Key Takeaways
- Walt has held the role of president and CEO of Waffle House since 2012.
- He began his career at Allen-Bradley before joining Waffle House.
- Outside of Waffle House, he held leadership roles, including Independent Director at Aaron’s LLC and The Aaron’s Co., Inc.
Walt Ehmer, an American businessman best known for his role as president and CEO of Waffle House since 2012, had an estimated net worth of around $500K at the time of his demise in September 2024.
His financial success comes from his extensive career at Waffle House and his well-placed investments in Aaron’s Inc. and Aaron’s Company, Inc.
He started his career at Allen-Bradley from June 1989 to July 1992 before joining Waffle House Inc. in 1992 as a senior buyer.
His career progression included roles as vice president of purchasing from 1996 to 1998, vice president of finance from 1998 to 2001, and then Chief Financial Officer from 2001 to 2006.
Appointed President and COO from 2006 to 2012, he became President and CEO from 2012 to 2022. He was Chairman and CEO from 2022 to 2023 and continued as Chairman until September 2024.
Waffle House executives earn an average of $231,266 annually, with the median total compensation, including base salary and bonuses, being $238,993, or $114 per hour.
The highest-paid executive makes $700,000 per year, while the lowest makes $50,000.
In addition to his significant contributions to Waffle House, Ehmer held various leadership positions outside the company.
He was an Independent Director at Aaron’s LLC and The Aaron’s Co., Inc., and served as a Director at the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Police Foundation.
Previously, he served as Chairman of The Georgia Tech Alumni Association and as Director for the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation.
According to the site Benzinga, Walter was most active in acquiring shares in 2018, completing two transactions, with April being his busiest month.
In 2022, he made his largest single-year purchase, spending $134,998.24 for 6,332 shares.
His total compensation as an Independent Director at The Aaron’s Co. Inc. in 2022 was $252,500, consisting of $117,500 in cash and $135,000 in equity.
By 2024, he owns 14,725 units of Common Stock in Aaron’s Inc. and 46,974 units in Aaron’s Company, Inc., with a combined value of $469,740.00 and an acquisition cost of $529,975.60 from 2020 to 2024.
As of August 4, 2024, he owned 29,188 shares of Aaron’s Company Inc., which were valued at $294,507 on August 30, 2024. This stake represented 0.09% of the company’s total shares.
In the past 15 years, insiders at Aaron’s Inc. have traded stock worth over $73,334,307 and bought 234,375 units totaling $4,211,689.
His stock investments and holdings highlight his significant participation and financial commitment to the companies he was associated with.
Remembering Walt Ehmer: A Remarkable Life And Legacy
Walt Ehmer, the CEO of Waffle House, d*ed at age 58 on September 8, 2024.
According to a Sunday afternoon statement from Waffle House’s board of directors, Ehmer passed away after a long-term illness from pancreatic cancer.
The statement read:
He will be greatly missed by his entire Waffle House family. We will share more details in the coming days, including highlights of Walt’s 30+ year career at Waffle House. For now, we know all of you join us in extending our deepest condolences to Walt’s family. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens remarked:
His leadership, dedication and warmth touched the lives of many, both within the Waffle House family and beyond. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy.
His d*ath has left a void in the restaurant sector. His leadership and dedication to the Waffle House brand forged a remarkable legacy.
He is remembered for his steadfast commitment to service excellence and community engagement.
Walt Ehmer is survived by his three kids.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Joe Rogers Sr. and Tom Forkner founded Waffle House in 1955 in Avondale Estates, Georgia.
- In 1989, Walt graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
- From 2016 to 2020, he held the role of Independent Director at PROG Holdings, Inc.
