The Habit Restaurants, Inc.

17320 Red Hill Avenue

Suite 140

Irvine, CA 92614

NOTICE OF 2018 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

April 24, 2018

Dear Stockholders:

The 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of The Habit Restaurants, Inc. (the “Company”, “we” or “Habit”) will be held on June 20, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. local time, at 17370 Red Hill Ave., Irvine, CA 92614, for the following purposes:

The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice.

April 23, 2018 has been fixed as the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof. Only stockholders of record as of the close of business at the record date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. A list of stockholders as of the record date will be available for stockholder inspection at the headquarters of the Company, 17320 Red Hill Avenue, Suite 140, Irvine, CA 92614, during ordinary business hours, from May 10, 2018 to the date of the Annual Meeting. The list also will be available for inspection at the Annual Meeting.

Important!

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, your vote is very important.

After reading the Proxy Statement, you are encouraged to vote by (1) toll-free telephone call, (2) the Internet or (3) completing, signing and dating the printable proxy card and returning it as soon as possible. If you are voting by telephone or the Internet, please follow the instructions on the proxy card. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted by following the instructions provided below.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholders Meeting To Be Held on June 20, 2018. The proxy materials and the annual report to stockholders are available at http://www.astproxyportal.com/ast/19786.

If you need assistance voting your shares, please call Investor Relations at (949) 943-8692 or send an email to HabitIR@habitburger.com.

You may attend the Annual Meeting and vote your shares in person, even if you previously voted by the Internet, by telephone or returned your proxy card. Your proxy (including a proxy granted by the Internet or by

telephone) may be revoked by sending in another signed proxy card with a later date, sending a letter revoking your proxy to the Company’s Secretary in Irvine, California, voting again by Internet or telephone, or attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. If you are a registered shareholder (meaning you hold your shares in your name), you must present valid identification to attend the meeting. If you are a beneficial shareholder (meaning your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank or other holder of record), you must present valid identification and you will also need to present proof of ownership to attend the meeting.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of the two nominees for directors, and a vote FOR ratification of the selection of Moss Adams as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

Each outstanding share of the Company’s Class A common stock and Class B common stock (collectively, the “common stock”) (NASDAQ: HABT) entitles the holder of record at the close of business on April 23, 2018 to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting.

At the Annual Meeting, you will have an opportunity to ask questions about the Company and its operations. You may attend the Annual Meeting in person even if you vote by telephone or the Internet or return your proxy card. Your proxy (including a proxy granted by telephone or the Internet) may be revoked by sending in another signed proxy card with a later date, sending a letter revoking your proxy to the Company’s Secretary in Irvine, CA, voting again by telephone or Internet, or attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

We look forward to seeing you. Thank you for your ongoing support of and interest in The Habit Restaurants, Inc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Habit Restaurants, Inc.

17320 Red Hill Avenue

Suite 140

Irvine, CA 92614

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

This Proxy Statement summarizes the information regarding the matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting. You do not need to attend the Annual Meeting, however, to vote your shares. You may simply vote your shares by telephone or over the Internet in accordance with the instructions contained on the proxy card or print, complete, sign, and return the proxy card.

On April 23, 2018 there were an aggregate of 26,048,388 shares of Class A and Class B common stock of the Company outstanding. If you owned shares of our common stock at the close of business on the record date, you are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock you owned as of that date. We made this Proxy Statement available on or about April 24, 2018 to all stockholders entitled to vote their shares of common stock at the Annual Meeting.

If any other matter is presented, your proxy will vote in accordance with his or her best judgment. At the time we printed this Proxy Statement, we knew of no matters that needed to be acted on at the Annual Meeting other than those discussed in this Proxy Statement.

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DISCUSSION OF PROPOSALS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD

PROPOSAL ONE—Election of Directors

In accordance with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, the Board is divided into three classes of approximately equal size. The members of each class are elected to serve a three-year term with the term of office of each class ending in successive years. Ira Fils and Christopher Reilly are the Class I directors whose terms expire at the Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of stockholders. Each of Messrs. Fils and Reilly has been nominated for and has agreed to stand for re-election to the Board to serve as a Class I director of the Company for three years and until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.

The two nominees for director with the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected as directors. It is intended that, unless you give contrary instructions, shares represented by proxies will be voted for the election of the two nominees named herein as director nominees. Habit has no reason to believe that any of these nominees will be unable to serve. In the event that any of the nominees are unavailable to serve, proxies may be voted for another person nominated as a substitute by the Board, or the Board may reduce the number of directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting. Information relating to each nominee named herein as a nominee for election as a director and for each continuing director, including his or her period of service as a director of Habit, principal occupation and other biographical material is provided later in this proxy statement.

Our certificate of incorporation states that our Board shall consist of not fewer than three and not more than fifteen members, and the precise number of directors shall be fixed by a resolution of our Board. Each director holds office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Our certificate of incorporation provides that our directors may be removed only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote on the election of directors, voting together as a single class, at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose. Any vacancy in the Board, including a vacancy that results from an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by a vote of the majority of the directors then in office.

Our certificate of incorporation provides that our Board is divided into three classes of directors, with the classes as nearly equal in number as possible. Each of our directors identified herein serves in the class indicated. Subject to any earlier resignation or removal in accordance with the terms of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, our Class I directors, once elected, will serve until the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders; our Class II directors will serve until the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders; and our Class III directors will serve until the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders. Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be apportioned by our Board among the three classes.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR EACH OF THESE NOMINEES FOR CLASS I DIRECTOR, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR THEREOF UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY CARD.

(PROPOSAL ONE ON YOUR PROXY CARD)

We seek individuals to serve as directors with established strong professional reputations, sophistication and experience in strategic planning, leadership, business management, innovation and in substantive areas that affect our business such as: restaurant development; sourcing; financing; finance and accounting; business operations; government contracts; legal and regulatory; and sales and marketing. We believe that each of our current directors possesses the professional and personal qualifications necessary for board service and have highlighted particularly noteworthy attributes for each director in the individual biographies below.

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Set forth below are the name, position held and age of each of the nominees for director of the Company. The principal occupation and recent employment history of each nominee is described below.

Ira Fils was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of The Habit Restaurants, LLC in August 2008 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of The Habit Restaurants, Inc. in August 2014. He has served as a director of The Habit Restaurants, Inc. since August 2014. Previously, Mr. Fils served as Chief Financial Officer of Mimi’s Café from 2005 to 2008, after joining the Company as Vice President of Finance in 2003. From 1998 to 2003, he served in various financial capacities with increasing responsibility which led to him becoming Chief Financial Officer at Rubio’s Restaurants, Inc. He currently sits on the board of directors of California Fish Grill. He holds an undergraduate degree in economics and an MBA from the University of California, Irvine. Because of his experience in the restaurant industry and his financial knowledge, we believe Mr. Fils is qualified to serve on our Board.

