UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_________________

FORM 10-Q

        For the quarterly period ended July 1, 2003

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

_________________

        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 |_|

        Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as determined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes |X| No |_|

        As of July 22, 2003, 51,457,082 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:

   Consolidated Balance Sheets — July 1, 2003 and December 31, 2002

1

   Consolidated Statements of Operations — Thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 1,        2003 and July 2, 2002

2

   Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity — Twenty-six weeks ended July 1,
       2003

3

   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2003 and        July 2, 2002

4

   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — July 1, 2003

5

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of         Operations

8

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

15

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures

16

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings

18

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Stockholders

18

Item 6.

   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

19

Signatures

21

Index to Exhibits

22

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.

1

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.

2

THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)

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

3

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.

4

THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
July 1, 2003
(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; C.F.I Promotions Co. LLC; C.F.R.I Assets Holding Co. LLC; C.F.R.I. Texas Restaurants LP; The Houston Cheesecake Factory Corporation; Cheesecake Factory Restaurants of Kansas LLC and Grand Lux Cafe LLC) for the thirteen weeks and twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2003 prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The 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 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 years presented. The consolidated balance sheet data presented herein for December 31, 2002 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 in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The accompanying interim financial statements 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 31, 2002.

NOTE B — INVESTMENTS AND MARKETABLE SECURITIES

        Investments and marketable securities, all classified as available-for-sale, consisted of the following as of July 1, 2003 (in thousands):

5

THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
July 1, 2003
(Unaudited)

NOTE C — STOCK-BASED EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION

        In accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” we have elected to account for our stock-based employee compensation plans under the intrinsic value method which requires compensation expense to be recorded only if, on the date of grant, the current market price of the Company’s common stock exceeds the exercise price the employee must pay for the stock. The Company’s policy is to grant stock options at the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant. Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized for our stock option plans. Had compensation expense for our stock option plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant date for awards through July 1, 2003 consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, our after-tax net income and after-tax net income per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands, except net income per share):

NOTE D — 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. Outstanding stock options issued by the Company represent the only dilutive effect reflected in diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Options do not impact the numerator of the diluted net income per share computation.

NOTE E — STOCK TRANSACTIONS

        During fiscal 1998, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1,687,500 shares of our common stock for reissuance upon the exercise of stock options under the Company’s current stock option plans. As of July 1, 2003, we have repurchased 1,077,300 shares at a total cost of approximately $17.2 million under this authorization.

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NOTE F — COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

        Comprehensive income consisted of (in thousands):

        The Company principally invests its excess cash balances in U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, investment grade corporate debt securities rated “A” or better and money market mutual funds. The Company has historically classified all of its investments and marketable securities as available-for-sale securities, even though its current liquidity position and requirements provide it with the ability to hold a substantial amount of such securities to maturity. Available-for-sale securities are reported at their fair values, with unrealized gains and losses on such securities reflected, net of tax effect, in total comprehensive income and as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses are included, net of tax effect, in net income. The net unrealized gain or loss on the Company’s available-for-sale securities will fluctuate from period to period depending on changes in the general level of interest rates and other factors.

NOTE G — RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

        The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) recently issued several Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”). The statements relevant to our line of business and their impact on the Company are as follows:

        SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit and Disposal Activities,” is effective for exit and disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. This standard did not have any effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

        SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure, an Amendment of SFAS No. 123,” provides alternative methods for an entity that voluntarily changes to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation as required by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation.” This statement also requires additional disclosure related to stock-based
employee compensation in interim financial reporting. This statement is effective for fiscal years ending after
December 15, 2002. This statement did not have any impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements as we have adopted the “disclosure only” provisions of SFAS No. 123. The additional disclosure requirements are reflected in this Form 10-Q.

        SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity,” establishes standards for the classification and measurement of certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. This statement is effective for financial statements issued after May 2003. This statement did not have any impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

7

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

General

        As of July 22, 2003, The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (referred to herein as the “Company” or in the first person notations “we”, “us” and “our”) operated 63 upscale, full-service, casual dining restaurants under The Cheesecake Factory® mark. We also operated three upscale casual dining restaurants under the Grand Lux Cafe® mark in Los Angeles, California, Chicago, Illinois and Las Vegas, Nevada; one self-service, limited menu “express” foodservice operation under The Cheesecake Factory Express® mark inside the DisneyQuest® family entertainment center in Orlando, Florida; and a bakery production facility. We also licensed three limited menu bakery cafes under The Cheesecake Factory Bakery Cafe® mark 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.

        The Company utilizes a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the Tuesday closest to December 31 for financial reporting purposes. Fiscal 2003 will consist of 52 weeks and will end on December 30, 2003.

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 twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.

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Thirteen Weeks Ended July 1, 2003 Compared to Thirteen Weeks Ended July 2, 2002

Revenues

        For the thirteen weeks ended July 1, 2003, the Company’s total revenues increased 14.1% to $188.6 million compared to $165.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 2, 2002. Restaurant sales increased 18.3% to $178.8 million compared to $151.2 million for the same period of the prior year. The $27.6 million increase in restaurant sales consisted of a $0.3 million or 0.3% increase in comparable restaurant sales and a $27.3 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 2003. As a result of the openings of new restaurants during the past 12 months, total restaurant operating weeks increased 20% to 851 compared to 712 for the thirteen weeks ended July 2, 2002. However, average sales per restaurant operating week decreased 1.3% to $212,400 compared to $215,200 for the same period last year due principally to the sales volumes at several newer restaurants that are gradually decreasing, as expected, from their initial grand opening or “honeymoon” sales levels to their sustainable run-rate levels. It is common in the restaurant industry for new locations to open with sales volumes well in excess of their sustainable run-rate levels due to grand opening promotional and consumer awareness activities that generate abnormally high customer traffic for a period of several months.

        Our primary restaurant expansion objective is to increase our total restaurant productive square feet and operating weeks by approximately 23% and 21%, respectively, during fiscal 2003. We currently expect to open as many as 14 new Cheesecake Factory restaurants during fiscal 2003, two of which opened in the first quarter (Edison, NJ and Littleton, CO) and two of which opened in the second quarter (West Nyack, NY and Overland Park, KS). As many as 10 additional restaurant openings are currently planned for the August-December 2003 timeframe. However, due to the nature of the leased spaces that we select for our upscale restaurants and their highly customized layouts, it is difficult to predict, by quarter, the exact timing of our restaurant openings. The number and timing of our planned restaurant openings can be subject to unforeseen delays that are outside of our control, including factors that are under the influence and control of government agencies and landlords.

        Bakery sales decreased 31.0% to $9.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to a record-setting $14.2 million for the same period of the prior year which, in turn, represented a 77% increase over the same quarter of fiscal 2001. We previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 that bakery sales for the first half of fiscal 2003 were expected to be less than the same period last year due to a very difficult sales comparison. During the first half of fiscal 2002, bakery sales were unusually high principally as a result of the initial inventory pipeline fills for new relationships with the largest warehouse club operator and a national retailer. In addition, a former large-account foodservice industry customer discontinued purchasing our product in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 following a voluntary product withdrawal and recall. While our bakery operations have requalified to do business with this customer, purchase activity has not yet resumed. For the thirteen weeks ended July 1, 2003, sales to warehouse clubs comprised approximately 57% of total bakery sales compared to approximately 51% for the same period of the prior year.

