# Cheesecake Factory Inc: Form 10-Q for the period ended Apr 1, 2025

- Company: [Cheesecake Factory Inc](/companies/cake.md) (CIK 887596)
- Form: 10-Q
- Filed: 2025-05-05
- Accepted by EDGAR: May 5, 2025, 17:00 ET
- Period: 2025-04-01
- Accession: 0001410578-25-001073
- Inline XBRL: yes
- Main document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/887596/000141057825001073/cake-20250401x10q.htm
- All documents and exhibits: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/887596/000141057825001073/

## Figures reported in this filing

Standardized XBRL line items for the period ended 2025-04-01.

| Line item | Period | Value | XBRL concept |
| --- | --- | ---: | --- |
| Revenue | 3 months, 2025-01-01 to 2025-04-01 | $927.2m | us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax |
| Operating income | 3 months, 2025-01-01 to 2025-04-01 | $52.0m | us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss |
| Income tax | 3 months, 2025-01-01 to 2025-04-01 | $1.5m | us-gaap:IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit |
| Net income | 3 months, 2025-01-01 to 2025-04-01 | $32.9m | us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss |
| Diluted EPS | 3 months, 2025-01-01 to 2025-04-01 | $0.67 | us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted |
| Basic EPS | 3 months, 2025-01-01 to 2025-04-01 | $0.69 | us-gaap:EarningsPerShareBasic |
| Diluted shares (weighted) | 3 months, 2025-01-01 to 2025-04-01 | 49,284,000 shares | us-gaap:WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding |
| Operating cash flow | 3 months, 2025-01-01 to 2025-04-01 | $78.9m | us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities |
| Capital expenditure | 3 months, 2025-01-01 to 2025-04-01 | $42.8m | us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment |
| Dividends paid | 3 months, 2025-01-01 to 2025-04-01 | $12.5m | us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock |
| Share repurchases | 3 months, 2025-01-01 to 2025-04-01 | $141.4m | us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock |
| Cash and equivalents | at 2025-04-01 | $135.4m | us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue |
| Current assets | at 2025-04-01 | $361.1m | us-gaap:AssetsCurrent |
| Total assets | at 2025-04-01 | $3.11bn | us-gaap:Assets |
| Current liabilities | at 2025-04-01 | $683.9m | us-gaap:LiabilitiesCurrent |
| Total liabilities | at 2025-04-01 | $2.77bn | us-gaap:Liabilities |
| Long-term debt | at 2025-04-01 | $627.3m | us-gaap:LongTermDebtNoncurrent |
| Shareholders' equity | at 2025-04-01 | $339.4m | us-gaap:StockholdersEquity |

## Management's discussion and analysis

As filed, 40,847 characters.

### Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information included in this Form 10-Q and other materials we have filed or may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as well as information included in oral or written statements made by us or on our behalf, may contain forward-looking statements about our current and presently expected performance trends, growth plans, business goals and other matters.

These statements may be contained in our filings with the SEC, in our press releases, in other written communications, and in oral statements made by or with the approval of one of our authorized officers. These statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as codified in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (together with the Securities Act, the “Acts”). This includes, without limitation, statements regarding corporate social responsibility (“CSR”) and in our CSR report, the effects of geopolitical and macroeconomic factors on our financial condition and our results of operations, financial guidance and projections, as well as expectations of our future financial condition, results of operations, sales, target growth rates, cash flows, quarterly dividends, share repurchases, capital structure and leverage, corporate strategy, potential price increases, plans, targets, goals, objectives, performance, growth potential, competitive position and business, and statements regarding our ability to: leverage our competitive strengths, including developing and investing in new restaurant concepts and expanding The Cheesecake Factory® brand to other retail opportunities; maintain our aggregate sales volumes; deliver comparable sales growth; provide a differentiated experience to customers; outperform the casual dining industry and increase our market share; leverage sales increases and manage flow through; manage market risks and cost pressures, including increasing wage rates and insurance costs, and increase margins; grow earnings; remain relevant to consumers; attract and retain qualified management and other staff; increase shareholder value; find suitable sites and manage increasing construction costs; profitably expand our concepts domestically and in Canada, and work with our licensees to expand The Cheesecake Factory internationally; support the growth of North Italia, Flower Child and additional brands within our Fox Restaurant Concepts (“Other FRC”) restaurants; and utilize our capital effectively. These forward-looking statements may be affected by various factors including: economic, public health and political conditions that impact consumer confidence and spending, including trade policy, changes in interest rates, periods of heightened inflation and market instability, and armed conflicts; supply chain disruptions; demonstrations, political unrest, potential damage to or closure of our restaurants and potential reputational damage to us or any of our brands; pandemics and related containment measures, including the potential for quarantines or restriction on in-person dining; acceptance and success of The Cheesecake Factory in international markets; acceptance and success of North Italia, Flower Child and Other FRC concepts; the risks of doing business abroad through Company-owned restaurants and/or licensees; foreign exchange rates, tariffs and cross border taxation; changes in unemployment rates; increases in minimum wages and benefit costs; the economic health of our landlords and other tenants in retail centers in which our restaurants are located, and our ability to successfully manage our lease arrangements with landlords; the economic health of suppliers, licensees, vendors and other third parties providing goods or services to us; the timing of our new unit development and related permitting; compliance with debt covenants; strategic capital allocation decisions including with respect to share repurchases or dividends; the ability to achieve projected financial results; the resolution of uncertain tax positions with the Internal Revenue Service and the impact of tax reform legislation; changes in laws impacting our business; adverse weather conditions and natural disasters in regions in which our restaurants are located; factors that are under the control of government agencies, landlords and other third parties; the risks, costs and uncertainties associated with opening new restaurants; and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC. Such forward-looking statements include all other statements that are not historical facts, as well as statements that are preceded by, followed by or that include words or phrases such as “believe,” “plan,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “intend,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “should” and similar expressions. These statements are based on our current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in such statements.

