SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 26, 2000
Commission File Number 0-20574

THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (818) 871-3000

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes |X| No |_|

     As of October 27, 2000, 31,177,203 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value, were outstanding.

THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In Thousands, Except Net Income Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 26, 2000
(Unaudited)

NOTE A–BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (referred to herein as the “Company” or in the first person notations “we”, “us” and “our”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries (The Cheesecake Factory Restaurants, Inc.; The Cheesecake Factory Bakery Incorporated; The Cheesecake Factory Assets Co. LLC; The Houston Cheesecake Factory Corporation; TCF Stonebriar Club Incorporated and Grand Lux Cafe LLC) for the thirteen weeks and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2000. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The consolidated financial statements presented herein have not been audited by independent public accountants, but include all material adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the period. However, these results are not necessarily indicative of results for any other interim period or for the full fiscal year. The consolidated balance sheet data presented herein for December 28, 1999 was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year then ended, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make certain 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. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.

     Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. We believe the disclosures included in the accompanying interim financial statements and footnotes are adequate to make the information not misleading, but should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 1999.

NOTE B–INVESTMENTS AND MARKETABLE SECURITIES

     Investments and marketable securities, all classified as available-for-sale, consisted of the following as of September 26, 2000 (in thousands):

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THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
September 26, 2000
(Unaudited)

NOTE C–NET INCOME PER SHARE

     In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share”, basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share includes the dilutive effect of potential stock option exercises, calculated using the treasury stock method.

NOTE D–STOCK TRANSACTIONS

     The Company effected a stock dividend in the form of a three-for-two stock split on June 8, 2000. In connection with this stock dividend and split, $102,000 was transferred to common stock from retained earnings in the December 28, 1999 Consolidated Balance Sheet. All references in the Consolidated Financial Statements to shares of common stock and related prices, weighted average number of shares, per share amounts and stock option plan data have been adjusted to reflect the stock split.

     We are authorized to repurchase up to 1,125,000 shares of our common stock for reissuance upon the exercise of stock options under the Company’s current stock option plans. As of September 26, 2000, we have repurchased a total of 504,000 shares under this authorization for a total cost of approximately $7.1 million. Share repurchases occurred during fiscal 1999 and 2000.

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     Certain statements in this Form 10-Q which are not historical facts may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, but are not limited to, the following: changes in general economic conditions which affect consumer spending patterns for restaurant dining occasions; increasing competition in the upscale casual dining segment of the restaurant industry; adverse weather conditions which impact customer traffic at the Company’s restaurants in general and which cause the temporary underutilization of outdoor patio seating available at several of the Company’s restaurants; various factors which increase the cost to develop or delay the development and opening of the Company’s new, highly customized restaurants; changes in the availability and/or cost of raw materials, management and hourly labor, and other resources necessary to operate the Company’s restaurants and bakery production facility; the Company’s ability to raise prices sufficiently to offset cost increases; the success of strategic and operating initiatives, including brand extensions and new concepts; depth of management; adverse publicity about the Company, its restaurants or bakery products; the Company’s dependence on a single bakery production facility; the Company’s ability to obtain and retain larger-account bakery sales from other foodservice operators and distributors, which could cause fluctuations in the Company’s consolidated operating results; the rate of growth of general and administrative expenses associated with building a strengthened corporate infrastructure to support the Company’s growing operations; relations between the Company and its employees; the availability, amount, type, and cost of capital for the Company and the deployment of such capital; changes in, or any failure to comply with, governmental regulations; the revaluation of any of the Company’s assets; the amount of, and any changes to, tax rates; and other factors referenced in this Form 10-Q and the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended December 28, 1999.

General

     As of October 27, 2000, The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (referred to herein as the “Company” or in the first person notations of “we”, “us” and “our”) operated 38 upscale, full-service, casual dining restaurants under The Cheesecake Factory® name. We also operated Grand Lux Cafe®, an upscale casual dining restaurant located in the Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada; two self-service, limited menu “express” foodservice operations under The Cheesecake Factory Express® name inside the DisneyQuest® family entertainment centers in Orlando, Florida and Chicago, Illinois; and a bakery production facility. We also licensed three bakery cafes under The Cheesecake Factory Bakery Cafe® name to another foodservice operator.

     Our revenues consist of sales from our restaurant operations and sales from our bakery operations to other foodservice operators, retailers and distributors (“bakery sales”). Sales and cost of sales are separately reported for restaurant and bakery activities. All other operating cost and expense categories are reported on a combined basis for both restaurant and bakery activities. Comparable restaurant sales include the sales of restaurants open for the full period of each period being compared. New restaurants enter the comparable sales base in their thirteenth month of operations.