Restaurant Cost of Sales

        During the thirteen weeks ended July 1, 2003, restaurant cost of sales increased 18.9% to $42.8 million compared to $36.0 million for the comparable period last year. The related increase of $6.8 million was primarily attributable to new restaurant openings. As a percentage of restaurant sales, these costs were relatively unchanged at 23.9% in the current period versus 23.8% for the same period of the prior year as a result of continued favorable market prices in general for most of the food commodities used in our restaurants, and increasing volume purchase discounts and purchasing power as a result of our continued growth. Assuming that weather or other market conditions outside of our control do not disrupt the current favorable food cost environment, we currently expect the costs for most of our contractible commodities to remain approximately the same during the remainder of fiscal 2003. We are currently able to contract for approximately two-thirds of the food commodities used in our operations for periods up to one year. Approximately one-third of our restaurant cost of sales consists of fresh produce, poultry and dairy commodities that are not currently contractible for periods longer than 30 days in most cases. As a result, these fresh commodities can be subject to unforeseen supply and cost fluctuations due principally to weather and other general agricultural conditions.

9

        The menu at our restaurants is one of the most diversified in the foodservice industry and, accordingly, is not overly dependent on a single commodity. The principal commodity categories for our restaurants include produce, poultry, meat, fish and seafood, cheese, other dairy products, bread and general grocery items. While we have taken steps to qualify multiple suppliers and enter into agreements for some of the key commodities used in our restaurant operations, there can be no assurance that future supplies and costs for commodities used in our restaurant operations will not fluctuate due to weather and other market conditions outside of our control. For new restaurants, cost of sales 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. Accordingly, restaurant cost of sales as a percentage of restaurant sales could be slightly higher during the August-December 2003 timeframe as a result of our planned openings of as many as 10 new restaurants during that period.

Bakery Cost of Sales

        Bakery cost of sales, which include ingredient, packaging and production supply costs, were $4.5 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to $6.7 million for the same period of the prior year. As a percentage of bakery sales, bakery costs for the thirteen weeks ended July 1, 2003 decreased to 45.5% compared to 47.5% for the comparable period last year. This decrease was primarily attributable to a shift in the mix of sales to products with slightly lower cost of sales as a percentage of their associated price (but with slightly higher selling expenses, which are included in the “other operating costs and expenses” category). While we have taken steps to qualify multiple suppliers and enter into agreements for some of the key commodities used in our bakery operations, there can be no assurance that future supplies and costs for commodities used in our bakery or restaurant operations will not fluctuate due to weather and other market conditions beyond our control. Cream cheese is the most significant commodity used in our bakery products, with an expected requirement for as much as 9-10 million pounds during fiscal 2003. During the first quarter of fiscal 2003, we executed agreements for substantially all of our cream cheese requirements for the 12-month period thereafter with two suppliers at a fixed cost per pound that is slightly lower than the actual cost in fiscal 2002. We may also purchase cream cheese on the spot market as necessary to supplement our agreements.

Labor Expenses

        Labor expenses, which include restaurant-level labor costs and bakery direct production labor costs (including associated fringe benefits), increased 15.0% to $58.3 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to $50.7 million for the same period of the prior year. This increase was principally due to the impact of new restaurant openings. As a percentage of total revenues, labor expenses increased slightly to 30.9% versus 30.6% for the comparable period last year. This percentage increase was primarily due to increased medical insurance costs of approximately 10 to 20 basis points and reverse leverage from lower bakery sales on the fixed portion of labor costs. For new 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. Accordingly, labor expenses as a percentage of revenues could be higher during the August-December 2003 timeframe as a result of our planned openings of as many as 10 new restaurants during that period.

Other Operating Costs and Expenses

        Other operating costs and expenses consist of restaurant-level occupancy expenses (rent, insurance, licenses, taxes and utilities), 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 18.5% to $43.5 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to $36.7 million for the same period of the prior year. This increase was principally attributable to new restaurant openings. As a percentage of total revenues, other operating costs and expenses increased to 23.0% for the thirteen weeks ended July 1, 2003 versus 22.2% for the same period of fiscal 2002. This percentage increase was primarily attributable to increased costs for our insurance arrangements of approximately 30 to 40 basis points of total revenues; increased costs for natural gas services to our restaurants of approximately 30 basis points of total revenues; and reverse leverage from lower bakery sales on the fixed portion of our other operating costs and expenses. We expect the increased costs of our insurance arrangements to continue throughout fiscal 2003.