In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Acts, we have identified and are disclosing important factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements made by us, or on our behalf. (See Part II, Item 1A of this report, “Risk Factors,” and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.) These cautionary statements are to be used as a reference in connection with any forward-looking statements. The factors, risks and uncertainties identified in these cautionary statements are in addition to those contained in any other cautionary statements, written or oral, which may be made or otherwise addressed in connection with a forward-looking statement or contained in any of our subsequent filings with the SEC. Because of these factors, risks and uncertainties, we caution against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying forward-looking statements are currently reasonable, any of the assumptions could be incorrect or incomplete, and there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required to do so by law.

The below discussion and analysis, which contains forward-looking statements, should be read in conjunction with our interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes in Part I, Item 1 of this report, Part II, Item 1A of this report, “Risk Factors,” and with the following items included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024: the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes in Part IV, Item 15; “Risk Factors” included in Part I, Item 1A; “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Part II, Item 7; and the cautionary statements included throughout this Form 10-Q. The inclusion of supplementary analytical and related information herein may require us to make estimates and assumptions to enable us to fairly present, in all material respects, our analysis of trends and expectations with respect to our results of operations and financial position.

#### Geopolitical and Other Macroeconomic Impacts to our Operating Environment

In recent years, our operating results were impacted by geopolitical and macroeconomic events, causing supply chain challenges and significantly increased commodity and wage inflation. Our commodity and wage inflationary environment began returning to more historical levels in fiscal 2024.

The impact of ongoing geopolitical and macroeconomic events could lead to further wage inflation, product and services cost inflation, disruptions in the supply chain, staffing challenges, shifts in consumer behavior, and delays in new restaurant openings. Adverse weather conditions and natural disasters may further exacerbate a number of these factors. For more information regarding the risks to our business relating to the geopolitical and macroeconomic events, see Part II, Item 1A of this report, “Risk Factors,” and “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

### General

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated is a leader in experiential dining. We are culinary forward and relentlessly focused on hospitality. We currently own and operate 358 restaurants throughout the United States and Canada under brands including The Cheesecake Factory® (215 locations), North Italia® (45 locations), Flower Child® (40 locations) and additional brands within our FRC portfolio (51 locations). Internationally, 33 The Cheesecake Factory® restaurants operate under licensing agreements. Our bakery division operates two facilities that produce quality cheesecakes and other baked products for our restaurants, international licensees and third-party bakery customers.

### Overview

Our strategy is driven by our commitment to customer satisfaction and is focused primarily on menu innovation, service and operational execution to differentiate ourselves from other restaurant concepts, and drive competitively strong performance that is sustainable. Financially, we are focused on prudently managing expenses at our restaurants, bakery facilities and corporate support center, and leveraging our size to make the best use of our purchasing power.

Investing in new Company-owned restaurant development is our top long-term capital allocation priority, with a focus on opening our concepts in premier locations within both new and existing markets. We plan to continue expanding The Cheesecake Factory, North Italia and Flower Child concepts. In addition, our FRC subsidiary serves as an incubator, innovating new food, dining and hospitality experiences to create fresh, exciting concepts.

Our revenue growth is primarily driven by new restaurant openings and increases in comparable restaurant sales.

For The Cheesecake Factory Restaurants, our strategy is to increase comparable restaurant sales by growing average check and maintaining customer traffic through (1) continuing to offer innovative, high quality menu items that offer customers a wide range of options in terms of flavor, price and value, (2) focusing on service and hospitality with the goal of delivering an exceptional dining experience and (3) continuing to provide our customers with convenient options for off-premise dining. We are continuing our efforts on a number of initiatives, including menu innovation, increasing customer throughput in our restaurants, leveraging our gift card program, partnering with a third party to provide delivery services for our restaurants, increasing customer awareness of our online ordering capabilities and improving the pick-up experience, augmenting our marketing programs, including our Cheesecake Rewards® program, enhancing our training programs and leveraging insights from our customer satisfaction measurement platform.

Average check variations are driven by menu price increases and/or changes in menu mix. We generally update The Cheesecake Factory menus twice a year, and our philosophy is to use price increases to help offset key operating cost increases in a manner that supports both our margin and customer traffic objectives. Prior to fiscal 2022, we targeted menu price increases of approximately 2% to 3% annually, utilizing a market-based strategy to help mitigate cost pressure in higher-wage geographies. In fiscal years 2023 and 2024, we implemented price increases above our historical levels, to help offset significant inflationary cost pressures. We will continue to take the cost and inflationary environment into consideration when implementing future pricing decisions. In addition, on a regular basis, we carefully consider opportunities to adjust our menu offerings or ingredients to help manage product availability and cost.

