{{short description|American restaurant chain}} {{use American English|date=January 2024}} {{use mdy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox company | name = The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated | logo = File:The Cheesecake Factory (logo, stacked).svg | logo_size = 250 | image = A Cheesecake Factory restaurant at The Summit mall in Birmingham, Alabama 01.jpg | image_caption = The Cheesecake Factory at The Summit (Alabama) | type = Public | traded_as = {{ubl|{{NASDAQ|CAKE}}|S&P 600 component}} | founded = {{start date and age|1972}}, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. (as a bakery)<br />{{start date and age|1978}}, in Beverly Hills, California, U.S. (as a restaurant) | founder = David Overton | location_city = Calabasas, California | location_country = U.S. | area_served = Worldwide | locations = 370 (2025) | key_people = David Overton (chairman and CEO)<br />David Gordon (president) | industry = Restaurants | products = Cheesecakes, burgers, pizza, pasta, steaks, sandwiches | revenue = {{Increase}} {{US$|3.581 billion|link=yes}} (2024) | operating_income = {{Increase}} {{US$|178.317 million}} (2024) | net_income = {{Increase}} {{US$|156.783 million}} (2024) | assets = {{Decrease}} {{US$|2.775 billion}} (2022) | equity = {{Decrease}} {{US$|292 million}} (2022) | num_employees = 47,500 (2022) | subsid = Grand Lux Cafe, LLC <br /> RockSugar Southeast Asian Kitchen, LLC<br />Social Monk Asian Kitchen<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrn.com/casual-dining/cheesecake-factorys-fast-casual-spinoff-set-open?NL=NRN-26&Issue=NRN-|last=Ruggless|first=Ron|date=Feb 23, 2019|title=Cheesecake Factory's fast-casual spinoff set to open|work=Nation's Restaurant News|access-date=March 19, 2019|archive-date=March 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302114631/https://www.nrn.com/casual-dining/cheesecake-factorys-fast-casual-spinoff-set-open?NL=NRN-26&Issue=NRN-|url-status=live}}</ref> <br /> Fox Restaurant Concepts | website = {{URL|thecheesecakefactory.com}} | footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/887596/000110465920032031/cake-20200101x10k97b528.htm |title=US SEC: 2019 Form 10-K The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |date=March 12, 2020 |access-date=Jun 15, 2020 |archive-date=June 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615201643/https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=%2FArchives%2Fedgar%2Fdata%2F887596%2F000110465920032031%2Fcake-20200101x10k97b528.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> }} '''The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated''' is an American restaurant company and cheesecake distributor based in the United States. It operates 370 full-service restaurants: 218 under the Cheesecake Factory brand, 47 under the North Italia brand, and 105 under other brands. The Cheesecake Factory also operates two bakery production facilities—in Calabasas, California, and Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
David M. Overton, the company's founder, opened the first Cheesecake Factory restaurant in Beverly Hills, California, in 1978. The restaurant established the future chain's pattern of featuring an eclectic menu, large portions, and signature cheesecakes.<ref name="WhatIs">{{cite web |url=http://www.cheesecakefactory.com/aboutus.htm |title="What Is The Cheesecake Factory?" About Page on the company's website |publisher=Cheesecakefactory.com |access-date=2010-04-17 |archive-date=2008-07-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708202345/http://cheesecakefactory.com/aboutus.htm }}</ref> In 2025, ''Fortune'' ranked the Cheesecake Factory at number 23 on their Fortune List of the Top 100 Companies to Work For in 2020 based on an employee survey of satisfaction.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® 2025 |url=https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces/100-best/2025 |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=Great Place To Work® |language=en-us}}</ref> Additionally, The Cheesecake Factory's average unit volume consistently leads the casual restaurant industry.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 March 2024|author-first1=Julie|author-last1=Littman|title=Restaurant sales rose 12% in 2023 compared to 2019: report |url=https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/circana-top-50-chains-consumer-spending-up-7-percent/711309/#:~:text=The%20Cheesecake%20Factory%20boasted%20average,Maddie%20Meyer%20via%20Getty%20Images |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=Restaurant Dive |language=en-US}}</ref>