Christopher Reilly has served as a director of The Habit Restaurants, LLC since July 2007, and as a director of The Habit Restaurants, Inc. since July 2014. He is a founding partner of KarpReilly, LLC. Prior to KarpReilly, Mr. Reilly was a partner at Apax Partners, L.P. Prior to Apax Partners, Mr. Reilly was a Partner at Saunders, Karp & Megrue, LLC. Mr. Reilly currently serves on the boards of directors of a number of privately held companies. He is also a Vice-Chairman of the board of trustees of Providence College. Mr. Reilly holds a B.S. from Providence College and an M.B.A. from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business. Because of Mr. Reilly’s substantial experience with portfolio companies and his private equity, financial and investment banking experience, we believe he is qualified to serve on our Board.

Current Directors Not Standing for Election at the Annual Meeting

Set forth below are the name, position held and age of each of the remaining individuals who currently serve as directors on our Board. The principal occupation and recent employment history of each individual is described below.

Russell W. Bendel was appointed Chief Executive Officer and President of The Habit Restaurants, LLC in June 2008 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer and President of The Habit Restaurants, Inc. in August 2014. He has served as a director of The Habit Restaurants, LLC since August 2008, and has served as a director of The Habit Restaurants, Inc. since August 2014. Previously, Mr. Bendel was President and Chief Operating Officer of The Cheesecake Factory. Beginning in June 2001, Mr. Bendel worked at Mimi’s Café as Chief Executive Officer and President. He currently serves as Director Emeritus of the California Restaurant Association, and on the board of advisors for the Collins School of Hospitality Management at California State Polytechnic University. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration from Florida International University. Because of his extensive experience in leadership positions in the restaurant industry, including at the Company, we believe Mr. Bendel is qualified to serve on our Board.

Allan Karp has served as a director of The Habit Restaurants, LLC since July 2007, and as a director of The Habit Restaurants, Inc. since August 2014. He is a founding partner of KarpReilly, LLC. Prior to KarpReilly, Mr. Karp was the Co-Chief Executive Officer at Apax Partners, L.P. Prior to Apax Partners, Mr. Karp was a

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Co-Founder of Saunders, Karp & Megrue, LLC. Mr. Karp currently serves on the boards of directors of a number of privately held companies. Mr. Karp holds a B.S. in Chemistry from University of California-Santa Cruz, and a M.S. in Management from M.I.T. Sloan School of Business. Because of Mr. Karp’s extensive experience with portfolio companies and his private equity, financial and investment banking experience, we believe he is qualified to serve on our Board.

Ira Zecher has served as a director of The Habit Restaurants, Inc. since August 2014. Mr. Zecher is a managing member of ILZ, LLC, and is a director, audit committee chairman and compensation committee member of the board of Chuy’s Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHUY). He previously served as a director, audit committee chairman and compensation committee member of the board of Norcraft Companies, Inc. from October 2013 to May 2015. Prior to joining The Habit, Mr. Zecher was with Ernst & Young LLP, a registered public accounting firm, for over 36 years until his retirement as a partner in 2010. Mr. Zecher gained extensive experience in audits and transactions at Ernst & Young LLP, where he served as a partner in the Audit and Transaction Advisory Services groups in New York and as the director of the Far East Area Private Equity practice, based in Hong Kong. Mr. Zecher is a CPA and holds a B.A. in accounting from Queens College of the City University of New York. He also completed the Executive Program of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. From 2010 to 2013, he taught in the Graduate Accounting program at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Because of Mr. Zecher’s broad accounting and financial experience, we believe he is qualified to serve on our Board.

A. William Allen III has served as a director of The Habit Restaurants, Inc. since October 2014. Mr. Allen served as the CEO of OSI Restaurant partners (Bloomin’ Brands, Inc.) for five years until November 2009. He served as Chairman of the Bloomin’ Brands board of directors from November 2009 through December 2011. Since December 2011, Mr. Allen has acted as an investor, advisor and/or board member to a variety of established and early-stage growth companies, including Fleming’s, Il Fornaio/Corner Bakery, Hopdoddy Burger Bar, Uncle Julio’s and Paul Martin’s American Grill. Prior to Bloomin’ Brands, Mr. Allen was Co-Founder of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. Because of his extensive experience in the restaurant industry, we believe Mr. Allen is qualified to serve on our Board.

Joseph J. Kadow has served on our Board since September 2015. Mr. Kadow has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer of Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLMN) since 2005, and joined Bloomin’ Brands in 1994 as Vice President and General Counsel. Bloomin’ Brands is the operator of Outback Steakhouse, Carabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar. Prior to that, he served as a partner in the Orlando, Florida office of the national law firm, Baker Hostetler LLP. Mr. Kadow is a past Chairman of the board of directors of the National Restaurant Association. Mr. Kadow received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Scranton and his J.D. from the Dickinson School of Law at Pennsylvania State University. Because of his extensive restaurant industry experience, we believe Mr. Kadow is qualified to serve on our Board.

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Corporate Governance Highlights

We believe that excellence in corporate governance is key to a strong and accountable Board. Therefore, we have adopted practices that we believe will promote the long-term interests of us and our stockholders, including the below examples.

Director Independence

Under the applicable listing requirements and rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, or NASDAQ, independent directors must compose a majority of our Board, subject to certain specified exceptions. In addition, applicable NASDAQ rules require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of our Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees must be independent within the meaning of applicable NASDAQ rules. Audit Committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).

The Board has reviewed the independence of our directors under the corporate governance standards of NASDAQ. Based on this review, the Board determined that each of Messrs. Karp, Reilly, Zecher, Kadow and Allen is independent within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of NASDAQ. In making this determination, our Board considered the relationships that each of these non-employee directors has with us and all other facts and circumstances our Board deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock held by each non-employee director. As required under applicable NASDAQ rules, we anticipate that our independent directors will meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions at which only independent directors are present.

Board Meetings and Attendance

The Board held five meetings during the fiscal year ended December 26, 2017. Overall attendance at Board and Committee meetings was 100% either in person or telephonically.

Board of Directors Leadership Structure

It is our current policy that our Chief Executive Officer shall serve as chairman of the Board. The independent members of the Board have periodically reviewed the Board’s leadership structure and have determined that Habit and our stockholders are well served with this structure.

The Board of Directors’ Role in Risk Oversight

The Board plays an important role in risk oversight at Habit through direct decision-making authority with respect to significant matters, as well as through the oversight of management by the Board and its

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committees. In particular, the Board administers its risk oversight function through (1) the review and discussion of regular periodic reports by the Board and its committees on topics relating to the risks that Habit faces, (2) the required approval by the Board (or a committee of the Board) of significant transactions and other decisions, (3) the direct oversight of specific areas of Habit’s business by the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees, and (4) regular periodic reports from the auditors and other outside consultants regarding various areas of potential risk, including, among others, those relating to our internal control over financial reporting. The Board also relies on management to bring significant matters impacting Habit to the attention of the Board.

Pursuant to the Audit Committee’s charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and discussing with management and Habit’s independent registered public accounting firm, Habit’s system of internal control, its critical accounting practices, and policies relating to risk assessment and management. As part of this process, the Audit Committee discusses Habit’s major financial risk exposures and steps that management has taken to monitor and control such exposure. In addition, the Audit Committee has established procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submissions by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or accounting matters.