Margins are subject to fluctuations in commodity costs, labor, restaurant-level occupancy expenses, general and administrative (“G&A”) expenses and preopening expenses. Our objective is to drive margin expansion by leveraging incremental sales to increase restaurant-level margins at The Cheesecake Factory concept, leveraging our bakery operations, international and consumer packaged goods royalty revenue streams and G&A expense over time, and optimizing our restaurant portfolio.

We plan to employ a balanced capital allocation strategy comprised of investing in new restaurants that are expected to meet our targeted returns, managing our aggregate debt levels and returning capital to shareholders through our dividend and share repurchase programs, the latter of which offsets dilution from our equity compensation program and supports our earnings per share growth. Future decisions to pay or to increase or decrease dividends or to repurchase shares are at the discretion of the Board and will be dependent on a number of factors, including limitations pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement and applicable law.

### Results of Operations

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, information from our condensed consolidated statements of income expressed as percentages of revenues. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or for the full fiscal year.

| ​ ​ ​ ​ | ​ ​ ​ | ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended ​ April 1, 2025 ​ | ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended April 2, 2024 ​ |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| Revenues |  | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| ​ | ​ | ​ ​ | ​ ​ |
| Costs and expenses: | ​ | ​ | ​ ​ |
| Food and beverage costs | ​ | 21.8 ​ | 22.8 ​ |
| Labor expenses | ​ | 35.7 | 36.0 ​ |
| Other operating costs and expenses | ​ | 26.7 | 26.3 ​ |
| General and administrative expenses | ​ | 6.5 | 6.8 ​ |
| Depreciation and amortization expenses | ​ | 2.8 | 2.8 ​ |
| Impairment of assets and lease termination expenses | ​ | 0.0 ​ | 0.2 ​ |
| Acquisition-related contingent consideration, compensation and amortization expenses | ​ | 0.1 ​ | 0.1 ​ |
| Preopening costs | ​ | 0.8 | 0.6 ​ |
| Total costs and expenses | ​ | 94.4 | 95.6 ​ |
| Income from operations | ​ | 5.6 | 4.4 |
| Interest expense, net | ​ | (0.3) | (0.3) ​ |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | ​ | (1.7) ​ | — ​ |
| Other income, net | ​ | 0.1 ​ | 0.1 ​ |
| Income before income taxes | ​ | 3.7 | 4.2 ​ |
| Income tax provision | ​ | 0.1 | 0.5 ​ |
| Net income | ​ | 3.6% | 3.7% |

### Thirteen Weeks Ended April 1, 2025 Compared to Thirteen Weeks Ended April 2, 2024

#### Revenues

Revenues increased 4.0% to $927.2 million for the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2025 compared to $891.2 million for the comparable prior year period, primarily due to additional revenue related to new restaurant openings and an increase in comparable restaurant sales.

The Cheesecake Factory Restaurants sales increased 0.7% to $672.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, compared to $667.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Average sales per restaurant operating week increased 1.2% to $240,692 in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 from $237,903 in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Total operating weeks at The Cheesecake Factory restaurants decreased 0.4% to 2,795 in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to 2,807 in the prior year. The Cheesecake Factory comparable sales increased by 1.0%, or $6.5 million, from the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase from first quarter fiscal 2024 was primarily driven by an increase in average check of 2.2% (based on an increase of 4.4% in menu pricing, partially offset by a 2.2% negative change from menu mix), partially offset by decreased customer traffic of 1.2%. We implemented effective menu price increases of approximately 2.4% and 2.0% in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and the third quarter of fiscal 2024, respectively. Sales through the off-premise channel comprised approximately 22% of our restaurant sales during both the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024. We account for each off-premise order as one customer for traffic measurement purposes. Therefore, average check is generally higher for off-premise orders as most are for more than one customer.

North Italia sales increased 17.6% to $83.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, compared to $70.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Average sales per restaurant operating week increased 0.9% to $148,947 in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 from $147,654 in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Total operating weeks at North Italia increased 16.7% to 560 in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to 480 in the prior year. North Italia comparable sales decreased approximately 1% from the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The decrease from fiscal 2024 was primarily driven by decreased customer traffic of 4%, partially offset by an increase in average check of 3% (based on an increase of 5% in menu pricing, partially offset by a 2% negative impact from mix). We implemented effective menu price increases of approximately 2.2% and 2.3% in the second and fourth quarters of fiscal 2024, respectively. We are in the process of implementing a 2.0% price increase in the second quarter of fiscal 2025.

Flower Child sales increased 26.1% to $43.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, compared to $34.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Flower Child sales per restaurant operating week increased 5.8% to $88,515 in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 from $83,673 in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Total operating weeks at Flower Child increased 19.2% to 491 in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to 412 in the prior year. Flower Child comparable sales increased approximately 5% from the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase from the first quarter of fiscal 2024 includes an increase of 3% in menu pricing.

Other FRC sales increased 17.8% to $87.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, compared to $74.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Other FRC average sales per restaurant operating week decreased 0.7% to $139,655 in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 from $140,584 in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Average sales per restaurant operating week were impacted by new restaurant openings, as well as the concept mix and a decline in comparable sales. Total operating weeks at Other FRC increased 18.6% to 626 in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to 528 in the prior year.

