Who Owns Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen?

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen was founded in 1979 as Cheddar's Restaurants, establishing itself as a value-focused casual dining concept. The brand developed a reputation for affordable pricing, generous portions, and made-from-scratch menu items that appealed to families and budget-conscious diners. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for affordable, quality casual dining while establishing a distinctive restaurant concept that would define the value casual dining segment for generations.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen expanded across the United States, establishing itself as a significant player in the value casual dining segment. The brand became known for its commitment to quality ingredients and made-from-scratch preparation despite its affordable pricing. This period of expansion demonstrated Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen's exceptional ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards that would define the brand for decades.

In 2017, Darden Restaurants acquired Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen for approximately $780 million, adding it to its growing portfolio of casual dining concepts. This strategic acquisition demonstrated Darden's exceptional ability to identify and acquire restaurant brands with strong brand equity while expanding into the value casual dining segment. The acquisition complemented Darden's premium and mid-range brands while providing the resources necessary for continued growth and innovation.

Under Darden ownership, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen has continued to maintain its value positioning while accessing Darden's operational expertise and resources. This continued evolution demonstrates Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen's ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences and market conditions while maintaining its core brand values and commitment to affordable, quality casual dining experiences.