Bushra Griffith
The Cheesecake Factory is a popular American restaurant chain with a reputation for its extensive menu, generous portions, and legendary cheesecakes. With over 6000 reviews on Indeed.com, it has received a mixed bag of opinions from its employees. While some praise the good pay, supportive staff and management, and consistent income, others have criticised its overly corporate nature, long training periods, and demanding work environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Training | Rigorous and long (2-4 weeks) |
| Money | Good, consistent income |
| Management | Good and supportive, or inadequate and irregular |
| Work environment | Enjoyable, or competitive |
| Corporate policies | Overwhelming |
| Customers | Rude, bad tippers |
| Staff | Passionate, or uncommitted |
| Culture | Unique, or not for everyone |
| Food | Made fresh daily |
| Menu | Extensive |
| Overall | Great place to work for some, not for others |
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What You'll Learn
- Training: The Cheesecake Factory has a long and rigorous training period
- Money: It can be a good place to make money due to its popularity and busy atmosphere
- Menu: The extensive menu can be difficult to learn
- Culture: The corporate culture may not be for everyone
- Kitchen: The experience can vary depending on the kitchen staff's professionalism
Training: The Cheesecake Factory has a long and rigorous training period
The Cheesecake Factory is an upscale casual restaurant chain known for its extensive menu, generous portions, and legendary cheesecakes and other desserts. It has been recognised as a great place to work, with 87% of employees agreeing with the statement compared to 57% of employees at a typical US-based company.
The Cheesecake Factory has a long and rigorous training period for its staff. The training period can last up to three weeks to a month, which is considered long for the industry. This is due in part to the extensive menu that staff must memorise. The menu is described as "ridiculous" and "absurdly large" by some staff. The long training period is also attributed to the specific corporate policies and procedures that staff must learn. These policies are described as "overwhelming" and "corporate red tape." However, the thorough training provided by the Cheesecake Factory equips staff with the knowledge and skills to provide warm, gracious service and hospitality, which the restaurant is known for.
During the training period, new hires are expected to learn the long menu, which includes a wide range of dishes and legendary cheesecakes and desserts. They are also trained on the restaurant's made-from-scratch philosophy, where dishes are prepared fresh daily with high-quality ingredients. This training period is designed to ensure that staff can deliver the level of service and hospitality that the Cheesecake Factory is known for.
The rigorous training period at the Cheesecake Factory can be challenging, but it also provides a strong foundation for staff to succeed in their roles. It is important for new hires to ask questions and seek support from managers and fellow staff members during this time. The quality of training can also depend on the specific location and the staff conducting the training. Some reviews mention that the kitchen staff being professional and skilled can make the job much easier, while others mention that management's inadequacies can make the job more difficult.
Overall, the long and rigorous training period at the Cheesecake Factory is designed to ensure that staff are well-equipped to handle the demands of the job and provide excellent service to customers. While it can be challenging, the training provides a comprehensive introduction to the company's policies, procedures, and menu, enabling staff to feel confident and competent in their roles.
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Money: It can be a good place to make money due to its popularity and busy atmosphere
The Cheesecake Factory is a popular casual dining chain known for its extensive menu, generous portions, and cheesecakes. It can be a good place to make money due to its popularity and busy atmosphere.
One former employee noted that they made good money working at The Cheesecake Factory, even with some bad tippers, because the restaurant was always busy and had a quick turnaround. Another employee raved about the consistent financial gains, which is especially beneficial for servers handling the highest volume of sales. The pay as a server is reportedly good, and one source mentions that the money was good, with coworkers who were passionate about their jobs.
However, it is important to note that the training is rigorous and can take up to a month, which may delay the start of earning potential. The long menu and extensive training can be challenging, and some have mentioned that there are easier, less corporate places to work. The corporate policies can also be overwhelming, and the uniform is considered horrible by some.
Overall, The Cheesecake Factory can be a good place to make money, especially for those seeking a busy and fast-paced work environment. The popularity of the restaurant chain ensures a consistent flow of customers, which can lead to financial gains for servers. However, the demanding nature of the work and long training period may be factors to consider when evaluating the earning potential at The Cheesecake Factory.
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Menu: The extensive menu can be difficult to learn
The Cheesecake Factory is known for its extensive menu, generous portions, and legendary cheesecakes and other desserts. The menu is so large that it can be a challenge for servers to learn. The training process to memorize the menu can take up to a month, which some employees have described as rigorous and overwhelming.
During the training period, new hires are expected to become familiar with the wide variety of dishes, drinks, and desserts offered by the restaurant. This can be a demanding task, especially for those new to the industry or with limited experience. However, the comprehensive training provided by the Cheesecake Factory equips servers with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the extensive menu and deliver warm and gracious service to guests.
