<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?>
<!-- Created by Merrill Corporation -->
<!--XBRL document created with Merrill Bridge  9.0.0.120 -->
<!--Based on XBRL 2.1-->
<!--Created on: 3/1/2019 11:40:17 AM-->
<!--Modified on: 3/1/2019 11:40:17 AM-->
<link:linkbase xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-roles-2018-01-31.xsd#eedm" roleURI="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#StatementConsolidatedStatementOfStockholdersEquity" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementOfStockholdersEquity" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesIntangibleAssetsNetDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesIntangibleAssetsNetDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsAndLeaseTerminationsDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsAndLeaseTerminationsDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenueRecognitionDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenueRecognitionDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesNetIncomePerShareDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesNetIncomePerShareDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRecentAccountingPronouncementsDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRecentAccountingPronouncementsDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosureLongTermDebtDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureLongTermDebtDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosureStockholdersEquityDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosureStockBasedCompensationDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosureStockBasedCompensationNetOfTaxDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationNetOfTaxDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosureStockBasedCompensationWeightedAverageFairValueDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationWeightedAverageFairValueDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosureEmployeeBenefitPlansDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitPlansDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosureIncomeTaxesTemporaryDifferencesDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTemporaryDifferencesDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosureSegmentInformationDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialDataAssetImpairmentUnauditedDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialDataAssetImpairmentUnauditedDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <roleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#DisclosureSubsequentEventsDetails" roleURI="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsDetails" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="Extensible Enumeration Domain Members" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="00400 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_636870372161837418" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_636870372161837418" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_636870372161837418" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_636870372161837418" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_CommonStockMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding" xlink:label="us-gaap_SharesOutstanding" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_SharesOutstanding" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption" xlink:label="us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAdjustedBalance1" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAdjustedBalance1" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAdjustedBalance1" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic" xlink:label="us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax" xlink:label="us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash" xlink:label="us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="7" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="8" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensation" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="9" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="10" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="11" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="40101 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsForChangeInAccountingPrincipleAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForChangeInAccountingPrincipleAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForChangeInAccountingPrincipleAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForChangeInAccountingPrincipleAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember_636870372161837418" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForChangeInAccountingPrincipleAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember_636870372161837418" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsAsContraRevenueVersusOtherOperatingExpenseMember" xlink:label="cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsAsContraRevenueVersusOtherOperatingExpenseMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember" xlink:to="cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsAsContraRevenueVersusOtherOperatingExpenseMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsReclassifiedFromCostOfSalesToOperatingExpensesMember" xlink:label="cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsReclassifiedFromCostOfSalesToOperatingExpensesMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember" xlink:to="cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsReclassifiedFromCostOfSalesToOperatingExpensesMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsReclassifiedFromLaborToOperatingExpensesMember" xlink:label="cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsReclassifiedFromLaborToOperatingExpensesMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember" xlink:to="cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsReclassifiedFromLaborToOperatingExpensesMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_636870372161837418" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_636870372161837418" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LandBuildingsAndImprovementsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_LandBuildingsAndImprovementsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_LandBuildingsAndImprovementsMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_RestaurantFixturesAndEquipmentMember" xlink:label="cake_RestaurantFixturesAndEquipmentMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:to="cake_RestaurantFixturesAndEquipmentMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TechnologyEquipmentMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_TechnologyEquipmentMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_TechnologyEquipmentMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis" xlink:label="srt_RangeAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable" xlink:to="srt_RangeAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="srt_RangeMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="srt_RangeAxis" xlink:to="srt_RangeMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="srt_RangeMember_636870372161837418" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="srt_RangeAxis" xlink:to="srt_RangeMember_636870372161837418" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember" xlink:label="srt_MinimumMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="srt_RangeMember" xlink:to="srt_MinimumMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember" xlink:label="srt_MaximumMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="srt_RangeMember" xlink:to="srt_MaximumMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_DescriptionOfBusinessAbstract" xlink:label="cake_DescriptionOfBusinessAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:to="cake_DescriptionOfBusinessAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfRestaurants" xlink:label="us-gaap_NumberOfRestaurants" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="cake_DescriptionOfBusinessAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_NumberOfRestaurants" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_NumberOfInternationalLocationsOperatingUnderLicensingAgreements" xlink:label="cake_NumberOfInternationalLocationsOperatingUnderLicensingAgreements" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="cake_DescriptionOfBusinessAbstract" xlink:to="cake_NumberOfInternationalLocationsOperatingUnderLicensingAgreements" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_NumberOfBakeryProductionFacilities" xlink:label="cake_NumberOfBakeryProductionFacilities" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="cake_DescriptionOfBusinessAbstract" xlink:to="cake_NumberOfBakeryProductionFacilities" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_LengthOfFiscalYear" xlink:label="cake_LengthOfFiscalYear" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstract" xlink:to="cake_LengthOfFiscalYear" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax" xlink:label="us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenses" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingExpenses" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingExpenses" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditAndDebitCardReceivablesAtCarryingValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_CreditAndDebitCardReceivablesAtCarryingValue" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_CreditAndDebitCardReceivablesAtCarryingValue" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_CreditCardSalesConversionToCashPeriod" xlink:label="cake_CreditCardSalesConversionToCashPeriod" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAbstract" xlink:to="cake_CreditCardSalesConversionToCashPeriod" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ConcentrationOfCreditRiskAbstract" xlink:label="cake_ConcentrationOfCreditRiskAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:to="cake_ConcentrationOfCreditRiskAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashFDICInsuredAmount" xlink:label="us-gaap_CashFDICInsuredAmount" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="cake_ConcentrationOfCreditRiskAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_CashFDICInsuredAmount" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAtFairValueAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAtFairValueAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="7" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAtFairValueAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommitmentsFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommitmentsFairValueDisclosure" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAtFairValueAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_CommitmentsFairValueDisclosure" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsNoncurrent" xlink:label="us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsNoncurrent" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAtFairValueAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsNoncurrent" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesIntangibleAssetsNetDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="40102 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Intangible assets, net (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_636870372161993693" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_636870372161993693" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TrademarksMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_TrademarksMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_TrademarksMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_NonTransferableAlcoholicBeverageLicensesMember" xlink:label="cake_NonTransferableAlcoholicBeverageLicensesMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember" xlink:to="cake_NonTransferableAlcoholicBeverageLicensesMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_TransferableAlcoholicBeverageLicensesMember" xlink:label="cake_TransferableAlcoholicBeverageLicensesMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember" xlink:to="cake_TransferableAlcoholicBeverageLicensesMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill" xlink:label="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets" xlink:label="us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsAndLeaseTerminationsDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="40103 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Lease Terminations (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ScheduleOfAssetImpairmentAndLeaseTerminationsTable" xlink:label="cake_ScheduleOfAssetImpairmentAndLeaseTerminationsTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="cake_ScheduleOfAssetImpairmentAndLeaseTerminationsTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentDomain_636870372161993693" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SegmentDomain_636870372161993693" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_TheCheesecakeFactoryMember" xlink:label="cake_TheCheesecakeFactoryMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="cake_TheCheesecakeFactoryMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ThreeCheesecakeFactoryMember" xlink:label="cake_ThreeCheesecakeFactoryMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="cake_TheCheesecakeFactoryMember" xlink:to="cake_ThreeCheesecakeFactoryMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_GrandLuxCafeMember" xlink:label="cake_GrandLuxCafeMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="cake_GrandLuxCafeMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_RockSugarSoutheastAsianKitchenMember" xlink:label="cake_RockSugarSoutheastAsianKitchenMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="cake_RockSugarSoutheastAsianKitchenMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="2" xlink:from="cake_ScheduleOfAssetImpairmentAndLeaseTerminationsTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_636870372161993693" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_636870372161993693" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_NorthItaliaMember" xlink:label="cake_NorthItaliaMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:to="cake_NorthItaliaMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_FlowerChildMember" xlink:label="cake_FlowerChildMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:to="cake_FlowerChildMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_AssetImpairmentAndLeaseTerminationsLineItems" xlink:label="cake_AssetImpairmentAndLeaseTerminationsLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="cake_AssetImpairmentAndLeaseTerminationsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_ScheduleOfAssetImpairmentAndLeaseTerminationsTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ImpairmentOfAssetsAndLeaseTerminations" xlink:label="cake_ImpairmentOfAssetsAndLeaseTerminations" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="cake_AssetImpairmentAndLeaseTerminationsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_ImpairmentOfAssetsAndLeaseTerminations" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ImpairmentOfAssetsAndLeaseTerminationsNumberOfRestaurants" xlink:label="cake_ImpairmentOfAssetsAndLeaseTerminationsNumberOfRestaurants" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="cake_AssetImpairmentAndLeaseTerminationsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_ImpairmentOfAssetsAndLeaseTerminationsNumberOfRestaurants" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_NumberOfRestaurantsDiscontinuedOperations" xlink:label="cake_NumberOfRestaurantsDiscontinuedOperations" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="cake_AssetImpairmentAndLeaseTerminationsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_NumberOfRestaurantsDiscontinuedOperations" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_NumberOfRestaurantsRelatedToRelocation" xlink:label="cake_NumberOfRestaurantsRelatedToRelocation" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="cake_AssetImpairmentAndLeaseTerminationsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_NumberOfRestaurantsRelatedToRelocation" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_NumberOfRestaurantsRelatedToPlannedRelocation" xlink:label="cake_NumberOfRestaurantsRelatedToPlannedRelocation" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="cake_AssetImpairmentAndLeaseTerminationsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_NumberOfRestaurantsRelatedToPlannedRelocation" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_NumberOfRestaurantsRelatedToLeaseExpiration" xlink:label="cake_NumberOfRestaurantsRelatedToLeaseExpiration" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="7" xlink:from="cake_AssetImpairmentAndLeaseTerminationsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_NumberOfRestaurantsRelatedToLeaseExpiration" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_InvestmentsInUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAbstract" xlink:label="cake_InvestmentsInUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="8" xlink:from="cake_AssetImpairmentAndLeaseTerminationsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_InvestmentsInUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_EquityInvestmentsInNumberOfRestaurants" xlink:label="cake_EquityInvestmentsInNumberOfRestaurants" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="cake_InvestmentsInUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAbstract" xlink:to="cake_EquityInvestmentsInNumberOfRestaurants" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage" xlink:label="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="cake_InvestmentsInUnconsolidatedAffiliatesAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenueRecognitionDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="40104 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis" xlink:label="srt_RangeAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:to="srt_RangeAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="srt_RangeMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="srt_RangeAxis" xlink:to="srt_RangeMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember" xlink:label="srt_MinimumMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="srt_RangeMember" xlink:to="srt_MinimumMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember" xlink:label="srt_MaximumMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="srt_RangeMember" xlink:to="srt_MaximumMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:label="srt_ProductOrServiceAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:to="srt_ProductOrServiceAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="srt_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:to="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_636870372161993693" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="srt_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:to="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_636870372161993693" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ConsumerPackagedGoodsMember" xlink:label="cake_ConsumerPackagedGoodsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="cake_ConsumerPackagedGoodsMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_DevelopmentAndSiteFeeMember" xlink:label="cake_DevelopmentAndSiteFeeMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="cake_DevelopmentAndSiteFeeMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_PromotionalProgramsMember" xlink:label="cake_PromotionalProgramsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:to="cake_PromotionalProgramsMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_636870372161993693" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_636870372161993693" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_NewSiteAgreementsMember" xlink:label="cake_NewSiteAgreementsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:to="cake_NewSiteAgreementsMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_RevenueRecognitionGuaranteeAgreementTerm" xlink:label="cake_RevenueRecognitionGuaranteeAgreementTerm" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerAbstract" xlink:to="cake_RevenueRecognitionGuaranteeAgreementTerm" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_RevenueRecognitionLicenseeAgreementTerm" xlink:label="cake_RevenueRecognitionLicenseeAgreementTerm" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerAbstract" xlink:to="cake_RevenueRecognitionLicenseeAgreementTerm" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_RevenueRecognitionGiftCardsBreakagePeriod" xlink:label="cake_RevenueRecognitionGiftCardsBreakagePeriod" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerAbstract" xlink:to="cake_RevenueRecognitionGiftCardsBreakagePeriod" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability" xlink:label="us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized" xlink:label="us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesNetIncomePerShareDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="40105 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Net income per share (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_636870372161993693" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_636870372161993693" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_RestrictedSharesAndRestrictedShareUnitsMember" xlink:label="cake_RestrictedSharesAndRestrictedShareUnitsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:to="cake_RestrictedSharesAndRestrictedShareUnitsMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpenseAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpenseAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpenseAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpenseAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic" xlink:label="us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic" xlink:label="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment" xlink:label="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberDilutedSharesOutstandingAdjustment" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic" xlink:label="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted" xlink:label="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xlink:label="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="7" xlink:from="us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRecentAccountingPronouncementsDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="40106 - Disclosure - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementEarlyAdoptionAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementEarlyAdoptionAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementEarlyAdoptionAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPrinciplesEarlyAdoptionMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_NewAccountingPrinciplesEarlyAdoptionMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementEarlyAdoptionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_NewAccountingPrinciplesEarlyAdoptionMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPrinciplesEarlyAdoptionMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_NewAccountingPrinciplesEarlyAdoptionMember_636870372161993693" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementEarlyAdoptionAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_NewAccountingPrinciplesEarlyAdoptionMember_636870372161993693" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementEarlyAdoptionEffectMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementEarlyAdoptionEffectMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_NewAccountingPrinciplesEarlyAdoptionMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementEarlyAdoptionEffectMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_AccountingStandardsUpdate201815Member" xlink:label="cake_AccountingStandardsUpdate201815Member" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:to="cake_AccountingStandardsUpdate201815Member" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:to="us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LeasePracticalExpedientUseOfHindsight" xlink:label="us-gaap_LeasePracticalExpedientUseOfHindsight" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LeasePracticalExpedientUseOfHindsight" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_CapitalizedImplementationCosts" xlink:label="cake_CapitalizedImplementationCosts" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" xlink:to="cake_CapitalizedImplementationCosts" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability" xlink:label="us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="7" xlink:from="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOnRetainedEarningsNetOfTax1" xlink:label="us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOnRetainedEarningsNetOfTax1" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="8" xlink:from="us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOnRetainedEarningsNetOfTax1" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="40501 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovementsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovementsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovementsMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_BuildingMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_BuildingMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_RestaurantFixturesAndEquipmentMember" xlink:label="cake_RestaurantFixturesAndEquipmentMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:to="cake_RestaurantFixturesAndEquipmentMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TechnologyEquipmentMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_TechnologyEquipmentMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_TechnologyEquipmentMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_RestaurantSmallwareMember" xlink:label="cake_RestaurantSmallwareMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:to="cake_RestaurantSmallwareMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="7" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet" xlink:label="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Depreciation" xlink:label="us-gaap_Depreciation" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_Depreciation" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfPropertyRepairsAndMaintenance" xlink:label="us-gaap_CostOfPropertyRepairsAndMaintenance" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_CostOfPropertyRepairsAndMaintenance" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_NetExpenseOnPropertyAndEquipmentDisposals" xlink:label="cake_NetExpenseOnPropertyAndEquipmentDisposals" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="7" xlink:from="us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:to="cake_NetExpenseOnPropertyAndEquipmentDisposals" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="40901 - Disclosure - Long-Term Debt (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_VariableRateAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_VariableRateAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_VariableRateDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_VariableRateAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_VariableRateDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_636870372161993693" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_VariableRateAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_636870372161993693" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_VariableRateDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_FederalFundsEffectiveRateMember" xlink:label="cake_FederalFundsEffectiveRateMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_VariableRateDomain" xlink:to="cake_FederalFundsEffectiveRateMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_OneMonthAdjustedLIBORateMember" xlink:label="cake_OneMonthAdjustedLIBORateMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_VariableRateDomain" xlink:to="cake_OneMonthAdjustedLIBORateMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis" xlink:label="srt_RangeAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:to="srt_RangeAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="srt_RangeMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="srt_RangeAxis" xlink:to="srt_RangeMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember" xlink:label="srt_MinimumMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="srt_RangeMember" xlink:to="srt_MinimumMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember" xlink:label="srt_MaximumMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="srt_RangeMember" xlink:to="srt_MaximumMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCapacityAvailableForSpecificPurposeOtherThanForTradePurchases" xlink:label="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCapacityAvailableForSpecificPurposeOtherThanForTradePurchases" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCapacityAvailableForSpecificPurposeOtherThanForTradePurchases" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_LineOfCreditFacilityBorrowingCapacityIncreaseAvailable" xlink:label="cake_LineOfCreditFacilityBorrowingCapacityIncreaseAvailable" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="cake_LineOfCreditFacilityBorrowingCapacityIncreaseAvailable" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnusedBorrowingCapacityAmount" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnusedBorrowingCapacityAmount" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnusedBorrowingCapacityAmount" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit" xlink:label="us-gaap_LineOfCredit" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LineOfCredit" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount" xlink:label="us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