The Cheesecake Factory Reports Results for Third Quarter of Fiscal 2023 and Provides Business Update

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif.--()--The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (NASDAQ: CAKE) today reported financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2023, which ended on October 3, 2023.

Total revenues were $830.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 compared to $784.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2022. Net income and diluted net income per share were $17.9 million and $0.37, respectively, in the third quarter of fiscal 2023.

The Company recorded a pre-tax net expense of $1.5 million primarily related to Fox Restaurant Concepts (“FRC”) acquisition-related expenses. Excluding the after-tax impact of this item, adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 were $19.0 million and $0.39, respectively. Please see the Company’s reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures at the end of this press release.

Comparable restaurant sales at The Cheesecake Factory restaurants increased 2.4% year-over-year in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 and increased 12.6% relative to the third quarter of fiscal 2019, on an operating week basis.

“Our third quarter results reflect positive sales trends, as we continued to outperform the broader casual dining industry led by solid comparable sales growth at The Cheesecake Factory restaurants,” said David Overton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our performance amidst the softening sales environment is a testament to the resilient consumer demand for the distinct, high-quality dining experiences we provide our guests. Our tenured operators continued to do an excellent job effectively managing their restaurants and consistently delivering exceptional food quality, service and hospitality to drive sales.”

“During the quarter we opened two Cheesecake Factory restaurants to strong demand, further underscoring the enduring appeal and brand affinity for our flagship concept. We remain sharply focused on accelerating our unit growth to achieve our long-term development objectives, even though we continue to experience delays beyond our control. As the macroeconomic environment has gradually stabilized and input costs have continued to improve this year, the stability of our operational and financial performance reinforces our belief we are well positioned to drive meaningful growth, shareholder value and market share gains going forward.”

Development

During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company opened two Cheesecake Factory restaurants, one in Birkdale, NC and the other in Estero, FL. While the Company continues to make progress against its pipeline, opening timelines continued to be pressured by substantial permitting delays, as such the Company is strategically shifting some restaurant openings into the first quarter of fiscal 2024. As a result, the Company now expects to open as many as 16 new restaurants in fiscal 2023 and as many as four to six new restaurants in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The fiscal 2023 new restaurant openings include as many as five Cheesecake Factory restaurants, four North Italia restaurants, and as many as seven FRC restaurants, including one Flower Child location.

Additionally, the Company expects two Cheesecake Factory restaurants to open internationally under licensing agreements in fiscal 2023.

Liquidity and Capital Allocation

As of October 3, 2023, the Company had total available liquidity of $300.5 million, including a cash balance of $64.0 million and availability on its revolving credit facility of $236.5 million. Total principal amount of debt outstanding was $475 million, including $345 million in principal amount of 0.375% convertible senior notes due 2026 and $130 million in principal amount drawn on the Company’s revolving credit facility.

The Company repurchased approximately 453,400 shares of its stock at a cost of $14.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2023. In addition, the Company’s Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share to be paid on November 28, 2023 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 15, 2023.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will hold a conference call to review its results for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 today at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time. The conference call will be webcast live on the Company’s website at investors.thecheesecakefactory.com and a replay of the webcast will be available through December 1, 2023.

About The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated is a leader in experiential dining. We are culinary forward and relentlessly focused on hospitality. Delicious, memorable experiences created by passionate people – this defines who we are and where we are going. We currently own and operate 325 restaurants throughout the United States and Canada under brands including The Cheesecake Factory®, North Italia® and a collection within our Fox Restaurant Concepts business. Internationally, 31 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. In 2023, we were named to the FORTUNE Magazine “100 Best Companies to Work For®” list for the tenth consecutive year. To learn more, visit www.thecheesecakefactory.com, www.northitalia.com and www.foxrc.com.

