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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 01, 2013

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions for the periods presented have been eliminated in consolidation.

We utilize a 52/53-week fiscal year ending on the Tuesday closest to December 31st for financial reporting purposes. Fiscal years 2012 and 2010 each consisted of 52 weeks, while fiscal 2011 consisted of 53 weeks. Fiscal year 2013 will consist of 52 weeks.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions for the reporting periods covered by the financial statements. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Amounts receivable from credit card processors, totaling $9.8 million and $6.4 million at January 1, 2013 and January 3, 2012, respectively, are considered cash equivalents because they are both short-term and highly liquid in nature and are typically converted to cash within three days of the sales transaction. Checks issued, but not yet presented for payment to our bank, are reflected as a reduction of cash and cash equivalents.

Accounts and Other Receivables

Accounts and Other Receivables

Our accounts receivable principally result from credit sales to bakery customers. Other receivables consist of various amounts due from our gift card resellers, insurance providers, landlords and others in the ordinary course of business.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk are cash and cash equivalents and receivables. We maintain our day-to-day operating cash balances in non-interest-bearing transaction accounts, which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000. We invest our excess cash in a money market deposit account, which is insured by the FDIC up to $250,000. Although we maintain balances that exceed the federally insured limit, we have not experienced any losses related to this balance, and we believe credit risk to be minimal.

We consider the concentration of credit risk for accounts receivable to be minimal due to the payment histories and general financial condition of our larger outside bakery customers. Concentration of credit risk related to other receivables is limited as this balance is comprised primarily of amounts due from our gift card resellers, as well as from our landlords for the reimbursement of tenant improvements and third-party insurers.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

For cash and cash equivalents, the carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of deemed landlord financing liabilities is determined using current applicable rates for similar instruments as of the balance sheet date (fair value hierarchy Level 2 per ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement”). At January 1, 2013, the fair value of our deemed landlord financing liabilities is $55.7 million versus a carrying value of $57.2 million.

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories consist of restaurant food and other supplies, bakery raw materials, and bakery finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost or market on an average cost basis at the restaurants and on a first-in, first-out basis at the bakeries.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

We record property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation. Improvements are capitalized while repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets or the lease term, whichever is shorter. Leasehold improvements include the cost of our internal development and construction department. Depreciation and amortization periods are as follows:

Buildings and land improvements		25 to 30 years
Leasehold improvements		15 to 30 years
Restaurant fixtures and equipment		3 to 15 years
Bakery equipment		15 years
Computer software and equipment		3 to 5 years

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We assess the potential impairment of our long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets or asset group may not be recoverable. Factors considered include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the acquired assets or the strategy for the overall business, and significant negative industry or economic trends. We regularly review any restaurants that are cash flow negative for the previous four quarters to determine if impairment testing is warranted. At any given time, we may be monitoring a small number of locations, and future impairment charges could be required if individual restaurant performance does not improve.

We have determined that our asset group for impairment testing is comprised of the assets and liabilities of each of our individual restaurants, as this is the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. We have identified leasehold improvements as the primary asset because it is the most significant component of our restaurant assets, it is the principal asset from which our restaurants derive their cash flow generating capacity and it has the longest remaining useful life. The recoverability is assessed in most cases by comparing the carrying value of the assets to the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by these assets. Impairment losses are measured as the amount by which the carrying values of the assets exceed their fair values.

In fiscal 2012, we recorded expense of $5.5 million, representing a reduction in the carrying value of one The Cheesecake Factory restaurant. In fiscal 2011, we recorded expense of $1.5 million, representing additional reductions to the carrying values of three previously impaired locations, consisting of one Grand Lux Cafe and two The Cheesecake Factory restaurants. These expenses were recorded in impairment of assets and lease terminations. No impairment charges were recorded in fiscal 2010. If the economic recovery remains slow and/or we are unable to implement initiatives to reduce costs over time at certain of our locations, we may be required to record additional impairment charges in future periods.

Indefinite-Lived Assets

Indefinite-Lived Assets

Our trademarks and transferable alcoholic beverage licenses have indefinite lives and, therefore, are not subject to amortization. At January 1, 2013, the amounts included in intangibles, net for these items were $5.2 million and $5.6 million, respectively. We test these assets for impairment at least annually by comparing the fair value of each asset with its carrying amount.

Lease Terminations

Lease Terminations

In fiscal 2012, we made the business decision to discontinue operations in three of our Grand Lux Cafe restaurants, each of which was previously fully impaired, because they were not delivering the necessary sales volumes to drive our required returns. We incurred $4.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 for partial reimbursement to the landlords of tenant improvement allowances and broker fees on these leases. These expenses were recorded in impairment of assets and lease terminations. We expect to incur approximately $1.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 for future rent and other closing costs on these locations.

