The Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) Q2 2025 Earnings Call July 29, 2025 05:00 PM ET Company ParticipantsEtienne Marcus - Vice President of Finance & Investor RelationsDavid Overton - Founder, Chairman & CEODavid Gordon - PresidentMatthew Clark - Executive VP & CFODrew North - VP - Senior Research AssociateJeff farmer - Managing DirectorBrian Vaccaro - Managing Director - Equity ResearchAndy Barish - Managing DirectorSharon Zackfia - Group Head–ConsumerJon Tower - Director - Equity Research - Consumer & Restaurant ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported total revenues of $956 million for Q2 2025, exceeding expectations and marking a year-over-year increase [16][17] - Adjusted net income margin improved to 5.8%, reflecting operational excellence and strong sales trends [16][22] - Cheesecake Factory's comparable sales increased by 1.2%, while North Italia's sales rose by 20% and Flower Child's sales surged by 35% year-over-year [17][18][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Cheesecake Factory restaurants achieved total sales of $683.3 million, up 1% from the previous year, with average weekly sales reaching record highs [17][5] - North Italia's annualized average unit volumes (AUVs) increased by 2% to $8 million, despite a 1% decline in comparable sales [12][13] - Flower Child's comparable sales increased by 4%, with average weekly sales of $91,400, leading to an annualized AUV of over $4.8 million [14][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Off-premise sales for Cheesecake Factory accounted for 21% of total sales, consistent with previous quarters [10] - The company opened eight new restaurants in Q2, including two Cheesecake Factory locations and three Flower Child locations, with plans to open up to 25 new restaurants in 2025 [7][24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasizes culinary innovation, introducing 14 new dishes and a new cheesecake to maintain menu relevance without relying on discounting [6][10] - The focus on operational excellence and staff retention is seen as a key driver for improved guest satisfaction and profitability [9][35] - The company aims to continue expanding its restaurant footprint while maintaining high operational standards and guest experiences [24][86] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term trajectory of the business, citing strong demand for unique dining experiences [7][24] - The operating environment is described as stable, with expectations for continued growth despite potential macroeconomic challenges [51][52] - The company anticipates total revenues for fiscal 2025 to be approximately $3.76 billion, with an adjusted net income margin of about 4.9% [22][23] Other Important Information - The Cheesecake Rewards program is performing well, with higher member engagement and satisfaction compared to non-members [11][94] - The company is focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet, with total available liquidity of approximately $515.3 million [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Increase in net income margin for 2025 - Management confirmed that the increase is primarily driven by operational improvements and better-than-expected Q2 results [27][28] Question: Third quarter revenue outlook - The revenue outlook assumes stable comparable sales similar to Q2, with no significant changes anticipated [29] Question: Labor retention levels - Management reported that staff retention is at historically high levels, exceeding pre-pandemic rates, contributing to improved productivity and guest satisfaction [33][35] Question: Cheesecake Factory Q2 sales breakdown - The net effective pricing was about 4%, with traffic down 1.1% and mix contributing to the balance [37][38] Question: Customer response to new menu items - Management indicated positive customer response to new menu items, with marketing strategies in place to highlight these innovations [41][42] Question: Flower Child profitability and unit economics - Flower Child is experiencing strong performance with mature unit margins over 20%, and the company is optimistic about future growth [50][52] Question: North Italia performance and sales transfer - North Italia's performance is strong, with AUVs of $8 million, but some sales transfer is impacting comparable sales [59][60] Question: Menu pricing strategy - The company plans to take less pricing in the second half of the year, focusing on value-driven menu items [68][70] Question: Development pipeline for 2026 - Management anticipates opening more units than the 25 planned for 2025, with a strong pipeline in place [86][87]

INVESTOR PRESENTATION July 29, 2025 SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT This presentation contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This includes, without limitation, financial guidance and projections, including underlying assumptions, and statements with respect to expectations of the Company's future financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, share repurchases, objecti ...

Core Insights - EnWave Corporation has signed a new royalty-bearing commercial license agreement with MicroDried® to expand its product offerings and has executed purchase agreements for three Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV™) machines [2][3][4] Group 1: License Agreement Details - MicroDried® gains exclusive rights to use EnWave's REV™ dehydration technology for producing mochi and Greek yogurt in North America, along with rights to manufacture additional dairy products like shredded cheese and cheesecake [3][15] - In exchange for these expanded rights, MicroDried® will pay incremental minimum annual royalties in addition to existing obligations under its fruit and vegetable license [3][16] Group 2: MicroDried® Expansion - MicroDried® is expanding its portfolio to include clean-label, nutrient-dense dairy and mochi ingredients, enhancing its position as a key supplier to major global food brands [4][17] - The company operates three large-scale vacuum-microwave drying lines in Nampa, Idaho, and is opening a new dairy processing facility in Washington State, expected to be operational this summer [5][18] Group 3: Equipment and Capacity - MicroDried® will install one of the newly purchased 10kW REV™ units and a 60kW machine at the new Dairy Facility, with the second 10kW machine designated for ongoing product development in Nampa [5][18] - With five large-scale REV™ machines, MicroDried® now holds the highest REV™ manufacturing capacity globally, prompting EnWave to begin building another large-scale REV™ machine for inventory [6][19] Group 4: Company Background - EnWave is a leader in vacuum microwave dehydration technology, with a robust intellectual property portfolio and a strategy to sign royalty-bearing commercial licenses with food producers [10][12][24] - The company has over fifty royalty-generating partners across twenty-four countries, enabling the creation of innovative snacks and ingredients [11][24]