Because of the role of the Board and the Audit Committee in risk oversight, the Board believes that any leadership structure that it adopts must allow it to effectively oversee the management of the risks relating to Habit’s operations. The Board acknowledges that there are different leadership structures that could allow it to effectively oversee the management of the risks relating to the Company’s operations and believes its current leadership structure enables it to effectively provide oversight with respect to such risks.

Board Committees

The Board has a standing Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each committee operates pursuant to a written charter and each reviews and assesses the adequacy of its charter periodically and submits its charter to the Board for approval. The charter for each committee is available on our website (www.habitburger.com) under “Investor Relations” at “Governance.”

The following table describes which directors serve on each of the Board committees.

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Audit Committee

Our Audit Committee consists of Ira Zecher, A. William Allen III and Joseph J. Kadow. Mr. Zecher is both an independent director and an “Audit Committee financial expert” within the meaning of Item 407 of Regulation S-K, and serves as Chair of the Audit Committee. A. William Allen III and Joseph J. Kadow are both independent directors. Each of our Audit Committee members satisfies the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. A copy of our Audit Committee charter is available on our website. The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include:

Our Audit Committee held four meetings during the fiscal year ended December 26, 2017. The report of the Audit Committee is included in this proxy statement under “Report of the Audit Committee.”

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is composed of Christopher Reilly, Joseph J. Kadow and Ira Zecher, with Mr. Reilly serving as Chair of the committee. Our Board has determined that each of Messrs. Reilly, Kadow and Zecher is “independent” as defined under the applicable listing standards of NASDAQ. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s responsibilities include:

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Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held four meetings during the fiscal year ended December 26, 2017.

Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee is composed of A. William Allen III and Allan Karp, with Mr. Allen serving as Chair of the committee. Our Board has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is “independent” as defined under the applicable listing standards of NASDAQ and meets the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10C-1. The Compensation Committee has the authority to delegate to subcommittees of the Compensation Committee any of the responsibilities of the full committee. The Compensation Committee’s responsibilities include:

Our Compensation Committee held four meetings during the fiscal year ended December 26, 2017.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

All compensation and related matters are reviewed by our Compensation Committee. Neither of Messrs. Allen or Karp is or has at any time during the past year been an officer or employee of ours. None of our executive officers currently serves or in the past year has served as a member of the Board or Compensation Committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our Board or Compensation Committee.

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Risks Related to Compensation Practices and Policies

The Compensation Committee maintains a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy, but also recognizes that providing certain types of compensation incentives may inadvertently motivate individuals to act in ways that could be detrimental to the Company in order to maximize personal compensation. To minimize such risk, the Compensation Committee reviews at least annually the overall structure and components of our compensation program. The Compensation Committee also performs an annual evaluation to ensure that salary levels, equity awards and other elements of compensation are benchmarked against appropriate standards and that incentives provided for achievement of target goals are balanced between short-term rewards and longer-term enhancement of stockholder value. Our Compensation Committee has reviewed and evaluated the philosophy and standards on which our compensation plans have been developed and implemented across Habit. It is our belief that our compensation program does not encourage inappropriate actions or risk taking by our executive officers.

We do not believe that any risks arising from our employee compensation policies and practices are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, we do not believe that the mix and design of the components of our executive compensation program encourage management to assume excessive risks. We believe that our current business process and planning cycle foster the behaviors and controls that would mitigate the potential for adverse risk caused by the action of our executives, including the following:

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Our Board has established a Code of Conduct and Business Ethics applicable to our directors and officers. The Code of Conduct and Business Ethics is accessible on our website at www.habitburger.com. If we make any substantive amendments to the Code of Conduct and Business Ethics or grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Conduct and Business Ethics to our officers, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on that website or in a report on Form 8-K.

Director Nomination Process

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommends, and the Board nominates, candidates to stand for election as directors. Stockholders may also nominate persons to be elected as directors. If a stockholder wishes to nominate a person for election as director, he or she must follow the procedures contained in our bylaws and satisfy the requirements of Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act. To nominate a person to stand for election as a director at our annual meetings of stockholders, a stockholder must provide our Secretary with timely notice of the nomination. To be timely, the stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by us not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day nor later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting, except that if the annual meeting is set for a date that is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, we must receive the notice not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which we first provide notice or public disclosure of the date of the Annual Meeting.

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Each director will be elected by the vote of the plurality of the votes cast by the holders of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.

Additional information regarding requirements for stockholder nominations for next year’s annual meeting is described in this proxy statement under “Information about Stockholder Proposals.”

Board Membership Criteria

We seek a Board that, as a whole, possesses the experiences, skills, backgrounds and qualifications appropriate to function effectively in light of our current and evolving business circumstances. It is the Board’s policy that directors should possess strong personal and professional ethics, integrity and values; be business savvy and genuinely interested in the Company; and be committed to representing the long-term interests of our stockholders. Our goal is to have a balanced Board, with members whose background, skills and experience are complementary and, together, cover the spectrum of areas that impact our business. Our Board monitors the mix of experience, qualification and skills of our directors to ensure that it, as a whole, has the necessary tools to effectively perform its oversight function.

Contacting the Board of Directors

We believe that an open and transparent dialogue with our stockholders is an essential part of good corporate governance. During 2017, we reached out and engaged stockholders holding 63.0% of our outstanding shares. Including the 15.9% of shares held by executive officers and Board members, we have engaged with over 78.0% of our shareholders in 2017.

Stockholders wishing to communicate with our Board may do so by writing to the Board or to the non-employee members of the Board as a group, at:

The Habit Restaurants, Inc.

17320 Red Hill Avenue

Suite 140

Irvine, CA 92614

The communication must prominently display the legend “BOARD COMMUNICATION” in order to indicate to the Secretary that it is a communication for the Board. Upon receiving such a communication, the Secretary will promptly forward the communication to the relevant individual or group to which it is addressed. Certain items that are unrelated to the Board’s duties and responsibilities may be excluded, such as spam, junk mail and mass mailings, resumes and other forms of job inquiries, surveys and business solicitations or advertisements. The Secretary will not forward any communication determined in his or her good faith belief to be frivolous, unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or similarly unsuitable.

Executive Officers

Below is a list of the names, ages as of April 24, 2018 and positions, and a brief account of the business experience of the individuals who serve as our executive officers.

Russell W. Bendel was appointed Chief Executive Officer and President of The Habit Restaurants, LLC in June 2008 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer and President of The Habit Restaurants, Inc. in August

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2014. He has served as a director of The Habit Restaurants, LLC since August 2008, and has served as a director of The Habit Restaurants, Inc. since August 2014. Previously, Mr. Bendel was President and Chief Operating Officer of The Cheesecake Factory. Beginning in June 2001, Mr. Bendel worked at Mimi’s Café as Chief Executive Officer and President. He currently serves as Director Emeritus of the California Restaurant Association, and on the board of advisors for the Collins School of Hospitality Management at California State Polytechnic University. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration from Florida International University.