Restaurants become eligible to enter the comparable sales base in their 19th month of operation. As of April 1, 2025, there were six The Cheesecake Factory restaurants, 12 North Italia restaurants and nine Flower Child locations not yet in their respective comparable sales bases. International licensed locations and restaurants that are no longer in operation, including those which we have relocated, are excluded from comparable sales calculations.

#### Food and Beverage Costs

Food and beverage costs consist of raw materials and ingredients used in the food and beverage products sold in our restaurants and to our third-party customers. As a percentage of revenues cost of sales was 21.8% and 22.8% in the first quarters of fiscal 2025 and 2024, respectively, primarily due to favorable commodity inflation across most categories (0.5%) and a shift in sales mix (0.2%).

#### Labor Expenses

As a percentage of revenues, labor expenses, which include restaurant-level labor costs and bakery production labor, including associated fringe benefits, were 35.7% and 36.0% in the first quarters of fiscal 2025 and 2024, respectively. This decrease was primarily due to menu price increases in excess of wage rate inflation, and improved staffing levels and productivity (0.9%), partially offset by higher payroll taxes (0.3%) and higher group medical cost due to larger claim activity (0.2%).

#### Other Operating Costs and Expenses

Other operating costs and expenses consist of all other restaurant-level operating costs, the major components of which are occupancy expenses (rent, common area expenses, insurance, licenses, taxes and utilities), dining room and to-go supplies, repairs and maintenance, janitorial expenses, credit card processing fees, marketing including delivery commissions, and incentive compensation, as well as bakery production overhead. As a percentage of revenues, other operating costs and expenses were 26.7% and 26.3% in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and 2024, respectively. This variance was primarily driven by higher marketing costs related to our Cheesecake Rewards® program (0.2%) and higher facility related costs (0.2%).

#### G&A Expenses

G&A expenses consist of the restaurant management recruiting and training program, restaurant field supervision, corporate support and bakery administrative organizations, as well as gift card commissions to third-party distributors. As a percentage of revenues, G&A expenses were 6.5% and 6.8% in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and 2024, respectively. This variance was primarily due to decreased professional fees (0.2%).

#### Impairment of Assets and Lease Termination Expenses

During the first quarter of fiscal 2025, we recorded impairment of assets and lease termination expenses of $0.4 million primarily related to lease termination costs for one Other FRC location. During the first quarter of fiscal 2024, we recorded impairment of assets and lease terminations expense of $2.1 million primarily related to impairment of assets for one The Cheesecake Factory location and lease termination costs for one The Cheesecake Factory location.

#### Preopening Costs

Preopening costs were $8.1 million and $5.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and 2024, respectively. We opened three North Italia, three Flower Child and two Other FRC locations in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 compared to two North Italia, one Flower Child and two Other FRC locations in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Restaurant-level preopening costs include all costs to relocate and compensate restaurant management staff members during the preopening period, costs to recruit and train hourly restaurant staff members, and wages, travel and lodging costs for our opening training team and other support staff members. Also included in preopening costs are expenses for maintaining a roster of trained managers for pending opening and the associated temporary housing and other costs necessary to relocate managers in alignment with future restaurant opening and operating needs. Preopening costs can fluctuate significantly from period to period based on the number, mix and timing of restaurant openings and the specific preopening costs incurred for each restaurant.

#### Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

We recorded a $15.9 million loss on early debt extinguishment in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. On February 28, 2025, we repurchased approximately $276.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes (as defined below) for aggregate consideration of $289.8 million, which included a premium of $13.8 million. The repurchase was accounted for as a debt extinguishment. In addition, we recorded $2.1 million of unamortized issuance costs. (See Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for further discussion on our long-term debt.)

#### Income Tax Provision

Our effective income tax rate was 4.5% and 11.6% for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and 2024, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to a tax windfall in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 as compared to a tax shortfall in the comparable prior period related to equity compensation (7.5%), higher employment tax credits in the current fiscal quarter (1.4%) and a decrease in non-deductible executive compensation (0.8%). These factors were partially offset by non-deductible losses in the current fiscal quarter as compared to non-taxable gains in the comparable prior period on our investments in variable life insurance contracts used to support our non-qualified deferred compensation plan (1.1%) and leverage on higher annual forecasted income before taxes, predominantly related to employment credits (1.3%).

### Non-GAAP Measures

Adjusted net income, adjusted diluted net income per share and adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) are supplemental measures of our performance that are not required by or presented in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. We calculate these non-GAAP measures by eliminating from net income, diluted net income per common share and EBITDA the impact of items we do not consider indicative of our ongoing operations. Additionally, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA exclude the impact of certain non-cash transactions. We use these non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision-making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. Our inclusion of these adjusted measures should not be construed as an indication that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or infrequent items. In the future, we may incur expenses or generate income similar to the adjusted items.