Core Viewpoint - The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (CAKE) is expected to benefit from unit expansion, strong performance of Flower Child, and effective marketing strategies, although concerns exist regarding the uncertain macroeconomic environment and elevated expenses [1]. Factors Driving Growth - The company opened eight new restaurants in the fiscal first quarter, including three North Italia, three Flower Child, and two FRC units, with plans to open up to 25 new restaurants in 2025 [2] - Flower Child's sales increased by 26.1% year over year to $43.5 million, supported by a 19.2% rise in total operating weeks and a 5.8% increase in sales per restaurant operating week [3] - The company executed a successful marketing strategy, including a menu update with over 20 new items, generating significant media attention and nearly double the PR impressions compared to the same quarter last year [4] Loyalty Program and Market Performance - The Cheesecake Rewards loyalty program is gaining traction, with high member acquisition and satisfaction levels, shifting towards a personalized engagement strategy [5] - Shares of Cheesecake Factory have increased by 7.7% over the past six months, outperforming the industry's decline of 5.2% [5] Concerns for CAKE Stock - The company is facing an uncertain macroeconomic environment, with concerns over fluctuations in commodity costs, labor, and various expenses [7] - Anticipated cost pressures include low-single-digit commodity inflation and net total labor inflation in the low-to-mid-single-digit range, with general and administrative expenses expected to be around $60 million [8] - Total costs and expenses for the second quarter of fiscal 2025 are projected to rise by 4.6% year over year to $884.6 million [8]

Core Insights - Fazoli's, a fast and fresh Italian chain owned by FAT Brands Inc., is launching a limited-time offer of loaded ravioli entrees available until June 30, 2025, featuring four unique dishes [1][2] Product Offerings - The new ravioli dishes include: - Fresh-Tossed Ravioli: Cheese ravioli with a choice of sauce and Parmesan Spice Blend [3] - Three Meat Ravioli: Cheese ravioli in meat sauce, topped with Italian sausage, bacon, and a blend of cheeses [3] - Chicken Ravioli Alfredo: Cheese ravioli in creamy Alfredo sauce, topped with breaded chicken and cheeses [4] - Garlic Chicken Ravioli: Cheese ravioli with ricotta, garlic Parmesan Alfredo sauce, and roasted chicken [4] - The Fresh-Tossed Ravioli option starts at $5.99 and includes unlimited breadsticks when dining in [2] Dessert Offering - Fazoli's has reintroduced its Orange Cream Cheesecake, featuring layers of vanilla and orange cheesecake, whipped cream, and white chocolate shavings, complementing the new ravioli dishes [5] Company Background - Fazoli's was founded in 1988 and operates over 200 restaurants across 26 states, making it the largest QSR Italian chain in America [9] - The company emphasizes quality Italian food served quickly and affordably, with a focus on customer experience [6][9] Parent Company Overview - FAT Brands is a global franchising company that owns and operates 18 restaurant brands, including Fazoli's, and has over 2,300 units worldwide [8]

Stephens analyst Jim Salera reiterated the Overweight rating on The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated CAKE, with a price forecast of $60.On Wednesday, the company reported first-quarter revenues of $927.2 million, up from $891.2 million in the year-ago period.Salera highlighted that the company's strong margin management drove outperformance across restaurant-level margins, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EPS.However, despite stable underlying sales trends, its revised outlook signals caution. It anticipates a ...

Core Insights - The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (CAKE) reported strong first-quarter fiscal 2025 results, with earnings and revenues exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate, showing growth compared to the prior-year quarter [1][4]. Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter were 93 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 81 cents by 14.8%, and up from 73 cents in the same quarter last year [4]. - Quarterly revenues reached $927.2 million, beating the consensus estimate of $926 million by 0.2%, and reflecting a 4% increase year-over-year [4]. Operational Highlights - The company's strong performance was attributed to effective operational execution and a focus on staffing and retention, which improved guest satisfaction scores and contributed to sales growth [2]. - Enhanced execution led to margin expansion while maintaining quality and value in a competitive market [3]. Marketing and Brand Engagement - A recent menu update featuring over 20 new items generated significant media attention, resulting in over 700 placements and more than 8 billion potential PR impressions, nearly double the exposure from the same quarter last year [3]. Comparable Sales - Comparable sales at Cheesecake Factory restaurants increased by 1% year-over-year, compared to a 0.6% decline in the prior-year quarter [5]. - North Italia's comparable sales declined by 1% year-over-year, contrasting with a 3% growth reported in the year-ago quarter [5]. Cost Structure - The cost of food and beverage as a percentage of revenues decreased by 100 basis points year-over-year to 21.8% [6]. - Labor expenses as a percentage of total revenues were 35.7%, down 30 basis points year-over-year [6]. - Other operating costs increased to 26.7% of total revenues, up 40 basis points year-over-year [7]. Balance Sheet and Liquidity - As of April 1, 2025, cash and cash equivalents totaled $135.4 million, up from $84.2 million at the end of 2024 [8]. - Long-term debt increased to $627.3 million from $452.1 million as of December 31, 2024 [8]. - Total available liquidity was reported at $501.9 million [8]. Shareholder Returns - The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of 27 cents per share, payable on May 27, 2025 [9]. - Approximately 2.6 million shares were repurchased for $141.4 million during the fiscal first quarter [9]. Expansion Plans - In the first quarter of fiscal 2025, the company opened eight new restaurants and plans to add up to 25 restaurants across its portfolio in 2025 [10].