     The Company utilizes a 52/53-week fiscal year ending on the Tuesday closest to December 31 for financial reporting purposes. Fiscal 2000 will consist of 53 weeks and will end on Tuesday, January 2, 2001.

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Results of Operations

     The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the Consolidated Statements of Operations of the Company expressed as percentages of total revenues. The results of operations for the thirteen weeks and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2000 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.

Revenues

     For the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2000, the Company’s total revenues increased 21% to $111.3 million compared to $91.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 1999. Restaurant sales increased 22% to $104.4 million compared to $85.8 million for the same period of the prior year. The $18.6 million increase in restaurant sales consisted of a $4.7 million or 5.5% increase in comparable restaurant sales and a $13.9 million increase from the openings of new restaurants. Sales in comparable restaurants benefited, in part, from the impact of an effective menu price increase of approximately 1% which was taken in January and February 2000. An additional effective menu price increase of approximately 0.5% was implemented during July 2000.

     Bakery sales to other foodservice operators, retailers and distributors (“bakery sales”) increased 15% to $7.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to $6.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 1999. Sales to warehouse clubs comprised approximately 52% of total bakery sales for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to approximately 56% for the same period of the prior year.

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Restaurant Cost of Sales

     During the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2000, restaurant cost of sales was $26.2 million compared to $22.2 million for the comparable period last year. The related increase of $4.0 million was primarily attributable to new restaurant openings. As a percentage of restaurant sales, restaurant cost of sales decreased to 25.1% compared to 25.9% for the same period of the prior year, principally as a result of the benefit of menu price increases and higher volume purchase discounts on several commodities used in the Company’s operations.

     The menu at our restaurants is one of the most diversified in the industry and, accordingly, is not overly dependent on a single commodity. With respect to newly opened restaurants, costs in this category will typically be higher than normal during the first 90-120 days of operations until our management team at each new restaurant becomes more accustomed to optimally predicting, managing and servicing the high sales volumes typically experienced by our restaurants.

Bakery Cost of Sales

     Bakery cost of sales, which includes ingredient, packaging and production supply costs, was $3.3 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to $2.8 million for the same period of the prior year. As a percentage of bakery sales, bakery cost of sales for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2000 increased slightly to 47.8% compared to 46.0% for the comparable period last year. This slight percentage increase was primarily due to a shift in the mix of sales to lower margin products, offset in part by lower costs for dairy-related commodities (principally cream cheese, whipped cream and butter). While we have taken steps to qualify multiple suppliers and enter into longer-term supply agreements for many of the key commodities used in our bakery operations, there can be no assurance that future costs for commodities used in our bakery or restaurant operations will not fluctuate due to market conditions beyond our control.

Labor Expenses

     Labor expenses, which include restaurant-level labor costs and bakery direct production labor costs (including associated fringe benefits), were $33.6 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to $27.9 million for the same period of the prior year. The related increase of $5.7 million was principally due to the impact of new restaurant openings. As a percentage of total revenues, labor expenses decreased slightly to 30.1% versus 30.3% for the comparable period last year, principally as a result of higher sales volumes that leveraged the fixed cost component of our labor expenses.

     For newer restaurants, labor expenses will typically be higher than normal during the first 90-120 days of operations until our management team at each new restaurant becomes more accustomed to optimally predicting, managing and servicing the high sales volumes typically experienced by our restaurants.

Other Operating Costs and Expenses

     Other operating costs and expenses consist of restaurant-level occupancy and other operating expenses (excluding food costs and labor expenses reported separately) and bakery production overhead, selling and distribution expenses. Other operating costs and expenses increased to $24.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to $20.4 million for the same period of the prior year. The related increase of $4.0 million was principally attributable to new restaurant openings. As a percentage of total revenues, other operating costs and expenses decreased slightly to 21.9% for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2000 versus 22.2% for the same period of fiscal 1999. This slight percentage decrease was primarily attributable to the leveraging of the fixed component of these costs with higher sales volumes.

