Austin-based fast food chain P. Terry’s Burger Stand is moving to employee ownership and creating a profit-sharing program for workers.<\/p>\n
Kathy and Patrick Terry, the husband-wife duo who founded the chain, announced they’re creating an employee ownership trust in a video<\/a> on social media Tuesday. An employee ownership trust holds company shares<\/a> for employees and “ensures that the company prioritizes employee benefit as part of its core purpose,” according to the U.S. Department of Labor. <\/p>\n The move will affect 1,800 workers across 38 locations, according to a press release<\/a> from Common Trust, a company that works with businesses on employee ownership models. <\/p>\n The profit-sharing program is open to employees who have worked at P. Terry’s for at least two years. The company said eligible workers will split 5% of operating income<\/a> starting this year, “with plans to increase that amount to as much as 20% over time.” <\/p>\n “From the very beginning, we have always believed that taking care of people and building a great business are not competing ideas,” Kathy Terry said in the video. “So this transition is the most honest expression of that belief we’ve ever made.”<\/p>\n The Terrys said they don’t have plans to leave the company. “This move is made to preserve the core values of P. Terry’s for future generations,” Kathy said.<\/p>\n P. Terry’s opened its first location in Austin in 2005. The chain is known for its charitable efforts, which have spanned donating profits to help July 2025 flood victims<\/a> to organizing “Giving Back Days”<\/a> in support of nonprofits across Texas.<\/p>\n From day one, we believed taking care of people and building a great business go hand in hand.<\/p>\n Today, we’re making that belief official: P. Terry’s is becoming employee-owned and launching profit sharing for eligible employees.<\/p>\n Here’s to the next generation of P. Terry’s. \u2764\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/yTSbriwPWA<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 P. Terry’s (@pterrys) June 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n