Following is a reconciliation from net income and diluted net income per share to the corresponding adjusted measures (in thousands, except per share data):

| ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ | ​ ​ ​ | ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended April 1, 2025 ​ ​ | ​ ​ ​ | ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended April 2, 2024 ​ ​ |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Net income | ​ | $32,941 | ​ | $33,191 |
| Impairment of assets and lease termination expenses | ​ | ​ 378 | ​ | ​ 2,083 |
| Acquisition-related contingent consideration, compensation and amortization expenses | ​ | ​ 998 | ​ | ​ 1,121 |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt (1) | ​ | ​ 15,891 | ​ | ​ — |
| Tax effect of adjustments (2) | ​ | ​ (4,489) | ​ | ​ (833) |
| Adjusted net income | ​ | $45,719 | ​ | $35,562 |
| ​ | ​ | ​ ​ | ​ | ​ ​ |
| Diluted net income per common share | ​ | $0.67 | ​ | $0.68 |
| Impairment of assets and lease termination expenses | ​ | ​ 0.01 | ​ | ​ 0.04 |
| Acquisition-related contingent consideration, compensation and amortization expenses | ​ | ​ 0.02 | ​ | ​ 0.02 |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt (1) | ​ | 0.32 | ​ | ​ — |
| Tax effect of adjustments (2) | ​ | ​ (0.09) | ​ | (0.02) |
| Adjusted diluted net income per common share (3) | ​ | $0.93 | ​ | $0.73 |

(1) See Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for further discussion on our long-term debt.

(2) Based on the federal statutory rate and an estimated blended state tax rate, the tax effect on all adjustments assumes a 26% tax rate.

(3) Adjusted net income per share may not add due to rounding.

Following is a reconciliation from net income to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA measures (in thousands):

| ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ | ​ ​ ​ ​ | ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended April 1, 2025 ​ ​ | ​ ​ ​ ​ | ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended April 2, 2024 ​ ​ |
| --- | --- | ---: | --- | ---: |
| Net income | ​ | $32,941 | ​ | $33,191 |
| Depreciation and amortization expenses | ​ | 26,082 | ​ | 24,756 |
| Interest expense, net | ​ | 2,328 | ​ | 2,778 |
| Income tax provision/(benefit) | ​ | 1,542 | ​ | 4,341 |
| EBITDA | ​ | $62,893 | ​ | $65,066 |
| Impairment of assets and lease termination expenses | ​ | 378 | ​ | 2,083 |
| Acquisition-related contingent consideration, compensation and amortization expenses | ​ | 998 | ​ | 1,121 |
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | ​ | 15,891 | ​ | — |
| Stock-based compensation (1) | ​ | 7,581 | ​ | 7,649 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | ​ | $87,741 | ​ | $75,919 |

(1) See Note 10 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for further discussion of stock-based compensation.

### Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our corporate financial objectives are to maintain a sufficiently strong and conservative balance sheet to support our operating initiatives and unit growth while maintaining financial flexibility to provide the financial resources necessary to protect and enhance the competitiveness of our restaurant and bakery brands and to provide a prudent level of financial capacity to manage the risks and uncertainties of conducting our business operations under various economic and industry cycles. Typically, cash flows generated from operating activities are our principal source of liquidity, which we use to finance our restaurant expansion plans, ongoing maintenance of our restaurants and bakery facilities and investment in our corporate and information technology infrastructures.

Similar to many restaurant and retail chain store operations, we utilize operating lease arrangements for all of our restaurant locations. Accordingly, our lease arrangements reduce, to some extent, our capacity to utilize funded indebtedness in our capital structure. We are not limited to the use of lease arrangements as our only method of opening new restaurants. However, we believe our operating lease arrangements continue to provide appropriate leverage for our capital structure in a financially efficient manner.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2025, our cash and cash equivalents increased by $51.2 million to $135.4 million. The following table presents, for the periods indicated, a summary of our key cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities (in millions):

| ​ ​ ​ ​ | ​ ​ ​ | ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended April 1, 2025 | ​ ​ ​ | ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended April 2, 2024 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Cash provided by operating activities | ​ | $78.9 | ​ | $66.7 |
| Additions to property and equipment | ​ | ​ (42.8) | ​ | ​ (37.1) |
| Repayment on credit facility | ​ | ​ (110.0) | ​ | ​ — |
| Proceeds from long-term convertible debt | ​ | ​ 575.0 | ​ | ​ — |
| Repayment on long-term convertible debt, including premium on extinguishment | ​ | ​ (289.8) | ​ | ​ — |
| Issuance cost associated with long-term debt | ​ | ​ (16.5) | ​ | ​ — |
| Proceeds from exercise of options | ​ | ​ 10.8 | ​ | ​ — |
| Common stock dividends paid | ​ | ​ (12.5) | ​ | ​ (12.8) |
| Treasury stock purchases, inclusive of excise tax | ​ | ​ (141.4) | ​ | ​ (12.5) |

#### Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Cash flows from operations increased by $12.2 million from the first quarter of fiscal 2024 primarily due to net income after excluding the non-cash activity, inventory movement and higher accrued payroll, partially offset by higher additions to the operating lease asset. Typically, our requirement for working capital has not been significant since our restaurant customers pay for their food and beverage purchases in cash or cash equivalents at the time of sale, and we are able to sell many of our restaurant inventory items before payment is due to the suppliers of such items.

#### Property and Equipment

Capital expenditures for new restaurants, including locations under development, were $22.9 million and $25.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and 2024, respectively. Capital expenditures also included $17.1 million and $11.1 million for our existing restaurants and $2.8 million and $1.0 million for bakery and corporate capacity and infrastructure investments in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and 2024, respectively.