From Fortune ©2023 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Fortune and Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For are registered trademarks of Fortune Media IP Limited and are used under license. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains 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, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements include, without limitation, statements regarding positive sales trends, customer demand, continuing permitting delays, stability of operational and financial performance and restaurant development expectations. 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 current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in such statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. These forward-looking statements may be affected by various factors including: economic, public health and political conditions that impact consumer confidence and spending, including rising interest rates, periods of heightened inflation and market instability, and armed conflicts; supply chain disruptions; demonstrations, political unrest, potential damage to or closure of the Company’s restaurants and potential reputational damage to the Company or any of its 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 and the Fox Restaurant Concepts restaurants; 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 the Company’s landlords and other tenants in retail centers in which its restaurants are located, and the Company’s ability to successfully manage its lease arrangements with landlords; the economic health of suppliers, licensees, vendors and other third parties providing goods or services to the Company; the timing of 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 the Company’s business; adverse weather conditions in regions in which the Company’s 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 the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Forward-looking statements speak only as of the dates on which they are made and the Company undertakes 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. Investors are referred to the full discussion of risks and uncertainties associated with forward-looking statements and the discussion of risk factors contained in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov.

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited; in thousands, except per share and statistical data)
 
Consolidated Statements of Income 13 Weeks Ended
October 3, 2023
13 Weeks Ended
September 27, 2022
39 Weeks Ended
October 3, 2023
39 Weeks Ended
September 27, 2022

Amount

Percent of
Revenues

Amount

Percent of
Revenues

Amount

Percent of
Revenues

Amount

Percent of
Revenues

 
Revenues

$

830,210

 

100.0

%

$

784,001

 

100.0

%

$

2,562,494

 

100.0

%

$

2,410,354

 

100.0

%

Costs and expenses:
Food and beverage cost

 

194,733

 

23.5

%

 

197,774

 

25.2

%

 

602,051

 

23.5

%

 

590,457

 

24.5

%

Labor expenses

 

301,663

 

36.3

%

 

293,040

 

37.4

%

 

919,340

 

35.9

%

 

893,322

 

37.1

%

Other operating costs and expenses

 

229,534

 

27.6

%

 

217,009

 

27.7

%

 

687,459

 

26.7

%

 

643,844

 

26.7

%

General and administrative expenses

 

54,209

 

6.5

%

 

50,324

 

6.4

%

 

162,766

 

6.4

%

 

149,638

 

6.2

%

Depreciation and amortization expenses

 

22,837

 

2.8

%

 

22,651

 

2.9

%

 

69,124

 

2.7

%

 

66,764

 

2.8

%

Impairment of assets and lease termination expenses

 

48

 

0.0

%

 

-

 

0.0

%

 

1,637

 

0.1

%

 

313

 

0.0

%

Acquisition-related contingent consideration, compensation and amortization expenses

 

1,414

 

0.2

%

 

1,081

 

0.1

%

 

3,890

 

0.2

%

 

2,920

 

0.1

%

Preopening costs

 

6,742

 

0.8

%

 

4,327

 

0.6

%

 

15,800

 

0.6

%

 

9,038

 

0.4

%

Total costs and expenses

 

811,180

 

97.7

%

 

786,206

 

100.3

%

 

2,462,067

 

96.1

%

 

2,356,296

 

97.8

%

Income/(loss) from operations

 

19,030

 

2.3

%

 

(2,205

)

(0.3

)%

 

100,427

 

3.9

%

 

54,058

 

2.2

%

Interest and other expense, net

 

(2,027

)

(0.3

)%

 

(1,315

)

(0.1

)%

 

(6,069

)

(0.2

)%

 

(3,906

)

(0.1

)%

Income/(loss) before income taxes

 

17,003

 

2.0

%

 

(3,520

)

(0.4

)%

 

94,358

 

3.7

%

 

50,152

 

2.1

%

Income tax (benefit)/provision

 

(942

)

(0.2

)%

 

(1,122

)

(0.1

)%

 

5,688

 

0.2

%

 

3,731

 

0.2

%

Net income/(loss)

$

17,945

 

2.2

%

$

(2,398

)

(0.3

)%

$

88,670

 

3.5

%

$

46,421

 

1.9

%

 
Basic net income/(loss) per share

$

0.37

 

$

(0.05

)

$

1.83

 

$

0.93

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

48,281

 

 

49,653

 

 

48,489

 

 

50,124

 

 
Diluted net income/(loss) per share

$

0.37

 

$

(0.05

)

$

1.80

 

$

0.92

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

48,985

 

 

