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Cheesecake Factory Inc.: Q3 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 28 October 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue within guidance, up year-on-year: Total revenues were $907.2 million, compared with $865.5 million a year earlier. Management said revenue was within its guidance range. Source
  • Adjusted diluted EPS $0.68 versus $0.58: Adjusted net income was $33.2 million against $28.2 million, excluding after-tax acquisition-related and other items. Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.68 against $0.58. Source
  • Cheesecake Factory comparable sales up 0.3%: Comparable sales at The Cheesecake Factory restaurants rose 0.3%, against 1.6% a year earlier. The segment's revenue was $651.4 million against $647.8 million. Source
  • North Italia comparable sales down 3%: North Italia comparable sales fell 3%, against a 2% gain a year earlier. Segment revenue was $83.5 million against $71.9 million, with 46 restaurants open at period-end. Source
  • Other operating costs rose to 28.2%: Other operating costs and expenses were 28.2% of revenues against 27.7%, rising to $255.7 million from $239.5 million a year earlier. Source
  • Industry environment described as softer: Management said the restaurant industry is navigating a softer environment, and that it remains confident in managing through it while executing its long-term strategy. Source

“We delivered another quarter of solid results, with revenue within our guidance range and earnings and profitability finishing above the high end of our expectations”

David Overton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
New restaurant openings Sourcefiscal 2025as many as 25 (as many as four The Cheesecake Factory, six North Italia, six Flower Child, nine FRC)Kept

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue within guidance, up year-on-year: Total revenues were $907.2 million, compared with $865.5 million a year earlier. Management said revenue was within its guidance range. Source
  • Diluted EPS $0.66 against $0.61: Net income was $31.9 million against $30.0 million. Pre-tax net expense of $0.8 million was primarily Fox Restaurant Concepts acquisition-related expenses. Source
  • Adjusted diluted EPS $0.68 versus $0.58: Adjusted net income was $33.2 million against $28.2 million, excluding after-tax acquisition-related and other items. Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.68 against $0.58. Source
  • Operating margin up to 4.1%: Income from operations was $37.3 million, or 4.1% of revenues, against $33.7 million, or 3.9%. Income tax provision was $3.6 million against $1.8 million. Source
  • Nine-month revenue and EPS higher: For 39 weeks, revenue was $2,790.2 million against $2,660.7 million. Diluted EPS was $2.46 against $2.37, and adjusted diluted EPS was $2.77 against $2.40. Source

Segments and regions

  • Cheesecake Factory comparable sales up 0.3%: Comparable sales at The Cheesecake Factory restaurants rose 0.3%, against 1.6% a year earlier. The segment's revenue was $651.4 million against $647.8 million. Source
  • North Italia comparable sales down 3%: North Italia comparable sales fell 3%, against a 2% gain a year earlier. Segment revenue was $83.5 million against $71.9 million, with 46 restaurants open at period-end. Source
  • FRC revenue rose, operating loss widened: FRC segment revenue was $78.0 million against $67.0 million. Its operating loss was $3.2 million against $1.4 million. Source
  • Other segment loss narrowed: The Other segment, which includes Flower Child, Grand Lux Cafe, Social Monk, the bakery and unallocated corporate costs, had revenue of $94.4 million against $78.9 million and an operating loss of $53.3 million against $57.2 million. Source

“Our operators once again executed exceptionally well, delivering year-over-year improvements in labor productivity, wage management, and hourly staff and manager retention, supporting healthy margin performance.”

David Overton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Other operating costs rose to 28.2%: Other operating costs and expenses were 28.2% of revenues against 27.7%, rising to $255.7 million from $239.5 million a year earlier. Source
  • Food and beverage costs fell to 21.8%: Food and beverage costs were 21.8% of revenues against 22.6%. In dollars they rose to $197.7 million from $195.3 million. Source
  • Labor ratio eased to 35.6%: Labor expenses were 35.6% of revenues against 35.9%, rising in dollars to $322.8 million from $310.9 million. For 39 weeks labor was 35.4% against 35.7%. Source
  • Preopening costs higher for nine months: Preopening costs were $6.6 million against $7.0 million in the quarter, and $23.7 million against $19.9 million for 39 weeks. G&A was $59.0 million, or 6.5% of revenues. Source

Demand, menu and competition

  • Industry environment described as softer: Management said the restaurant industry is navigating a softer environment, and that it remains confident in managing through it while executing its long-term strategy. Source
  • Competitive environment more challenging: Management described a more challenging and competitive environment, with The Cheesecake Factory restaurants leading performance on positive comparable sales. Source
  • Menu updates drew steady sales: Management said menu innovation continues to resonate with guests, citing steady sales trends and positive early results from its latest menu updates. Source

“With our scale, operational discipline, and the enduring appeal of our high-quality, experiential concepts, we believe we are well-positioned to drive performance, long-term growth and shareholder value.”

David Overton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Restaurant development and openings

  • Two FRC restaurants opened in quarter: The company opened two new FRC restaurants during the third quarter of fiscal 2025. Source
  • Two Mexico licensed restaurants opened: Two Cheesecake Factory restaurants opened internationally in the quarter under a licensing agreement in Mexico. Source
  • One FRC opened after quarter-end: After the quarter ended on September 30, 2025, the company opened one new FRC restaurant. Source

Capital, cash and debt

  • Liquidity of $556.5 million: Total available liquidity was $556.5 million at September 30, 2025, including $366.5 million of undrawn revolver capacity with no outstanding balance. Source
  • Cash rose to $190.0 million: Cash was $190.0 million at quarter end, against $84.2 million at December 31, 2024. Source
  • Convertible notes principal $644.0 million: Principal debt outstanding was $644.0 million, including $69.0 million of 0.375% convertible notes due 2026 and $575.0 million of 2.00% convertible notes due 2030. Source
  • Share repurchases of $1.2 million: The company repurchased about 18,900 shares at a cost of $1.2 million in the third quarter, compared with about 2,500 shares for $0.1 million in the second quarter. Source

Coming up, as management said on 28 October 2025

  • Quarterly dividend payable November 25: The Board declared a $0.27 quarterly dividend, payable November 25, 2025, to holders of record at the close of business on November 11, 2025. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Comparable restaurant sales, The Cheesecake Factory Source0.3% in the quarter; 0.9% for 39 weeks
Comparable restaurant sales, North Italia Source(3)% in the quarter; (1)% for 39 weeks
Restaurants opened, FRC brands Source2 in the quarter; 6 for 39 weeks
Company-owned restaurants at period-end Source364 in the operating table; 365 in the About section
International licensed restaurants, The Cheesecake Factory Source35

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management said the restaurant industry is navigating a softer environment. Source
  • Demand: Management described a more challenging and competitive environment for restaurant sales. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management said revenue finished within its guidance range for the quarter. Source
  • Ahead: Management said earnings and profitability finished above the high end of its expectations. Source
  • On track: Management said it remains on track to achieve its unit growth objective for the year after two openings in the third quarter. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.