Executives Are Taking Stock in Diedrich

$100,000: The annual salary that former Taco Bell Chairman John Martin will make as the chairman of Irvine-based Diedrich Coffee Co., according to the company’s new proxy statement. While that might seem like a pittance for someone of Martin’s stature, the bulk of his compensation is tied to the performance of the company’s stock. There’s the $1 million he invested to buy 333,333 restricted shares at $3 each--the market price--on Nov. 17.

Based on Tuesday’s close of $5.25, Martin is already up $750,000, or 75%, on paper. In addition, he has options to purchase up to 850,000 Diedrich shares, more than half of them at $4. Although he hasn’t exercised them yet, Martin is already ahead $562,500 on paper. All told, Martin controls 19% of Diedrich, making him the company’s second-largest shareholder.

$200,000: Annual salary that former Taco Bell marketing guru Tim Ryan will make as chief executive of Diedrich. Ryan’s compensation package is similar to Martin’s. Ryan invested $50,000 to buy 16,667 restricted shares at $3 apiece, putting him up $37,500 on paper. He also got options to buy 600,000 shares, 50,000 at $3.50 each. Although he hasn’t exercised them yet, he’s already $87,500 ahead on paper. He also gets a $600 monthly car allowance.

$163,000: Size of the goodbye checks to former Diedrich President Steven A. Lupinacci, who resigned March 12. Lupinacci got $75,000 this year, and will receive $88,000 next year. His three-year contract called for him to make $125,000 a year.