10

General and Administrative Expenses

        General and administrative (“G&A”) 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. G&A expenses increased 9.6% to $9.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to $8.3 million for the same period of fiscal 2002. As a percentage of total revenues, G&A expenses decreased to 4.8% for the thirteen weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to 5.0% for the same period of the prior year. This decrease was principally attributable to the leveraging of the fixed component of these costs with higher restaurant sales volumes. During the remainder of fiscal 2003, we plan to continue to add resources to the corporate support and field supervision activities of our operations. Commensurate with the planned openings of as many as 10 new restaurants during the remainder of fiscal 2003, we expect that our absolute G&A expense per quarter will also reflect the ramp-up of restaurant management recruiting and training activities. G&A expenses for fiscal 2003 will also reflect the full-year impact of the new leased training, culinary R&D and office space occupied by the Company in October 2002, as well as new executive positions added to our field supervision organization and other investments to support our future growth. Accordingly, we expect our absolute G&A expense to progressively increase from quarter to quarter during the remainder of fiscal 2003.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

        Depreciation and amortization expenses were $6.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 1, 2003
compared to $5.5 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 2, 2002. As a percentage of total revenues, depreciation and amortization expenses increased slightly to 3.6% for the thirteen weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to 3.3% for the same period last year. The increase of $1.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended
July 1, 2003 primarily consisted of higher restaurant depreciation expenses, which were principally due to the openings of new restaurants.

Preopening Costs

        Incurred preopening costs were $1.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to $2.2 million for the same period of the prior year. We opened two Cheesecake Factory restaurants during the thirteen weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to one opening for the same quarter last year. We incurred substantial preopening costs during the same quarter last year related to our third Grand Lux Cafe restaurant, which opened in Chicago in July 2002. In addition, preopening costs were incurred in both periods for restaurant openings in progress.

        Preopening costs include incremental out-of-pocket costs that are directly related to the openings of new restaurants that are not otherwise capitalizable. As a result of the highly customized and operationally complex nature of our upscale, high volume concepts, the restaurant preopening process for our new restaurants is more extensive, time consuming and costly relative to that of most chain restaurant operations. The preopening cost for one of our restaurants usually includes costs to relocate and compensate an average of 11-12 restaurant management employees prior to opening; costs to recruit and train an average of 200-250 hourly restaurant employees; wages, travel and lodging costs for our opening training team and other support employees; and costs for practice service activities. Preopening costs will vary from location to location depending on a number of factors, including the proximity of our existing restaurants; the size and physical layout of each location; the number of management and hourly employees required to open each restaurant; the relative difficulty of the restaurant staffing process; the cost of travel and lodging for different metropolitan areas; and the extent of unexpected delays, if any, in construction and/or obtaining final licenses and permits to open the restaurants, which may also be caused by landlord delays.

        Our direct preopening cost for a 10,000 square foot, single-story restaurant in an established Company market averages approximately $700,000. There will also be other preopening costs associated with each restaurant opening, including costs for corporate travel and support activities. Preopening costs will usually be higher for larger restaurants, our initial entry into new markets and for new concepts such as Grand Lux Cafe. We usually incur the most significant portion of preopening costs for a typical restaurant opening within the two-month period immediately preceding and the month of the restaurant’s opening. 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. We expense preopening costs as incurred. Based on our planned openings of as many as 10 new restaurants during the August-December 2003 timeframe, preopening costs will be significantly higher in the second half of fiscal 2003 compared to the prior year. One of these potential openings will be a large Cheesecake Factory restaurant in Honolulu, HI that could open during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 and that could likely require a preopening cost of approximately $1 million.