Ira Fils was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of The Habit Restaurants, LLC in August 2008 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of The Habit Restaurants, Inc. in August 2014. He has served as a director of The Habit Restaurants, Inc. since August 2014. Previously, Mr. Fils served as Chief Financial Officer of Mimi’s Café from 2005 to 2008, after joining the Company as Vice President of Finance in 2003. From 1998 to 2003, he served in various financial capacities with increasing responsibility which led to him becoming Chief Financial Officer at Rubio’s Restaurants, Inc. He currently sits on the board of directors of California Fish Grill. He holds an undergraduate degree in economics and an MBA from the University of California, Irvine.

Anthony Serritella joined The Habit Restaurants, LLC in 1997 as Vice President of Operations and was later appointed Chief Operating Officer July 26, 2010. Beginning in 1991, Mr. Serritella worked as the Vice President of Operations for McAthco Enterprises, one of the leading Sizzler franchises. He attended the University of California, San Diego where he studied economics and psychology.

Peter Whitwell joined The Habit Restaurants, LLC in 2005 as Vice President and was later appointed Chief Quality Officer on July 26, 2010. From 2001 to 2004 he was the Senior Vice President of Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, transitioning from the position of Senior Vice President of Franchise Operations and Quality Assurance, a position he held beginning in 1999. Mr. Whitwell attended Moorpark College, where he studied Communications and Business, and California State University, Northridge where he studied speech communications.

Douglas Branigan joined The Habit Restaurants, LLC in April 2017 as Chief Development Officer. Prior to joining The Habit, Mr. Branigan served as Chief Development Officer at Black Bear Diner, Inc. from 2015 until 2017 and as Vice President of Franchise Development and Operations from 2013 until 2015. Prior to joining Black Bear Diner, Mr. Branigan served as the Chief Operating Officer for Sprinkles Cupcakes from 2012 to 2013. Mr. Branigan served as Senior Vice President of Franchise Operations at Smashburger, LLC from 2009 to 2012. He has also worked in various operating roles at Mimi’s Café, Morton’s of Chicago and Chart House Enterprises. Mr. Branigan earned his Bachelor of Arts in history from Colorado State University.

PROPOSAL TWO—Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We are asking our stockholders to ratify the Audit Committee’s selection of Moss Adams as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 25, 2018. Moss Adams has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2007.

The Audit Committee annually reviews the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence, including reviewing all relationships between the independent registered public accounting firm and us and any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the independent registered public accounting firm, and the independent registered public accounting firm’s performance. Although ratification is not required by our bylaws or otherwise, the Board is submitting the selection of Moss Adams to our stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the selection is not ratified, the Audit Committee will consider whether it is appropriate to select another independent registered public accounting firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may select a different registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the committee determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders.

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We expect that a representative of Moss Adams will attend the Annual Meeting and the representative will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she so chooses. The representative will also be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Audit Committee pre-approves all auditing services, internal control related services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed by Moss Adams, subject to the de minimis exception for non-audit services that are approved by the Audit Committee prior to the completion of an audit. The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more members of the Audit Committee consistent with applicable law and listing standards, provided that the decisions of such Audit Committee member or members must be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Moss Adams served as our independent registered public accounting firm in 2017 and 2016. The following sets forth fees billed by Moss Adams for the audit of our annual financial statements and other services rendered:

Pursuant to the charter of the Audit Committee, adopted in connection with our IPO, the Audit Committee is responsible for the oversight of our accounting, reporting and financial practices. The Audit Committee has the responsibility to select, appoint, engage, oversee, retain, evaluate and terminate our external auditors; pre-approve all audit and non-audit services to be provided, consistent with all applicable laws, to us by our external auditors; and establish the fees and other compensation to be paid to our external auditors.

The Audit Committee pre-approved all services performed since the pre-approval policy was adopted.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR”

THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MOSS ADAMS AS THE COMPANY’S

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF SUCH RATIFICATION UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY CARD.

(PROPOSAL TWO ON YOUR PROXY CARD)

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OTHER BUSINESS

The Company knows of no other matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting. If, however, other matters are presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders (the individuals designated on the proxy card) will vote your shares according to their judgment on those matters.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Introduction

This compensation discussion provides an overview of our executive compensation program, together with a description of the material factors underlying the decisions made with respect to the compensation of our chief executive officer and our two other highest paid executive officers during fiscal year 2017 (collectively, our “named executive officers”), as presented in the tables that follow this discussion. This discussion contains statements regarding our performance targets and goals. These targets and goals are disclosed in the limited context of our compensation program and should not be understood to be statements of management’s expectations or estimates of financial results or other guidance. We specifically caution investors not to apply these statements to other contexts.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth, for the fiscal years ending December 26, 2017 and December 27, 2016, the compensation earned by our named executive officers.

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Base Salaries

The employment agreements for our named executive officers set forth their respective base salaries, as in effect on the date on which the agreement was entered into between the executive and the Company. Base salaries are subject to annual review and approval by our Compensation Committee. Neither Mr. Bendel nor Mr. Fils received an increase in base salary in 2017. Effective December 7, 2016, Mr. Serritella’s base salary was increased to $304,500, and effective December 6, 2017, Mr. Serritella’s base salary was further increased to $316,680, in each case as approved by our Compensation Committee based on a review of compensation of chief operating officers of companies which we consider our peers.

Annual Cash Bonuses

Our annual cash bonus program is administered by our Compensation Committee, which is responsible for establishing annual performance targets under the program and reviewing and determining annual bonus payouts.

Pursuant to Mr. Bendel’s and Mr. Fils’ amended and restated employment agreements, beginning in fiscal year 2017, Mr. Bendel and Mr. Fils were each eligible to receive an annual cash performance bonus at a target of 20% of base salary, subject to achievement of performance objectives established by the Board, which included achievement of target EBITDA. Mr. Serritella’s target annual incentive compensation opportunity (expressed as a percentage of base salary) was initially established at the time he commenced employment with us. For fiscal year 2017, Mr. Serritella was eligible to receive an annual cash performance bonus at a target of 15% of base salary, subject to achievement of Company performance goals established by the Compensation Committee, including achievement of target EBITDA, increases in Company sales, customer satisfaction and reduction in employee turnover. Because Company EBITDA results were below the target level established by our Board, neither Mr. Bendel nor Mr. Fils earned an annual cash bonus for fiscal year 2017. Mr. Serritella earned an annual cash performance bonus for fiscal year 2017 of $1,146 based on achievement of a customer satisfaction goal.

2017 Equity Grants

On March 22, 2017, Messrs. Bendel, Fils and Serritella were granted 27,520, 18,560 and 12,800 restricted share-based awards, respectively, and 85,570, 57,710 and 39,800 options to purchase shares of Class A common stock, in each case, with an exercise price of $15.90 per share. The restricted share-based awards and stock options vest in substantially equal installments over five years commencing on the date of grant, generally subject to continued employment through the applicable vesting date.

Agreements with our Named Executive Officers

Below are written descriptions of the material terms of the employment agreements with our named executive officers.