="7" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_DebtInstrumentFinancialCovenantAdjustedDebtRatio" xlink:label="cake_DebtInstrumentFinancialCovenantAdjustedDebtRatio" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="8" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="cake_DebtInstrumentFinancialCovenantAdjustedDebtRatio" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_DebtInstrumentFinancialCovenantEBITDARRatio" xlink:label="cake_DebtInstrumentFinancialCovenantEBITDARRatio" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="9" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="cake_DebtInstrumentFinancialCovenantEBITDARRatio" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_DebtInstrumentAdjustedDebtRatio" xlink:label="cake_DebtInstrumentAdjustedDebtRatio" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="10" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="cake_DebtInstrumentAdjustedDebtRatio" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_DebtInstrumentEBITDARRatio" xlink:label="cake_DebtInstrumentEBITDARRatio" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="11" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="cake_DebtInstrumentEBITDARRatio" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="12" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1" xlink:label="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="13" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_DebtInstrumentFixedPercentageAddedToVariableRateBasisPercentage" xlink:label="cake_DebtInstrumentFixedPercentageAddedToVariableRateBasisPercentage" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="14" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="cake_DebtInstrumentFixedPercentageAddedToVariableRateBasisPercentage" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized" xlink:label="us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="15" xlink:from="us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="41101 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfOperatingLeasedAssetsTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfOperatingLeasedAssetsTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis" xlink:label="srt_RangeAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfOperatingLeasedAssetsTable" xlink:to="srt_RangeAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="srt_RangeMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="srt_RangeAxis" xlink:to="srt_RangeMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember" xlink:label="srt_MinimumMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="srt_RangeMember" xlink:to="srt_MinimumMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember" xlink:label="srt_MaximumMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="srt_RangeMember" xlink:to="srt_MaximumMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfOperatingLeasedAssetsTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain_636870372161993693" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain_636870372161993693" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InternalRevenueServiceIRSMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_InternalRevenueServiceIRSMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_InternalRevenueServiceIRSMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfOperatingLeasedAssetsTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_NorthItaliaAndFlowerChildMember" xlink:label="cake_NorthItaliaAndFlowerChildMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain" xlink:to="cake_NorthItaliaAndFlowerChildMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfOperatingLeasedAssetsTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_636870372161993693" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_636870372161993693" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScenarioForecastMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfOperatingLeasedAssetsTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_OperatingLeaseTerms" xlink:label="cake_OperatingLeaseTerms" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_OperatingLeaseTerms" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_OperatingLeasesContingentRentPercentageOfRevenues" xlink:label="cake_OperatingLeasesContingentRentPercentageOfRevenues" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_OperatingLeasesContingentRentPercentageOfRevenues" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceSheetAmount" xlink:label="us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceSheetAmount" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceSheetAmount" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceOnFirstAnniversary" xlink:label="us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceOnFirstAnniversary" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceOnFirstAnniversary" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1" xlink:label="us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ObligationsInCombinedGrowthCapital" xlink:label="cake_ObligationsInCombinedGrowthCapital" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="7" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_ObligationsInCombinedGrowthCapital" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount" xlink:label="us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="8" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserveNoncurrent" xlink:label="us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserveNoncurrent" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="9" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserveNoncurrent" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationEstimateOfPossibleLoss" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationEstimateOfPossibleLoss" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="10" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationEstimateOfPossibleLoss" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_NumberOfAdditionalLawSuitsFiled" xlink:label="cake_NumberOfAdditionalLawSuitsFiled" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="11" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_NumberOfAdditionalLawSuitsFiled" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_NumberOfPresentAndFormerRestaurantHourlyEmployeesFiledClassActionLawsuit" xlink:label="cake_NumberOfPresentAndFormerRestaurantHourlyEmployeesFiledClassActionLawsuit" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="12" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_NumberOfPresentAndFormerRestaurantHourlyEmployeesFiledClassActionLawsuit" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_PaymentsRequiredUnderEventOfActualOrConstructiveTerminationOfEmployment" xlink:label="cake_PaymentsRequiredUnderEventOfActualOrConstructiveTerminationOfEmployment" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="13" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_PaymentsRequiredUnderEventOfActualOrConstructiveTerminationOfEmployment" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedBonusesCurrentAndNoncurrent" xlink:label="us-gaap_AccruedBonusesCurrentAndNoncurrent" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="14" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AccruedBonusesCurrentAndNoncurrent" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_AnnualFoundersRetirementBenefit" xlink:label="cake_AnnualFoundersRetirementBenefit" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="15" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_AnnualFoundersRetirementBenefit" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_NumberOfYearsAnnualFoundersRetirementBenefitAfterTerminationOfFullTimeEmployment" xlink:label="cake_NumberOfYearsAnnualFoundersRetirementBenefitAfterTerminationOfFullTimeEmployment" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="16" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_NumberOfYearsAnnualFoundersRetirementBenefitAfterTerminationOfFullTimeEmployment" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_PeriodAfterTerminationOfFullTimeEmploymentAnnualFoundersRetirementBenefit" xlink:label="cake_PeriodAfterTerminationOfFullTimeEmploymentAnnualFoundersRetirementBenefit" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="17" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_PeriodAfterTerminationOfFullTimeEmploymentAnnualFoundersRetirementBenefit" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="18" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="7" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="19" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasedAssetsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumRentals" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumRentals" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseMinimumRentals" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseContingentRentals" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseContingentRentals" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseContingentRentals" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseOtherCharges" xlink:label="cake_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseOtherCharges" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseAbstract" xlink:to="cake_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseOtherCharges" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseNet" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseNet" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseNet" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="41201 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_636870372161993693" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_636870372161993693" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod" xlink:label="us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="7" xlink:from="us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="41301 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_636870372161993693" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_636870372161993693" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_RestrictedSharesAndRestrictedShareUnitsMember" xlink:label="cake_RestrictedSharesAndRestrictedShareUnitsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="cake_RestrictedSharesAndRestrictedShareUnitsMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis" xlink:label="srt_RangeAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="srt_RangeAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="srt_RangeMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="srt_RangeAxis" xlink:to="srt_RangeMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember" xlink:label="srt_MinimumMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="srt_RangeMember" xlink:to="srt_MinimumMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember" xlink:label="srt_MaximumMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="srt_RangeMember" xlink:to="srt_MaximumMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_VestingRightsPercentage" xlink:label="cake_VestingRightsPercentage" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="cake_VestingRightsPercentage" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" xlink:label="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationNetOfTaxDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="41302 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Net of Tax (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_636870372161993693" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_636870372161993693" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_LaborExpensesMember" xlink:label="cake_LaborExpensesMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:to="cake_LaborExpensesMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_OtherOperatingCostsAndExpensesMember" xlink:label="cake_OtherOperatingCostsAndExpensesMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:to="cake_OtherOperatingCostsAndExpensesMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xlink:label="us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax" xlink:label="us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_BenefitInShareBasedCompensationExpenseOutOfPeriodAdjustmentRelatedToCorrectionInStockBasedCompensationValuationAndForfeitures" xlink:label="cake_BenefitInShareBasedCompensationExpenseOutOfPeriodAdjustmentRelatedToCorrectionInStockBasedCompensationValuationAndForfeitures" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems" xlink:to="cake_BenefitInShareBasedCompensationExpenseOutOfPeriodAdjustmentRelatedToCorrectionInStockBasedCompensationValuationAndForfeitures" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationWeightedAverageFairValueDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="41303 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation - Weighted Average Fair Value (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_RestrictedSharesAndRestrictedShareUnitsMember" xlink:label="cake_RestrictedSharesAndRestrictedShareUnitsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="cake_RestrictedSharesAndRestrictedShareUnitsMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" xlink:label="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised" xlink:label="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAdditionalGeneralDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAdditionalGeneralDisclosuresAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAdditionalGeneralDisclosuresAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAdditionalGeneralDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAdditionalGeneralDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAdditionalGeneralDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAdditionalGeneralDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAdditionalGeneralDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" xlink:label="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1" xlink:label="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAggregateIntrinsicValueAbstract" xlink:label="cake_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAggregateIntrinsicValueAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="7" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="cake_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAggregateIntrinsicValueAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="cake_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAggregateIntrinsicValueAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1" xlink:label="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="cake_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAggregateIntrinsicValueAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="cake_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAggregateIntrinsicValueAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="8" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="9" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAggregateDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAggregateDisclosuresAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="10" xlink:from="us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAggregateDisclosuresAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAggregateDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1" xlink:label="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAggregateDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitPlansDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="41401 