First time I've heard of this practice, it's a very very large percent of the pie. Makes me wonder why they don't just mine?

The alternative is premining. The went for this model because it it more transparent.

Really? So Bitcoin and Monero only work because of their premine...?

Although I think it is obvious. I mention it anyway. The founders fee that goes to the developers is meant to fund the development for the next four years.

If you don't like that, there is already the Zclassic fork wihout the founders fee.

You know that it's forked from Bitcoin right? What portion of the tax is being given to the Bitcoin developers?