The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated

Who owns The Cheesecake Factory?
The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated is publicly traded on NASDAQ under ticker CAKE. The company has a broad institutional and retail shareholder base. Co-founder David Overton serves as Chairman and CEO.

Who founded The Cheesecake Factory?
The Cheesecake Factory was founded by David Overton, who opened the first restaurant in Beverly Hills, California, in 1978. The cheesecake recipes were developed by his mother, Evelyn Overton.

Is The Cheesecake Factory publicly traded?
Yes, The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated is publicly traded on NASDAQ under ticker CAKE. The company went public in 1992.

How many Cheesecake Factory locations are there?
The Cheesecake Factory operates more than 300 company-owned locations in the United States, plus international licensed locations in the Middle East, Canada, and other markets.

What other restaurant brands does The Cheesecake Factory own?
In addition to The Cheesecake Factory, the company owns North Italia (Italian restaurants) and has a majority interest in Flower Child (health-focused fast-casual restaurants).

The Cheesecake Factory's origins trace to Evelyn Overton, who began making cheesecakes from her basement in Detroit, Michigan, in the 1940s. Her cheesecakes became popular with local restaurants, and she eventually moved the business to Los Angeles.

Evelyn's son David Overton opened the first Cheesecake Factory restaurant in Beverly Hills, California, in 1978. The restaurant was distinctive for its large portions, extensive menu (far broader than typical casual dining restaurants), and its signature cheesecakes. The concept proved immediately popular.

The Cheesecake Factory expanded through the 1980s, opening locations in California and other states. The company went public on NASDAQ in 1992, raising capital for further expansion.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, The Cheesecake Factory expanded nationally, opening locations in major shopping centers and urban areas across the United States. The company became known for its consistently long wait times, which paradoxically reinforced its popularity and perceived value.

The Cheesecake Factory expanded internationally, opening licensed locations in the Middle East, Canada, Mexico, and other markets.

In 2019, The Cheesecake Factory acquired North Italia, a fast-growing Italian restaurant chain, and a majority interest in Flower Child, a health-focused fast-casual concept. These acquisitions marked a strategic shift toward building a portfolio of restaurant brands beyond the flagship Cheesecake Factory concept.

The company was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, temporarily closing dining rooms and pivoting to takeout and delivery. The Cheesecake Factory recovered strongly in 2021 and 2022 as dining restrictions lifted.

For fiscal year 2024, The Cheesecake Factory reported revenue of approximately $3.6 billion.

The Cheesecake Factory has implemented sustainability initiatives focused on environmental responsibility, food sourcing, and ethical business practices in the restaurant and food service industry.

Environmental sustainability efforts include reducing carbon emissions across restaurant operations, implementing energy-efficient building designs, and comprehensive waste reduction programs. The company has established sustainability reporting for its restaurant locations and works toward reducing environmental impact through green building practices, renewable energy adoption, and supply chain optimization in restaurant operations.

Food sourcing and supply chain sustainability represent core priorities for The Cheesecake Factory, with extensive programs for sustainable ingredient sourcing, local supplier partnerships, and ethical food procurement practices. The company maintains deep commitment to responsible sourcing while working to create positive environmental impact through sustainable food service practices.

Corporate governance emphasizes ethical business practices, transparent operations, and stakeholder engagement as a publicly traded company on NASDAQ. The Cheesecake Factory maintains governance structures appropriate for its restaurant operations while operating with high standards of business ethics and corporate responsibility across its diverse restaurant portfolio.

Customer health and nutrition represent important components of The Cheesecake Factory's ethical framework, with comprehensive practices for menu transparency, nutritional information, and responsible food offerings. The company maintains extensive programs for menu innovation, healthier options, and nutritional transparency while promoting balanced dining choices and customer wellness.

Employee welfare and workplace ethics represent critical components of The Cheesecake Factory's sustainability framework, with comprehensive practices for employee development, workplace safety, and ethical employment practices across thousands of restaurant employees. The company maintains extensive programs for employee training, workplace diversity, and ethical labor practices while promoting positive workplace environments.

The Cheesecake Factory has received recognition for restaurant excellence, brand innovation, and corporate achievement in the restaurant and food service industry.

• Restaurant Excellence Awards: Multiple awards for restaurant operations, customer service excellence, and dining experience quality
• Brand Recognition Awards: Recognition for distinctive brand identity, menu innovation, and signature product development
• Workplace Excellence: Various awards for workplace culture, employee satisfaction, and restaurant workplace diversity
• Customer Satisfaction Awards: Recognition for customer experience, service quality, and guest satisfaction in casual dining
• Innovation Awards: Recognition for menu innovation, restaurant concept development, and food service technology
• Supply Chain Recognition: Awards for sustainable sourcing, supplier relationships, and ethical procurement practices
• Industry Leadership Awards: Recognition for leadership in casual dining and restaurant industry influence
• Corporate Responsibility Awards: Recognition for ethical business practices and corporate social responsibility

The Cheesecake Factory attracted controversy in 2020 when it sent letters to landlords stating it would not pay April rent due to COVID-19 pandemic impacts. The move was criticized as inappropriate given the company's size and public company status.

The company has also faced scrutiny regarding the caloric content of its menu items, which are among the highest in the casual dining industry. The Cheesecake Factory's portions are notably large, and some menu items contain more than 2,000 calories.