UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


 

FORM 10-Q

x

 

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

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended July 3, 2007

 

 

 

or

 

 

 

£

 

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

 

Commission File Number 0-20574

THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

 

51-0340466

(State or other jurisdiction

 

(I.R.S. Employer

of incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

26901 Malibu Hills Road

 

 

Calabasas Hills, California

 

91301

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

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 o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o  No x

As of July 23, 2007, 72,151,656 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value, were outstanding.

 




THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

Page
Number

PART I.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

1

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

2

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

 

3

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

4

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5

 

 

Item 2.

 

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

 

12

 

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

22

 

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

24

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

24

 

 

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

25

 

 

Item 4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

25

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

27

Index to Exhibits

 

28

 




PART I.

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

 

THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)

 

 

July 3,
2007

 

January 2,
2007

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,694

 

$

44,790

 

Investments and marketable securities

 

60,616

 

56,268

 

Accounts receivable

 

6,358

 

11,639

 

Income tax receivable

 

¾

 

4,943

 

Other receivables

 

27,547

 

42,801

 

Inventories

 

26,730

 

20,775

 

Prepaid expenses

 

21,972

 

21,261

 

Deferred income taxes

 

12,986

 

¾

 

Total current assets

 

157,903

 

202,477

 

Property and equipment, net

 

795,955

 

732,204

 

Other assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable securities

 

28,592

 

33,256

 

Trademarks

 

3,262

 

3,120

 

Prepaid rent

 

48,550

 

43,870

 

Other

 

30,954

 

24,804

 

Total other assets

 

111,358

 

105,050

 

Total assets

 

$

1,065,216

 

$

1,039,731

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

42,633

 

$

45,570

 

Income taxes payable

 

20,372

 

¾

 

Other accrued expenses

 

105,184

 

117,127

 

Deferred income taxes

 

¾

 

99

 

Total current liabilities

 

168,189

 

162,796

 

Deferred income taxes

 

66,164

 

68,174

 

Deferred rent

 

45,466

 

43,062

 

Deemed landlord financing liability

 

47,170

 

39,381

 

Long-term debt

 

150,000

 

¾

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

17,552

 

14,776

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued

 

¾

 

¾

 

Junior participating cumulative preferred stock, $.01 par value, 150,000 shares authorized; none issued

 

¾

 

¾

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized; 82,509,505 and 81,886,228 issued at July 3, 2007 and January 2, 2007, respectively

 

825

 

819

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

317,940

 

319,943

 

Retained earnings

 

512,568

 

471,798

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)

 

169

 

(553

)

Treasury stock, 10,358,251 and 3,627,217 shares at cost at July 3, 2007 and January 2, 2007, respectively

 

(260,827

)

(80,465

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

570,675

 

711,542

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

1,065,216

 

$

1,039,731

 

 

See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

1




THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Thirteen
Weeks Ended
July 3, 2007

 

Thirteen
Weeks Ended
July 4, 2006

 

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
July 3, 2007

 

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
July 4, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

373,167

 

$

322,573

 

$

729,750

 

$

629,292

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

92,283

 

80,374

 

181,843

 

157,322

 

Labor expenses

 

120,696

 

102,236

 

239,536

 

201,663

 

Other operating costs and expenses

 

85,199

 

74,129

 

169,993

 

146,339

 

General and administrative expenses

 

20,237

 

16,769

 

39,709

 

32,506

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses

 

15,633

 

12,990

 

31,023

 

25,394

 

Preopening costs

 

3,724

 

3,250

 

6,808

 

7,547

 

Total costs and expenses

 

337,772

 

289,748

 

668,912

 

570,771

 

Income from operations

 

35,395

 

32,825

 

60,838

 

58,521

 

Interest (expense)/income, net

 

(1,660

)

977

 

(1,075

)

2,501

 

Other income, net

 

272

 

147

 

539

 

1,801

 

Income before income taxes

 

34,007

 

33,949

 

60,302

 

62,823

 

Income tax provision

 

10,299

 

10,504

 

18,188

 

20,104

 

Net income

 

$

23,708

 

$

23,445

 

$

42,114

 

$

42,719

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.30

 

$

0.57

 

$

0.54

 

Diluted

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.30

 

$

0.56

 

$

0.53

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

71,786

 

78,221

 

74,404

 

78,570

 

Diluted

 

72,818

 

79,467

 

75,522

 

79,994

 

 

See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

2




THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Shares of
Common
Stock

 

Common
Stock

 

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Accumulated 
Other
Comprehensive
Income/(Loss)

 

Treasury
Stock

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, January 2, 2007

 

81,886

 

$

819

 

$

319,943

 

$

471,798

 

$

(553

)

$

(80,465

)

$

711,542

 

Cumulative effect of adoption of FIN 48

 

 

 

 

(1,344

)

 

 

(1,344

)

Balance, January 2, 2007, as adjusted

 

81,886

 

819

 

319,943

 

470,454

 

(553

)

(80,465

)

710,198

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

42,114

 

 

 

42,114

 

Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

 

 

90

 

 

90

 

Net unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments

 

 

 

 

 

632

 

 

632

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

42,836

 

Issuance of common stock from stock options exercised

 

458

 

4

 

6,503

 

 

 

 

6,507

 

Tax benefit related to stock options exercised

 

 

 

1,656

 

 

 

 

1,656

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

7,619

 

 

 

 

7,619

 

Issuance of restricted stock

 

166

 

2

 

1,857

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,859

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

(180,362

)

(180,362

)

Payment for future treasury stock purchases under accelerated stock repurchase agreement

 

 

 

(19,638

)

 

 

 

(19,638

)

Balance, July 3, 2007

 

82,510

 

$

825

 

$

317,940

 

$

512,568

 

$

169

 

$

(260,827

)

$

570,675

 

 

See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

3




THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
July 3, 2007

 

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
July 4, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

42,114

 

$

42,719

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

31,023

 

25,394

 

Contribution of land and building

 

¾

 

(1,500

)

Deferred income taxes

 

(15,361

)

(3,419

)

Stock-based compensation

 

8,677

 

9,470

 

Tax benefit related to stock options exercised

 

1,656

 

3,098

 

Excess tax benefit related to stock options exercised

 

(996

)

(1,730

)

Other

 

54

 

5

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

5,281

 

1,991

 

Other receivables

 

15,254

 

5,788

 

Inventories

 

(5,956

)

(4,530

)

Prepaid expenses

 

(711

)

(244

)

Other

 

(10,018

)

(7,724

)

Accounts payable

 

(2,937

)

(3,502

)

Income taxes payable

 

24,895

 

5,203

 

Other accrued expenses

 

(7,723

)

(6,877

)

Cash provided by operating activities

 

85,252

 

64,142

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property and equipment

 

(104,813

)

(60,379

)

Investments in available-for-sale securities

 

(47,865

)

(49,843

)

Sales of available-for-sale securities

 

48,266

 

66,594

 

Cash used in investing activities

 

(104,412

)

(43,628

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Deemed landlord financing proceeds

 

19,033

 

10,522

 

Deemed landlord financing payments

 

(472

)

(319

)

Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options

 

6,507

 

7,094

 

Excess tax benefit related to stock options exercised

 

996

 

1,730

 

Borrowings on credit facility

 

150,000

 

¾

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

(180,362

)

(49,994

)

Payment for future treasury stock purchases under accelerated stock repurchase agreement

 

(19,638

)

¾

 

Cash used in financing activities

 

(23,936

)

(30,967

)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

(43,096

)

(10,453

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

44,790

 

31,052

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

1,694

 

$

20,599

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

4,105

 

$

835

 

Income taxes paid

 

$

6,804

 

$

15,313

 

 

See the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

4




THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1.  Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

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 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 an independent registered public accounting firm, 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 year.  The consolidated balance sheet data presented herein for January 2, 2007 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 the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2007.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.