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Twenty-six Weeks Ended July 1, 2003 Compared to Twenty-six Weeks Ended July 2, 2002

Revenues

        For the twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2003, the Company’s total revenues increased 14.5% to $361.5 million compared to $315.6 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2002. Restaurant sales increased 19.1% to $344.0 million compared to $288.8 million for the same period of the prior year. The $55.2 million increase in restaurant sales consisted of a $57.3 million increase from the openings of new restaurants and a $2.1 million or approximate 0.8% decrease in comparable restaurant sales. Restaurant sales in the first half of the current year were unfavorably impacted by severe winter weather throughout much of the country that resulted in approximately 22 lost days of restaurant sales due to restaurant closings. An approximate 1% effective menu price was implemented in Cheesecake Factory restaurants during January and February 2003.

        Bakery sales decreased 34.7% to $17.5 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to a record-setting $26.8 million for the same period of the prior year which, in turn, represented a 66% increase over the same period of fiscal 2001. During the first half of fiscal 2002, bakery sales were unusually high principally as a result of the initial inventory pipeline fills for new relationships with the largest warehouse club operator and a national retailer. In addition, a former large-account foodservice industry customer discontinued purchasing our product in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 following a voluntary product withdrawal and recall. While our bakery operations have requalified to do business with this customer, purchase activity has not yet resumed.

Restaurant Cost of Sales

        During the twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2003, restaurant cost of sales increased 17.6% to $81.6 million compared to $69.4 million for the comparable period last year. The related increase of $12.2 million was primarily attributable to new restaurant openings. As a percentage of restaurant sales, this cost decreased to 23.7% versus 24.0% for the same period of the prior year, principally as a result of slightly lower commodity costs due to favorable market prices and increased volume purchase discounts.

Bakery Cost of Sales

        Bakery cost of sales were $8.1 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to $12.8 million for the same period of the prior year. As a percentage of bakery sales, bakery cost of sales for the twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2003 decreased to 46.3% compared to 47.9% for the comparable period last year. This percentage decrease was primarily due to a shift in the mix of sales to products with slightly lower cost of sales as a percentage of their associated price (but with slightly higher selling expenses, which are reported in the “other operating costs and expenses” category) partially offset by a slight increase in the cost for certain dairy-related commodities.

Labor Expenses

        Labor expenses were $114.2 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to $96.9 million for the same period of the prior year. The related increase of $17.3 million was principally due to the impact of new restaurant openings. As a percentage of total revenues, labor expenses for the twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2003 increased to 31.6% compared to 30.7% for the comparable period last year. This percentage increase was primarily due to reverse leverage from less-than-expected restaurant and bakery sales on the fixed portion of labor costs in both operations. Additionally, the unpredictable fluctuations in restaurant sales due to the severe winter weather made it difficult for our restaurant operators to adjust hourly labor accordingly.

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Other Operating Costs and Expenses

        Other operating costs and expenses increased 17.7% to $83.2 million for the twenty-six weeks ended
July 1, 2003 compared to $70.7 million for the same period of the prior year. The related increase of $12.5 million was principally attributable to new restaurant openings. As a percentage of total revenues, occupancy and other expenses were 23.0% for the 26 weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to 22.4% for the comparable period of fiscal 2002. This increase was due primarily to increased costs for our insurance arrangements of approximately 30 to 40 basis points of total revenues; increased costs for natural gas and electric services to our restaurants of approximately 30 basis points of total revenues; and reverse leverage from lower bakery sales on the fixed portion of our other operating costs and expenses.

General and Administrative Expenses

        General and administrative expenses increased to $17.8 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to $15.9 million for the same period of fiscal 2002, an increase of $1.9 million or 11.9%. As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased to 4.9% for the twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to 5.0% for the same period of the prior year. This decrease was principally attributable to the leveraging of the fixed component of these costs with higher sales volumes.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

        Depreciation and amortization expenses were $13.3 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to $10.7 million for the same period of the prior year. The related increase of $2.6 million was principally attributable to new restaurant openings. As a percentage of total revenues, depreciation and amortization expenses were 3.7% for the twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to 3.4% for the same period last year.