Employment Agreement with Mr. Bendel. We entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Bendel, effective July 1, 2015. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. Bendel was entitled to an annual base salary of $720,000 (increased from $630,000, which was his base salary in effect prior to July 1, 2015), and received an increase in base salary to $735,000 effective January 1, 2016, in accordance with the terms of his employment agreement. Thereafter, his base salary is subject to annual review and potential increase by our Board. In addition, Mr. Bendel is entitled to an automobile allowance of $2,000 per month (increased from $1,000 per month, which was his car allowance in effect prior to July 1, 2015). Beginning in fiscal year 2017, Mr. Bendel is eligible to receive an annual cash performance bonus at a target of 20% of base salary, subject to achievement of performance objectives established by the Board. Mr. Bendel is also entitled to certain severance benefits, the terms of which are described below in the section entitled “—Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment.”

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Employment Agreement with Mr. Fils. We entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Fils, effective July 1, 2015. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. Fils was entitled to an annual base salary of $425,000 (increased from $325,000, which was his base salary in effect prior to July 1, 2015). Thereafter, his base salary is subject to annual review and potential increase by our Board. In addition, Mr. Fils is entitled to an automobile allowance of $1,000 per month (increased from $500 per month, which was his car allowance in effect prior to July 1, 2015). Beginning in fiscal year 2017, Mr. Fils is eligible to receive an annual cash performance bonus at a target of 20% of base salary, subject to achievement of performance objectives established by the Board. Mr. Fils is also entitled to certain severance benefits, the terms of which are described below in the section entitled “—Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment.”

Employment Agreement with Mr. Serritella. We entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Serritella, effective December 9, 2015. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. Serritella was entitled to an annual base salary of $290,000 (increased from $260,552, which was his base salary in effect prior to December 9, 2015).Mr. Serritella’s base salary is subject to annual review by our Board and was most recently increased to $316,680, effective December 6, 2017. In addition, Mr. Serritella is eligible to earn an annual performance cash bonus at a target of 15% of base salary, subject to achievement of objectives established by our Board. Mr. Serritella is entitled to an automobile allowance of $1,500 per month (increased from $700 per month, which was his car allowance in effect prior to January 1, 2016). Mr. Serritella is also entitled to certain severance benefits, the terms of which are described below in the section entitled “—Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment.”

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

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In addition to the unvested common units of The Habit Restaurants, LLC described in the table above, our named executive officers also hold vested common units in The Habit Restaurants, LLC as a result of the conversion of their Class C units into common units immediately prior to the completion of our IPO, as described below.

Pursuant to the terms of the Amended & Restated LLC Agreement of The Habit Restaurants, LLC, our named executive officers may exchange all or a portion of their vested common units (along with an equal number of the Class B Shares that they hold) at any time for shares of our Class A common stock (or, at our option, cash) on a one-for-one basis.

Potential Payments Upon Termination of Employment

Messrs. Bendel and Fils—Termination of Employment without Cause or for Good Reason. If the executive’s employment is terminated by us without cause or by the executive for good reason (as such terms are defined in the executive’s employment agreement), the executive will be entitled to (i) accrued but unpaid base salary and vacation through the date of termination, and any other payments required by applicable law or Company policy; (ii) continued payment of the executive’s base salary for a period of 12 months following such termination of employment; (iii) payment of the executive’s COBRA premiums for a period of 12 months following such termination of employment; (iv) a pro-rated bonus for the year of termination (based on full months worked during the year in which termination occurs); (v) acceleration of any unvested Company equity subject solely to time-based vesting conditions that is scheduled to vest in the 12-month period immediately following the date of termination; and (vi) the portion of any bonus earned for the performance year preceding the year of termination that remains unpaid at the time of termination.

Mr. Serritella—Termination of Employment without Cause or for Good Reason. If Mr. Serritella’s employment is terminated by us without cause or by him for good reason (as such terms are defined in his employment agreement), Mr. Serritella will be entitled to (i) accrued but unpaid base salary and vacation through the date of termination, and any other payments required by applicable law or Company policy; (ii) continued payment of the executive’s base salary for a period of six months following such termination of employment; (iii) payment of the executive’s COBRA premiums for a period of six months following such termination of employment; (iv) a pro-rated bonus for the year of termination (based on full months worked during the year in which termination occurs); (v) acceleration of any unvested Company equity subject solely to time-based vesting conditions that is scheduled to vest in the six-month period immediately following the date of termination; and (vi) the portion of any bonus earned for the performance year preceding the year of termination that remains unpaid at the time of termination.

Messrs. Bendel and Fils—Termination of Employment without Cause or for Good Reason in Connection with a Change in Control. If the executive’s employment is terminated by us without cause or by the executive for good reason (as such terms are defined in the executive’s employment agreement) during the 24-month period following a change in control of the Company, the executive will be entitled to (i) accrued but

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unpaid base salary and vacation through the date of termination, and any other payments required by applicable law or Company policy; (ii) continued payment of the executive’s base salary for a period of 18 months following such termination of employment; (iii) payment of the executive’s COBRA premiums for a period of 18 months following such termination of employment; (iv) a pro-rated bonus for the year of termination (based on full months worked during the year in which termination occurs); (v) target bonus for the year of termination; (vi) acceleration of any unvested Company equity; and (vii) the portion of any bonus earned for the performance year preceding the year of termination that remains unpaid at the time of termination.

Mr. Serritella—Termination of Employment without Cause or for Good Reason in Connection with a Change in Control. If Mr. Serritella’s employment is terminated by us without cause or by him for good reason (as such terms are defined in his employment agreement) during the 24-month period following a change in control of the Company, Mr. Serritella will be entitled to (i) accrued but unpaid base salary and vacation through the date of termination, and any other payments required by applicable law or Company policy; (ii) continued payment of the executive’s base salary for a period of 12 months following such termination of employment; (iii) payment of the executive’s COBRA premiums for a period of 12 months following such termination of employment; (iv) a pro-rated bonus for the year of termination (based on full months worked during the year in which termination occurs); (v) target bonus for the year of termination; (vi) acceleration of any unvested Company equity; and (vii) the portion of any bonus earned for the performance year preceding the year of termination that remains unpaid at the time of termination.

Messrs. Bendel, Fils and Serritella—Other Termination of Employment. If the executive’s employment is terminated by us for cause or by the executive without good reason (as such terms are defined in the executive’s employment agreement), or if the executive’s employment is terminated due to death or disability (as such term is defined in the executive’s employment agreement), the executive (or his beneficiary, as the case may be) will be entitled to the executive’s accrued but unpaid base salary and vacation through the date of termination, and any other payments required by applicable law or Company policy. If employment is terminated due to death or disability, the executive (or his beneficiary, as the case may be) will also be entitled to (i) a pro-rated target bonus for the year of termination (based on the number of full months worked during the year in which termination occurs) and (ii) acceleration of any unvested Company equity subject solely to time-based vesting conditions that is scheduled to vest in the 12-month period immediately following the date of termination, in the case of Messrs. Bendel and Fils, and in the six-month period immediately following the date of termination, in the case of Mr. Serritella.

