employer cover photo
employer logo
employer logo

The Cheesecake Factory

Engaged Employer

Best large restaurant company to work as a server. - Food Server The Cheesecake Factory Employee Review

5.0
Aug 14, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Strong training program that really spends the time to help new servers learn the menu and the standards of service. Expectations for standards are well-defined, including language to use and steps of service. The company also creates a strong sense of community with company-wide communications, volunteer programs and opportunities to transfer or change position. The company is well-organized, has quality products, maintains strong marketing, and continues to grow.

Cons

I wish the benefits package for hourly staff was better, but those are losing ground in many companies, and that's all in a state of change, anyway.

Explore other reviews about The Cheesecake Factory

5.0
Dec 18, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

If you want to work at one of the world’s best run dining businesses, this is where it’s at. I work at the Union Square, San Francisco location, and although it is intense, it’s rewarding, financially, physically and spiritually IMO. It’s clear that decades of effort have gone into crafting the business. They run it lean, so it’s an effort to deliver an excellent experience. But that is part of its greatness - if you are at all interested in understanding how to run a business well. The managers and general manager are all well chosen, character-wise, which is refreshing in the hospitality trade where difficult personalities can often be a drag. It’s probably due to the extensive formal training, that creates a high degree of professionalism. Far above average for the industry.

Cons

It’s a struggle to get all the hours as a server you want. This is due to practical/economical considerations, since the restaurant needs a deep bench of staff, to guarantee staffing, and accommodate changes to schedules by employees- and as far as I can tell, it’s no different across the current restaurant industry in SF. Obviously the more tenure you have, the more trust and hours they give you. So expect to be assigned server and runner shifts, and ‘breaker’ shifts where you relieve other servers. But in all cases you still make tips. Though working as a server is best.

4.0
Jul 1, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

good pay to works worked ratio

Cons

have to work all holidays best time to make money is night shifts so really limits social time with friends and family

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All