We opened eight restaurants in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 comprised of three North Italia, three Flower Child and two Other FRC locations compared to five restaurants in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 comprised of two North Italia, one Flower Child and two Other FRC locations. We expect to open as many as 25 new restaurants in fiscal 2025 across our portfolio of concepts. We anticipate approximately $190 to $210 million in capital expenditures to support this level of unit development, as well as required maintenance on our restaurants. This estimate includes new restaurant construction expenses, some of which may be classified as operating lease assets instead of additions to property and equipment in the statement of cash flows.

#### Credit Facility

On October 6, 2022, we entered into a Fourth Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement” and the revolving credit facility provided thereunder, the “Revolver Facility”). The Loan Agreement amends and restates in its entirety our prior credit agreement. The Revolver Facility, which terminates on October 6, 2027, provides us with revolving loan commitments that total $400 million, of which $50 million may be used for issuances of letters of credit. The Revolver Facility contains a commitment increase feature that, subject to certain conditions precedent, could provide for an additional $200 million in revolving loan commitments. Our obligations under the Revolver Facility are unsecured. Certain of our material subsidiaries have guaranteed our obligations under the Revolver Facility. In the first quarter of fiscal 2025, we repaid $110.0 million on the Revolver Facility. As of April 1, 2025, we had net availability for borrowings of $366.5 million, based on no outstanding debt balance and $33.5 million in standby letters of credit under the Revolver Facility.

Under the Revolver Facility, we are subject to financial covenants, as well as to customary events of default that, if triggered, could result in acceleration of the maturity of the Revolver Facility. Subject to certain exceptions, the Revolver Facility also limits distributions with respect to our equity interests, such as cash dividends and share repurchases, based on a defined ratio, and sets forth negative covenants that restrict indebtedness, liens, investments, sales of assets, fundamental changes and other matters. (See Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for further discussion of our long-term debt.)

#### 2030 Convertible Senior Notes

On February 28, 2025, we issued $575.0 million in aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes (“2030 Notes”), which will mature on March 15, 2030, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. The net proceeds from the sale of the 2030 Notes were approximately $558.5 million after deducting issuance costs of $16.5 million. As of April 1, 2025, the 2030 Notes had a balance of $558.8 million, net of unamortized issuance costs of $16.2 million. As of April 1, 2025, the conversion rate for the Notes was 14.1377 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 2030 Notes, which represents a conversion price of approximately $70.73 per share of common stock. See Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for further discussion on our long-term debt.)

#### 2026 Convertible Senior Notes

On June 15, 2021, we issued $345.0 million in aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes (“2026 Notes”), which will mature on June 15, 2026, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. The net proceeds from the sale of the 2026 Notes were approximately $334.9 million after deducting issuance costs of $10.1 million. On February 28, 2025, we used part of the net proceeds from the issuance of the 2030 Notes to repurchase approximately $276.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Notes in a privately-negotiated transaction for aggregate consideration of $289.8 million, which included a premium of $13.8 million. As of April 1, 2025, the 2026 Notes had a gross principal balance of $69.0 million and a balance of $68.5 million, net of unamortized issuance costs of $0.5 million. As of April 1, 2025, the conversion rate for the 2026 Notes was 13.9491 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 2026 Notes, which represents a conversion price of approximately $71.69 per share of common stock. In connection with the cash dividend that was declared by our Board on April 24, 2025, on May 14, 2025 we will adjust the conversion rate (which is expected to increase) and the conversion price (which is expected to decrease) of the 2026 Notes in accordance with the terms. (See Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for further discussion on our long-term debt.)

#### Common Stock Dividends

Common stock dividends of $12.5 million and $12.8 million were paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 and 2024, respectively. As further discussed in Note 12 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report, in April 2025, our Board declared a quarterly dividend to be paid in May 2025. Future decisions to pay or to increase or decrease dividends are at the discretion of the Board and will be dependent on our operating performance, financial condition, capital expenditure requirements, limitations on cash distributions pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement and applicable law, and other such factors that the Board considers relevant.

#### Share Repurchases

Under authorization by our Board to repurchase up to 61.0 million shares of our common stock, we have cumulatively repurchased 59.7 million shares at a total cost of $1,971.0 million, excluding excise tax through April 1, 2025. In the first quarter of fiscal 2025, we used approximately $130.0 million of the net proceeds from the 2030 Note issuance to repurchase approximately 2.4 million shares of our common stock. In total, we repurchased 2.6 million shares at a cost of $141.4 million, excluding excise tax during the first quarter of fiscal 2025. We repurchased 0.4 million shares at a cost of $12.5 million, excluding excise tax during the first quarter of fiscal 2024.

Our objectives with regard to share repurchases have been to offset the dilution to our shares outstanding that results from equity compensation grants and to supplement our earnings per share growth. Our share repurchase program does not have an expiration date, does not require us to purchase a specific number of shares and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time. Future decisions to repurchase shares are at the discretion of the Board and are based on several factors, including current and forecasted operating cash flows, capital needs associated with new restaurant development and maintenance of existing locations, dividend payments, debt levels and cost of borrowing, obligations associated with the FRC acquisition, our share price and current market conditions. The timing and number of shares repurchased are also subject to legal constraints and financial covenants under our Loan Agreement that limit share repurchases based on a defined ratio. (See Note 8 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for further discussion of our repurchase authorization.)

