The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated Names Michael Berry as Pres and COO of Restaurant Division

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated Names Michael Berry as President and Chief Operating Officer of Restaurant Division

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated today announced the appointment of Michael P. Berry as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company's restaurant division.

"We are very fortunate to have Mike join The Cheesecake Factory's senior management team," said David Overton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Mike brings a powerful combination of business experience, creativity and extensive industry knowledge to this new position. His multi-unit management expertise will be of significant value to our Company as we continue to execute our growth plan."

Mr. Berry, 53, served as President of Barnes and Noble Booksellers since February 2001. Prior to that, Mr. Berry was Senior Vice President of Operations for The Disneyland Resort and Downtown Disney from January 1998 to February 2001 and Vice President of Food Operations and Concept Development from April 1996 to January 1998. Prior to joining Disney, Mr. Berry held several senior positions at Harvard University, the University of California at Irvine and the University of California at Los Angeles.

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated operates 52 upscale, casual dining restaurants under The Cheesecake Factory® name that offer an extensive menu of more than 200 items with an average check of approximately $15.70. The Company also operates a bakery production facility that produces over 50 varieties of quality cheesecakes and other baked products for the Company's restaurants and for other leading foodservice operators, retailers and distributors. Additionally, the Company operates two upscale casual dining restaurants under the Grand Lux Cafe® name in Los Angeles, California and Las Vegas, Nevada; one self-service, limited menu "express" foodservice operation under The Cheesecake Factory Express® mark inside the DisneyQuest® family entertainment center in Orlando, Florida; and licenses three bakery cafe outlets to another foodservice operator under The Cheesecake Factory Bakery Cafe® name.

--Posted June 3, 2002
Source: The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated