Investor Relations

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 16, 2009-- Nearly 10,000 cheesecake enthusiasts nationwide have submitted innovative cheesecake flavor combinations as part of the “What’s Your Flavor?” cheesecake contest since January 28. Now it is up to the voting public to help determine which of the top five finalists will be declared the newest cheesecake flavor on The Cheesecake Factory menu. Beginning today, through March 31, the public has the chance to vote for their favorite cheesecake contender at www.thecheesecakefactory.com/love.

The top five finalists, chosen by The Cheesecake Factory Founder, David Overton, and Vice President of Bakery Research and Development, Chris Radovan, are a delicious collection and as diverse as the locations throughout America from where they were submitted.

• Liz’s “Bananas Foster Cheesecake,” Seattle, Wash.
  • Features fresh bananas flambéed in a rich brown butter sauce.
• Kevin’s “Chocolate Hazelnut Paradise,” Cambridge, Mass.
  • Combines chocolate brownies and creamy Nutella with toasted hazelnuts.
• Billie’s “Peaches and Cream Cheesecake,” Elizabethton, Tenn.
  • Unites rich white chocolate and fresh peaches.
• Karol’s “Fleur de Sel Caramel Cheesecake,” Austin, Tex.
  • The definitive marriage of sweet and salty featuring crisp chocolate chunks, silky caramel and a delicate sprinkle of French Sea Salt.
• CB’s “Ultimate Red Velvet Cheesecake,” Redondo Beach, Calif.
  • A twist on a Southern favorite, two layers of moist Red Velvet Cake sandwiched between two layers of creamy cheesecake.

“Having thoroughly reviewed the nearly 10,000 contest entries, we were amazed by the creativity, originality and passion that cheesecake fans brought to their flavor creations,” commented Overton. “It was very difficult to narrow it down to these five finalists, and we believe any one of these final cheesecake flavors would make a fantastic addition to our menu. Now we are inviting the public to vote online to help us select our next great cheesecake.”

The grand prize winner will be announced April 1 and awarded a trip for two to the “original” Cheesecake Factory in Beverly Hills, Calif. to sample his or her winning creation. The Cheesecake Factory plans to feature the new cheesecake flavor on its menu for one year. And to further its commitment to supporting local communities, the company plans to donate $0.25 from the sale of every slice of the new “What’s Your Flavor?” winning cheesecake to Feeding America – the nation’s food bank network – which helps to feed more than 25 million hungry Americans each year.

About The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (NASDAQ:CAKE) created the upscale casual dining segment in 1978 with the introduction of its namesake concept and continues to define it today. The company operates 146 restaurants throughout the U.S. under The Cheesecake Factory(R) name with an extensive menu of more than 200 items. Grand Lux Cafe(R), the company's second concept, has 13 units in operation across the U.S. offering a broad menu of more than 150 items. The company also operates one unit of its newest concept, RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen(TM), and two bakery production facilities in Calabasas Hills, CA and Rocky Mount, NC that produce over 70 varieties of quality cheesecakes and other baked products. Additionally, the company licenses two bakery cafe outlets to another foodservice operator under The Cheesecake Factory Bakery Cafe(R) mark. For more information, please visit www.TheCheesecakeFactory.com.

About Feeding America

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks operate 63,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit www.feedingamerica.org.

Source: The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated

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