UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):           January 6, 2015

The Marcus Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

100 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1900, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-4125

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(414) 905-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

(d)           On January 6, 2015, the Board of Directors of The Marcus Corporation (the “Company”) voted to elect Katherine M. Gehl as a new, independent director to fill a vacancy created by the Board’s action on that same date to increase the number of directors of the Company from eleven to twelve. The initial term as director for Ms. Gehl will expire at the Company’s 2015 annual meeting of shareholders. At the time of her election, Ms. Gehl was not appointed to any committee of the Board of Directors.

On January 6, 2015, in connection with her election to the Board of Directors, the Company awarded options to purchase 1,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $17.45 per share and 625 shares of restricted stock to Ms. Gehl. The stock option and restricted stock awards were each made under The Marcus Corporation Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan. The options awarded to Ms. Gehl have a term of ten years and became fully vested and exercisable immediately after grant. The shares of restricted stock awarded to Ms. Gehl vest at the earlier of (a) 100% upon Ms. Gehl’s normal retirement from the Board of Directors or (b) 50% upon the third anniversary of the grant date if Ms. Gehl is then still serving as a director and the remaining 50% upon the fifth anniversary of the grant date if Ms. Gehl is then still serving as a director. In addition, the Company paid to Ms. Gehl a prorated portion of the annual retainer paid to non-employee directors of the Company based on her January 6, 2015 election date.

On January 6, 2015, the Company issued a press release announcing the Board of Directors’ election of Ms. Gehl as a new director of the Company. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

THE MARCUS CORPORATION

Exhibit Index to Current Report on Form 8-K

Exhibit

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