Messrs. Bendel, Fils and Serritella—Severance Subject to Release of Claims. Our obligation to provide our named executive officers with any severance payments or other benefits under their respective employment agreements is conditioned on the executive executing an effective release of claims in our favor. Messrs. Bendel and Fils are also subject to a two-year post-termination non-competition and non-solicitation of employees, independent contractors, or business partners covenant, in each case enforceable by its terms to the extent consistent with applicable law. Mr. Serritella is subject to an 18-month post-termination non-competition and non-solicitation of employees, independent contractors, or business partners covenant, in each case enforceable by its terms to the extent consistent with applicable law.

Retirement Benefits

Our 401(k) plan permits eligible employees to defer a portion of their annual eligible compensation, subject to the limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code, and provides for a Company matching contribution equal to 50% of the first 3% of compensation deferred. None of our named executive officers participates in our 401(k) plan.

Effective May 1, 2014, we adopted The Habit Restaurants, LLC Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”), a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that covers our named executive officers and other eligible key employees and that is intended to aid in the attraction and retention of key employees by providing them with benefits upon retirement or death. The Deferred Compensation Plan permits

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eligible employees to defer a portion of their annual eligible base salary and bonus compensation, and provides for a discretionary Company matching credit equal to 50% of the first 3% of compensation so deferred. The Company may also credit additional amounts to a participant’s discretionary contribution account under the Deferred Compensation Plan. Company matching and any additional discretionary credits begin to vest at a rate of 20% per year after a participant has attained two years of service, as such term is defined in our 401(k) plan, and will vest automatically on a participant’s death or a change in control of the Company if the participant is employed on such date. Each of our named executive officers participated in, and received Company matching credits under, the Deferred Compensation Plan during fiscal year 2017.

Distributions of participant elective deferrals and Company matching credits, to the extent vested, under the Deferred Compensation Plan are generally made in a lump sum upon a participant’s separation from service, unless the participant has made an alternative election in accordance with plan terms. Employer discretionary credits, to the extent vested, are paid in five annual installments upon a participant’s separation from service. In the event of an unforeseeable emergency, a participant may petition for an immediate distribution from his or her deferral account under the plan.

Equity and Incentive Plans

Management Incentive Plan

Effective September 28, 2007, the board of managers of The Habit Restaurants, LLC adopted the Management Incentive Plan. The Management Incentive Plan provides for the grant of Class C units to selected employees and other persons providing services for The Habit Restaurants, LLC and its subsidiaries.

Immediately prior to the completion of our IPO, all of the outstanding vested and unvested Class C units in The Habit Restaurants, LLC were converted into an amount of vested and unvested The Habit Restaurants, LLC common units, respectively, in each case, based on our pre-IPO value. Each unvested common unit of The Habit Restaurants, LLC continues to vest based on the vesting schedule of the outstanding unvested Class C unit for which it was exchanged. The vested and unvested common units of The Habit Restaurants, LLC are entitled to receive distributions, if any, from The Habit Restaurants, LLC, provided, however, that distributions (other than tax distributions) in respect of unvested common units of The Habit Restaurants, LLC will only be delivered to the holder thereof when, as, and if such units ultimately vest.

2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan

Our Board adopted The Habit Restaurants, Inc. 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan”) in November 2014 and, following its adoption, all equity-based awards have been granted under the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan also permits the grant of cash bonuses.

On March 22, 2017, our Board granted restricted share-based awards and options to purchase shares of our Class A common stock to our named executive officers under the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the terms of which are described above under “2017 Equity Grants.”

Director Compensation

Individuals affiliated with KarpReilly who serve as members of our Board are not separately compensated for their services as a director, other than reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with rendering such services. Our other non-employee directors, Mr. Ira Zecher, Mr. A. William Allen III and Mr. Joseph J. Kadow, receive fees for service on our Board. Each non-employee director who is not affiliated with KarpReilly is entitled to an annual retainer fee of $40,000. Mr. Zecher is entitled to an additional annual fee of $10,000 for serving as Chair of our Audit Committee and an additional fee of $2,500 for serving as a member of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Allen is entitled to an additional annual fee of $7,500 for serving as Chair of our Compensation Committee and an additional fee of $5,000 for serving as a member of our Audit Committee. Mr. Kadow is entitled to an additional annual fee of $5,000 for serving as a

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member of our Audit Committee and an additional annual fee of $2,500 for serving as a member of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

The following table provides information regarding the compensation of our non-employee directors for fiscal year 2017:

Beginning in fiscal year 2018, each non-employee director who is not affiliated with KarpReilly will also be entitled to receive an annual grant of restricted stock units with a grant date value of $50,000. The restricted stock units will vest in substantially equal installments over three years commencing on the date of grant, subject to continued service as a member of our Board through the applicable vesting date.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table sets forth, in tabular format, as of December 26, 2017, a summary of certain information related to our equity incentive plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance:

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth certain information as of April 18, 2018 (unless otherwise specified), with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock by each person who is known to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock, each person currently serving as a director, each nominee for director, each named executive officer (as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table above), and all directors and executive officers as a group.

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The amounts and percentages of Class A common stock and Class B common stock (together with the same amount of LLC Units) beneficially owned are reported on the basis of the regulations of the SEC governing the determination of beneficial ownership of securities. Under these rules, a person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of a security if that person has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting of such security, or investment power, which includes the power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which that person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days. Under these rules, more than one person may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the same securities. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each listed stockholder is: c/o The Habit Restaurants, LLC, 17320 Red Hill Avenue, Suite 140, Irvine, CA 92614.

Because we have disclosed the ownership of shares of our Class B common stock and LLC Units of The Habit Restaurants, LLC (which will be exchangeable for Class A common stock), the shares of our Class A common stock corresponding to the LLC Units of The Habit Restaurants, LLC are not reflected in the table below.

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footnotes continued below

* Indicates less than one percent.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

General

The following is a description of transactions, since December 27, 2016, in which (a) we are a participant, (b) the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and (c) one or more of our executive officers, directors, director nominees or 5% stockholders, or their immediate family members, each of whom we refer to as a “related person,” has a direct or indirect material interest. We refer to these as “related person transactions.”

Recapitalization Transactions in Connection with the IPO

These summaries do not purport to be complete descriptions of all of the provisions of the documents relating to the recapitalization transactions and the material exhibits thereto, and they are qualified in their entirety by reference to the complete text of agreements which have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement relating to our IPO.

The Habit Restaurants, LLC Limited Liability Company Agreement

In connection with the recapitalization transactions, the LLC Agreement was amended and restated. As a result of the transactions in connection with the recapitalization and the IPO, The Habit Restaurants, Inc. holds interests directly and indirectly through its subsidiaries in The Habit Restaurants, LLC and is the sole managing member of The Habit Restaurants, LLC. Accordingly, The Habit Restaurants, Inc. operates and controls all of the business and affairs of The Habit Restaurants, LLC and, through The Habit Restaurants, LLC, conducts our business. Additionally, The Habit Restaurants, LLC reclassified its outstanding LLC Units as non-voting units. Notwithstanding the foregoing, The Habit Restaurants, LLC bears the costs of or reimburses The Habit Restaurants, Inc. for certain expenses incurred by The Habit Restaurants, Inc.