#### Cash Flow Outlook

We believe that our cash and cash equivalents, combined with expected cash flows provided by operations and available borrowings under the Revolving Facility, will provide us with adequate liquidity for the next 12 months and the foreseeable future.

As of April 1, 2025, we had no financing transactions, arrangements or other relationships with any unconsolidated entities or related parties. Additionally, we had no financing arrangements involving synthetic leases or trading activities involving commodity contracts.

### Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions for the reporting periods covered by the financial statements. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Our critical accounting estimates have not changed materially from those previously reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.

### Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for a summary of new accounting standards.

## Market risk

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The following discussion of market risks contains forward-looking statements and should be read in conjunction with our interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes in Part I, Item 1 of this report, Part II, Item 1A of this report, “Risk Factors,” and with the following items in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024: the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes in Part IV, Item 15; the “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A; the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7; and the cautionary statements included throughout the report. Actual results may differ materially from the following discussion based on general conditions in the commodity and financial markets.

The cost of products and services used in our operations is subject to volatility due to the relative availability of labor and distribution, weather, natural disasters, inventory levels and other supply and/or demand impacting events such as geopolitical events, economic conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. Adverse weather and natural disasters may further exacerbate a number of these factors. In recent years, our operating results were impacted by geopolitical and macroeconomic events, causing supply chain challenges and significantly increased commodity and wage inflation. Our commodity and wage inflationary environment began returning to more historical levels in fiscal 2024.

We attempt to negotiate short-term and long-term agreements for some of our principal commodity, supply and equipment requirements, such as certain dairy products and poultry, depending on market conditions and expected demand. While we are in the process of contracting for certain key food and non-food supplies for fiscal 2025, these efforts may not be successful or yield our intended benefits. We continue to evaluate the possibility of entering into similar arrangements for other commodities and periodically evaluate hedging vehicles, such as direct financial instruments, to assist us in managing risk and variability associated with such commodities. As of April 1, 2025, we had no hedging contracts in place.

Commodities for which we have not entered into contracts can be subject to unforeseen supply and cost fluctuations, which at times may be significant. Additionally, the cost of commodities subject to governmental regulation, such as dairy and corn, can be especially susceptible to price fluctuation. Goods we purchase on the international market may be subject to even greater fluctuations in cost and availability, which could result from a variety of factors, including the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies, international trade disputes, tariffs, geopolitical unrest and varying global demand. We may not have the ability to increase menu prices or vary menu items in response to food commodity price increases. For the first quarter of both fiscal 2025 and 2024, a hypothetical increase of 1% in food costs would have negatively impacted cost of sales by $2.0 million.

We are exposed to market risk from interest rate changes on our funded debt. This exposure relates to the component of the interest rate on our Loan Agreement that is indexed to market rates. As of April 1, 2025, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Loan Agreement. Based on outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2024, a hypothetical 1% rise in interest rates would have increased interest expense by $1.1 million, on an annual basis. (See Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for further discussion of our long-term debt.)

We are also subject to market risk related to our investments in variable life insurance contracts used to support our non-qualified plans to the extent these investments are not equivalent to the related liability. In addition, because changes in these investments are not taxable, gains and losses result in tax benefit and tax expense, respectively, and directly affect net income through the income tax provision. Based on balances at April 1, 2025 and December 31, 2024, a hypothetical 10% decline in the market value of our deferred compensation asset and related liability would not have impacted income before income taxes. However, under such a scenario, net income would have declined by $2.8 million and $2.9 million at April 1, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

## Controls and procedures

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#### Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We have established and maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only a reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management was necessarily required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of April 1, 2025.

#### Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2025 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

## Risk factors

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A description of the risk factors associated with our business is contained in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (“Annual Report”). These cautionary statements are to be used as a reference in connection with any forward-looking statements. The factors, risks and uncertainties identified in these cautionary statements are in addition to those contained in any other cautionary statements, written or oral, which may be made or otherwise addressed in connection with a forward-looking statement or contained in any of our subsequent filings with the SEC.

We are supplementing the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report as follows:

**The indentures governing our outstanding 2026 Notes and 2030 Notes will not restrict us from incurring additional indebtedness, and the 2026 Notes, the 2030 Notes and the incurrence of any additional indebtedness could limit the cash flow available for our operations, expose us to risks that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and impair our ability to satisfy our obligations under the 2026 Notes and 2030 Notes.**

As of April 1, 2025, we had approximately $644.0 million in principal amount of consolidated indebtedness, including $69.0 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2026 (“2026 Notes”) and $575.0 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2030 (“2030 Notes” and together with the 2026 Notes, “Notes”). The indentures governing the Notes do not contain any meaningful restrictive covenants and do not prohibit us or our subsidiaries from incurring additional indebtedness in the future. Accordingly, we may incur a significant amount of additional indebtedness to meet future financing needs. The incurrence of indebtedness could have significant negative consequences for our security holders and our business, results of operations and financial condition by, among other things:

- increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions;
- limiting our ability to obtain additional financing;
- requiring the dedication of a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to service our indebtedness, which will reduce the amount of cash available for other purposes;
- limiting our flexibility to plan for, or react to, changes in our business;
- diluting the interests of our existing stockholders as a result of issuing shares of our common stock upon conversion of the Notes; and
- placing us at a possible competitive disadvantage with competitors that are less leveraged than us or have better access to capital.