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General and Administrative Expenses

     General and administrative expenses consist of restaurant support expenses (field supervision, manager recruitment and training, relocation and other related expenses), bakery administrative expenses, and corporate support and governance expenses. General and administrative expenses increased 14% to $6.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to $5.4 million for the same period of fiscal 1999. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased to 5.6% for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to 5.9% for the same period of the prior year. This percentage decrease was principally attributable to the leveraging of the fixed component of these costs with higher sales volumes. We intend to continue strengthening our restaurant and corporate support infrastructure during the remainder of fiscal 2000 and fiscal 2001, which will likely generate a higher dollar amount of general and administrative expenses for each period, respectively.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

     Depreciation and amortization expenses were $3.5 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to $2.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 1999. The related increase of $0.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2000 primarily consisted of higher restaurant depreciation expense which was principally due to the openings of new restaurants. As a percentage of total revenues, depreciation and amortization expenses increased slightly to 3.2% for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to 3.1% for the same period last year.

Preopening Costs

     Incurred preopening costs were $1.6 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to $2.0 million for the same period of the prior year. We incurred costs to open two full-service Cheesecake Factory restaurants during the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to three openings during the same period last year.

     Preopening costs include incremental, out-of-pocket costs which are not otherwise capitalizable that are directly incurred to open new restaurants. Preopening costs primarily include, but are not limited to, the cost of recruiting and training the hourly staff for each new restaurant; the cost to relocate and pay the management staff assigned to the restaurant during the 45-day period prior to opening; the cost to send training and other support personnel to the opening; and the cost of practice cooking and service activities. As a result of the highly customized and operationally complex nature of our restaurants, the restaurant preopening process is significantly more extensive and costly relative to that of other chain restaurant operations. Preopening costs will vary from location to location depending on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the proximity of other established Company restaurants; the size and physical layout of each location; the cost of travel and lodging in different metropolitan areas; and the relative difficulty of the restaurant staffing and training process. Preopening costs will fluctuate from period to period based on the number and timing of restaurant openings and the specific preopening costs incurred for each restaurant, and the fluctuations could be significant. Based on our current growth objectives for fiscal 2000 and 2001, preopening costs for each of those years will likely exceed the respective amount of preopening costs for the applicable prior year.

Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 26, 2000 Compared to Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 28, 1999

Revenues

     For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2000, the Company’s total revenues increased 24% to $312.6 million compared to $252.4 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 1999. Restaurant sales increased 24% to $292.4 million compared to $235.0 million for the same period of the prior year. The $57.4 million increase in restaurant sales consisted of a $11.9 million or 5.1% increase in comparable restaurant sales and a $45.5 million increase from the openings of new restaurants. Sales in comparable restaurants benefited, in part, from the impact of an effective menu price increase of approximately 1% which was taken in January and February 2000. An additional effective menu price increase of approximately 0.5% was implemented during July 2000.

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     Bakery sales increased 16% to $20.2 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to $17.5 million for the same period of the prior year. The increase was principally attributable to higher sales volumes to foodservice operators and distributors. Sales to warehouse clubs comprised approximately 51% of total bakery sales for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to approximately 55% for the same period last year.

Restaurant Cost of Sales

     During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2000, restaurant cost of sales was $73.6 million compared to $60.9 million for the comparable period last year. The related increase of $12.7 million was primarily attributable to new restaurant openings. As a percentage of restaurant sales, restaurant cost of sales decreased to 25.2% versus 25.9% for the same period of the prior year, principally as a result of the benefit of menu price increases and higher volume purchase discounts on several commodities used in the Company’s operations.

Bakery Cost of Sales

     Bakery cost of sales was $9.3 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to $8.4 million for the same period of the prior year. As a percentage of bakery sales, bakery cost of sales for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2000 decreased to 46.2% compared to 48.4% for the comparable period last year. This percentage decrease was primarily due to lower costs for dairy-related commodities (principally cream cheese, whipped cream and butter), offset in part by a shift in the mix of sales to lower margin products.

Labor Expenses

     Labor expenses were $95.5 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to $77.0 million for the same period of the prior year. The related increase of $18.5 million was principally due to the impact of new restaurant openings. As a percentage of total revenues, labor expenses increased slightly to 30.6% versus 30.5% for the comparable period last year.

Other Operating Costs and Expenses

     Other operating costs and expenses were $68.8 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to $56.2 million for the same period of the prior year. The related increase of $12.6 million was principally attributable to new restaurant openings. As a percentage of total revenues, other operating costs and expenses decreased slightly to 22.0% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2000 versus 22.3% for the same period of fiscal 1999. This slight percentage decrease was primarily attributable to the leveraging of the fixed component of these costs with higher revenues.

