The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated is an American restaurant company best known for its large-menu, full-service casual dining restaurants and iconic cheesecakes. It is a publicly traded company headquartered in Calabasas, California, USA. The company operates hundreds of restaurants under several brands, including The Cheesecake Factory, North Italia, and others. It trades on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol CAKE.
Founded in 1972 as a bakery and opening its first sit-down restaurant in 1978 in Beverly Hills, the company has expanded to operate hundreds of locations across the United States and internationally. As of 2025, it continues to grow its dining and bakery operations while maintaining a reputation for expansive menus and quality desserts.
Ownership Status of The Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory does not have a single owner. Instead, it is a publicly held corporation, meaning its ownership is distributed among many shareholders who buy and sell its stock on the open market. Since the company is traded publicly, anyone can purchase shares and own a portion of the firm.
Because it is publicly traded, ownership is split across institutional investors, mutual funds, individual investors, and company insiders such as executives and board members. The ownership mix can change over time based on market activity and SEC disclosures.
Major Shareholders (Approximate Based on Recent Data)
| Shareholder / Entity | Approx. Ownership | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BlackRock, Inc. | ~13.5% | One of the largest institutional holders. |
| Fidelity Management & Research | ~10.5% | Major mutual fund investor. |
| The Vanguard Group, Inc. | ~10.3% | Large index and asset manager. |
| David Overton (Insider) | ~7.1% | Founder, Chairman & CEO; largest individual shareholder. |
| Kayne Anderson Rudnick IM, LLC | ~5.2% | Institutional investor. |
Note: The remaining shares are held by other institutional investors, mutual funds, ETFs, and retail shareholders. Percentages are approximate and subject to change based on trading and updated filings.
About David Overton
David Overton is the founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated. He started the company in the late 1970s after helping his parents expand their small cheesecake bakery into a full-service restaurant concept.
Under his leadership, The Cheesecake Factory grew from a single location in Beverly Hills into one of the most recognized casual dining brands in the United States and internationally. Overton is widely credited for shaping the brand’s signature large menu, premium dining experience, and consistent focus on food quality, which remain central to the company’s identity today.
David Overton Net Worth
As of 2025, David Overton’s net worth is estimated to be between $350 million and $400 million. His wealth primarily comes from his long-term stake in The Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ: CAKE), where he is the largest individual shareholder, owning roughly 7% of the company’s outstanding shares based on recent filings. In addition to stock ownership, Overton has earned substantial compensation over decades as CEO and Chairman, including salary, bonuses, and stock-based awards. His net worth can fluctuate with changes in the company’s share price and overall market conditions.
Key Shareholder Highlights
Although no single entity controls The Cheesecake Factory outright, several large institutional holders own significant portions of the company’s stock:
- BlackRock, Inc. is typically the largest institutional investor with around 13–14% of total shares.
- Fidelity Management & Research and Vanguard Group each hold sizeable blocks, reflecting common mutual fund and ETF ownership patterns in major publicly traded companies.
- David Overton, the company’s founder, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Executive Officer, remains the largest individual shareholder with about 7.1% of shares, giving him influence and historical legacy in the company’s direction.
Institutional ownership overall tends to represent the majority of the company’s shares, as is common with many public corporations.
Founding and Leadership
The Cheesecake Factory was co-founded by David M. Overton along with his parents, Evelyn and Oscar Overton. The company’s roots trace back to a cheesecake bakery started by the family before it expanded into a full-service restaurant chain. David Overton remains heavily involved as Chairman of the Board and CEO, guiding the company’s strategy and growth while also serving as a notable shareholder.
FAQs
1. Who owns The Cheesecake Factory?
The Cheesecake Factory is not owned by a single person or company. It is a publicly traded company with shares owned by a mix of institutional investors, mutual funds, individual shareholders, and company executives.
2. Is The Cheesecake Factory publicly traded or privately owned?
It is publicly traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker CAKE.
3. Who founded The Cheesecake Factory?
The company was founded by David M. Overton and his parents, Evelyn and Oscar Overton. David Overton remains Chairman and CEO.
4. Does David Overton still own part of the company?
Yes — David Overton is one of the largest individual shareholders, owning approximately 7.1% of the company’s shares.