Self-Insurance Liability

Self-Insurance Liability

We retain the financial responsibility for a significant portion of our risks and associated liabilities with respect to workers’ compensation, general liability, employment practices, employee health benefits and other insurable risks. The accrued liabilities associated with these programs are based on our estimate of the ultimate costs to settle known claims as well as claims incurred but not yet reported to us (“IBNR”) as of the balance sheet date. Our estimated liabilities are not discounted and are based on information provided by our insurance brokers and insurers, combined with our judgment regarding a number of assumptions and factors, including the frequency and severity of claims, claims development history, case jurisdiction, applicable legislation and our claims settlement practices. We maintain stop-loss coverage with third-party insurers to limit our individual claim exposure for many of our programs and for aggregate exposure on our employee health benefits program. The estimated amounts receivable from our third-party insurers under this coverage are recorded in other receivables.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

During fiscal 2008 and 2007, we entered into several zero-cost interest rate collars that hedged interest rate variability on a portion of outstanding borrowings on our Facility. During fiscal 2010 and 2009, in conjunction with repayments on our Facility, we unwound our derivatives at a cost of $7.4 million in each year. We had no derivative instruments outstanding at January 1, 2013 or January 3, 2012.

We formally documented the relationship between the hedging instruments and the hedged items, as well as our risk management objective and strategy for undertaking hedge transactions. These interest rate collars qualified for hedge accounting as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, we recognized these derivatives at fair value as either assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. All changes in fair value were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the related interest expense on the underlying borrowing was recognized. Changes in the fair value of our interest rate collars were expected to be perfectly effective in offsetting the variability in interest payments attributable to fluctuations in three-month LIBOR rates above the cap rates and below the floor rates specified in the respective agreements. If, at any time, we determined an interest rate collar to be ineffective, in whole or in part, due to modifications in the interest rate collar or the underlying credit facility, prospective changes in fair value of the portion of the derivative determined to be ineffective would have been recognized as a gain or loss in the consolidated statements of operations. We have not, and do not plan to, enter into any derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Our revenues consist of sales from our restaurant operations and sales from our bakery operations to other foodservice operators, retailers and distributors (“bakery sales”). Revenues from restaurant sales are recognized when payment is tendered at the point of sale. Revenues from bakery sales are recognized upon transfer of title to customers. Revenues are presented net of sales taxes. The obligation is included in other accrued expenses until the taxes are remitted to the appropriate taxing authorities.

We recognize a liability upon the sale of our gift cards and recognize revenue when these gift cards are redeemed in our restaurants or on our website. Based on our historical gift card redemption patterns, we can reasonably estimate the amount of gift cards for which redemption is remote, which is referred to as “breakage.” Breakage is recognized in proportion to historical redemption trends and is classified as revenues in our consolidated statement of comprehensive income. We recognized $5.7 million, $2.4 million and $2.7 million of gift card breakage in fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Incremental direct costs related to gift card sales, including commissions and credit card fees, are deferred and recognized in earnings in the same pattern as the related gift card revenue.

Certain of our promotional programs have included multiple element arrangements that incorporate both delivered and undelivered components. Through fiscal 2010, we allocated revenue to each undelivered element based on vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value, which is the price charged when that element is sold separately. These revenues were deferred and subsequently recognized when these elements were delivered. Any residual revenue was allocated to the delivered component and recognized at the time of the original transaction. New guidance for revenue recognition of arrangements with multiple deliverables went into effect for us in fiscal 2011. We now allocate revenue using the relative selling price of each deliverable and recognize it upon delivery of each component.

Leases

Leases

We currently lease all of our restaurant locations. We evaluate each lease to determine its appropriate classification as an operating or capital lease for financial reporting purposes. All of our restaurant leases are classified as operating leases. Minimum base rent, which generally escalates over the term of the lease, is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The initial rent term includes the build-out, or rent holiday period, for our leases, where no rent payments are typically due under the terms of the lease. Contingent rent expense, which is based on a percentage of revenue, is recorded to the extent it exceeds minimum base rent per the lease agreement.

We expend cash for leasehold improvements and FF&E to build out and equip our leased premises. We may also expend cash for structural additions that we make to leased premises. Generally a portion of the leasehold improvements and building costs are reimbursed to us by our landlords as construction contributions. If obtained, landlord construction contributions usually take the form of up-front cash, full or partial credits against our future minimum or percentage rents, or a combination thereof. Depending on the specifics of the leased space and the lease agreement, amounts paid for structural components are recorded during the construction period as either prepaid rent or construction-in-progress and the landlord construction contributions are recorded as either an offset to prepaid rent or as a deemed landlord financing liability.

