greeksoup/ stock research

Cheesecake Factory Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 28 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose to $1.03 billion: Total revenues were $1,029.6 million, up from $955.8 million a year earlier, an increase of about 7.7 percent. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose to $1.41: Net income was $68.4 million, and diluted net income per share was $1.41, against $54.8 million and $1.14 a year earlier. Source
  • The Cheesecake Factory segment grew most: The Cheesecake Factory segment revenue was $729.5 million, against $683.3 million, and its operating income was $128.0 million, against $106.5 million. Source
  • Labor cost ratio improved: Labor expenses were $351.5 million, or 34.1 percent of revenues, against 34.9 percent a year earlier. Source
  • Cheesecake Factory comparable sales rose: Comparable sales at The Cheesecake Factory restaurants rose 5.8 percent, against 1.2 percent a year earlier. The first-half increase was 3.7 percent. Source
  • Liquidity stood at $561.7 million: Total available liquidity was $561.7 million, including cash of $195.2 million, down from $235.1 million at March 31, plus $366.5 million undrawn on the revolver. Source
  • 2026 convertible notes fully repaid: The remaining $69.0 million of 0.375% notes due 2026 were repaid. Total debt principal fell from $644.0 million to $575 million, all 2.00% notes due 2030. Source

“Our performance was led by The Cheesecake Factory restaurants, with comparable sales and traffic meaningfully outperforming the broader casual dining industry”

David Overton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
New restaurant openings, all brands Sourcefiscal 2026as many as 26Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: The fiscal 2026 opening plan of as many as 26 restaurants was repeated without change from the prior quarter. Source
  • Ended: The remaining 0.375% convertible senior notes due 2026 were repaid in the quarter, so the 2030 notes are the only convertible debt outstanding. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose to $1.03 billion: Total revenues were $1,029.6 million, up from $955.8 million a year earlier, an increase of about 7.7 percent. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose to $1.41: Net income was $68.4 million, and diluted net income per share was $1.41, against $54.8 million and $1.14 a year earlier. Source
  • Operating income rose to $78.6 million: Income from operations was $78.6 million, or 7.6 percent of revenues, against $64.8 million, or 6.8 percent, a year earlier. Source
  • First-half diluted EPS reached $2.43: For the 26 weeks, diluted net income per share was $2.43, against $1.80 in the same period of fiscal 2025. Source

Segments and restaurant brands

  • The Cheesecake Factory segment grew most: The Cheesecake Factory segment revenue was $729.5 million, against $683.3 million, and its operating income was $128.0 million, against $106.5 million. Source
  • Other segments' operating results mixed: North Italia operating income was $6.7 million, against $8.4 million; FRC was $4.0 million, against $3.9 million; the Other segment loss was $60.1 million, against $54.0 million. Source

“At the same time, our operators remained sharply focused on execution, delivering year-over-year improvements in labor productivity and food efficiency”

David Overton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Labor cost ratio improved: Labor expenses were $351.5 million, or 34.1 percent of revenues, against 34.9 percent a year earlier. Source
  • Food and beverage cost ratio rose: Food and beverage costs were $223.8 million, or 21.8 percent of revenues, against 21.6 percent a year earlier. Source
  • Other operating and G&A ratios moved: Other operating costs were 26.5 percent of revenues, against 26.8 percent. General and administrative expenses were 6.4 percent, against 6.1 percent. Source
  • Preopening costs fell: Preopening costs were $7.0 million, against $9.0 million a year earlier. The operating tables show four openings this quarter, against eight a year earlier. Source

Demand, traffic and marketing

  • Cheesecake Factory comparable sales rose: Comparable sales at The Cheesecake Factory restaurants rose 5.8 percent, against 1.2 percent a year earlier. The first-half increase was 3.7 percent. Source
  • Menu, rewards and marketing cited: Management attributed the top-line result partly to menu innovation, the rewards program and marketing, which it said raised consumer awareness and engagement. Source

Restaurant development and openings

  • Four openings in the quarter: The company opened two North Italia, one Flower Child and one FRC restaurant in the quarter, with no The Cheesecake Factory openings. Source
  • One Cheesecake Factory opened after quarter-end: One The Cheesecake Factory location opened after June 30. Company-owned restaurants totaled 374 at quarter-end, with 36 The Cheesecake Factory licensed internationally. Source
  • Cheesecake Factory count held flat: Cheesecake Factory restaurants open at period-end were 216 in both years, while North Italia reached 51 and FRC 57. Source

Liquidity, debt and share returns

  • Liquidity stood at $561.7 million: Total available liquidity was $561.7 million, including cash of $195.2 million, down from $235.1 million at March 31, plus $366.5 million undrawn on the revolver. Source
  • 2026 convertible notes fully repaid: The remaining $69.0 million of 0.375% notes due 2026 were repaid. Total debt principal fell from $644.0 million to $575 million, all 2.00% notes due 2030. Source
  • Buybacks smaller than first quarter: The company repurchased about 158,600 shares for $9.3 million this quarter, against about 332,000 shares for $19.2 million in the first quarter. Source

Strategy, culinary focus and people

  • Culinary and digital focus continues: Management said it continues to focus on culinary innovation and digital capabilities so that its concepts evolve and resonate with guests. Source
  • Fortune workplace list for 13th year: The company was named to the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For list for the thirteenth consecutive year. Source

Non-GAAP adjustments

  • Adjusted net income and EPS: Adjusted net income was $69.7 million and adjusted diluted EPS was $1.44, against $55.7 million and $1.16 a year earlier. Source
  • Pre-tax charges excluded from adjusted figures: The company recorded a pre-tax net expense of $1.4 million for FRC acquisition items, impairment and lease termination expenses, excluded from adjusted results. Source

Coming up, as management said on 28 July 2026

  • Quarterly dividend payable August 25: The Board declared a $0.30 per share quarterly dividend, payable August 25, 2026, to holders of record at the close of business on August 11, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Comparable sales SourceThe Cheesecake Factory +5.8%; North Italia (3)%
Traffic Sourcenot stated; described as meaningfully outperforming the broader casual dining industry
Store openings and closings Source4 opened in the quarter; no closings reported
Gross margin Sourcenot stated; food and beverage costs 21.8% of revenues

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management said the company must keep its concepts evolving to resonate with guests in an increasingly competitive environment. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said revenue, margins and earnings all exceeded its expectations for the quarter. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it will continue executing its strategy to deliver profitable growth and shareholder value. 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.