Derivative Financial Instruments

On April 3, 2007, we entered into a five-year, zero-cost interest rate collar to hedge interest rate variability on $100 million of our revolving credit facility.  See Notes 4 and 10 for further discussion of these transactions.  We formally documented the relationship between this hedging instrument and the hedged item, as well as our risk management objective and strategy for undertaking hedge transactions.  The interest rate collar qualifies for hedge accounting as a cash flow hedge.  Accordingly, we will recognize this derivative at fair value as either an asset or a liability on the consolidated balance sheets.  All changes in fair value will be recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income until the underlying transaction is recognized in earnings.  We have not, and do not plan to, enter into any derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The Statement applies whenever other statements require or permit assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value.  SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  We are currently evaluating the impact this Statement will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”).  SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses related to these financial instruments reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date.  SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  We have not yet determined if we will elect to apply any of the provisions of SFAS 159 or what the impact of adoption of this Statement would have, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.

5




2. Investments and Marketable Securities

Investments and marketable securities, consisted of the following (in thousands):

Classification

 

Cost

 

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

 

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

 

Fair
Value

 

Maturity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At July 3, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt securities

 

$

23,176

 

$

2

 

$

(15

)

$

23,163

 

August 2007 to June 2008

 

U.S. government agency obligations

 

37,536

 

3

 

(86

)

37,453

 

August 2007 to May 2008

 

Total

 

$

60,712

 

$

5

 

$

(101

)

$

60,616

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt securities

 

$

10,245

 

$

¾

 

$

(185

)

$

10,060

 

August 2008 to January 2011

 

U.S. government agency obligations

 

18,912

 

¾

 

(380

)

18,532

 

September 2008 to September 2010

 

Total

 

$

29,157

 

$

¾

 

$

(565

)

$

28,592

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At January 2, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt securities

 

$

13,561

 

$

¾

 

$

(38

)

$

13,523

 

January 2007 to November 2007

 

U.S. government agency obligations

 

42,911

 

¾

 

(166

)

42,745

 

January 2007 to December 2007

 

Total

 

$

56,472

 

$

¾

 

$

(204

)

$

56,268

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt securities

 

$

11,136

 

$

¾

 

$

(169

)

$

10,967

 

April 2008 to January 2011

 

U.S. government agency obligations

 

22,685

 

¾

 

(396

)

22,289

 

February 2008 to September 2010

 

Total

 

$

33,821

 

$

¾

 

$

(565

)

$

33,256

 

 

 

 

3.  Inventories

Inventories consisted of (in thousands):

 

July 3, 2007

 

January 2, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurant food and supplies

 

$

11,303

 

$

10,562

 

Bakery finished goods

 

12,258

 

6,947

 

Bakery raw materials and supplies

 

3,169

 

3,266

 

Total

 

$

26,730

 

$

20,775

 

 

4.        Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt (in thousands):

 

July 3, 2007

 

January 2, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit facility

 

$

150,000

 

¾

 

 

On April 3, 2007, we entered into a five-year revolving credit facility (“Facility”) with a maximum available borrowing capacity of $200 million.  Borrowings under the Facility bear interest at a floating rate based on the London Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread ranging from 0.5% to 0.875%, depending on our ratio of debt to trailing 12-month

6




earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and noncash stock option expense (“EBITDA”), as defined in the agreement.  In addition, we pay a commitment fee ranging from 0.1% to 0.175%, also depending on our ratio of debt to EBITDA, calculated on the average unused portion of the Facility.

Availability under the Facility is reduced by outstanding standby letters of credit, which are used to support our self-insurance programs.  As of July 3, 2007, we had net availability for borrowings of $31.7 million, based on outstanding debt of $150.0 million and $18.3 million in standby letters of credit.  The Facility provides that we will maintain certain financial covenants, which include a debt to EBITDA ratio below a specified threshold, as well as a minimum EBITDAR (EBITDA plus rental expense) to interest and rental expense ratio.  At July 3, 2007, we were in compliance with these covenants. Since we have both the contractual ability and the intention to maintain the outstanding balance on our Facility, the debt is classified as long-term on our consolidated balance sheets.

5.  Stockholders’ Equity

During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, our Board of Directors increased the share repurchase authorization of our common shares to 16.0 million from 6.0 million.  Under these authorizations, we have cumulatively repurchased a total of 10.4 million shares for a total cost of $260.8 million through July 3, 2007.  Our share repurchase agreement does not require us to repurchase any common stock and may be discontinued at any time.

On March 12, 2007 we entered into an agreement with a third party to repurchase $200 million of our common shares under an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) program.  The ASR agreement includes a pricing collar, which establishes the minimum and maximum number of shares that can be repurchased.  The minimum number of shares is set at 6.7 million, of which 4.7 million shares and 2.0 million shares were received on March 15, 2007 and April 13, 2007, respectively.  The maximum number of shares that possibly can be received under the agreement is 8.0 million and will be determined based on the weighted average market price of our common stock from April 10, 2007 through the completion of the contract.  We will receive additional shares, if any, under this agreement no later than October 10, 2007.

6.  Stock-Based Compensation

The following table presents information related to stock-based compensation (in thousands):

 

 

Thirteen
Weeks Ended
July 3, 2007

 

Thirteen
Weeks Ended
July 4, 2006

 

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
July 3, 2007

 

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
July 4, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

$

4,827

 

$

4,199

 

$

8,677

 

$

8,798

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax benefit

 

1,462

 

1,211

 

2,617

 

2,815

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalized stock-based compensation (1)

 

519

 

329

 

801

 

673

 

 


(1) Capitalized stock-based compensation is included in property and equipment, net, and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

Stock Options

The weighted average fair value at the grant date for options issued during the second quarter of fiscal 2007 and 2006 was $10.10 and $10.58 per option, respectively.  The fair value of options at the grant date was estimated utilizing the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following weighted average assumptions for the second quarter of fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively: (a) no dividend yield on our stock, (b) expected stock price volatility of 30.9% and 31.4%, (c) a risk-free interest rate of 4.7% and 4.9%, and (d) an expected option term of 5 and 4.75 years.

7




Stock option activity during the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 was as follows:

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

(In years)

 

(In thousands)

 

Outstanding at January 2, 2007

 

8,442

 

$

25.55

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

1,301

 

$

26.57

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(458

)

$

14.22

 

 

 

 

 

Cancelled

 

(477

)

$

29.57

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at July 3, 2007

 

8,808

 

$

26.08

 

6.9

 

$

17,927

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested and expected to vest at July 3, 2007

 

7,835

 

$

25.71

 

6.8

 

$

17,662

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at July 3, 2007

 

3,157

 

$

22.12

 

5.1

 

$

15,000

 

 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between our closing stock price on July 3, 2007 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders, had all option holders exercised their options on July 3, 2007.  This amount changes based on the fair market value of our stock.  Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 was $2.6 million and $6.1 million, respectively.  Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 4, 2006 was $3.5 million and $8.2 million, respectively.  As of July 3, 2007, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to nonvested stock options was $39.0 million, which we expect to recognize over a weighted average period of approximately 2.8 years.

Restricted Shares

Restricted share activity during the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 was as follows:

 

 

Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Fair Value

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Outstanding at January 2, 2007

 

340

 

$

26.03

 

Granted

 

200

 

25.29

 

Vested

 

¾

 

¾

 

Forfeited

 

(35

)

25.47

 

Outstanding at July 3, 2007

 

505

 

$

25.78

 

 

Fair value of our restricted shares is based on our closing stock price on the date of grant.  As of July 3, 2007, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to nonvested restricted shares was $9.4 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.7 years.

7.  Income Taxes

We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No.109” (“FIN 48”), on January 3, 2007.  As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, we recognized a $1.3 million increase to the liability for uncertain tax positions, which was accounted for as an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings.  As of the date of adoption, including the increase in the liability noted above, we had approximately $13.9 million of unrecognized tax benefits.  Included in the balance at January 3, 2007, are $1.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the annual effective income tax rate.  As of July 3, 2007, we have $15.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits.

We recognize interest related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.  Penalties related to uncertain tax positions are part of general and administrative expenses.  During the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007, we recognized approximately $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of accrued interest associated with uncertain tax positions.  As of July 3, 2007, we have approximately $1.9 million of accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions, which is included in the $15.8 million noted above.

8




We anticipate that our total unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next 12 months upon Internal Revenue Service approval of a pending application for change in accounting method for construction allowances. We estimate the benefit of this change to be approximately $14.9 million, of which $13.1 million will be reflected as offsetting decreases in deferred tax assets and income tax payable and the remaining $1.8 million will be reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as a decrease in the effective tax rate. The earliest tax year still subject examination by a significant taxing jurisdiction is 2002.

