The Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory provides a high-level disclosure of its key purchased animal proteins. In its 2024 annual report, the company describes its menu offerings, which include seafood, steaks, chicken, burgers, omelettes, as well as approximately 45 varieties of cheesecake. The company states that its principal commodity categories include amongst others, dairy, seafood, poultry, and meat. It is not clear which proteins are included under ‘meat’. In its 2024 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Progress Report, the company provides sustainable sourcing updates for seafood, dairy cows, pigs, beef cattle, laying hens and broiler chickens.

In its 2024 CSR report, The Cheesecake Factory reaffirmed its commitment to sourcing No Antibiotics Ever (NAE) protein by 2025 for dairy cows, pigs, beef cattle, laying hens, and broiler chickens. The company defines antibiotic-free as no antibiotics ever (NAE), but states that suppliers may treat sick animals when medically necessary. These animals are to be removed from its supply chain. These NAE commitments exceed WHO guidance on the use of medically important antimicrobials in food-producing animals. The company demonstrates its intention to reduce antibiotic use by providing annual updates on its progress. The company has not disclosed antibiotic use policies for its seafood supply. It is unclear what percentage of this supply is wild-caught.

The company’s 2025 NAE targets for its beef, eggs, broiler chickens, dairy, and pork are stipulated in its 2024 CSR report. The report covers its wholly owned and managed restaurants and appears to include The Cheesecake Factory, North Italia, and Social Monk Asian Kitchen, which represent approximately 75% of its global restaurants. It is unclear whether its 33 internationally licensed The Cheesecake Factory restaurants are included in its NAE targets. Without these, the policy would appear to cover approximately 66% of its global footprint.

The Cheesecake Factory reports on either the percentage of suppliers, supply or volume raised with NAE. It also reports on the percentage of its suppliers that are practicing responsible use of antibiotics with veterinary oversight. The company does not define responsible use. The company does not report on the quantity of antibiotics currently used in its supply chain for any of its key purchased animal proteins.

The Cheesecake Factory Sustainable Sourcing Policy established a buying preference for ingredients that are third party certified for sustainability. It is unclear whether the company’s reported antibiotic use is certified by a third party.

The Cheesecake Factory states that animal welfare and sustainability expectations are integrated into supplier contracts, and that it works to identify suppliers at risk of non-compliance. The company does not disclose any specific procedures for managing non-compliance related to antibiotic use. The company does disclose the percentage of supply or suppliers that are in line with its policy.

The Cheesecake Factory has time-bound targets for antibiotic use in its supply of beef, eggs, broiler chicken, dairy, and pork. In 2025, each of these key animal proteins should be sourced from animals that have never been treated with antibiotics (NAE). These targets go beyond the WHO’s guidelines on the use of medically important antimicrobials in food-producing animals. The company does not disclose a target for antibiotic use in its seafood supply.

The company’s 2025 targets for its beef, eggs, broiler chickens, dairy, and pork are stipulated in its 2024 CSR report. The report appears to cover The Cheesecake Factory, North Italia, and Social Monk Asian Kitchen.

As part of its Sustainable Sourcing update, The Cheesecake Factory annually reports on the percentage of its supply, suppliers or volume raised with NAE. In addition, it provides data on the percentage of suppliers that are practicing responsible use of antibiotics under veterinary oversight. The term, ‘responsible use’ is not defined. Beef Cattle Suppliers practice responsible use: 2020: >93%, 2021: 96%, 2022: 94%, 2023: 92%, 2024: 90% Volume raised NAE: 2020: Not Applicable, 2021: 10%, 2022: 20%, 2023: 22%, 2024: 19% Broiler Chickens: Suppliers practice responsible use: 2020: 99%, 2021: >99%, 2022: 94%, 2023: 92%, 2024: 93% Supply is NAE: 2020: ~1%, 2021: 35%, 2022: 28%, 2023: 85%, 2024: 86% Dairy Cows: Suppliers practice responsible use: 2022: 94%, 2023: 92%, 2024: 94% Supply is NAE: 2022: 2%, 2023: 8%, 2024: 19% Pigs: Suppliers practice responsible use: 2020: 96%, 2021: 94%, 2022: 90%, 2023: 88%, 2024: 82% Suppliers practising NAE: 2020: 5%, 2021: 1%, 2022: <1%, 2023: <1%, 2024: <1% Egg Layers: Suppliers practice responsible use: 2020: 94%, 2021: 99%, 2022: 99%, 2023: 97%, 2024: 90% Supply is NAE: 2019: 3%, 2020: 1%, 2021: 28%, 2022: 23%, 2023: 63%, 2024: 6% The company reports on its insights and challenges for each goal. In relation to its 2025 NAE goals, it continues to acknowledge that it is unable to influence the broader industry but states that it is partnering with its suppliers and producers to build on their responsible use programs towards NAE. As part of these insights, it also now states that it is dedicated to avoiding antibiotics for prophylactic or preventative use and does not allow sub-therapeutic antibiotic use. For laying hens, the company highlights the additional challenges created by avian flu.