Company Overview - The company owns and operates 358 restaurants across the US and Canada, including 215 The Cheesecake Factory locations[8] - The company's fiscal year 2024 revenue was $3.6 billion[8] - The company's market capitalization was $2.5 billion as of April 1, 2025[8] Expansion and Growth - There are 33 international The Cheesecake Factory locations[12, 21] - The company is targeting approximately 20% average annual unit growth for North Italia and Flower Child[82, 91] - The company plans to open as many as 25 new units in 2025[105, 118] Financial Performance - Total revenue for Q1 2025 was $927 million, up 4% from the previous year[113] - Adjusted net income margin for Q1 2025 was 4.9%, up 90 bps from the previous year[113] - The company issued $575 million of 2.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030[113, 117] Sales and Unit Volume - The Cheesecake Factory's FY 2024 average weekly sales equate to $12.5 million annualized AUV[111] - North Italia's FY 2024 average weekly sales equate to $7.7 million annualized AUV[111] - Flower Child's FY 2024 average weekly sales equate to $7.2 million annualized AUV[111] Off-Premise Performance - Off-premise sales accounted for 17% of total revenue in FY 2024[26] - The Cheesecake Factory's off-premise average weekly sales for FY 2024 were $2.8 million per restaurant[39]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported total revenues of $927 million for Q1 2025, finishing towards the high end of guidance, with a 27% year-over-year increase in adjusted earnings per share [5][15] - Adjusted net income margin was 4.9%, exceeding the high end of the guidance range [15] - The Cheesecake Factory restaurants' total sales were $673 million, up 1% from the prior year, with comparable sales also increasing by 1% [16][17] - The four-wall restaurant margins increased to 17.4%, up 140 basis points from Q1 2024 [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North Italia's total sales were $83.4 million, up 18% from the prior year, with comparable sales declining by 1% [17][12] - Flower Child's sales totaled $43.5 million, up 26% from the prior year, with comparable sales increasing by 5% [17][13] - The company opened eight restaurants in Q1 2025, including three North Italia and three Flower Child locations [6][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The off-premise sales mix for The Cheesecake Factory was 22%, consistent with Q1 2024 [16][100] - North Italia's annualized average unit volumes (AUVs) increased to $7.75 million, while Flower Child's AUV was over $4.6 million, reflecting strong consumer demand [12][13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to open as many as 25 new restaurants in 2025, with a focus on accelerating new unit growth [7][24] - The company has been recognized as one of Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For for the twelfth consecutive year, highlighting its commitment to employee satisfaction [7] - The company is focused on menu innovation, operational execution, and maintaining contemporary restaurant designs as key components of its strategy [8][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the operating environment feels less robust than three months ago, citing various external factors impacting performance [29] - The company anticipates total revenues for Q2 2025 to be between $935 million and $950 million, reflecting a cautious outlook due to economic conditions [21] - Management remains confident in the company's ability to absorb potential tariff impacts without changing adjusted net income margin expectations [21][39] Other Important Information - The company returned $153.8 million to shareholders during the quarter through dividends and share repurchases [15] - The company ended the quarter with total available liquidity of approximately $501.9 million [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Is the uncertain macro environment already impacting the business? - Management indicated that while the business remains stable, the environment feels less robust than previously expected, suggesting a prudent outlook for the remainder of the year [28][29] Question: Can you quantify the expected impact of tariffs on the P&L? - Management noted that the biggest impact would likely be in other operating expenses, with potential pricing adjustments of 50 to 75 basis points if necessary [34][39] Question: What are the same-store sales components for The Cheesecake Factory? - The Cheesecake Factory experienced 4% effective pricing, with traffic down 1.2%, indicating a mix shift due to menu changes [47] Question: How is the loyalty program performing? - The loyalty program is seeing strong member acquisition and positive guest feedback, with plans to implement more personalized offers moving forward [42][44] Question: What is the outlook for commodity inflation? - Management reported that commodity inflation was close to breakeven in Q1, with expectations of low single-digit inflation in Q2 [64] Question: Are there any planned closures affecting guidance? - Management confirmed a closure in Seattle but indicated no other planned closures at this time [66] Question: What differentiates Flower Child's performance in a slowing environment? - Flower Child's strong performance is attributed to food quality, operational stability, and effective staffing, which resonate well with consumers [70]