8.  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.  At July 3, 2007, 0.5 million shares of restricted stock issued to employees were unvested, and were therefore excluded from the calculation of basic earnings per share for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007.  Diluted net income per share includes the dilutive effect of both outstanding stock options and restricted shares, calculated using the treasury stock method.  Assumed proceeds from the in-the-money options, include the windfall tax benefits, net of shortfalls, calculated under the “as-if” method as prescribed by SFAS No. 123R.

 

 

Thirteen
Weeks Ended
July 3, 2007

 

Thirteen
Weeks Ended
July 4, 2006

 

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
July 3, 2007

 

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
July 4, 2006

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

23,708

 

$

23,445

 

$

42,114

 

42,719

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

71,786

 

78,221

 

74,404

 

78,570

 

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares

 

1,032

 

1,246

 

1,118

 

1,424

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

72,818

 

79,467

 

75,522

 

79,994

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net income per share

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.30

 

$

0.57

 

$

0.54

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net income per share

 

$

0.33

 

$

0.30

 

$

0.56

 

$

0.53

 

 

Shares of common stock equivalents of approximately 5.5 million for both the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 and 4.0 million and 3.6 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 4, 2006, respectively, were not included in the diluted calculation due to their anti-dilutive effect.

9.  Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consisted of (in thousands):

 

 

Thirteen
Weeks Ended
July 3, 2007

 

Thirteen
Weeks Ended
July 4, 2006

 

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
July 3, 2007

 

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
July 4, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

23,708

 

$

23,445

 

$

42,114

 

$

42,719

 

Net unrealized (loss)/gain on available-for-sale securities

 

(110

)

72

 

90

 

(202

)

Unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments

 

632

 

¾

 

632

 

¾

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

24,230

 

$

23,517

 

$

42,836

 

$

42,517

 

 

10.  Derivative Financial Instruments

On April 3, 2007, we entered into a five-year, zero-cost interest rate collar to hedge interest rate variability on $100 million of our revolving credit facility.  See Note 4 for further discussion of our credit facility.  The interest rate collar consists of a combination of a purchased cap option with a three-month LIBOR cap rate of 5.35% and a sold floor option with a three-month LIBOR floor rate of 4.69%.  This derivative qualifies for hedge accounting as a cash flow hedge and, accordingly, is recognized at fair value as either an asset or a liability on the consolidated balance sheets.  All changes in fair

9




value are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the related interest expense on the underlying borrowing is recognized.

At July 3, 2007, the fair value of the interest rate collar was $0.9 million, increasing from a fair value of zero at April 3, 2007.  We expect to reclassify approximately $0.1 million of this balance to earnings during the next 12 months as the related hedged interest expense is recognized.  Changes in the fair value of the interest rate collar are expected to be perfectly effective in offsetting the variability in interest payments attributable to fluctuations in three-month LIBOR rates above 5.35% and below 4.69%.  If, at any time, the swaps are determined to be ineffective, in whole or in part, due to changes in the interest rate collar or the underlying credit facility, the fair value of the portion of the derivative determined to be ineffective will be recognized as gain or loss in the consolidated statements of operations.  It is not expected that any gain or loss will be reported in the consolidated statements of operations during fiscal year 2007.

11. Commitments and Contingencies

On August 29, 2006, five present and former hourly restaurant employees in the States of Tennessee, Texas and Arizona filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee against us alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act with respect to alleged minimum wage violations, improper payroll deductions and requiring work “off the clock,” among others claims (Smith v. The Cheesecake Factory Restaurants, Inc. et al; Case No. 3 06 0829).  The lawsuit seeks unspecified amounts of penalties and other monetary payments on behalf of the plaintiffs and other purported class members. The plaintiffs also seek attorneys’ fees for themselves.  Discovery is currently continuing in this matter.  We intend to vigorously defend our position.

On January 9, 2007, two former hourly restaurant employees in the State of California filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles County Superior Court against us alleging violations of California’s wage and hour laws with respect to alleged failure to pay proper wages, improper payroll deductions, and violations of the California meal and break period laws, among others claims (Guardado v. The Cheesecake Factory Restaurants, Inc. et al; Case No. BC360426).  The lawsuit seeks unspecified amounts of penalties and other monetary payments on behalf of the plaintiffs and other purported class members. The plaintiffs also seek attorneys’ fees for themselves.  We intend to vigorously defend this action.

Following our announcement on July 18, 2006 of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors’ review of our historical stock option granting practices, a number of purported Company shareholders brought eight separate putative shareholder derivative actions (the “Option Derivative Actions”) against us, all the then-serving members of our Board of Directors (current directors David Klock and Agnieszka Winkler have not been named), and certain of our current and former officers alleging that the defendants improperly dated certain historical stock option grants.  The plaintiffs in these cases, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court and styled as Siebles v. Deitchle et. al. (Case No. BC355872) (subsequently re-filed in federal court), McGee v. Overton et al. (Case No. BC355953); Rigotti v. Overton, et al. (Case No. BC356850), Cullen v. Overton, et al. (Case No. BC356851), Sachs v. Overton et al. (Case No. BC357065), and filed in United States District Court for the Central District and styled as Siebles v. Deitchle et.al. (Case No. CV06 6234), Kuhns v. Deitchle et al. (Case No. SACV06917) and Freed v. Overton et al. (Case No. CV 06 06486), contend, among other things, that the defendants’ conduct violated the California and/or federal securities laws, breached defendants’ fiduciary duties, wasted corporate assets, unjustly enriched the defendants, and caused errors in our financial statements.  The plaintiffs seek, among other things, unspecified damages and disgorgement of profits from the alleged conduct, to be paid to the Company.  The plaintiffs also seek attorneys’ fees for themselves.  On January 4, 2007, our Board of Directors established a Special Litigation Committee to facilitate timely and orderly consideration of the matters raised by and relating to the Option Derivative Actions and to determine how we should respond to the allegations made in the Option Derivative Actions, including whether it is in the best interests of our stockholders to continue pursuing the claims asserted in the Option Derivative Actions. The Special Litigation Committee’s review is ongoing.  The federal Option Derivative Actions were consolidated in the Central District of California, under the caption, In re The Cheesecake Factory Derivative Litigation, No. CV-06-06234-ABC(MANx).  On March 9, 2007, we filed a motion to stay the federal litigation until our Special Litigation Committee completes its review and reports to the Board of Directors, and the other defendants filed a motion to dismiss certain claims.   On July 6, 2007 the federal court ordered that the time period for our response and the response of the other defendants’ in the federal action was not due earlier than September 10, 2007. The state Option Derivative Actions were consolidated in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, under the caption, In re The Cheesecake Factory Derivative Litigation, Lead Case No. BC355953, and a consolidated complaint was filed in the state Option Derivative Actions on or about June 25, 2007. On July 13, 2007 the state court ordered that the time period for our response and the response of the other defendants’ in the state action was not due earlier than September 10, 2007.  A status conference in those proceedings was continued by court order until September 14, 2007.

10




Based on the current status of these matters, no amounts have been reserved on our consolidated balance sheets.  We are subject to various other administrative and legal proceedings that are discussed in Part I, Item 3 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2007.

12.  Segment Information

We operate in two business segments.  The restaurant segment consists of The Cheesecake Factory, including our express and bakery cafe locations, and Grand Lux Cafe, which have similar investment criteria and economic and operating characteristics.  The bakery segment produces baked desserts and other products for our restaurants and for other foodservice operators, retailers and distributors.  Bakery sales to the restaurants are recorded at prices similar to third-party national accounts.  Unallocated corporate expenses, which include all stock-based compensation, assets and capital expenditures, are presented below as reconciling items to the amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements.