Preopening Costs

        Incurred preopening costs were $3.3 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2003 compared to $4.9 million for the same period of the prior year. We incurred preopening costs to open four Cheesecake Factory restaurants during each of the twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2003 and July 2, 2002. We also incurred substantial preopening costs during the twenty-six weeks ended July 2, 2002 related to our third Grand Lux Cafe restaurant, which opened in Chicago in July 2002. In addition, we incurred preopening costs in both periods for other restaurant openings in progress.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        The following table sets forth a summary of the Company’s key liquidity measurements at July 1, 2003 and December 31, 2002.

        During the twenty-six weeks ended July 1, 2003, our balance of cash and marketable securities on hand increased by $12.5 million to $127.0 million from the December 31, 2002 balance. This increase was primarily attributable to increased cash flows from operations. In the table above, we also present adjusted net working capital and current ratio calculations that include all marketable securities classified as either current or noncurrent assets. We believe these adjusted calculations provide investors with useful information regarding our overall liquidity position because all marketable securities are readily available to meet our liquidity requirements. In response to the recent decrease in the general level of interest rates in our forecasted cash flow requirements, we slightly lengthened the average maturity of our marketable securities portfolio in order to capture additional investment yield. As a result, most of our investments in marketable securities now have maturities in excess of one year and are classified as noncurrent assets, but remain available for our liquidity requirements.

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        As of July 22, 2003, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Company’s $25 million revolving credit and term loan facility (the “Credit Facility”). $11.5 million of the Credit Facility has been reserved to support a letter of credit for our insurance programs. 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, 2004. 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 its operations, with which we are currently in compliance.

        Our new restaurant development model more closely resembles that of a retail business that occupies leased space in shopping malls, office complexes, strip centers, entertainment centers and other real estate developments. We typically seek to lease our restaurant locations for primary periods of 15 to 20 years. Our rent structures vary from lease to lease, but generally provide for the payment of both minimum and contingent (percentage) rent based on sales. We expend cash for leasehold improvements and furnishings, fixtures and equipment to build out the leased premises. We may also expend cash for permanent improvements that we make to leased premises that will be reimbursed to us by our landlords as construction contributions (also known as tenant improvement allowances) pursuant to agreed-upon terms in the respective leases. If obtained, landlord construction contributions usually take the form of up-front cash, full or partial credits against minimum or percentage rents otherwise payable by us, or a combination thereof. We initially record uncollected landlord construction contributions as other receivables. Our balance of other receivables will fluctuate from period to period, depending on the timing of cash collections from landlords and additional receivables recorded from new restaurant development activities. In the future, we may also develop more freestanding restaurant locations using both ground leases and built-to-suit leases, which are common arrangements used to finance freestanding locations in the restaurant industry. We do not have any current plans to encumber our existing leasehold interests with secured financing. We own substantially all of the equipment, furniture and trade fixtures in our restaurants and currently plan to do so in the future.

        For fiscal 2003, we currently estimate our capital expenditure requirement to range between $85-$90 million, net of agreed-upon landlord construction contributions and excluding $11-$12 million of expected noncapitalizable preopening costs for new restaurants. This estimate contemplates $73-$77 million for as many as 14 new restaurants to be opened during fiscal 2003, which includes an increase in estimated construction-in-progress disbursements for anticipated fiscal 2004 openings. The estimated capital expenditures also reflects the fact that three of our planned 14 restaurant openings for fiscal 2003 do not have any landlord construction contributions. Not every potential location that we seek to develop into a restaurant may have landlord construction contributions available, and we would therefore not expect to incur a contingent rent obligation on such locations. Expected capital expenditures for fiscal 2003 also include approximately $8-$9 million for maintenance and capacity addition expenditures to our existing restaurants; and $4 million for potential bakery capacity additions.