Pursuant to the LLC Agreement, The Habit Restaurants, Inc. has the right to determine, subject to the discussion of tax distributions below, when distributions will be made to holders of LLC Units and the amount of any such distributions. If a distribution is authorized, such distribution will be made to the holders of LLC Units (including The Habit Restaurants, Inc. and its subsidiaries) pro rata in accordance with the percentages of their respective LLC Units (other than, for clarity, certain non-pro-rata payments to us to satisfy certain of our obligations).

The holders of LLC Units, including The Habit Restaurants, Inc. and its subsidiaries, will incur U.S. federal, state and local income taxes on their allocable shares (determined under relevant tax rules) of any taxable income of The Habit Restaurants, LLC. Net profits and net losses of The Habit Restaurants, LLC will generally be allocated to holders of LLC Units (including The Habit Restaurants, Inc.) pro rata in accordance with the percentages of their respective limited liability company interests, except to the extent certain rules provide for disproportionate allocations or are otherwise required under applicable tax law. The LLC Agreement provides for cash distributions, which we refer to as “tax distributions,” to the holders of LLC Units. Generally, these tax distributions will be computed based on our estimate of the taxable income of The Habit Restaurants, LLC allocable to the holders of LLC Units multiplied by an assumed tax rate equal to the highest effective marginal combined U.S. federal, state and local income tax rate prescribed for an individual or corporate resident in Irvine, California (taking into account, among other things, the deductibility of certain expenses and certain adjustments relating to the calculation of state taxes). For purposes of determining the taxable income of The Habit Restaurants, LLC, such determination is made by generally disregarding any adjustment to the taxable income of any member of The Habit Restaurants, LLC that arises under the tax basis adjustment rules of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and is attributable to the acquisition by such member of an interest in The Habit Restaurants, LLC in the IPO and future sale or exchange transactions.

As a result of the potential differences in the amount of net taxable income allocable to us and to The Habit Restaurants, LLC’s other equity holders and potential differences in applicable tax rates, we receive tax

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distributions in excess of our tax liabilities and our payment obligations under the tax receivable agreement. We do not currently expect to pay any cash dividends on shares of our Class A common stock, and, to the extent we do not distribute such cash balances as dividends and instead retain such cash balances, The Habit Restaurants, LLC’s other equity holders would benefit from any value attributable to such accumulated cash balances as a result of their ownership of shares of common stock following an exchange of their LLC Units of The Habit Restaurants, LLC pursuant to the LLC Agreement. See “—Exchange Procedures.”

Exchange Procedures

Pursuant to and subject to the terms of the LLC Agreement, the Continuing LLC Owners have the right to exchange their LLC Units, together with a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock (which such shares will be cancelled in connection with any such exchange) for, at the option of The Habit Restaurants, Inc. (such determination to be made by the disinterested members of our Board), (i) shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends and reclassifications or (ii) cash consideration (generally calculated based on the volume-weighted average price of the Class A common stock of The Habit Restaurants, Inc., as displayed under the heading Bloomberg VWAP on the Bloomberg page designated for the Class A common stock of The Habit Restaurants, Inc. for the 15 trading days immediately prior to the delivery date of a notice of exchange). At any time that an effective registration statement is on file with the SEC with respect to the shares of Class A Common Stock to be issued upon an exchange, The Habit Restaurants, Inc. may not provide cash consideration upon an exchange to a Continuing LLC Owner without the Continuing LLC Owner’s prior consent. As any Continuing LLC Owner exchanges its LLC Units, The Habit Restaurants, Inc.’s interest in The Habit Restaurants, LLC will increase. The LLC Agreement provides that a Continuing LLC Owner will not have the right to exchange LLC Units if, among other things, we determine that such exchange would be prohibited by law or regulation or would violate other agreements with us to which the Continuing LLC Owner may be subject. These exchanges are expected to result in increases in the tax basis of the assets of The Habit Restaurants, LLC that otherwise would not have been available. Increases in tax basis resulting from such exchanges may reduce the amount of tax that The Habit Restaurants, Inc. would otherwise be required to pay in the future. This tax basis may also decrease gains (or increase losses) on future dispositions of certain assets to the extent tax basis is allocated to those assets. The Company amended its LLC Agreement in May 2016 and then again in March 2017, pursuant to which the Company now processes exchange requests once a month. The new exchange processing timeline became effective in May 2017. We may impose additional restrictions on exchange that we determine to be necessary or advisable to prevent The Habit Restaurants, LLC from being treated as a “publicly traded partnership” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. When a holder exchanges LLC Units and an equal number of shares of Class B common stock for shares of Class A common stock, because The Habit Restaurants, Inc. acquires additional LLC Units in connection with such exchange, the number of LLC Units held by The Habit Restaurants, Inc. will correspondingly increase, and such shares of Class B common stock will be cancelled.

As noted above, each of the Continuing LLC Owners also holds a number of shares of our Class B common stock equal to the number of LLC Units held by such person. Although shares of Class B common stock have no economic rights, they give holders voting power at The Habit Restaurants, Inc., the managing member of The Habit Restaurants, LLC, at a level that is consistent with their overall equity ownership of our business. Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, each share of Class B common stock is entitled to one vote. Accordingly, the voting power afforded to the Continuing LLC Owners by their shares of Class B common stock is automatically and correspondingly reduced as they exchange LLC Units and Class B common stock for shares of our Class A common stock pursuant to the LLC Agreement. Additionally, the voting power afforded to such Continuing LLC Owners will correspondingly increase as a result of the issuance of Class A common stock. Therefore, as a result of these transactions (and without taking into account any subsequent sale of shares of Class A common stock issued pursuant to the LLC Agreement), the voting power will effectively remain unchanged.

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The limited liability company agreement of The Habit Restaurants, LLC also provides that substantially all expenses incurred by or attributable to The Habit Restaurants, Inc., but not including income tax expenses of The Habit Restaurants, Inc., will be borne by The Habit Restaurants, LLC.

License Agreement with Co-Founders

On February 11, 2004 we entered into a Trademark Assignment Agreement with Reichard Bros. Enterprises, Inc., pursuant to which we acquired all rights in and to eight service marks, trademarks, trade names and logotypes, and all rights, title and interest in a distinctive system for operating Habit restaurants and certain other intellectual property, including recipes, products, formulas, cooking techniques and trade secrets (the “Intellectual Property”) from Reichard Bros. Enterprises, Inc. Concurrently, we entered into an Intellectual Property License Agreement, pursuant to which we granted Reichard Bros. Enterprises, Inc. a royalty-free license to use such intellectual property in Santa Barbara County, California. On July 31, 2007, we amended and restated this license agreement when we entered into an Amended and Restated Trademark and Intellectual Property License Agreement with the co-founders of The Habit, Brent and Bruce Reichard, and Reichard Bros. Enterprises, Inc., pursuant to which we granted Reichard Bros. Enterprises, Inc. an exclusive royalty-free license to use the Intellectual Property to operate Habit restaurants in Santa Barbara County, California. We further amended this agreement in October 2014. We do not receive any royalties or fees from the operations of these restaurants, and they are operated solely by Reichard Bros. Enterprises, Inc. If Reichard Bros. Enterprises, Inc. does not successfully operate its licensed restaurants in a manner consistent with our standards and the standards set forth in the Amended and Restated Trademark License Agreement and requirements it may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Related Person Transactions Policy

We have a formal written policy with respect to the review, approval and ratification of related person transactions. Under the policy, our Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving related person transactions. In the course of its review and approval of related person transactions, our Audit Committee will consider the relevant facts and circumstances to decide whether to approve such transactions, including, whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances. In particular, our policy requires our Audit Committee to consider, among other factors it deems appropriate:

The Audit Committee may approve only those transactions that are in, or are not inconsistent with, our best interests and those of our stockholders, as the Audit Committee determines in good faith.