Segment information is presented below (in thousands):

 

 

Thirteen
Weeks Ended
July 3, 2007

 

Thirteen
Weeks Ended
July 4, 2006

 

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
July 3, 2007

 

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
July 4, 2006

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurants

 

$

359,281

 

$

308,169

 

$

702,362

 

$

602,006

 

Bakery

 

25,500

 

24,357

 

50,440

 

46,703

 

Intercompany bakery sales

 

(11,614

)

(9,953

)

(23,052

)

(19,417

)

Total

 

$

373,167

 

$

322,573

 

$

729,750

 

$

629,292

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurants

 

$

53,238

 

$

47,108

 

$

95,359

 

$

87,065

 

Bakery

 

3,696

 

3,805

 

7,803

 

6,843

 

Corporate

 

(21,539

)

(18,088

)

(42,324

)

(35,387

)

Total

 

$

35,395

 

$

32,825

 

$

60,838

 

$

58,521

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurants

 

$

13,797

 

$

11,584

 

$

27,500

 

$

22,759

 

Bakery

 

723

 

495

 

1,399

 

972

 

Corporate

 

1,113

 

911

 

2,124

 

1,663

 

Total

 

$

15,633

 

$

12,990

 

$

31,023

 

$

25,394

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurants

 

$

70,693

 

$

26,419

 

$

96,861

 

$

53,105

 

Bakery

 

1,888

 

1,967

 

3,529

 

5,108

 

Corporate

 

274

 

1,096

 

4,423

 

2,166

 

Total

 

$

72,855

 

$

29,482

 

$

104,813

 

$

60,379

 

 

 

 

July 3, 2007

 

January 2, 2007

 

Total assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Restaurants

 

$

792,966

 

$

768,191

 

Bakery

 

57,160

 

54,695

 

Corporate

 

215,090

 

216,845

 

Total

 

$

1,065,216

 

$

1,039,731

 

11




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

Forward-Looking Statements

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 have identified and filed 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 (see Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” included in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2007). 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.

General

This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our interim unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2007.  The inclusion of supplementary analytical and related information herein may require us to make appropriate estimates and assumptions to enable us to fairly present, in all material respects, our analysis of trends and expectations with respect to our results of operations and financial position taken as a whole.

As of July 26, 2007, we operated 126 upscale, high-volume, casual dining restaurants under The Cheesecake Factoryâ mark.  We also operated nine upscale, casual dining restaurants under the Grand Lux Cafeâ mark; one self-service, limited menu “express” foodservice operation under The Cheesecake Factory Expressâ mark inside the DisneyQuestâ family entertainment center in Orlando, Florida; and two bakery production facilities.  We also licensed two limited menu bakery cafes under The Cheesecake Factory Bakery Cafeâ 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”).  Revenues from restaurant sales are recognized when payment is tendered at the point of sale.  Revenues from bakery sales are recognized upon transfer of title to customers.  We recognize a liability upon the sale of our gift cards and recognize revenue when these gift cards are redeemed in our restaurants or on our website. Revenues from unredeemed gift cards are recognized over three years based on historical and expected redemption trends.  These adjustments are classified as revenues in our consolidated statements of operations.

New restaurants become eligible to enter our comparable sales calculations in their 19th month of operation.  We utilize a 52/53-week fiscal year ending on the Tuesday closest to December 31st for financial reporting purposes.   Both fiscal 2007 and 2006 consist of 52 weeks.

12




The Cheesecake Factory is an upscale, casual dining concept that offers approximately 200 menu items including appetizers, pizza, seafood, steaks, chicken, burgers, pasta, specialty items, salads, sandwiches, omelets and desserts, including approximately 40 varieties of cheesecake and other baked desserts.  Grand Lux Cafe is also an upscale, casual dining concept offering approximately 150 menu items.  In contrast to many chain restaurant operations, substantially all of our menu items (except desserts manufactured at our bakery production facilities) are prepared on the restaurant premises using high quality, fresh ingredients based on innovative and proprietary recipes.  We believe our restaurants are recognized by consumers for offering exceptional value with generous food portions at moderate prices.  Our restaurants’ distinctive, contemporary design and decor create a high-energy ambiance in a casual setting.  Our restaurants currently range in size from 5,400 to 21,000 interior square feet, provide full liquor service and are generally open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, as well as Sunday brunch.

Overview

In addition to being highly competitive, the restaurant industry is often affected by changes in consumer tastes and discretionary spending patterns; changes in general economic conditions; public safety conditions; demographic trends; weather conditions; the cost and availability of raw materials, labor and energy; purchasing power; and governmental regulations.  Accordingly, as part of our strategy we must constantly evolve and refine the critical elements of our restaurant concepts to protect their longer-term competitiveness and to maintain and enhance the strength of our brand.  Our strategy is to continue to provide guests with exceptional value through a broad menu of freshly prepared, high quality and large portion appetizers, entrees and desserts at moderate prices in an upscale, casual setting.  Operationally, we strive to improve productivity and efficiency through the use of technology and a commitment to selecting, training and retaining high quality employees.

In evaluating and assessing the performance of our business, we believe the following are key performance indicators that should be taken into consideration:

·                  New Restaurant Openings.  We intend to continue developing The Cheesecake Factory and Grand Lux Cafe restaurants in high profile locations within densely populated areas in both existing and new markets.  Since most of our established restaurants currently operate close to full capacity during the peak demand periods of lunch and dinner, and given our relatively high average sales per productive square foot, we generally do not expect to achieve increases in comparable sales other than our effective menu price increases.  Therefore, we expect that the majority of our year-over-year revenue growth will come from new restaurant openings.  We have opened new restaurants at a compounded annual growth rate of approximately 26% in the 14 years that we have been a public company and at approximately 21% over the past six years.  Based on a review of demographic and other market data, we estimate that there is an opportunity to open as many as 200 Cheesecake Factory restaurants and as many as 150 Grand Lux Cafes in the U.S.  In fiscal 2006, we opened 21 new restaurants, including one Grand Lux Cafe.  In fiscal 2007, we expect to open as many as 21 new restaurants, including as many as five Grand Lux Cafes.  In addition we are currently developing an upscale, full-service, casual dining concept with broad-based Asian cuisine, which we plan to open in late 2007.

·                  General and Administrative Expenses Expressed as a Percentage of Revenues.   Leveraging our restaurant and bakery support infrastructure will allow us to grow general and administrative expenses at a slightly slower rate than revenue growth over the longer-term.  During fiscal 2007, we plan to continue to add resources to the corporate support, training and field supervision activities of our business, in conjunction with the planned openings of as many as 21 new restaurants during the year.

·                  Income from Operations Expressed as a Percentage of Revenues (“Operating Margins”).  Operating margins are subject to fluctuations in commodity costs, labor, other operating costs, such as restaurant-level occupancy expenses, and preopening expenses.  Our objective is to gradually increase our operating margin to 12% by continuing our focus on superior guest service and by capturing economies of scale and fixed cost leverage, as well as maximizing our purchasing power as we continue to grow our business.

13




Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our consolidated statements of operations expressed as percentages of revenues.  The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.

 

 

Thirteen
Weeks Ended
July 3, 2007

 

Thirteen
Weeks Ended
July 4, 2006

 

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
July 3, 2007

 

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
July 4, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

24.7

 

24.9

 

24.9

 

25.0

 

Labor expenses

 

32.3

 

31.7

 

32.8

 

32.0

 

Other operating costs and expenses

 

22.9

 

23.0

 

23.3

 

23.3

 

General and administrative expenses

 

5.4

 

5.2

 

5.5

 

5.2

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses

 

4.2

 

4.0

 

4.3

 

4.0

 

Preopening costs

 

1.0

 

1.0

 

0.9

 

1.2

 

Total costs and expenses

 

90.5

 

89.8

 

91.7

 

90.7

 

Income from operations

 

9.5

 

10.2

 

8.3

 

9.3

 

Interest (expense)/income, net

 

(0.5

)

0.3

 

(0.1

)

0.4

 

Other income, net

 

0.1

 

0.0

 

0.1

 

0.3

 

Income before income taxes

 

9.1

 

10.5

 

8.3

 

10.0

 

Income tax provision

 

2.7

 

3.2

 

2.5

 

3.2

 

Net income

 

6.4

%

7.3

%

5.8

%

6.8

%

 

Thirteen Weeks Ended July 3, 2007 Compared to Thirteen Weeks Ended July 4, 2006

Revenues

Revenues increased 16% to $373.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to $322.6 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 4, 2006.

Restaurant sales increased 17% to $359.3 million compared to $308.2 million for the same period of the prior year.  The resulting sales increase of $51.1 million consisted of a $3.1 million, or a 1.1% increase, in comparable restaurant sales and $48.0 million increase from restaurants not in the comparable sales base.  The majority of our restaurant sales increase results from the opening of 20 restaurants since the end of the comparable quarter of the prior year.