49,653

 

 

49,197

 

 

50,708

 

 
Selected Segment Information 13 Weeks Ended
October 3, 2023
13 Weeks Ended
September 27, 2022
39 Weeks Ended
October 3, 2023
39 Weeks Ended
September 27, 2022
Revenues:
The Cheesecake Factory restaurants

$

628,140

 

$

602,902

 

$

1,936,621

 

$

1,853,576

 

North Italia

 

62,417

 

 

54,113

 

 

191,654

 

 

163,108

 

Other FRC

 

58,642

 

 

52,193

 

 

193,010

 

 

171,045

 

Other

 

81,011

 

 

74,793

 

 

241,209

 

 

222,625

 

Total

$

830,210

 

$

784,001

 

$

2,562,494

 

$

2,410,354

 

 
Income/(loss) from operations
The Cheesecake Factory restaurants

$

67,637

 

$

42,122

 

$

231,700

 

$

169,893

 

North Italia

 

4,081

 

 

1,655

 

 

15,314

 

 

10,381

 

Other FRC

 

1,036

 

 

4,109

 

 

15,826

 

 

18,231

 

Other

 

(53,724

)

 

(50,091

)

 

(162,413

)

 

(144,447

)

Total

$

19,030

 

$

(2,205

)

$

100,427

 

$

54,058

 

 
Depreciation and amortization expenses:
The Cheesecake Factory restaurants

$

15,702

 

$

15,874

 

$

47,955

 

$

47,736

 

North Italia

 

1,578

 

 

1,556

 

 

4,713

 

 

4,076

 

Other FRC

 

1,891

 

 

1,661

 

 

5,627

 

 

4,712

 

Other

 

3,666

 

 

3,560

 

 

10,829

 

 

10,240

 

Total

$

22,837

 

$

22,651

 

$

69,124

 

$

66,764

 

 
Impairment of assets and lease termination expenses:
The Cheesecake Factory restaurants

$

29

 

$

-

 

$

160

 

$

(59

)

North Italia

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

Other FRC

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

55

 

 

-

 

Other

 

19

 

 

-

 

 

1,422

 

 

372

 

Total

$

48

 

$

-

 

$

1,637

 

$

313

 

 
Preopening costs:
The Cheesecake Factory restaurants

$

3,861

 

$

2,757

 

$

8,401

 

$

5,163

 

North Italia

 

1,068

 

 

1,341

 

 

2,132

 

 

2,755

 

Other FRC

 

1,764

 

 

84

 

 

4,483

 

 

357

 

Other

 

49

 

 

145

 

 

784

 

 

763

 

Total

$

6,742

 

$

4,327

 

$

15,800

 

$

9,038

 

 
The Cheesecake Factory restaurants operating information: 13 Weeks Ended
October 3, 2023
13 Weeks Ended
September 27, 2022
39 Weeks Ended
October 3, 2023
39 Weeks Ended
September 27, 2022
Comparable restaurant sales vs. prior year

 

2.4

%

 

1.1

%

 

3.2

%

 

8.2

%

Comparable restaurant sales vs. 2019

 

12.6

%

 

9.5

%

 

13.9

%

 

10.2

%

Restaurants opened during period

 

2

 

 

1

 

 

3

 

 

1

 

Restaurants open at period-end

 

213

 

 

209

 

 

213

 

 

209

 

Restaurant operating weeks

 

2,756

 

 

2,705

 

 

8,227

 

 

8,113

 

 
North Italia operating information:
Comparable restaurant sales vs. prior year

 

8

%

 

10

%

 

8

%

 

17

%

Comparable restaurant sales vs. 2019

 

28

%

 

18

%

 

30

%

 

21

%

Restaurants opened during period

 

-

 

 

1

 

 

-

 

 

2

 

Restaurants open at period-end

 

33

 

 

31

 

 

33

 

 

31

 

Restaurant operating weeks

 

429

 

 

395

 

 

1,287

 

 

1,150

 

 
Other Fox Restaurant Concepts (FRC) operating information:(1)
Restaurants opened during period

 

-

 

 

1

 

 

3

 

 

1

 

Restaurants open at period-end

 

37

 

 

32

 

