well the company performs, showcasing a focus on aligning executive incentives with shareholder interests.

Year

2008

Total Compensation

$473.64K

Salary

$229.33K

Board Justification

The compensation program is designed to attract and retain qualified executives, motivate performance to achieve specific short and long-term objectives, and align executives' interests with stockholders' long-term interests.

Bonus

$210.00K

Board Justification

The bonus is based on the achievement of performance goals established and agreed to by the Compensation Committee and Mr. Gatoff for each fiscal year during the employment term, with a minimum bonus of 50% of his base salary for the first two years of the agreement.

Other

$34.32K

Board Justification

Includes insurance premiums and automobile allowance.

Restricted Stock

$0.00(0 N/A)

Board Justification

No stock awards vested in 2008.

Performance Metrics

Performance metrics include increasing revenues, profits from continuing operations, pre-tax cash flow, net income, and earnings per share.

Other Nathan's Famous CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Nathan's Famous

Howard M. Lorber

Ex-CEO of Nathan's Famous

January 1993 - December 2006