Comparable restaurant sales at The Cheesecake Factory restaurants increased approximately 0.8% compared to the prior year second quarter.  We implemented an approximate 1.5% effective menu price increase during our winter menu update in January and February 2007, and we did not take a menu price increase during the July and August 2006 menu update.  Since most of our established restaurants currently operate close to full capacity during the peak demand periods of lunch and dinner, we generally expect to achieve increases in comparable restaurant sales over the long-term in the range of our effective menu price increases.  The increase in comparable sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2007 was just slightly below our menu price increase of 1.5%.

Comparable sales at the Grand Lux Cafes increased approximately 5.7% compared to the prior year second quarter.  Grand Lux Cafe sales benefited in part from an approximate 2% effective menu price increase implemented in October 2006 and an approximate 1% menu price increase implemented in April 2007.  Since Grand Lux Cafe is a relatively newer concept and still building its customer base, we expect comparable sales growth to outpace menu price increases for the foreseeable future.

As a result of the openings of new restaurants during the past twelve months, total restaurant operating weeks increased 18.3% to 1,740 for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007.  Average sales per restaurant operating week decreased 1.4% to $206,500 compared to the same period last year. This decrease in average weekly sales is due principally to three restaurants not yet in the comparable sales base that were opened in slightly smaller markets and that are experiencing weekly

14




sales below the Company average.  Excluding these locations, average sales per operating week were approximately $208,200, or 0.6% lower than the prior year.

During fiscal 2007, our goal is to open as many as 21 restaurants, including as many as five Grand Lux Cafes.  We opened one Grand Lux Cafe during the first quarter of fiscal 2007 and two Cheesecake Factory restaurants during the second quarter of fiscal 2007.  Due to the nature of the sites we choose, our opening schedule is consistently weighted toward the second half of the year.  Although it is difficult for us to predict the timing of our new restaurant openings by quarter, due to the nature of our leased restaurant locations and our highly customized layouts, our current plan calls for six Cheesecake Factory restaurant openings and one Grand Lux Cafe opening in the third quarter, with the remaining openings in the fourth quarter. Based on this opening schedule, we plan to achieve approximately 20% square footage growth in fiscal 2007.  However, since many of these openings are late in the year, we will not realize their full benefit until fiscal 2008. We currently project our operating week growth in fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006 to be approximately 18%.

We presently update and reprint the menus in our restaurants twice a year.  For Cheesecake Factory restaurants, these updates generally occur during January and February (the “winter menu change”) and during July and August (the “summer menu change”). For our 2007 winter menu change, we implemented an approximate 1.5% effective menu price increase for the purpose of offsetting those operating cost and expense increases that were known or expected as of January 2007. We are in the process of implementing a 1.5% effective menu price increase in our summer 2007 menu change.  All potential menu price increases must be carefully considered in light of their ultimate acceptability by our restaurant guests.  Additionally, other factors outside of our control, such as inclement weather, holidays, general economic and competitive conditions and other factors referenced in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2007 can impact comparable sales comparisons.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that increases in comparable sales will be achieved.

Bakery sales to other foodservice operators, retailers and distributors (“bakery sales”) decreased 3.5% to $13.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to $14.4 million for the comparable period of the prior year. This decrease is due partially to the timing of shipments to our large customers.  Sales to warehouse clubs comprised 60% of total bakery sales in the current quarter compared to 75% for the same period of the prior year.  We currently expect bakery sales to increase approximately 1% to 3% in fiscal 2007 compared to fiscal 2006.

We strive to develop and maintain long-term, growing relationships with our bakery customers, based largely on our 34-year reputation for producing high quality, creative baked desserts.  However, bakery sales volumes will always be less predictable than our restaurant sales.  It is difficult to predict the timing of bakery product shipments and contribution margins on a quarterly basis, as the purchasing plans of our large-account customers may fluctuate.  Due to the highly competitive nature of the bakery business, we are unable to enter into long-term contracts with our large-account bakery customers, who may discontinue purchasing our products without advance notice at any time for any reason.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales increased 15% to $92.3 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007, compared to $80.4 million for the comparable period last year.  This increase of $11.9 million was primarily attributable to the 16% increase in revenues.  As a percentage of revenues, these costs were 24.7% in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 compared to 24.9% in the same period of the prior year. This decrease as a percent of revenues was primarily attributable to favorable year-over-year pricing for poultry and seafood, and favorable bakery cost of sales due to the mix of products sold.  These benefits were partially offset by cost pressures in dairy commodities.

The menus at our restaurants are among the most diversified in the foodservice industry and, accordingly, are not overly dependent on a single commodity.  Changes in costs for one commodity are often, but not always, counterbalanced by cost changes in other commodity categories.  The principal commodity categories for our restaurants include fresh produce, poultry, meat, fish and seafood, cheese, other fresh dairy products, bread and general grocery items.

We are currently able to contract for the majority of the food commodities used in our operations for periods up to one year.  With the exception of cream cheese used in our bakery operations, many of the fresh commodities, such as fish, dairy, and certain produce and poultry products 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.  Cream cheese is the most significant commodity used in our bakery products, with an expected requirement of as much as 13 million to 14 million pounds during fiscal 2007.  We have contracted for the majority

15




of our cream cheese requirements for fiscal 2007 at a fixed cost per pound that is slightly lower than the actual cost per pound in fiscal 2006.  We will also purchase cream cheese on the spot market as necessary to supplement our agreements.

As has been our past practice, we will carefully consider opportunities to introduce new menu items and implement selected menu price increases to help offset expected cost increases for key commodities and other goods and services utilized by our operations.  While we have been successful in the past in reacting to inflation and other changes in the costs of key operating resources by gradually increasing prices for our menu items, coupled with more efficient purchasing practices, productivity improvements and greater economies of scale, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to do so in the future.

While we have taken steps to qualify multiple suppliers and enter into agreements for some of the key commodities used in our restaurant and bakery operations, there can be no assurance that future supplies and costs for these commodities 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 to 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.

Labor Expenses

Labor expenses, which include restaurant-level labor costs and bakery direct production labor, including associated fringe benefits, increased 18% to $120.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to $102.2 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 revenues, labor expenses increased to 32.3% versus 31.7% for the comparable period last year.  This increase as a percent of revenues was primarily due to increased minimum wages in several states in which we operate that went into effect in January 2007, as well as increased health insurance costs for our staff members.  Stock-based compensation included in labor expenses was $1.6 million, or 0.4% of revenues, and $1.5 million, or 0.5% of revenues, for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007 and July 4, 2006, respectively.

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 15% to $85.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to $74.1 million for the same period of the prior year.  This increase was principally attributable to the 16% increase in revenues.  As a percentage of revenues, other operating costs and expenses decreased to 22.9% for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007 versus 23.0% for the same period of fiscal 2006.  This decrease as a percent of revenues was due primarily to an approximate $1.0 million insurance benefit recognized in the current quarter related to a settlement of disputed coverage under an employment practices claim.  Excluding this item, other operating costs and expenses as a percent of sales would have been 23.1%, or slightly higher than the prior year due to increased costs for janitorial services at many of our restaurants.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses consist of the restaurant management recruiting and training program, the restaurant field supervision organization, the bakery administrative organization and the corporate support organization.  G&A expenses increased 20% to $20.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to $16.8 million for the same period of fiscal 2006.  As a percentage of revenues, G&A expenses increased to 5.4% for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007 versus 5.2% for the same period of fiscal 2006.  The increase as a percent of revenues is primarily due to the deleveraging of the bakery fixed costs over the lower bakery sales.  G&A expenses included $3.1 million, or 0.8% of revenues, and $2.5 million, or 0.8% of revenues, of stock-based compensation expense in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, respectively.

During the remainder of fiscal 2007, we plan to continue to add resources to the corporate support, training and field supervision activities of our operations, commensurate with the planned openings of as many as 21 new restaurants.

16




Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased 20% to $15.6 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to $13.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 4, 2006.  This increase was principally due to property and equipment associated with new restaurant openings.  As a percentage of revenues, depreciation and amortization increased to 4.2% for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to 4.0% for the same period of fiscal 2006.