==History== ===Founding and early years=== Evelyn Overton, inspired by a cheesecake recipe from a Detroit newspaper, made a cheesecake for her husband's employer in the 1940s. The cheesecake was well received, so she opened a small cheesecake bakery in Detroit, Michigan, in the late 1950s. She closed the bakery to raise her children, but continued supplying cheesecakes to local restaurants from her basement kitchen. In 1967, Evelyn's son David M. Overton left Detroit to attend Hastings College of Law in San Francisco, but in 1968, decided to be a drummer, performing with the ''Billy Roberts Blues Band''.<ref name="cheesecake-factory-timeline">{{cite web |title=Five decades of cheesecake: A history |url=http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/frames.asp?fm=aboutus&pg=http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/aboutus_timeline.htm |website=The Cheesecake Factory |access-date=17 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051103175227/http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/frames.asp?fm=aboutus&pg=http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/aboutus_timeline.htm |archive-date=3 November 2005}}</ref><ref name="Luna 2023">{{cite web |last=Luna |first=Nancy |title=The 45-year history of The Cheesecake Factory: How a family bakery turned into global restaurant chain with an enormous menu |website=Business Insider |date=29 August 2023 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/cheesecake-factory-turned-a-family-bakery-into-global-restaurant-chain-2023-8 |access-date=13 February 2025}}</ref> In 1971, David convinced his parents to relocate to Los Angeles to open a commercial bakery.<ref name="cheesecake-factory-timeline"/> In 1972, they moved to the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles where they opened The Cheesecake Factory Bakery, in which they produced cheesecakes and other desserts for local restaurants.<ref name=funding>{{cite web|title=History of The Cheesecake Factory|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/the-cheesecake-factory-inc-history/|publisher=Funding Universe|access-date=16 August 2012|archive-date=15 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015024131/http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/the-cheesecake-factory-inc-history/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===First restaurant=== In 1978, Evelyn's son David opened The Cheesecake Factory, a small salad-and-sandwich restaurant in Beverly Hills that sold ten varieties of cheesecakes on a one-page menu.<ref name=funding /> In 1983, he opened a second restaurant in Marina del Rey. By 1987, the Beverly Hills location had expanded into a 78-seat restaurant and was experiencing great financial success. This led to the opening of a third, larger location in Redondo Beach, which was eventually renovated into a 300-seat, {{convert|21000|sqft|adj=on}} location. By the end of the 1980s, The Cheesecake Factory's one-page menu had expanded, and the restaurant offered additional entrees and short-order items.<ref name=funding />
===Expansion beyond Southern California=== The 1990s saw the opening of the first Cheesecake Factory restaurant outside of Southern California. The new restaurant, the chain's 5th, was located in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Cheesecake Factory Inc. History |url=https://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/the-cheesecake-factory-inc-history/ |website=Funding Universe |access-date=23 April 2025}}</ref> The Cheesecake Factory was incorporated in 1992<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.californiaexplore.com/company/1837970/the-cheesecake-factory-incorporated|title=The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated - Company Profile|work=California Explore|access-date=2023-10-30|language=en|archive-date=2023-10-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030230559/https://www.californiaexplore.com/company/1837970/the-cheesecake-factory-incorporated}}</ref> and went public in September 1992<ref>{{cite news |title=A Sweet Offering of Stock : Calabasas: The Cheesecake Factory wants cash to expand, but the owners will get about half the proceeds. An observer calls this a 'negative sign.' |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-06-16-fi-743-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=16 June 1992}}</ref>. David Overton planned to open 3–4 units a year to generate a 25% yearly increase in sales.<ref name="funding" />
