The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (NASDAQ: CAKE) today announced that it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Hong Kong-based Maxim’s Caterers Limited, a diversified operator of full-service and quick-service restaurants, as well as bakery and coffee shops, in Asia, to build and operate The Cheesecake Factory® restaurants. The agreement provides for the development of a minimum of 14 restaurants over the next 10 years in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China, with the opportunity to expand to Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. The first restaurant is expected to open in fiscal 2015.
“Our brand has experienced a tremendous level of success outside of the U.S.A. and we are excited to announce another step forward in our global expansion efforts. Our strategy of entering into license agreements with highly qualified, experienced restaurant operators that have broad geographic capabilities is proving to be an excellent way to expand our complex, high volume concept internationally. The agreement with Maxim’s provides an incredible opportunity for us to develop in Asia with an established, multi-unit restaurant operator that has nearly 60 years of operating experience in the region,” said David Overton, Chairman and CEO.
“International expansion will become an increasingly meaningful driver to achieving our goal of delivering mid-teens earnings per share growth over time as the number of restaurants operated by our licensees gradually increases. Together with our ongoing development of Company-owned restaurants and consistent increases in sales from our existing base of restaurants, we are poised to continue to deliver high-quality and dependable financial performance for many years to come,” concluded Overton.
About The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated
The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated created the upscale casual dining segment in 1978 with the introduction of its namesake concept. The Company operates 181 full-service, casual dining restaurants throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, including 169 restaurants under The Cheesecake Factory® mark; 11 restaurants under the Grand Lux Cafe® mark; and one restaurant under the RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen® mark. Internationally, four The Cheesecake Factory® restaurants operate under a licensing agreement. The Company also operates two bakery production facilities in Calabasas Hills, CA and Rocky Mount, NC that produce approximately 70 varieties of quality cheesecakes and other baked products. In 2014, the Company was named to Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list.
About Maxim’s Caterers Limited
Founded in 1956, Maxim’s Caterers Limited, operating under Hong Kong Maxim’s Group (“Group”), is a leading Food and Beverage company comprising of Chinese, Asian and European restaurants, quick service restaurants, bakery shops and institutional catering, while providing a range of festive products, including the award-winning Maxim’s Mooncakes. The Group is also the licensee of renowned brands including Starbucks Coffee (Hong Kong, Macau and Vietnam), and Genki Sushi and Ippudo ramen (Hong Kong and China). Altogether the Group operates over 840 outlets in Hong Kong and China, and 4 in Vietnam. It also established the first Sino-Foreign joint venture in China in 1980 and now delivers air catering service in 11 cities through joint ventures.
Source World Franchise Associate
