Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (CAKE)

Cheesecake Factory's stock (CAKE) has experienced gains, with increases of 15.3% over the past month, 18.7% year-to-date, and 26.9% over the last year as of late April 2026. In March 2026, the stock was up approximately 7% year-to-date and 10% over the trailing twelve months. In Q1 2026, the company reported revenues of US$978.83 million, a 5.6% year-over-year increase, and a net income of US$49.55 million, with adjusted EPS reaching $1.05. Comparable sales increased by 1.6%, and the company declared a US$0.30 quarterly dividend and continued share repurchases. In Q4 2025, total sales were $961.6 million, and adjusted diluted earnings per share increased 10% year-over-year to $3.77 for the fiscal year 2025. Comparable sales for the core Cheesecake Factory brand declined by 2.2% year-over-year, and North Italia also saw a 4% decline. The company returned $24 million to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases in Q4 2025. The company also raised its dividend in 2026.

While specific details on demand seasonality are not provided, the restaurant industry generally experiences seasonal fluctuations influenced by holidays, school breaks, and weather. The company's diverse menu and presence in various geographic locations may help mitigate extreme seasonality.

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated operates and licenses full-service restaurants in the United States and Canada, with brands including The Cheesecake Factory, North Italia, Flower Child, and other Fox Restaurant Concepts. The company's bakery division produces cheesecakes and baked products for its restaurants, international licensees, and third-party customers. The Cheesecake Factory's menu features over 250 items, including appetizers, salads, pasta, seafood, steaks, burgers, and over 30 flavors of signature cheesecakes.

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated operates 371 restaurants across the United States and Canada, with 36 The Cheesecake Factory restaurants operating internationally under licensing agreements. In the United States, there are 214 locations across 43 states and territories, with California, Florida, and Texas having the highest concentration of restaurants. The company's bakery division has two production facilities in Calabasas, California, and Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

The Cheesecake Factory was named to the FORTUNE Magazine “100 Best Companies to Work For®” list for the thirteenth consecutive year in 2026. However, the brand has faced customer complaints regarding high prices, declining food quality, and poor service. Some consumers perceive the brand as less relevant, with approximately 70% of its main courses being considered average, contributing to an "image crack." The company's strategy of locating many restaurants in shopping malls has also been identified as a strategic risk.

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated is a publicly traded company with significant institutional investor ownership, approximately 68.39% according to one source and 40.96% according to another. Major institutional owners include Fmr Llc (Fidelity), BlackRock, Inc., The Vanguard Group, Inc., Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management Llc, Invesco Ltd., Earnest Partners Llc, Bank Of America Corp /de/, Wellington Management Group Llp, State Street Corp, and American Century Companies Inc. Founder David M. Overton serves as the Chairman and CEO and is the largest individual shareholder. Insiders own approximately 8.06% of the stock, while public companies and individual investors hold around 23.55% to 27.43%.