The company began changing its menu twice a year and adding steaks, seafood, and vegetarian dishes. As of April 2013, the Cheesecake Factory operated 162 restaurants under the Cheesecake Factory name in 36 states.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://locations.thecheesecakefactory.com|title=The Cheesecake Factory Restaurant Locations|access-date=20 September 2014|archive-date=20 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920235631/http://locations.thecheesecakefactory.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> Plaza Las Américas in San Juan, Puerto Rico, opened its first Cheesecake Factory on August 28, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://es.plazalasamericas.com/news/the-cheesecake-factory-abrira-en-plaza-las-americas-en-el-2013/|title=The Cheesecake Factory abrirá en Plaza Las Américas en el 2013 - Plaza Las Americas Shopping Center - San Juan, Puerto Rico|date=18 December 2012|publisher=Plaza Las Americas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615171735/http://es.plazalasamericas.com/news/the-cheesecake-factory-abrira-en-plaza-las-americas-en-el-2013/|archive-date=15 June 2013|access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>
The company used to operate one self-service, limited-menu express food service operation under the Cheesecake Factory marque inside DisneyQuest at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It opened in 1998 and closed in 2017.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/Theme_Parks_Attractions/Cheesecake_Factory_Express_leaving_Downtown_Disney.htm| title=Cheesecake Factory Express Leaving Downtown Disney| first=Leah| last=Zanolla| date=26 March 2008| access-date=7 January 2012| archive-date=21 February 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221211521/http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/Theme_Parks_Attractions/Cheesecake_Factory_Express_leaving_Downtown_Disney.htm| url-status=live}}</ref>
===International expansion=== thumb|Cheesecake Factory; Ross Park Mall; Pittsburgh PA 220px|thumb|The Cheesecake Factory in Hong Kong The Cheesecake Factory has expanded into international markets by licensing agreements for other companies to operate restaurant locations outside of the US. The first restaurant outside the United States was opened at The Dubai Mall in August 2012 via a licensing agreement.[[File:9.6.07.CFPalisadesMallbyLuigiNovi.JPG|thumb|left|The Cheesecake Factory at Palisades Center in West Nyack, New York]]On January 25, 2011, the company expanded into the Middle East in a partnership with Kuwaiti retail franchising company M.H. Alshaya Co. The 300-seat restaurant opened on August 16, 2012, at The Dubai Mall. This was The Cheesecake Factory's first location outside the United States.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Welcome to The Cheesecake Factory - Learn About Us |url=https://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/node/71 |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www.thecheesecakefactory.com |language=en}}</ref>
In May 2014, The Cheesecake Factory announced that it would open the first Cheesecake Factory in East Asia. The first East Asian Cheesecake Factory opened in Disneytown in Pudong, Shanghai, China, on June 16, 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jennings |first1=Lisa |title=The Cheesecake Factory to expand to Asia |url=http://nrn.com/international/cheesecake-factory-expand-asia |website=Nation's Restaurant News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522043133/http://nrn.com/international/cheesecake-factory-expand-asia |archive-date=May 22, 2014 |date=May 20, 2014}}</ref>
Also, in 2014, the first Cheesecake Factory in Mexico opened its doors in Guadalajara.<ref name=":0" />
As of May 2018, The Cheesecake Factory has eleven restaurants in the Middle East: four in Dubai (Dubai Mall, Mall of Emirates, Jumeirah Beach Residence and Dubai Festival City Mall), three in Kuwait (Arabella, Sidra, and The Avenues—which was the 160th Cheesecake Factory opening),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2013/02/12/m-h-alshaya-the-mystery-company-importing-americana-to-the-mideast/|last=Kowitt|first=Beth|date=February 12, 2013|title=M.H. Alshaya: The mystery company importing Americana to the Mideast|work=Fortune|access-date=July 7, 2019|archive-date=August 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813091603/https://fortune.com/2013/02/12/m-h-alshaya-the-mystery-company-importing-americana-to-the-mideast/|url-status=live}}</ref> two in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh and Jeddah), and lastly one in the Yas Mall and one in The Galleria in Abu Dhabi.<ref name="fortune">{{cite journal| last=Kowitt| first=Beth| title=The Mystery Company Importing Americana to the Mideast| journal=Fortune| date=February 25, 2013| volume=167| issue=3| pages=90–96}}</ref> On December 1, 2015, The Cheesecake Factory opened its eighth Middle East branch at the Verdun Shopping Center in Beirut, Lebanon. Many of the Cheesecake Factory management attended the opening, including managers from the US and Dubai. The Cheesecake Factory also made its first appearance in Doha, Qatar, by opening in the Mall of Qatar and further opened two more branches in Villaggio and Doha Festival City.