        We have commenced an evaluation of various alternatives to develop a second bakery production facility, which will likely be located on the East Coast. We currently expect to complete this evaluation before the end of fiscal 2003 and to commence initial work on a second facility during fiscal 2004. During fiscal 2003, we plan to add equipment to our current bakery production facility that will effectively increase the productive capacity of that facility by approximately 20%. The required funding for this capacity addition is contemplated in the capital expenditure estimate provided in the preceding paragraph.

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        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 2004. 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.

        During fiscal 1998, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1,687,500 shares of our common stock for reissuance upon the exercise of stock options under the Company’s 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 1,077,300 shares at a total cost of approximately $17.2 million under this authorization through July 22, 2003.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

        The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) recently issued several Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”). The statements relevant to our line of business and their impact on the Company are as follows:

        SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit and Disposal Activities,” is effective for exit and disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. This standard did not have any effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

        SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure, an Amendment of SFAS No. 123,” provides alternative methods for an entity that voluntarily changes to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation as required by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation.” This statement also requires additional disclosure related to stock-based employee compensation in interim financial reporting. This statement is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. This statement did not have any impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements as we have adopted the “disclosure only” provisions of SFAS No. 123. The additional disclosure requirements are reflected in this Form 10-Q.

        SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity,” establishes standards for the classification and measurement of certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. This statement is effective for financial statements issued after May 2003. This statement did not have any impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

        We are 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”). As of July 22, 2003, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility. 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 any current 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 July 1, 2003, we held $122 million in marketable securities. A hypothetical 10% decline in the market value of those securities would result in a $12.2 million unrealized loss and a corresponding decline in their fair value. This hypothetical decline would not affect cash flows from operations and would not have an impact on net income until the securities were disposed of.

        We purchase food and other commodities for use in our operations, based upon market prices established with our suppliers. Many of the commodities purchased by us can be subject to volatility due to market supply and demand factors outside of our control. To manage this risk in part, we attempt to enter into fixed price purchase commitments, with terms typically up to one year, for many of our commodity requirements. However, we are currently unable to contract for substantially all of our fresh commodities such as produce, poultry, fish and dairy items for periods longer than 30 days. Dairy costs can also fluctuate due to government regulation. We believe that substantially all of our food and supplies are available from several sources, which helps to diversify our overall commodity cost risk. We also believe that we have the ability to increase certain menu prices, or vary certain menu items offered, in response to food commodity price increases. Some of our commodity purchase arrangements may contain contractual features that limit the price paid by establishing certain price floors or caps. The Company does not use financial instruments to hedge commodity prices, since our purchase arrangements with suppliers, to the extent that we can enter into such arrangements, help control the ultimate cost that we pay.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

        Based on an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended), our Chief (principal) Executive Officer and our Chief (principal) Financial Officer have concluded that such controls and procedures were effective as of the period covered by this report. In connection with such evaluation, no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Forward-looking Statements and Risk Factors

        Certain information included in this Form 10-Q and other materials filed or to be filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (as well as information included in oral or written statements made by us or on our behalf), may contain forward-looking statements about our current and expected performance trends, growth plans, business goals and other matters. These statements may be contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in our press releases, in other written communications, and in oral statements made by or with the approval of one of our authorized officers. Words or phrases such as “believe,” “plan,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “intend,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project”, “may,” “could,” “would,” “should” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements, and any other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as codified in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time (the “Act”).

        In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Act, we are filing the following summary to identify important factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements made by us, or on our behalf. These cautionary statements are to be used as a reference in connection with any forward-looking statements. The factors, risks and uncertainties identified in these cautionary statements are in addition to those contained in any other cautionary statements, written or oral, which may be made or otherwise addressed in connection with a forward-looking statement or contained in any of our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Because of these factors, risks and uncertainties, we caution against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be incorrect, and there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We do not undertake any obligation to modify or revise any forward-looking statement to take into account or otherwise reflect subsequent events, or circumstances arising after the date that the forward-looking statement was made.