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plans (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_636870372162149973" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_636870372162149973" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_InternalRevenueCode401kPlanMember" xlink:label="cake_InternalRevenueCode401kPlanMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="cake_InternalRevenueCode401kPlanMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_CheesecakeFactoryIncorporatedExecutiveSavingsPlanMember" xlink:label="cake_CheesecakeFactoryIncorporatedExecutiveSavingsPlanMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="cake_CheesecakeFactoryIncorporatedExecutiveSavingsPlanMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_NumberOfInvestmentOptionsAvailableMinimum" xlink:label="cake_NumberOfInvestmentOptionsAvailableMinimum" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems" xlink:to="cake_NumberOfInvestmentOptionsAvailableMinimum" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized" xlink:label="us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_DeferredCompensationPlanEmployeeDeferralLimitPercentageOfBonuses" xlink:label="cake_DeferredCompensationPlanEmployeeDeferralLimitPercentageOfBonuses" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems" xlink:to="cake_DeferredCompensationPlanEmployeeDeferralLimitPercentageOfBonuses" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserveCurrent" xlink:label="us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserveCurrent" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserveCurrent" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTemporaryDifferencesDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="41502 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Temporary Differences (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_636870372162149973" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_636870372162149973" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsEmployeeBenefits" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsEmployeeBenefits" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsEmployeeBenefits" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsSelfInsurance" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsSelfInsurance" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsSelfInsurance" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsDeferredRent" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsDeferredRent" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccrualsDeferredRent" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsDeferredIncome" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsDeferredIncome" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsDeferredIncome" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsShareBasedCompensationCost" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsShareBasedCompensationCost" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseCompensationAndBenefitsShareBasedCompensationCost" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwards" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwards" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxCreditCarryforwards" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOther" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOther" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="7" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOther" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGross" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGross" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="8" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGross" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="9" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNet" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNet" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="10" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNet" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxLiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:label="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxLiabilitiesAbstract" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxLiabilitiesAbstract" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxLiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPropertyPlantAndEquipment" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPrepaidExpenses" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPrepaidExpenses" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxLiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPrepaidExpenses" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesDeferredExpenseCapitalizedInventoryCosts" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesDeferredExpenseCapitalizedInventoryCosts" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxLiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesDeferredExpenseCapitalizedInventoryCosts" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxLiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesOther" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilities" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilities" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxLiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilities" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities" xlink:label="us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:to="us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReconciliationOfUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsExcludingAmountsPertainingToExaminedTaxReturnsRollForward" xlink:label="us-gaap_ReconciliationOfUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsExcludingAmountsPertainingToExaminedTaxReturnsRollForward" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ReconciliationOfUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsExcludingAmountsPertainingToExaminedTaxReturnsRollForward" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits" xlink:label="us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ReconciliationOfUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsExcludingAmountsPertainingToExaminedTaxReturnsRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions" xlink:label="us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ReconciliationOfUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsExcludingAmountsPertainingToExaminedTaxReturnsRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthoritiesAndLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations" xlink:label="cake_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthoritiesAndLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ReconciliationOfUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsExcludingAmountsPertainingToExaminedTaxReturnsRollForward" xlink:to="cake_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthoritiesAndLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued" xlink:label="us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_ReconciliationOfUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsExcludingAmountsPertainingToExaminedTaxReturnsRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleAmountOfUnrecordedBenefit" xlink:label="us-gaap_SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleAmountOfUnrecordedBenefit" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_ReconciliationOfUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsExcludingAmountsPertainingToExaminedTaxReturnsRollForward" xlink:to="us-gaap_SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleAmountOfUnrecordedBenefit" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardAmount" xlink:label="us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardAmount" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardAmount" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardValuationAllowance" xlink:label="us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardValuationAllowance" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardValuationAllowance" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="41601 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_TheCheesecakeFactoryMember" xlink:label="cake_TheCheesecakeFactoryMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="cake_TheCheesecakeFactoryMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_CorporateMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_CorporateMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax" xlink:label="us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization" xlink:label="us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets" xlink:label="us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets" xlink:label="us-gaap_Assets" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_Assets" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ImpairmentOfAssetsAndLeaseTerminations" xlink:label="cake_ImpairmentOfAssetsAndLeaseTerminations" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="7" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:to="cake_ImpairmentOfAssetsAndLeaseTerminations" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureQuarterlyFinancialDataAssetImpairmentUnauditedDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="41702 - Disclosure - Quarterly Financial Data - Asset impairment (unaudited) (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ScheduleOfAssetImpairmentTestingTable" xlink:label="cake_ScheduleOfAssetImpairmentTestingTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsForChangeInAccountingPrincipleAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForChangeInAccountingPrincipleAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="cake_ScheduleOfAssetImpairmentTestingTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForChangeInAccountingPrincipleAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_AdjustmentsForChangeInAccountingPrincipleAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsAsContraRevenueVersusOtherOperatingExpenseMember" xlink:label="cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsAsContraRevenueVersusOtherOperatingExpenseMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember" xlink:to="cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsAsContraRevenueVersusOtherOperatingExpenseMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsReclassifiedFromCostOfSalesToOperatingExpensesMember" xlink:label="cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsReclassifiedFromCostOfSalesToOperatingExpensesMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember" xlink:to="cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsReclassifiedFromCostOfSalesToOperatingExpensesMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsReclassifiedFromLaborToOperatingExpensesMember" xlink:label="cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsReclassifiedFromLaborToOperatingExpensesMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingPrincipleMember" xlink:to="cake_ClassifyingComplimentaryMealsReclassifiedFromLaborToOperatingExpensesMember" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="2" xlink:from="cake_ScheduleOfAssetImpairmentTestingTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_TheCheesecakeFactoryMember" xlink:label="cake_TheCheesecakeFactoryMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:to="cake_TheCheesecakeFactoryMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_AssetImpairmentLineItems" xlink:label="cake_AssetImpairmentLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="cake_AssetImpairmentLineItems" xlink:to="cake_ScheduleOfAssetImpairmentTestingTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax" xlink:label="us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="cake_AssetImpairmentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenses" xlink:label="us-gaap_OperatingExpenses" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="3" xlink:from="cake_AssetImpairmentLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_OperatingExpenses" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ImpairmentOfAssetsAndLeaseTerminations" xlink:label="cake_ImpairmentOfAssetsAndLeaseTerminations" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="4" xlink:from="cake_AssetImpairmentLineItems" xlink:to="cake_ImpairmentOfAssetsAndLeaseTerminations" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_ImpactOfImpairmentOfAssetsAndLeaseTerminationsOnNetIncome" xlink:label="cake_ImpactOfImpairmentOfAssetsAndLeaseTerminationsOnNetIncome" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="5" xlink:from="cake_AssetImpairmentLineItems" xlink:to="cake_ImpactOfImpairmentOfAssetsAndLeaseTerminationsOnNetIncome" priority="1" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cake-20190101.xsd#cake_TaxCutsAndJobsAct2017ChangeInTaxRateIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitRevaluationOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilities" xlink:label="cake_TaxCutsAndJobsAct2017ChangeInTaxRateIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitRevaluationOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilities" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="6" xlink:from="cake_AssetImpairmentLineItems" xlink:to="cake_TaxCutsAndJobsAct2017ChangeInTaxRateIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitRevaluationOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilities" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="extended" xlink:title="41801 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase">
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_636870372162149973" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_636870372162149973" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" use="optional" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:label="us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" order="1" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable" use="optional" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xbrldt:closed="true" />
    <loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared" xlink:label="us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared" />
    <definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" order="2" xlink:from="us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared" priority="1" use="optional" />
  </definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
