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About us

Giving Back to The Communities in Which We Operate

Founded in 2022, the FAT Brands Foundation was created to uplift and unite the communities in which FAT Brands operates. While the company’s 17-brand portfolio is deeply rooted in charitable initiatives both locally and nationally, FAT Brands, as an organization, is seeking to magnify those efforts further. The 501(c)(3) organization is aimed at partnering with local non-profit organizations to provide essential programs to help families and communities thrive.

FAT Brands Foundation is recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations submitted via this website are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by applicable law and are processed in U.S. dollars.

Women put their hands together in breast cancer awareness campaign meeting
Our Mission
We partner with local nonprofit organizations to provide essential programs to help families and communities thrive.
Our Vision
Changing lives by supporting local causes that uplift and unite FAT Brands' communities.
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Contact Us

Meet the board

Jessica Wiederhorn

Jessica Wiederhorn

Founding Board Member, President

Ms. Wiederhorn has over twenty years of sales experience in B2C, B2G, and B2B space working for startups, Fortune 500 companies, and everything in between. Currently, she is responsible for Non-Traditional Sales & Partnerships at FAT Brands Inc. Her prior roles include Business Development with American Express, FedEx and DHL.

In addition to the FAT Brands Foundation, she is currently the Co-Founder of Society of Saleswomen, a non-profit organization dedicated to women in sales and business. Her past philanthropic involvement includes: The Fulfillment Fund as a Mentor and a Council Member, USC Graduate Women in Business Mentor, Advisory Board Chairman and Province Director for Kappa Kappa Gamma, and she served as a Board Member for New Image Emergency Shelter.

Jessica holds a Bachelor in Business Administration from Foster School of Business, University of Washington, and an MBA from USC Marshall School of Business.

Jenn Johnston

Jenn Johnston Founding Board Member

Founding Board Member, Director

Ms. Johnston serves as President, Quick-Service Restaurant Division at FAT Brands Inc. and is responsible for managing multiple strategic brand teams that oversee marketing, operations, research and development, training, communications, and customer service activities for Great American Cookies®, Marble Slab Creamery®, Pretzelmaker®, Hot Dog on a Stick® and Round Table Pizza®. She is responsible for helping grow the Quick-Service brands into category standouts through her leadership, consumer-driven strategic insight, and franchisee-first mentality.

Ms. Johnston has served as Chair, Maryland Board of Trustees and Chair, Executive Leadership Committee for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, championing a national retail program campaign that raised over $3 million for the charity, receiving IFA’s Enduring Value Award for Fundraising Impact, and creating a personal fundraising impact of over $500K to the Maryland local chapter. She has also served as Board President, Maryland Chapter for the Chron’s & Colitis Foundation, serving as a key mentor for the chapter’s Executive Director and helping to establish new corporate sponsorships resulting in a 55% increase in chapter fundraising revenues.

She holds a Bachelor’s in English & Communications from Boston College and an MBA in Finance & Entrepreneurship from Georgetown University, where she was awarded the Phillips Entrepreneurship Prize.

Tuanya Reid

Tuanya+Reid+headshot

Founding Board Member, Treasurer

Ms. Reid started working at the Fatburger corporate office over 20 years ago as the Accounting Manager. Since then, she has held various accounting positions within FAT Brands Inc. Currently, she serves as the Treasury Manager and is responsible for the day-to-day management of cash, cash reporting, bank liaison over treasury services, and various other treasury responsibilities.

She has provided accounting support to nonprofits and has previously participated in a mentorship program for middle school students. She is currently an active volunteer at her church.

She received her B.S. degree in Business Administration, with an accounting emphasis, from the University of Southern California. She received her Master of Accountancy degree from the University of Scranton.

Gina Soto

FAt+Gina+Head+Shot

Founding Board Member, Secretary

Ms. Soto is a HR Manager at FAT Brands Inc., where she has served in this capacity for the last ten years.

She is heavily involved in her local community, where she is a “Team Mom” for her son’s little league and an active member of her local church and the school where her children attend.

She is responsible for developing and implementing HR strategies and initiatives that align with the overall business strategy and employee relations.

She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Westwood College-Los Angeles.

Erin Mandzik

Erin Mandzik

Founding Board Member, Director

Ms. Mandzik serves as Senior Director of Corporate Communications at FAT Brands Inc. She has served as the communication lead for the brand throughout its evolution from Fatburger to its current state of 17-concepts around the world.

Throughout her public relations career, she has been involved in leveraging non-profit partnerships for leading consumer product goods and restaurant brands. In addition, she spearheaded an all-encompassing campaign to fuel donations and drive awareness of the cutting-edge research supported by the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation.

She holds a Bachelor’s in Marketing and Finance from Syracuse University.

Mark Avery

mavery@fatbrands.com-2square

Director

Mr. Avery has served as Global Head of Partnerships and Supply Chain at FAT Brands Inc for the last five years. Most recently, he was appointed to also serve as Senior Vice President of D.E.I. to spearhead the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion efforts. Prior to joining FAT Brands, Mr. Avery held strategic roles at the likes of McDonald’s, Applebee’s, P.F. Chang’s, Burger King, and Yum! Brands, to name a few.

Mr. Avery is committed to making an impact in his local community. Previously, he founded a local California non-profit focused on building life and work skills in individuals recovering from addiction and mental illness.

He holds a Bachelor’s in Finance from Babson College.

Tisha Bartlett

Tisha-Headshot-2

Director

Ms. Bartlett serves as Vice President of Marketing for Fazoli’s,® leading all facets of marketing and customer experience while driving vision, value, and growth. She brings over 20 years of experience in corporate and franchise marketing for multi-unit systems.An active member of the community, Ms. Bartlett has served across various non-profit organizations, including Feed the Children, American Heart Association, Team Under Pressure, and the Palm Harbor High School Boosters.She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Murray State University.

Tax Exempt Status

FAT Brands Foundation is recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations submitted via this website are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by applicable law and are processed in U.S. dollars.