There are Cheesecake Factories in Parque Delta and Centro Santa Fe, Mexico City.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bienvenido a The Cheesecake Factory |url=http://thecheesecakefactory.com.mx/m/ |website=thecheesecakefactory.com.mx |publisher=TCF Co. LLC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721214649/http://thecheesecakefactory.com.mx/m/ |archive-date=21 July 2017}}</ref>
On April 12, 2017, the company announced it would expand into Canada.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/despite-its-anticipation-the-cheesecake-factorys-success-in-canada-is-far-fromguaranteed/article37020525/|title=Not a piece of cake|last=Farooqui|first=Salmaan|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=17 November 2017|access-date=22 November 2017|archive-date=21 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121223700/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/despite-its-anticipation-the-cheesecake-factorys-success-in-canada-is-far-fromguaranteed/article37020525/|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2017, the first Canadian location opened at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto, Ontario.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://dailyhive.com/toronto/the-cheesecake-factory-toronto-2017| title=The Cheesecake Factory is opening a Toronto location this fall| first=Liora| last=Ipsum| date=April 12, 2017| website=dailyhive.com| access-date=April 12, 2017| archive-date=April 13, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413070859/http://dailyhive.com/toronto/the-cheesecake-factory-toronto-2017| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet| user=YorkdaleStyle| number=885601701495025664| author=Yorkdale Style| author-link=Yorkdale Shopping Centre| date=July 13, 2017| title=The Cheescake Factory will be opening on November 21st 2017! Check http://Yorkdale.com for updates!}}</ref>
In May 2017, a Hong Kong restaurant opened in Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.scmp.com/comment/blogs/article/2092264/first-impressions-cheesecake-factory-hong-kong-trip-back-80s |title=So is Cheesecake Factory Hong Kong's food worth the wait? |first1=Bernice |last1=Chan |work=South China Morning Post |date=2 May 2017 |language=en |access-date=7 January 2019 |archive-date=7 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107233458/https://www.scmp.com/comment/blogs/article/2092264/first-impressions-cheesecake-factory-hong-kong-trip-back-80s |url-status=live }}</ref>
As of the beginning of 2024,<ref>[https://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/corporate-information Global Development | The Cheesecake Factory]</ref> the Cheesecake Factory is open for business in 12 countries and territories across the Americas and Asia, Bahrain, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Macau, Mexico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
==Criticism and controversy==
===Animal welfare=== In 2012, the Cheesecake Factory committed to eliminate the use of gestation crates from its pork supply chain by 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Cheesecake Factory Announces Progress in Eliminating Controversial Pig Cages from Supply Chain |url=https://www.fb101.com/the-cheesecake-factory-announces-progress-in-eliminating-controversial-pig-cages-from-supply-chain/ |access-date=6 June 2025 |work=Food & Beverage Magazine |date=17 January 2014}}</ref> In its 2021 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, it stated that by the end of 2022, 75% of its U.S. pork supply would be crate-free.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cheesecake Factory notes progress on eliminating gestation crates |url=https://www.nationalhogfarmer.com/hog-welfare/cheesecake-factory-notes-progress-on-eliminating-gestation-crates |access-date=6 June 2025 |work=National Hog Farmer |date=25 May 2022}}</ref> In 2024, the Cheesecake Factory was highlighted by animal welfare organization Animal Equality for having made progress toward eliminating gestation crates in its supply chain, but not having eliminated them entirely.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mridul |first1=Anay |title=KFC, Chick-Fil-A, Denny's Among Major Chains That Still Use Caged Pigs for Pork |url=https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/gestation-cages-pigs-cage-free-kfc-dennys-taco-bell/ |access-date=3 June 2025 |work=Green Queen |date=7 June 2024}}</ref>