Preopening Costs

Preopening costs increased 12% to $3.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to $3.3 million in the same period of the prior year.  We opened two Cheesecake Factory restaurants during each of the thirteen-week periods ended July 3, 2007 and July 4, 2006.  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 costs for one of our restaurants usually includes costs to relocate and compensate an average of 12 to 13 restaurant management employees prior to opening; costs to recruit and train an average of 200 to 250 hourly restaurant employees; wages, travel and lodging costs for our opening training team and other support employees; costs for practice services activities, and straight-line base rent expense subsequent to the construction period but prior to restaurant opening.   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 to 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 cause by landlord delays.

Our preopening cost for a typical single-story Cheesecake Factory restaurant in an established market averages approximately $1.0 million to $1.2 million.  In addition to the direct costs noted above, there will also be other preopening costs allocated to each restaurant opening, including costs for maintaining a roster of trained managers for pending openings, corporate travel and support activities.  Preopening costs will usually be higher for larger restaurants, our initial entry into new markets and for newer concepts such as Grand Lux Cafe.  During fiscal 2007, we plan to open as many as five Grand Lux Cafe restaurants that could experience preopening costs of approximately $1.2 million to $1.3 million each.  We usually incur the most significant portion of direct preopening costs within the two-month period immediately preceding and the month of a restaurant’s opening.  Preopening costs can fluctuate significantly from period to period, based on the number and timing of restaurant openings and the specific preopening costs incurred for each restaurant.  We expense preopening costs as incurred.

We expect total fiscal 2007 preopening costs of approximately $24 million to $25 million.  Included in this amount is $1 million to $2 million of preopening costs associated with the opening of our Asian test concept.

Interest (Expense)/Income, Net, Other Income and Income Tax Provision

We recorded net interest expense of $1.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to net interest income of $1.0 million for the comparable prior year period.  This change was primarily due to $2.3 million of interest expense related to borrowings initiated in the first quarter of fiscal 2007, as well as reduced interest income related to lower investment balances due to treasury stock purchases during the first quarter of fiscal 2007.  We generally invest our excess cash balances in U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, investment grade corporate debt securities rated “A” or better and money market mutual funds.  In addition, we recorded interest expense of approximately $0.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007 versus $0.4 million for the comparable prior year period associated with landlord construction allowances deemed to be financing in accordance with EITF 97-10, “The Effect of Lessee Involvement in Asset Construction.”

Other income for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007 was $0.3 million compared to $0.1 million for the comparable prior year period.

17




Our effective income tax rate was 30.3% for the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared with 30.9% for the comparable prior year period.  We currently estimate our effective tax rate for the remainder of fiscal 2007 to be 30.0% to 31.0%. However, the actual effective tax rate may be different than our current estimate due to actual revenues, pretax income and tax credits achieved during the year.

Twenty-Six Weeks Ended July 3, 2007 Compared to Twenty-Six Weeks Ended July 4, 2006

Revenues

Revenues increased 16% to $729.8 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to $629.3 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 4, 2006.

Restaurant sales increased 17% to $702.4 million compared to $602.0 million for the same period of the prior year.  The resulting sales increase of $100.4 million consisted of a $4.0 million, or a 0.8% increase, in comparable restaurant sales and a $96.4 million increase from restaurants not in the comparable sales base.  Restaurant sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 were negatively impacted by approximately $2.8 million due to severe weather in many parts of the country.  Excluding the weather-related impact, we estimate that comparable restaurant sales for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 would have increased approximately 1.1%.

Comparable restaurant sales at The Cheesecake Factory restaurants increased approximately 0.4% compared to the first half of fiscal 2006.  Excluding the weather-related impact, we estimate comparable sales at The Cheesecake Factory restaurants would have increased approximately 0.8%.  We implemented an approximate 1.5% effective menu price increase during our winter menu update in January and February 2007 and we did not take a menu price increase during the July and August 2006 menu update.  Comparable sales at the Grand Lux Cafes increased approximately 6.3%, or an estimated 6.6% excluding the impact of the severe weather.  Grand Lux Cafe benefited in part from an approximate 2% effective menu price increase implemented in October 2006 and an approximate 1% menu price increase implemented in April 2007.

Bakery sales to other foodservice operators, retailers and distributors (“bakery sales”) were $27.4 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to $27.3 million for the comparable period of the prior year.  Sales to warehouse clubs comprised 65% of total bakery sales in the first half of fiscal 2007 compared to 72% for the same period of the prior year.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales increased 16% to $181.8 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007, compared to $157.3 million for the comparable period last year.  This increase of $24.5 million was primarily attributable to the 16% increase in revenues.  As a percentage of revenues, these costs decreased slightly to 24.9% for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to 25.0% in the comparable prior year period.

Labor Expenses

Labor expenses increased 19% to $239.5 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to $201.7 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 revenues, labor expenses increased to 32.8% versus 32.0% for the comparable period last year.  This increase as a percent of revenues was primarily due to increased minimum wages in several states in which we operate that went into effect in January 2007, as well as increased health insurance costs for our staff members.  Stock-based compensation included in labor expenses was $3.3 million, or 0.5% of revenues, and $3.1 million, or 0.5% of revenues, for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 and July 4, 2006, respectively.

Other Operating Costs and Expenses

Other operating costs and expenses increased 16% to $170.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to $146.3 million for the same period of the prior year.  This increase was principally attributable to the 16% increase in revenues.  As a percentage of revenues, other operating costs and expenses were 23.3% for both the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 and the same period of fiscal 2006.

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General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses increased 22% to $39.7 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to $32.5 million for the same period of fiscal 2006.  As a percentage of revenues, G&A expenses increased to 5.5% for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 versus 5.2% for the same period of fiscal 2006.  This percentage increase was principally due to a $1.7 million expense, or 0.2% of revenues, in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 to reimburse staff members who were impacted by taxes assessed under Internal Revenue Service Section 409A on the exercise of certain stock options in 2006.  G&A expenses included $5.2 million, or 0.7% of revenues, and $5.3 million, or 0.8% of revenues, of stock-based compensation expense in the first half of fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, respectively.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased 22% to $31.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to $25.4 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 4, 2006.  This increase was principally due to property and equipment associated with new restaurant openings and the second bakery production facility, which opened late in the first quarter of fiscal 2006.  As a percentage of revenues, depreciation and amortization increased to 4.3% for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to 4.0% for the same period of fiscal 2006.

Preopening Costs

Preopening costs decreased 9% to $6.8 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to $7.5 million in the same period of the prior year.  We incurred preopening costs to open two Cheesecake Factory restaurants and one Grand Lux Cafe during the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to four Cheesecake Factory restaurants and a new bakery production facility during the twenty-six weeks ended July 4, 2006.  In addition, preopening costs were incurred in both periods for restaurant openings in progress.

Interest (Expense)/Income, Net, Other Income and Income Tax Provision

We recorded net interest expense of $1.1 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared to net interest income of $2.5 million for the comparable prior year period primarily due to $2.8 million of interest expense related to borrowings initiated in the first quarter of fiscal 2007, as well as reduced interest income related to lower investment balances due to treasury stock purchases during the first quarter of fiscal 2007.  In addition, we recorded interest expense of approximately $1.3 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 versus $0.8 million for the comparable prior year period associated with landlord construction allowances deemed to be financing in accordance with EITF 97-10, “The Effect of Lessee Involvement in Asset Construction.”

Other income for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 was $0.5 million compared to $1.8 million for the comparable prior year period.  This decrease was principally due to the contribution of land and a building recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2006 for our North Carolina bakery production facility by the local government, in exchange for commitments from us to create jobs and operate a manufacturing plant in the community.

Our effective income tax rate was 30.2% for the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007 compared with 32.0% for the comparable prior year period.  We currently estimate our effective tax rate for the remainder of fiscal 2007 to be 30.0% to 31.0%. However, the actual effective tax rate may be different than our current estimate due to actual revenues, pretax income and tax credits achieved during the year.

19




Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, a summary of our key liquidity measurements (dollar amounts in millions):

 

 

July 3, 2007

 

January 2, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and marketable securities on hand

 

$

90.9

 

$

134.3

 

Net working capital

 

$

(10.3

)

$

39.7

 

Adjusted net working capital (1)

 

$

18.3

 

$

72.9

 

Current ratio

 

0.9:1

 

1.2:1

 

Adjusted current ratio (1)

 

1.1:1

 

1.4:1

 

Long-term debt and deemed landlord financing liability, including current portion

 

$

198.2

 

$

40.4

 

 


(1)

 

Includes all marketable securities classified as either current assets ($60.6 million and $56.3 million at July 3, 2007 and January 2, 2007, respectively) or noncurrent assets ($28.6 million and $33.3 million at July 3, 2007 and January 2, 2007, respectively).