 

37

 

 

32

 

Restaurant operating weeks

 

481

 

 

413

 

 

1,394

 

 

1,219

 

 
Other operating information:(2)
Restaurants opened during period

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

1

 

 

1

 

Restaurants open at period-end

 

40

 

 

39

 

 

40

 

 

39

 

Restaurant operating weeks

 

520

 

 

507

 

 

1,555

 

 

1,514

 

 
Number of company-owned restaurants:
The Cheesecake Factory

 

213

 

North Italia

 

33

 

Other FRC

 

37

 

Other

 

40

 

Total

 

323

 

 
Number of international-licensed restaurants:
The Cheesecake Factory

 

30

 

(1)

The Other FRC segment includes all FRC brands except Flower Child.

(2)

The Other segment includes the Flower Child, Grand Lux Cafe and Social Monk Asian Kitchen concepts, as well as the Company's third-party bakery, international and consumer packaged goods businesses, unallocated corporate expenses and gift card costs.

Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Information October 3, 2023 January 3, 2023
Cash and cash equivalents

$

63,987

$

114,777

Long-term debt, net of issuance costs (1)

 

469,543

 

468,032

(1)

Includes $339.5 million net balance of 0.375% convertible senior notes due 2026 (principal amount of $345 million less $5.5 million in unamortized issuance costs) and $130 million drawn on the Company's revolving credit facility. The unamortized issuance costs were recorded as a contra-liability and netted with long-term debt on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and are being amortized as interest expense.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Results to GAAP Results

In addition to the results provided in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) in this press release, the Company is providing non-GAAP measurements which present net income/(loss) and net income/(loss) per share excluding the impact of certain items. The non-GAAP measurements are intended to supplement the presentation of the Company’s financial results in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures are calculated by eliminating from net income/(loss) and diluted net income/(loss) per share the impact of items the Company does not consider indicative of its ongoing operations. The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision-making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons.

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)
 
13 Weeks Ended
October 3, 2023
13 Weeks Ended
September 27, 2022
39 Weeks Ended
October 3, 2023
39 Weeks Ended
September 27, 2022
 
Net income/(loss) (GAAP)

$

17,945

 

$

(2,398

)

$

88,670

 

$

46,421

 

Impairment of assets and lease termination expenses(1)

 

48

 

 

-

 

 

1,637

 

 

313

 

Acquisition-related contingent consideration, compensation and amortization expenses(2)

 

1,414

 

 

1,081

 

 

3,890

 

 

2,920

 

Tax effect of adjustments(3)

 

(380

)

 

(281

)

 

(1,437

)

 

(840

)

Adjusted net income/(loss) (non-GAAP)

$

19,027

 

$

(1,598

)

$

92,760

 

$

48,814

 

 
Diluted net income/(loss) per share (GAAP)

$

0.37

 

$

(0.05

)

$

1.80

 

$

0.92

 

Impairment of assets and lease termination expenses

 

0.00

 

 

-

 

 

0.03

 

 

0.01

 

Acquisition-related contingent consideration, compensation and amortization expenses

 

0.03

 

 

0.02

 

 

0.08

 

 

0.06

 

Tax effect of adjustments

 

(0.01

)

 

(0.01

)

 

(0.03

)

 

(0.02

)

Adjusted net income/(loss) per share (non-GAAP)(4)

$

0.39

 

$

(0.03

)

$

1.89

 

$

0.96

 

 

(1)

A detailed breakdown of impairment of assets and lease termination expenses recorded in the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 3, 2023 and September 27, 2022 can be found in the Selected Segment Information table.

(2)

Represents changes in the fair value of the deferred consideration and contingent consideration and compensation liabilities related to the North Italia and FRC acquisition, as well as amortization of acquired definite-lived licensing agreements.

(3)

Based on the federal statutory rate and an estimated blended state tax rate, the tax effect on all adjustments assumes a 26% tax rate for the fiscal 2023 and 2022 periods.

(4)

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

 

Contacts

Etienne Marcus
(818) 871-3000
investorrelations@thecheesecakefactory.com

Contacts

Etienne Marcus
(818) 871-3000
investorrelations@thecheesecakefactory.com