In 2015, the Cheesecake Factory stated that it would eliminate the use of battery cage eggs from its supply chain, but did not specify a timeline for doing so.<ref>{{cite news |title=Multiple Big Companies This Year Pledged to Go Cage-Free for Eggs |url=https://ktla.com/news/nationworld/multiple-big-companies-this-year-pledged-to-go-cage-free-for-eggs/ |access-date=6 June 2025 |work=KTLA5 |date=25 December 2015}}</ref> In 2023, it was identified by The Humane League and the Open Wing Alliance for failing to report progress on its cage-free transition.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hussain |first1=Grace |title=Shake Shack and The Cheesecake Factory Fall Behind on Cage-Free Egg Commitments |url=https://sentientmedia.org/shake-shack-lags-on-cage-free-eggs/ |access-date=3 June 2025 |work=Sentient |date=10 October 2023}}</ref> In March 2025, The Humane League stated that the Cheesecake Factory had achieved a 100% cage-free transition.<ref>{{Cite press release |last=The Humane League |title=As 2025 Deadlines Hit, Subway, Wendy's, Crumbl Face Scrutiny Over Cage-Free Egg Failures Amid Bird Flu Crisis |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-humane-league-as-2025-deadlines-hit-subway-wendys-crumbl-face-scrutiny-over-cage-free-egg-failures-amid-bird-flu-crisis-302410035.html |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref>
===Legal problems=== On December 4, 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission resolved charges brought against the Cheesecake Factory for misleading investors during the COVID-19 pandemic; the company paid a $125,000 fine without admitting the findings in the order.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2020-306 |date=December 4, 2020 |title=SEC Charges The Cheesecake Factory For Misleading COVID-19 Disclosures |work=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |access-date=December 4, 2020 |archive-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205085138/https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2020-306 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/2020/34-90565.pdf |date=December 4, 2020 |title=Administrative Proceeding File No. 3-20158 |work=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |access-date=December 4, 2020 |archive-date=December 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204141001/https://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/2020/34-90565.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Other restaurants== The Cheesecake Factory Bakery Cafe operates two bakery production facilities in Calabasas Hills, California, and Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and licenses two bakery-based menus to other food service operators. This division operates worldwide.{{cn|date=December 2025}}
===Grand Lux Cafe=== [[File:Grand Lux Cafe, Sawgrass Mills, Sunrise, Florida February 20, 2022.jpg|thumb|The Grand Lux Cafe in The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise, Florida, in February 2022]] David Overton designed the Grand Lux Cafe, an upscale restaurant for The Venetian hotel and casino in Las Vegas.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fortune.com/2014/01/16/questions-for-cheesecake-factorys-david-overton/|title=Questions for ... Cheesecake Factory's David Overton|work=Fortune|access-date=2018-03-05|language=en|archive-date=2018-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306023559/http://fortune.com/2014/01/16/questions-for-cheesecake-factorys-david-overton/|url-status=live}}</ref> The restaurant is modeled after Italian, French, and Austrian styles. {{cn|date=December 2025}}
===RockSugar Southeast Asian Kitchen=== RockSugar Southeast Asian Kitchen was a contemporary Asian-fusion restaurant that opened on June 19, 2008, at Century City in Los Angeles. David Overton excluded Chinese and Japanese cuisines from the menu, as these are served at the Grand Lux and Cheesecake Factory restaurants. It closed on December 31, 2020, at least in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://la.eater.com/2021/1/13/22227089/morning-briefing-restaurant-news-los-angeles-rocksugar-restaurant-closed-century-city |author-first1=Farley|author-last1=Elliott|website=Eater|title=Gloriously Gaudy 12-Year Mall Mainstay RockSugar Southeast Asian Kitchen Has Closed | date=13 January 2021 }}</ref> A second location opened in Oakbrook, Illinois, in November 2017,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://abc7chicago.com/food/la-based-rocksugar-opens-oak-brook-location/3029996/|title=L.A.