 

 

 

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
July 3, 2007

 

Twenty-Six
Weeks Ended
July 4, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities

 

$

85.3

 

$

64.1

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

104.8

 

$

60.4

 

 

During the twenty-six weeks ended July 3, 2007, our cash and marketable securities on hand decreased by $43.4 million to $90.9 million from the January 2, 2007 balance.  This decrease was primarily attributable to the purchase of treasury stock and property and equipment, partially offset by borrowing on our credit facility, cash provided by operating activities, landlord construction contributions and proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options.  In the table above, we 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.  We continue to target a weighted average maturity for our marketable securities investment portfolio of between one and two years.  Accordingly, a substantial portion of our investments is classified as noncurrent assets, but remains available for our liquidity requirements.

On April 3, 2007, we entered into a five-year revolving credit facility (“Facility”) with a maximum available borrowing capacity of $200 million.  Borrowings under the Facility bear interest at a floating rate based on the London Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread ranging from 0.5% to 0.875%, depending on our ratio of debt to trailing 12-month earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and noncash stock option expense (“EBITDA”).  In addition, we pay a commitment fee ranging from 0.1% to 0.175%, also depending on our ratio of debt to EBITDA, calculated on the average unused portion of the Facility.

The outstanding borrowings under this Facility were used to support the accelerated share repurchase we entered into on March 12, 2007.  See Notes 4 and 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.  Availability under the Facility is reduced by outstanding standby letters of credit, which are used to support our self-insurance programs.  As of July 3, 2007, we had net availability for borrowings of $31.7 million, based on outstanding debt of $150.0 million and $18.3 million in standby letters of credit.  The Facility provides that we will maintain certain financial covenants, which include a debt to EBITDA ratio below a specified threshold, as well as a minimum EBITDAR (EBITDA plus rental expense) to interest and rental expense ratio.  At July 3, 2007, we were in compliance with these covenants.

Landlord construction allowances related to restaurant locations for which we are deemed, for accounting purposes only, to have an ownership interest are reflected in our balance sheets as deemed landlord financing.  This liability is amortized over the lease term based on the rent payments designated in the lease agreement.

Our new restaurant development model more closely resembles that of a retail business that occupies leased space in shopping malls, lifestyle centers, 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 under operating lease arrangements. Our

20




rent structures vary from lease to lease, but generally provide for the payment of both minimum and contingent (percentage) rent based on sales, as well as other expenses related to the leases (for example, our prorata share of common area maintenance, property tax and insurance expenses).  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 disburse cash for leasehold improvements, furnishings, fixtures and equipment to build out our leased premises.  We may also disburse cash for structural additions that we make to leased premises that generally are reimbursed to us by our landlords as construction contributions 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 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 2007, we currently estimate our cash outlays for capital expenditures to range between $200 million and $210 million, net of agreed-upon, up-front cash landlord construction contributions and excluding $24 million to $25 million of expected noncapitalizable preopening costs for new restaurants.  This amount also excludes approximately $10 million of landlord construction contributions to be applied as reductions to minimum or percentage rent over the lease terms. The amount reflected as additions to property and equipment in the consolidated statements of cash flows may vary from this estimate based on the accounting treatment of each operating lease. This estimate contemplates a net outlay of $176 million to $182 million for as many as 21 new restaurants to be opened during fiscal 2007, as well as the Asian test concept, estimated construction-in-progress disbursements for anticipated fiscal 2008 openings and estimated collections of up-front cash landlord construction contributions.  Expected capital expenditures for fiscal 2007 also include approximately $14 million to $15 million for maintenance and capacity addition expenditures to our existing restaurants and $10 million to $13 million for bakery and corporate infrastructure investments.

Based on our current expansion objectives, we believe that our cash and short-term investments on hand, combined with expected cash flow provided by operations, available borrowings under our credit facility and expected landlord construction contributions should be sufficient in the aggregate to finance our planned capital expenditures and other operating activities through fiscal 2007.  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 the first quarter of fiscal 2007, our Board of Directors increased the share repurchase authorization of our common shares to 16.0 million from 6.0 million.  Under these authorizations, we have cumulatively repurchased a total of 10.4 million shares for a total cost of $260.8 million through July 3, 2007.  Our share repurchase agreement does not require us to repurchase any common stock and may be discontinued at any time.

On March 12, 2007, we entered into an agreement with a third party to repurchase $200 million of our common shares under an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) program.  The ASR agreement includes a pricing collar, which establishes the minimum and maximum number of shares that can be repurchased.  The minimum number of shares is set at 6.7 million, of which 4.7 million shares and 2.0 million shares were received on March 15, 2007 and April 13, 2007, respectively.  The maximum number of shares that possibly can be received under the agreement is 8.0 million and will be determined based on the weighted average market price of our common stock from April 10, 2007 through the completion of the contract.  We will receive additional shares, if any, no later than October 10, 2007.

Contractual Obligations

Except for long-term debt, there have been no material changes to the contractual obligations previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2007. 

 

Payment Due by Period

 

 

 

Total

 

Less than 1
Year

 

1 – 3 Years

 

4 – 5 Years

 

More than 5
Years

 

Long-term debt (1)

 

$

150, 000

 

$

¾

 

$

¾

 

$

150,000

 

$

¾

 

 


(1)

 

Represents five-year revolving credit facility entered on April 3, 2007. See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for more information.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

Critical accounting policies are those we believe are most important to portraying our financial conditions and results of operations and also require the greatest amount of subjective or complex judgments by management.  Judgments and uncertainties regarding the application of these policies may result in materially different amounts being reported under various conditions or using different assumptions.  Except for income taxes, there have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2007.  The methodology applied to management’s estimate for income taxes has changed due to the implementation of a new accounting pronouncement as described below.

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), which became effective for us beginning in fiscal 2007.  FIN 48 addresses the determination of how tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under FIN 48, we must recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.  The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. The impact of our reassessment of our tax positions in accordance with FIN 48 did not have a material impact on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.  Our estimates may change in the future due to new developments.

For additional information regarding the adoption of FIN 48, see Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The Statement applies whenever other statements require or permit assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value.  SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  We are currently evaluating the impact this Statement will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”).  SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses related to these financial instruments reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date.  SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  We have not yet determined if we will elect to apply any of the provisions of SFAS 159 or what the impact of adoption of this Statement would have, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The following discussion of market risks contains forward-looking statements.  Actual results may differ materially from the following discussion based on general conditions in the financial and commodity markets.

We are exposed to market risk from interest rate changes on funded debt.  This exposure relates to the portion of the interest rate on our $200 million revolving credit facility (“Facility”) that is indexed to three-month LIBOR.  On April 3, 2007, we entered into a five-year, zero-cost interest rate collar to hedge $100 million of the Facility.  The interest rate collar consists of a combination of a purchased cap option with a three-month LIBOR cap rate of 5.35% and a sold floor option with a three-month LIBOR floor rate of 4.69%.  At July 3, 2007, we had $150.0 million in debt outstanding under the Facility.  A hypothetical 1% interest rate increase would have a $0.5 million 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 3, 2007 and January 2, 2007, we held $89.2 million and $89.5 million in marketable securities, respectively.  A hypothetical 10% decline in the market value of those securities would result in $8.9 million and $9.0 million unrealized losses and a corresponding decline in their fair values at July 3, 2007 and January 2, 2007, respectively.  This hypothetical decline would not affect our cash flows until the securities were disposed of.

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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 many of our fresh commodities such as fish and dairy items (except for cream cheese used in our bakery operations) for periods longer than 30 days.  Dairy costs can also fluctuate due to government regulation.  Substantially all of our food and supplies are available from several sources, which helps to diversify our overall commodity cost risk.  In addition, 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.  We do 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.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We have established and maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and our subsidiaries required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only a reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management was necessarily required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.  We carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of July 3, 2007.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the fiscal quarter ended July 3, 2007 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

On August 29, 2006, five present and former hourly restaurant employees in the States of Tennessee, Texas and Arizona filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee against us alleging violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act with respect to alleged minimum wage violations, improper payroll deductions and requiring work “off the clock,” among others claims (Smith v. The Cheesecake Factory Restaurants, Inc. et al; Case No. 3 06 0829).  The lawsuit seeks unspecified amounts of penalties and other monetary payments on behalf of the plaintiffs and other purported class members. The plaintiffs also seek attorneys’ fees for themselves.  Discovery is currently continuing in this matter.  We intend to vigorously defend our position.