It is our policy for our Board to consider the nature of and business reason for such transactions, how the terms of such transactions compared to those which might be obtained from unaffiliated third parties and whether such transactions were otherwise fair to and in the best interests of, or not contrary to, our best interest. We believe that we have executed all of the transactions set forth under the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” on terms no less favorable to us than we could have obtained from

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unaffiliated third parties. It is our intention to ensure that all future transactions between us and our officers, directors and principal stockholders and their affiliates, are approved by the Audit Committee, and are on terms no less favorable to us than those that we could obtain from unaffiliated third parties.

Indemnification Agreements

Our bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject to certain exceptions contained in our bylaws. In addition, our certificate of incorporation, provides that our directors will not be liable for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director.

Prior to the completion of our IPO, we entered into indemnification agreements with each of our then-serving directors. We have since entered into indemnification agreements with each new director who has joined our board of directors after completion of our IPO. The indemnification agreements provide the executive officers and directors with contractual rights to indemnification, and expense advancement and reimbursement, to the fullest extent permitted under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, subject to certain exceptions contained in those agreements. There is no pending litigation or proceeding naming any of our directors or officers to which indemnification is being sought, and we are not aware of any pending litigation that may result in claims for indemnification by any director or officer.

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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee has reviewed the Habit audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2017 and has discussed these statements with management and Moss Adams LLP, or Moss Adams, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Habit management is responsible for the preparation of the Company’s financial statements and for maintaining an adequate system of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting for that purpose. The independent registered public accounting firm audits the annual consolidated financial statements prepared by management, expresses an opinion as to whether those consolidated financial statements present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of The Habit Restaurants, Inc. in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and discusses any issues they believe should be raised with us. The Audit Committee is responsible for providing independent, objective oversight of the Company’s accounting functions and internal controls.

The Audit Committee also received from, and discussed with, Moss Adams the written disclosures and other communications that the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is required to provide to the Audit Committee, including the matters required to be discussed by Public Company Accounting Oversight Board AS 1301, Communications with Audit Committees.

Moss Adams also provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by Rule 3526 of the PCAOB. PCAOB Rule 3526 requires independent registered public accounting firms annually to disclose in writing all relationships that in their professional opinion may reasonably be thought to bear on independence, to confirm their perceived independence and engage in a discussion of independence. The Audit Committee has reviewed this disclosure and has discussed with Moss Adams their independence from Habit.

Based on its discussions with management and our independent registered public accounting firm, and its review of the representations and information provided by management and our independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Habit Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2017, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers and directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Such persons are required by regulation of the SEC to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms or written representations from certain reporting persons received by us with respect to fiscal year 2017, we believe that our executive officers and directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities have complied with all applicable filing requirements.

DIRECTORS’ ATTENDANCE AT ANNUAL STOCKHOLDER MEETINGS

The Company invites its Board members and encourages them to attend its annual stockholder meetings. Two of the Company’s directors attended the Company’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders in person.

INFORMATION ABOUT STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Requirements for Stockholder Proposals to be Considered for Inclusion in our Proxy Materials. To be considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy statement, stockholder proposals must be received by our Secretary at our principal executive offices no later than the close of business on March 22, 2019.

Requirements for Stockholder Proposals to be Brought Before an Annual Meeting. Our bylaws provide that, for stockholder nominations to the Board or other proposals to be considered at an annual meeting, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary at The Habit Restaurants, Inc., 17320 Red Hill Avenue, Suite 140, Irvine, CA 92614. To be timely for the 2019 annual meeting, the stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received by us not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day nor later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the anniversary date of the prior year’s annual meeting, except that if the annual meeting is set for a date that is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, we must receive the notice not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which we first provide notice or public disclosure of the date of the Annual Meeting. Assuming the date of our 2019 annual meeting is not so advanced or delayed, stockholders who wish to make a proposal at the 2019 annual meeting must notify us no earlier than February 20, 2019 and no later than March 22, 2019. Such notice must provide the information required by our bylaws with respect to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the 2019 annual meeting.

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GENERAL MATTERS

Availability of Certain Documents

A copy of our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K has been posted on the Internet along with this proxy statement. Upon written request, we will mail, without charge, a copy of our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K excluding exhibits. Please send a written request to our Corporate Secretary at:

The Habit Restaurants, Inc.

17320 Red Hill Avenue

Suite 140

Irvine, CA 92614

SEC rules concerning the delivery of annual disclosure documents allow us or your broker to send a single Notice or, if applicable, a single set of our proxy materials to any household at which two or more of our stockholders reside, if we or your broker believe that the stockholders are members of the same family, unless we have received contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. This practice, referred to as “householding,” benefits both you and us. It reduces the volume of duplicate information received at your household and helps to reduce our expenses. The rule applies to our Notices, annual reports, proxy statements and information statements.

We will undertake to deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a separate copy to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the Notice or proxy materials was delivered. You may make a written or oral request by sending a written notification to our Secretary at the address above, providing your name, your shared address, and the address to which we should direct the additional copy of the Notice or proxy materials. Multiple stockholders sharing an address who have received one copy of a mailing and would prefer us to mail each stockholder a separate copy of future mailings should contact us at our principal executive offices. Additionally, if current stockholders with a shared address received multiple copies of a mailing and would prefer us to mail one copy of future mailings to stockholders at the shared address, notification of that request may also be made through our principal executive offices. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to have access to and utilize separate proxy voting instructions.

Other Matters

As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board does not intend to present any matters other than those described herein at the Annual Meeting and is unaware of any matters to be presented by other parties. If other matters are properly brought before the meeting for action by the stockholders, proxies will be recorded in accordance with the recommendation of the Board or, in the absence of such a recommendation, in accordance with the judgment of the proxy holder.

Directions to Annual Meeting

Directions to the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held at 17370 Red Hill Ave., Irvine, CA 92614 are set forth below:

From the 405 North:

Take Exit 8 onto MacArthur Blvd

Turn Right onto MacArthur Blvd

Turn Right onto Red Hill Avenue

Destination will be on the Right

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From the 405 South:

Take Exit 8 onto MacArthur Blvd

Turn Right onto MacArthur Blvd

Turn Right on Red Hill Avenue

Destination will be on the Right

There is free parking at the Homewood Suites Hotel.

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