The lengthy menu can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it offers guests a diverse range of options to choose from, catering to various tastes and dietary preferences. This extensive selection contributes to the restaurant's popularity and attracts a wide customer base. On the other hand, the sheer number of choices can also lead to longer decision-making times for guests, potentially impacting table turnover rates.
For servers, an extensive menu means a greater challenge in memorization and a higher likelihood of errors or misunderstandings when taking orders. It can also increase the complexity of interactions with customers, as servers may need to provide recommendations, substitutions, or allergy information. Additionally, the Cheesecake Factory's reputation for generous portions adds another layer of complexity, as servers must be knowledgeable about the quantity of food served and be able to accurately describe and suggest appropriate options to guests.
Despite the challenges posed by the extensive menu, many employees of the Cheesecake Factory have praised the supportive work environment, good management, and competitive pay. The restaurant's popularity and high customer traffic also contribute to the potential for consistent financial gains for servers, making it a desirable workplace for those seeking stable income in the service industry.
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Culture: The corporate culture may not be for everyone
The Cheesecake Factory is a large restaurant chain with a busy atmosphere and a focus on providing customers with a memorable experience through its extensive menu and legendary cheesecakes. Working in such an environment can be demanding, and the corporate culture may not suit everyone.
The company has been described as “overly corporate” with a strong focus on its policies and procedures. Employees are expected to adhere to the "Cheesecake Factory way", which may not align with the values and expectations of all individuals. The training process, which can last up to three weeks, is rigorous and covers not only the lengthy menu but also the corporate policies and procedures. While some may appreciate the thoroughness of the training, others may find it overwhelming and time-consuming.
The busy nature of the restaurant, with its high volume of customers and quick turnaround times, can lead to a fast-paced and intense work environment. This may be beneficial for those who thrive in such conditions, but it can also result in burnout for employees working long hours or handling the busiest shifts.
Additionally, the culture at The Cheesecake Factory may foster a competitive atmosphere among staff. Employees have mentioned the need to "compete for the best sections" and have pointed out each other's mistakes. The pressure to perform and meet customer expectations can be high, as some patrons may have high standards and expect royal treatment.
While the corporate culture may not be a perfect fit for everyone, it is worth noting that many employees have praised the supportive management, good pay, and consistent financial gains that the company provides. The Cheesecake Factory has also been recognised as a great place to work by a significant percentage of its employees, indicating that despite the challenges, many individuals find the corporate culture rewarding and enjoyable.
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Kitchen: The experience can vary depending on the kitchen staff's professionalism
The experience of working at the Cheesecake Factory can vary depending on the kitchen staff's professionalism. While some employees have praised the good pay, supportive staff, and consistent income, others have criticised the long training, overwhelming corporate policies, and demanding work environment.
One former employee commented that their experience at the Cheesecake Factory was influenced by the kitchen staff's professionalism. They noted that if the kitchen staff were professional, chill, and skilled at their jobs, the server's job became much easier. However, if the kitchen staff were challenging to work with, it could make the server's job more difficult.
Another factor that can impact the experience is the extensive menu, which servers are expected to learn. While some employees found the training thorough and worthwhile, others described it as rigorous and time-consuming, with one person mentioning that it took them three weeks to complete. The large menu can also contribute to a demanding work environment, as servers may need to compete for the best sections and deal with rude customers who expect perfect service.
In addition, the Cheesecake Factory's corporate policies and high volume of business can lead to a risk of burnout for employees working the busiest shifts. The company's "Work first, Family second" work environment and private arbitration policy may not align with everyone's values, and some employees may find the uniform unappealing.
However, the Cheesecake Factory also offers benefits such as free food for cooks and consistent financial gains due to the high volume of customers. 87% of employees at the Cheesecake Factory say it is a great place to work compared to 57% of employees at a typical US-based company, suggesting that the experience can vary depending on individual locations and teams.
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Frequently asked questions
The Cheesecake Factory has received mixed reviews from former employees. Some people have praised the consistent money, supportive staff, and good management, while others have criticised the long training, overwhelming corporate policies, and the demanding nature of the job. On Great Place To Work®, 87% of employees at The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated say it is a great place to work compared to 57% of employees at a typical U.S.-based company.
Training at the Cheesecake Factory is described as rigorous, with new hires needing to memorise the large menu. The length of training varies from one week to one month, depending on the source.
The Cheesecake Factory is known for its fast-paced environment, especially during peak hours. The restaurant is also described as energetic, with a high volume of customers. Some employees have reported a positive work environment with supportive staff and good management, while others have experienced favouritism, drama, and a lack of care from managers.