On January 9, 2007, two former hourly restaurant employees in the State of California filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles County Superior Court against us alleging violations of California’s wage and hour laws with respect to alleged failure to pay proper wages, improper payroll deductions, and violations of the California meal and break period laws, among others claims (Guardado v. The Cheesecake Factory Restaurants, Inc. et al; Case No. BC360426).  The lawsuit seeks unspecified amounts of penalties and other monetary payments on behalf of the plaintiffs and other purported class members. The plaintiffs also seek attorneys’ fees for themselves.  We intend to vigorously defend this action.

Following our announcement on July 18, 2006 of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors’ review of our historical stock option granting practices, a number of purported Company shareholders brought eight separate putative shareholder derivative actions (the “Option Derivative Actions”) against us, all the then-serving members of our Board of Directors (current directors David Klock and Agnieszka Winkler have not been named), and certain of our current and former officers alleging that the defendants improperly dated certain historical stock option grants.  The plaintiffs in these cases, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court and styled as Siebles v. Deitchle et. al. (Case No. BC355872) (subsequently re-filed in federal court), McGee v. Overton et al. (Case No. BC355953); Rigotti v. Overton, et al. (Case No. BC356850), Cullen v. Overton, et al. (Case No. BC356851), Sachs v. Overton et al. (Case No. BC357065), and filed in United States District Court for the Central District and styled as Siebles v. Deitchle et.al. (Case No. CV06 6234), Kuhns v. Deitchle et al. (Case No. SACV06917) and Freed v. Overton et al. (Case No. CV 06 06486), contend, among other things, that the defendants’ conduct violated the California and/or federal securities laws, breached defendants’ fiduciary duties, wasted corporate assets, unjustly enriched the defendants, and caused errors in our financial statements.  The plaintiffs seek, among other things, unspecified damages and disgorgement of profits from the alleged conduct, to be paid to the Company.  The plaintiffs also seek attorneys’ fees for themselves.  On January 4, 2007, our Board of Directors established a Special Litigation Committee to facilitate timely and orderly consideration of the matters raised by and relating to the Option Derivative Actions and to determine how we should respond to the allegations made in the Option Derivative Actions, including whether it is in the best interests of our stockholders to continue pursuing the claims asserted in the Option Derivative Actions. The Special Litigation Committee’s review is ongoing.  The federal Option Derivative Actions were consolidated in the Central District of California, under the caption, In re The Cheesecake Factory Derivative Litigation, No. CV-06-06234-ABC(MANx).  On March 9, 2007, we filed a motion to stay the federal litigation until our Special Litigation Committee completes its review and reports to the Board of Directors, and the other defendants filed a motion to dismiss certain claims.   On July 6, 2007 the federal court ordered that the time period for our response and the response of the other defendants’ in the federal action was not due earlier than September 10, 2007. The state Option Derivative Actions were consolidated in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, under the caption, In re The Cheesecake Factory Derivative Litigation, Lead Case No. BC355953, and a consolidated complaint was filed in the state Option Derivative Actions on or about June 25, 2007. On July 13, 2007 the state court ordered that the time period for our response and the response of the other defendants’ in the state action was not due earlier than September 10, 2007.  A status conference in those proceedings was continued by court order until September 14, 2007.

Based on the current status of these matters, no amounts have been reserved on our consolidated balance sheets.  We are subject to various other administrative and legal proceedings that are discussed in Part I, Item 3 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2007.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

A description of the risk factors associated with our business is contained in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2007.  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

24




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.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following provides information regarding our purchase during the thirteen weeks ended July 3, 2007 of equity securities that are registered by us pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act:

Period

 

Total Number 
of
Shares
Purchased

 

Average
Price Paid
per Share

 

Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of 
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs

 

Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs

 

April 4 — May 8, 2007

 

2,022,461

 

$

26.25

 

2,022,461

 

5,637,999

 

May 9 — June 5, 2007

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

5,637,999

 

June 6 — July 3, 2007

 

¾

 

¾

 

¾

 

5,637,999

 

Total

 

2,022,461

 

 

 

2,022,461

 

 

 

 

On March 7, 2007, we announced that our Board of Directors increased the share repurchase authorization of our common shares to 16.0 million from 6.0 million.  Under these authorizations, we have cumulatively repurchased a total of 10.4 million shares for a total cost of $260.8 million through July 3, 2007.  The 2.0 million shares reflected in the above table were purchased in conjunction with an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreement.  See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.  Our share repurchase agreement does not require us to repurchase any common stock and may be discontinued at any time.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Our Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on May 22, 2007 in Thousand Oaks, California.  A total of 71,303,878 of the Company’s shares were present or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, representing 92% of our shares outstanding as of the March 30, 2007 record date.  The matters submitted for a vote and the related election results are as follows:

Election of two nominees to serve as directors of the Company for a three-year term and until respective successors shall be elected and qualified.  The result of the vote taken was as follows:

Name

 

For

 

Withheld

 

Thomas L. Gregory

 

40,313,038

 

30,990,840

 

David R. Klock

 

70,327,713

 

976,165

 

 

The terms of office of Messrs. Kransdorf, Overton and White, and Ms. Winkler, continue after the meeting.

Ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 2, 2008.  The result of the vote taken was as follows:

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

 

44,011,077

 

27,244,076

 

48,725

 

 

 

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Item 6.  Exhibits

Exhibit 2.1

 

Form of Reorganization Agreement (1)

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

Certificate of Incorporation (2)

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, $.01 Par Value (2)

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.3

 

Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation (2)

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.4

 

Form of Rights Agreement dated as of August 4, 1998 between The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated and U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation (3)

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.5

 

Amendment No. 1 to Rights Agreement dated as of November 4, 2003 between The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated and U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation (4)

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.6

 

Bylaws (5)

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.2

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 


(1)

 

Previously filed and incorporated by reference herein from the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-47936).

 

 

 

(2)

 

Previously filed and incorporated by reference herein from the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 28, 2005.

 

 

 

(3)

 

Previously filed and incorporated by reference herein from the Registrant’s Form 8-A dated August 19, 1998.

 

 

 

(4)

 

Previously filed and incorporated by reference herein from the Registrant’s post-effective Amendment No. 1 to its Registration Statement on Form 8-A.

 

 

 

(5)

 

Previously filed and incorporated by reference herein from the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 3, 2007.

 

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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.

Date: July 26, 2007

THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INCORPORATED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 /s/ DAVID OVERTON

 

 

 

David Overton

 

 

 

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ MICHAEL J. DIXON

 

 

 

Michael J. Dixon

 

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ CHERYL M. SLOMANN

 

 

 

Cheryl M. Slomann

 

 

 

Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

 

 

 

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number

 

Exhibit Title

2.1

 

Form of Reorganization Agreement (1)

 

 

 

3.1

 

Certificate of Incorporation (2)

 

 

 

3.2

 

Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, $.01 Par Value (2)

 

 

 

3.3

 

Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation (2)

 

 

 

3.4

 

Form of Rights Agreement dated as of August 4, 1998 between The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated and U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation (3)

 

 

 

3.5

 

Amendment No. 1 to Rights Agreement dated as of November 4, 2003 between The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated and U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation (4)

 

 

 

3.6

 

Bylaws (5)

 

 

 

31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer

 

 

 

31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 


(1)

 

Previously filed and incorporated by reference herein from the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-47936).

 

 

 

(2)

 

Previously filed and incorporated by reference herein from the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 28, 2005.

 

 

 

(3)

 

Previously filed and incorporated by reference herein from the Registrant’s Form 8-A dated August 19, 1998.

 

 

 

(4)

 

Previously filed and incorporated by reference herein from the Registrant’s post-effective Amendment No. 1 to its Registration Statement on Form 8-A.

 

 

 

(5)

 

Previously filed and incorporated by reference herein from the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended April 3, 2007.

 

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