-based RockSugar opens Oak Brook location|last=Dolinsky|first=Steve|date=2018-02-03|work=ABC7 Chicago|access-date=2018-03-05|language=en-US|archive-date=2018-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306082710/http://abc7chicago.com/food/la-based-rocksugar-opens-oak-brook-location/3029996/|url-status=live}}</ref> but closed in December 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/oak-brook/ct-dob-rock-sugar-closing-tl-1212-20191206-ckbkxasqarbb3gncrlajt4mbnm-story.html|title=RockSugar Southeast Asian Kitchen closing Oakbrook Center restaurant|last=Fieldman|first=Chuck|date=2019-12-06|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=2020-03-16|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303052517/https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/oak-brook/ct-dob-rock-sugar-closing-tl-1212-20191206-ckbkxasqarbb3gncrlajt4mbnm-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Fox Restaurant Concepts=== On July 31, 2019, The Cheesecake Factory announced it had reached an agreement to buy Phoenix-based Fox Restaurant Concepts (FRC) for $308 million in cash at closing and another $45 million due over the next four years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ktar.com/story/2674864/cheesecake-factory-buying-phoenix-based-fox-restaurant-empire/|title=Cheesecake Factory buying Phoenix-based Fox restaurant empire|author-last1=Stone|author-first1=Kevin|date=2019-07-31|website=KTAR.com|access-date=2019-08-01|archive-date=2019-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801032509/https://ktar.com/story/2674864/cheesecake-factory-buying-phoenix-based-fox-restaurant-empire/|url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:The interior of a North Italia restaurant in Dunwoody, Georgia.jpg|thumb|The interior of a North Italia restaurant in Dunwoody, Georgia]]
==Menu== thumb|right|Several cheesecakes on display at a location in Naples, Florida
The Cheesecake Factory dining menu includes steaks, chops, burgers, chicken, seafood, sandwiches, pasta, pizza, soups, and salads in various cuisines. In addition to its regular dining menu, the company offers a lower-calorie menu that includes salads, burgers, sandwiches, and small plates.<ref name="guide" /> The brunch menu is offered on Saturdays and Sundays and includes pancakes, waffles, French toast, and eggs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Saturday & Sunday Brunch|url=https://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/menu/eggs-omelettes-saturday-sunday-brunch/saturday-sunday-brunch/|website=The Cheesecake Factory|access-date=3 June 2021|archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603184343/https://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/menu/eggs-omelettes-saturday-sunday-brunch/saturday-sunday-brunch/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The dessert menu offers more than cheesecake flavors and cakes,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/menu | title=The Cheesecake Factory }}</ref> milkshakes, and specialty and ice cream desserts.<ref name="guide">{{cite web |title=Nutritional Guide |url=https://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/assets/pdf/Nutritional_Guide.pdf |website=The Cheesecake Factory |access-date=3 June 2021 |archive-date=18 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318111941/https://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/assets/pdf/Nutritional_Guide.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Per a company spokesperson, the restaurant sells almost 35 million slices of cheesecake annually.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Laliberte |first1=Marissa |title=13 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Cheesecake Factory's Cheesecake |url=https://www.rd.com/list/cheesecake-factory-cheesecake-facts/ |website=rd.com |publisher=Reader's Digest |access-date=24 September 2023 |date=3 February 2022}}</ref>
The more than 250 menu items are all made from scratch to order,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Renae |first1=Kirstie |title=I used to work at The Cheesecake Factory. Here are 13 things that surprised me about my job. |url=https://www.insider.com/working-at-the-cheesecake-factory-2019-6 |access-date=June 3, 2021 |work=Insider |date=May 7, 2021 |archive-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302114632/https://www.insider.com/working-at-the-cheesecake-factory-2019-6 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Katie |title=9 surprising facts about The Cheesecake Factory |url=https://www.today.com/food/9-things-you-didn-t-know-about-cheesecake-factory-t150489 |access-date=June 3, 2021 |work=TODAY |date=May 19, 2019 |archive-date=June 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603184341/https://www.today.com/food/9-things-you-didn-t-know-about-cheesecake-factory-t150489 |url-status=live }}</ref> except for the cheesecakes which are produced in bakery production facilities and delivered to the restaurants frozen.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rivera |first1=Dane |title=Are Cheesecake Factory’s Cheesecakes Frozen Or Fresh? |access-date=December 29, 2025 |work=Uproxx | url=https://uproxx.com/life/are-cheesecake-factory-cheesecakes-made-frozen-or-fresh/}}</ref>
===Caloric content=== The Cheesecake Factory has been criticized for featuring large servings of high-calorie and high-fat foods. For these reasons, the chain was dubbed the "worst family restaurant in America" for 2010 by ''Men's Health'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web |last=Zinczenko |first=David |url=http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/americas-best%E2%80%94and-worst%E2%80%94family-restaurants |title=America's Best—and Worst!—Family Restaurants |publisher=Health.yahoo.net |date=2010-11-19 |access-date=2011-06-25 |archive-date=2011-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716203153/http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/americas-best%E2%80%94and-worst%E2%80%94family-restaurants |url-status=live }}</ref> The average sandwich at the restaurant contains 1,400 calories.<ref>{{cite web |author=HealthiNation |url=http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/worst-foods-america-2010 |title=Worst Foods in America, 2010 |publisher=Health.yahoo.net |date=2010-12-10 |access-date=2011-06-25 |archive-date=2011-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716175432/http://health.yahoo.net/experts/eatthis/worst-foods-america-2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2013, the Center for Science in the Public Interest noted that the "Crispy Chicken Costoletta" that has more calories (2,610) than a 12-piece bucket of fried chicken from KFC, and the Cheesecake Factory's "Bistro Shrimp Pasta" dish had more calories than any other entrée from a national chain restaurant at 3,120 calories, with 89 grams of saturated fat.<ref name=CSPI2013>{{cite web|url=http://cspinet.org/new/201301161.html|title=Xtreme Eating 2013: Extremism Running Amok at America's Restaurant Chains|date=16 January 2013|access-date=20 September 2014|archive-date=6 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906043043/http://cspinet.org/new/201301161.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2015, the Cheesecake Factory created a "SkinnyLicious" menu that features a variety of cocktails, salads, appetizers, and specialty dishes such as lemon-garlic shrimp and grilled salmon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2011-07-29-chessecake-factory-lower-calorie-menu_n.htm|title=Cheesecake Factory 'SkinnyLicious' menu cuts calories - USATODAY.com|website=USATODAY.COM|access-date=2016-03-25|archive-date=2015-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818023048/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2011-07-29-chessecake-factory-lower-calorie-menu_n.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Los Angeles|Companies|Food}} * List of restaurant chains * Penny (''The Big Bang Theory'') {{Clear}}
==References== {{Reflist|35em}}
==External links== {{Commons category|The Cheesecake Factory}} * {{Official website|http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/}}
{{Casual dining chains of the United States}} {{Restaurants in Israel}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cheesecake Factory}} Category:Restaurants in Greater Los Angeles Category:Restaurant chains in the United States Category:Companies based in Calabasas, California Category:Fast-food franchises Category:Restaurants established in 1978 Category:1978 establishments in California Category:Companies listed on the Nasdaq