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The Cheesecake Factory

Engaged Employer

I loved the culture here, but had two emotionally abusive managers - Hostess & Server The Cheesecake Factory Employee Review

4.0
Jun 30, 2020
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The company culture here is really wonderful. I worked at two locations, Austin, TX and Southlake, TX and at both, it really feels like family. It feels like everyone is friends with one another. There is a lot of teamwork. The training is very good, I had never been a server before and there is a two-week training that really helped me lay a groundwork for being of service to others. I think it really helped prepare me for my future of working with others! There are a lot of really great managers. But see cons below about an experience I had with other managers that was not so great. There are big meetings every 6 months called new menu roll outs (the menu has additions every 6 months as well as things removed from the menu) and they are like really fun staff meetings where you get to all have fun and try the new items! It was always so fun. They give out awards to staff that are doing a good job and it's just really nice.

Cons

I had two VERY emotionally abusive managers here, which ultimately led to my quitting, which was sad for me. I was really hurt by how these two managers treated me, extremely manipulative, and these relationships were ultimately inappropriate for a work environment - especially between a manager and employee (not in *that* kind of way, but with sharing personal information with me and relying on me as someone to confide in, manipulating personal information out of me and then using it against me, calling me names/yelling, etc.). This is my experience with only two managers, and otherwise, I had a lot of great managers as well! But knowing that one of these managers has moved up really high in the company is really troubling to me. He gaslit not only other managers but other employees as well. Neither manager works at either location anymore. Aside from these two managers at the Southlake location, at the Austin location there was another manager who was very inappropriate with the younger hosting staff (who tend to be quite young), sending inappropriate pictures back and forth etc. There is just a pattern of this kind of management it seems that needs to be kept in check, as if they need some kind of training on how to properly manage people and what's okay and what's not. Anyway, the culture otherwise is wonderful.

Explore other reviews about The Cheesecake Factory

5.0
May 28, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You get very good tips and the environment is like family.

Cons

If the management don’t like you, it’s very noticeable

1.0
Jul 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Working for The Cheesecake Factory gave me the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally. I worked as a former Manager (moved my way up from front of house). The Cheesecake Factory offered structured training, clear operating procedures, and the chance to work with talented leaders and team members. There were opportunities for advancement for employees who consistently performed well, and I appreciated the fast-paced environment that kept every day interesting. Overall, it was a great place to develop a strong work ethic, learn how to lead under pressure, and gain experience in a customer-focused business.

Cons

My biggest concern during my time with the The Cheesecake Factory as a more senior leader was the leadership style demonstrated by the Western Regional VP. In my experience at that level, interactions often felt more focused on criticism than coaching. During team calls, communication could come across as dismissive or condescending, making people hesitant to speak up or share ideas. Site visits frequently created anxiety rather than opportunities for collaboration and development. Too often, I felt leaders' capabilities were questioned without meaningful coaching or support, which negatively impacted confidence, morale, and psychological safety across the team. I have heard this feedback from across environments from even those that were previously under our area and are now in a different region. Now that I am no longer with the company, I feel comfortable sharing this feedback because I no longer worry about professional repercussions. I am concerned that this type of leadership approach still continues to this day based on feedback from former peers. My hope is that senior leadership continues to hold executives accountable for not only business results, but also how they treat and develop their people. Strong organizations are built by leaders who inspire trust, provide constructive feedback, and create environments where employees feel respected and empowered to grow.

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