General and Administrative Expenses

     General and administrative expenses increased 21% to $19.1 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to $15.8 million for the same period of fiscal 1999. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased slightly to 6.1% compared to 6.3% for the same period last year.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

     Depreciation and amortization expenses were $9.7 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to $7.9 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 1999. The related increase of $1.8 million was principally attributable to new restaurant openings. As a percentage of total revenues, depreciation and amortization expenses were 3.1% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to 3.1% for the same period last year.

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Preopening Costs

     Incurred preopening costs were $3.5 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to $5.4 million for the same period of the prior year. We opened four full-service Cheesecake Factory restaurants during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2000 compared to seven restaurant openings (including Grand Lux Cafe, a new concept with higher preopening costs and the “Express” unit in DisneyQuest-Chicago) during the same period of the prior year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     The following table sets forth a summary of the Company’s key liquidity measurements for the thirty-nine week periods ended September 26, 2000 and September 28, 1999.

     During the 52 weeks ended September 26, 2000, our balance of cash and marketable securities on hand increased by $24.7 million to $78.1million. This increase was primarily attributable to increased cash flow from operations and proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options.

     As of October 27, 2000, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Company’s $25 million revolving credit and term loan facility (the “Credit Facility”). Borrowings under the Credit Facility will bear interest at variable rates based, at our option, on either the prime rate of interest, the lending institution’s cost of funds rate plus 0.75% or the applicable LIBOR rate plus 0.75%. The Credit Facility expires on May 31, 2002. On that date, a maximum of $25 million of any borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility automatically convert into a four-year term loan, payable in equal quarterly installments at interest rates of 0.5% higher than the applicable revolving credit rates. The Credit Facility is not collateralized and requires us to maintain certain financial ratios and to observe certain restrictive covenants with respect to the conduct of our operations, with which we are currently in compliance.

     During fiscal 1999, our total capital expenditures were $38.6 million, most of which were related to our restaurant operations. For fiscal 2000, we currently estimate our total capital expenditure requirement to range between $30-$35 million, excluding approximately $6-$7 million of expected noncapitalizable restaurant preopening costs and net of agreed-upon landlord construction contributions. This estimate contemplates as many as seven new restaurants to be opened during fiscal 2000 and also provides for an anticipated increase in construction-in-progress disbursements for anticipated fiscal 2001 openings. We generally lease the land and building shells for our restaurant locations and expend cash for leasehold improvements and furnishings, fixtures and equipment.

     Based on our current expansion objectives and opportunities, we believe that our cash and short-term investments on hand, coupled with expected cash provided by operations, available borrowings under our Credit Facility and expected landlord construction contributions should be sufficient to finance our planned capital expenditures and other operating activities through fiscal 2001. We may seek additional funds to finance our growth in the future. However, there can be no assurance that such funds will be available when needed or be available on terms acceptable to us.

     We are authorized to repurchase up to 1,125,000 shares of our common stock for reissuance upon the exercise of stock options under our current stock option plans. Shares may be repurchased in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions at times and prices considered appropriate by us. Under this authorization, we have repurchased a total of 504,000 shares at a total cost of approximately $7.1 million as of September 26, 2000. Share repurchases occurred during fiscal 1999 and 2000.

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Year 2000 Readiness

     To address the year 2000 issue, we began to formulate a plan during fiscal 1998 to assess, remediate and test all mission-critical internal computer systems and processes. Our plan also includes an assessment of the readiness of key suppliers of mission-critical goods and services to our restaurant and bakery operations. All phases of our year 2000 readiness plan were completed as scheduled. To date, we have not experienced any year 2000 issues with respect to our internal computer systems and key supplies, and we did not experience any loss of revenues as a result of the issue. Our total costs to address the year 2000 issue were not material, and any additional costs are expected to be minimal. Although we have not experienced any year 2000 issues to date and believe that it is unlikely that any such issues will arise in the future, there can be no assurance that unforeseen year 2000 issues will not arise in the future and adversely affect our results of operations, liquidity and financial position.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on funded debt. This exposure relates to our $25 million revolving credit and term loan facility (the “Credit Facility”). There were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2000. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at variable rates based on either the prime rate of interest, the lending institution’s cost of funds plus 0.75% or LIBOR plus 0.75%. A hypothetical 1% interest rate change would not have a material impact on our results of operations.

     A change in market prices also exposes us to market risk related to our investments in marketable securities. As of September 26, 2000, we held $51.7 million in marketable securities. A hypothetical 10% decline in the market value of those securities would result in a $5.2 million unrealized loss. This hypothetical decline would not affect cash flow from operations and would not have an impact on net income until the securities were actually disposed of.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

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