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        The following risk factors may affect our operating results and the environment within which we conduct our business. If our projections and estimates regarding these factors differ materially from what actually occurs, our actual results could vary significantly from any results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. These risk factors include, but are not limited to, changes in general economic, demographic, geopolitical or public safety conditions which affect consumer behavior and spending for restaurant dining occasions, including the ongoing ramifications of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the governmental response thereto, including the armed conflict in Iraq or possibly other countries; 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 most of the Company’s restaurants; various factors which increase the cost to develop and/or affect the number and timing of the openings of new restaurants, including factors under the influence and control of government agencies, landlords, construction contractors and others; fluctuations in the availability and/or cost of raw materials, management and hourly labor, energy or other resources necessary to successfully operate the Company’s restaurants and bakery production facility; the Company’s ability to raise prices sufficiently to offset cost increases, including increased costs for minimum wages, employee benefits and insurance arrangements; the success of strategic and operating initiatives, including new restaurant concepts and new bakery product lines; depth of management; adverse publicity about the Company, its restaurants or bakery products, or the effects of ongoing union organizing efforts; the Company’s current dependence on a single bakery production facility; the Company’s ability to obtain and retain large-account customers for its bakery operations; changes in timing and/or scope of the purchasing plans of large-account bakery customers which can cause fluctuations in bakery sales and 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; legal claims and litigation against the Company; the availability, amount, type, and cost of capital for the Company and the deployment of such capital, including the amounts of planned capital expenditures; changes in, or any failure to comply with, governmental regulations; the amount of, and any changes to, tax rates and the success of various initiatives to minimize taxes; and other risks and uncertainties referenced in this Form 10-Q or our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

        The Attorney General of the State of California (State Attorney General) filed lawsuits on or about
April 10, 2003 in the Los Angeles Superior Court against the Company, as well as several other restaurant chains, alleging that the defendants violated the provisions of an initiative statute known as “Proposition 65" and California Business and Professions Code Section 17203 by serving fish containing mercury and mercury compounds without providing the warnings required by Proposition 65. The lawsuit seeks the assessment of civil penalties under the statutes of $2,500 per day for each violation and an injunction requiring the furnishing of the requisite notice. The Company and several other restaurant litigants against whom similar lawsuits were filed are participating in an industry-wide task force to investigate the allegations asserted in the lawsuit. Committees of this task force are in ongoing discussions with representatives of the State Attorney General to investigate and discuss the scientific basis for the allegations and reach agreement on any notices that may be required under Proposition 65. The Company has implemented interim notices under Proposition 65 in order to mitigate liability to the Company while this investigation is proceeding and pending settlement. The filing of the lawsuit by the State Attorney General has preempted action by private litigants to assert the same claims under Proposition 65. Since the State Attorney General’s lawsuit is limited to certain identified species of fish, it is possible that private actions may be asserted as to other as yet unidentified species of fish and seafood which may or may not be asserted against the Company. The State Attorney General’s office has moved to consolidate this lawsuit with similar lawsuits previously filed against several supermarket companies. The Company cannot reasonably estimate at this time the potential liability, if any, arising as a result of this litigation. The Company intends to defend the lawsuit vigorously. Although the outcome cannot be ascertained at this time, the Company does not believe that its disposition would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

        In December 2002, two former hourly restaurant employees in California filed a lawsuit against the Company alleging violations of California labor laws with respect to providing meal and rest breaks. The lawsuit seeks unspecified amounts of penalties and other monetary payments on behalf of the plaintiffs and other purported class members. Discovery is currently continuing in this matter. The Company intends to vigorously defend its position. Although the outcome cannot be ascertained at this time, the Company does not believe that its disposition would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Stockholders

        Our Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on May 13, 2003 in Thousand Oaks, California. The matters submitted for a vote and the related election results are as follows:

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The Company filed the following reports on Form 8-K during the second quarter:

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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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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

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