Upon completion of construction, we perform an analysis on the leases for which the structural cost was initially recorded to construction-in-progress to determine if they qualify for sale-leaseback treatment. For those qualifying leases, the deemed landlord financing liability and the associated construction-in-progress are removed and the difference is reclassified to either prepaid or deferred rent and amortized over the lease term as an increase or decrease to rent expense. If the lease does not qualify for sale-leaseback treatment, the deemed landlord financing liability is amortized over the lease term based on the rent payments designated in the lease agreement.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

We maintain performance incentive plans under which equity awards may be granted to employees and consultants. Currently, we do not have a plan under which non-employee directors may be granted equity interests in the Company. We account for the awards based on fair value measurement guidance and amortize to expense over the vesting period. We reclassify the excess tax benefit resulting from the exercise of stock options out of cash flows from operating activities and into cash flows from financing activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows. See Note 11 for further discussion of specific accounting for stock-based compensation.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs

We expense advertising production costs at the time the advertising first takes place; all other advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Most of our advertising costs are included in other operating costs and expenses and were $5.8 million, $6.2 million and $7.3 million in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Preopening Costs

Preopening Costs

Preopening costs include all costs to relocate and compensate restaurant management employees during the preopening period; costs to recruit and train hourly restaurant employees; and wages, travel and lodging costs for our opening training team and other support staff members. Also included in preopening costs are expenses for maintaining a roster of trained managers for pending openings; the associated temporary housing and other costs necessary to relocate managers in alignment with future restaurant opening and operating needs; and corporate travel and support activities. We expense preopening costs as incurred.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of existing assets and liabilities using the statutory rates expected in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We account for uncertain tax positions under Financial Accounting Standards Board guidance, which prescribes a minimum probability threshold that a tax position must meet before a financial statement benefit is recognized. The minimum threshold is defined as a tax position that is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit to be recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. See Note 13 for information regarding changes in our unrecognized tax benefits during fiscal 2012.

Net Income per Share

Net Income per Share

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. At January 1, 2013, January 3, 2012 and December 28, 2010, 1.3 million, 0.8 million and 0.5 million shares, respectively, of restricted stock issued to employees were unvested, and therefore excluded from the calculation of basic earnings per share for each of the fiscal years ended on those dates. Diluted net income per share includes the dilutive effect of outstanding equity awards, calculated using the treasury stock method. Assumed proceeds from the in-the-money options include the windfall tax benefits, net of shortfalls, calculated under the “as-if” method as prescribed by FASB Accounting Standards Codification 718, “Compensation — Stock Option Compensation.”

	Fiscal Year
	2012		2011		2010
	(In thousands, except per share data)

Net income	$	98,423	$	95,720	$	81,713

Basic weighted average shares outstanding	53,185		56,378		58,905
Dilutive effect of equity awards	2,026		1,812		1,541

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	55,211		58,190		60,446

Basic net income per share	$	1.85	$	1.70	$	1.39

Diluted net income per share	$	1.78	$	1.64	$	1.35

Shares of common stock equivalents of 2.9 million, 3.4 million and 4.4 million for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were excluded from the diluted calculation due to their anti-dilutive effect.

We began paying a cash dividend to our shareholders during the third quarter of fiscal 2012. Certain of our restricted stock awards are considered participating securities as these awards include non-forfeitable rights to dividends with respect to unvested shares. As such, they must be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. Under the two-class method, a portion of net income is allocated to participating securities, and therefore is excluded from the calculation of earnings per share allocated to common shares. The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method results in an immaterial difference from the amounts displayed in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investment by and distribution to owners. Comprehensive income reported on our consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity consists of net income, the unrealized portion of changes in the fair value of our cash flow hedges and the losses reclassified into income due to cancellations of our cash flow hedges. For fiscal year 2012 and 2011, our comprehensive income consisted solely of net income.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance that provides entities with an option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether further impairment testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets is necessary. If an entity concludes that it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, quantitative impairment testing is required. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, quantitative testing is not required. This standard is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance that eliminated the previous option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity. Companies can elect to present items of net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. There are no changes to the accounting for items within comprehensive income. This standard impacts presentation only and became effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2012. In February 2013, the FASB issued additional guidance that requires companies to present information about reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income in a single note or on the face of the financial statements. This standard impacts presentation only and becomes effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2013.