Our business may not generate sufficient funds, and we may otherwise be unable to maintain sufficient cash reserves, to pay amounts due under our indebtedness, including the Notes, and our cash needs may increase in the future. If we fail to comply with covenants or to make payments under our indebtedness when due, then we would be in default under that indebtedness, which could, in turn, result in that and our other indebtedness becoming immediately payable in full.

**The issuance or sale of shares of our common stock, or rights to acquire shares of our common stock, could depress the trading price of our common stock, the 2026 Notes and the 2030 Notes.**

We have the right to elect to settle conversion of the 2026 Notes and/or the 2030 Notes either entirely in cash or in combination of cash and shares of common stock. Our election to convert the 2026 Notes and/or the 2030 Notes into common stock may further dilute the economic and voting rights of our existing stockholders and/or reduce the market price of our common stock. In addition, the market’s expectation that conversions may occur could depress the trading price of our common stock even in the absence of actual conversions. Moreover, the expectation of conversions could encourage the short selling of our common stock, which could place further downward pressure on the trading price of our common stock.

We may also conduct future offerings of our common stock, preferred stock or other securities that are convertible into or exercisable for our common stock to finance our operations or fund acquisitions, or for other purposes. In addition, we have reserved approximately 0.4 million shares of common stock for grant under our The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated Stock Incentive Plan as of April 1, 2025. If we issue additional shares of our common stock or rights to acquire shares of our common stock, if any of our existing stockholders sells a substantial amount of our common stock, or if the market perceives that such issuances or sales may occur, then the trading price of our common stock may significantly decline. In addition, our issuance of additional shares of common stock will dilute the ownership interests of our existing common stockholders.

**Hedging activity by investors in the 2026 Notes and/or the 2030 Notes could depress the trading price of our common stock.**

We expect that many investors in the 2026 Notes and the 2030 Notes, including potential purchasers of the 2026 Notes and the 2030, will seek to employ a convertible note arbitrage strategy. Under this strategy, investors typically short sell a certain number of shares of our common stock and adjust their short position over time while they continue to hold the Notes. Investors may also implement this type of strategy by entering into swaps on our common stock in lieu of, or in addition to, short selling shares of our common stock. This market activity, or the market’s perception that it will occur, could depress the trading price of our common stock.

**Provisions in the indentures governing the 2026 Notes and the 2030 Notes could delay or prevent an otherwise beneficial takeover of us.**

Certain provisions in the Notes and the indentures governing the Notes could make a third-party attempt to acquire us more difficult or expensive. For example, if a takeover constitutes a “fundamental change” (which is defined in the indentures governing the Notes to include certain change-of-control events and the delisting of our common stock), then noteholders will have the right to require us to repurchase their Notes for cash. In addition, if a takeover constitutes a “make-whole fundamental change” (which is defined in the indentures governing the Notes to include, among other events, fundamental changes and certain additional business combination transactions), then we may be required to temporarily increase the conversion rate for the Notes. In either case, and in other cases, our obligations under the Notes and the indentures could increase the cost of acquiring us or otherwise discourage a third party from acquiring us or removing incumbent management, including in a transaction that holders of our common stock may view as favorable.

**We may be unable to raise the funds necessary to repurchase the 2026 Notes and/or the 2030 Notes for cash following a fundamental change, or to pay the cash amounts due upon conversion, and our other indebtedness limits our ability to repurchase the Notes or pay cash upon their conversion.**

Noteholders of our outstanding Notes may, subject to limited exceptions, require us to repurchase their Notes following a “fundamental change” (which is defined in the indentures governing the Notes to include certain change-of-control events and the delisting of our common stock) at a cash repurchase price generally equal to the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, all conversions of the Notes will be settled partially or entirely in cash. We may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to repurchase the Notes or pay the cash amounts due upon conversion. In addition, applicable law, regulatory authorities and the Loan Agreement or any future indebtedness may restrict our ability to repurchase the Notes or pay the cash amounts due upon conversion. For example, the Loan Agreement restricts us from paying cash upon conversion of the Notes in an amount that exceeds the sum of (i) the principal amount being converted and (ii) any payments received by us or any of our subsidiaries pursuant to the exercise, settlement or termination of any related permitted bond hedge transaction.

Furthermore, the Loan Agreement places several restrictions on our ability to repurchase the Notes upon a fundamental change. Under the Loan Agreement we are permitted to repurchase Notes upon a fundamental change only if (i) no default of event of default exists and (ii) our pro forma net adjusted leverage ratio (as measured in accordance with the Loan Agreement) does not exceed 4.25 to 1.00 and our EBITDAR to interest and rental expense ratio (as measured in accordance with the Loan Agreement) is at least 1.90 to 1.00.

Our failure to repurchase the Notes or pay the cash amounts due upon conversion when required will constitute a default under the indentures governing the Notes. A default under the indentures governing the Notes or the fundamental change itself could also lead to a default under the Loan Agreement and agreements governing our other or future indebtedness, which may result in that other indebtedness becoming immediately payable in full. We may not have sufficient funds to satisfy all amounts due under such indebtedness and the Notes.

Filed May 5, 2025.
Source: SEC EDGAR, the filing index for accession 0001410578-25-001073. Last ingested by Listed: Nov 5, 2026, 13:54 ET. No prices; not investment advice.