The leading casual-dining restaurant in the U.S.A., The Cheesecake Factory, has made its much-anticipated international debut at The Dubai Mall, opening under a license agreement with Alshaya Trading Co., W.L.L. on August 16, 2012.
This opening marks the first location for the brand outside of the United States. The restaurant, occupying 13,851 square feet with 300 seats, is located opposite the Dubai Aquarium and is open daily for lunch and dinner.
“For nearly 35 years, The Cheesecake Factory has been the benchmark for menu innovation, food quality, ambiance, and hospitality,” says David Overton, chairman and CEO of The Cheesecake Factory Incoporated. “Our reputation and brand awareness are far-reaching, and we look forward to the expansion of The Cheesecake Factory throughout the Middle East and globally. The restaurant in the Dubai Mall is in a premier location with a view of the Aquarium that is quite impressive.
“In keeping with our high standards, menu items will be made in-house, to order, using only the freshest of ingredients. The menu will also offer our full line of award-winning desserts, including over 30 varieties of cheesecakes and other baked desserts made by our bakery production facilities in the U.S. to ensure quality and consistency,” he continues. “Guests will experience fantastic food served in an upscale ambiance within a casual setting.”
Alshaya’s exclusive licensing agreement with The Cheesecake Factory provides for the development of its restaurants across the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The agreement also gives Alshaya the opportunity to expand The Cheesecake Factory into its other operating markets in the Middle East and North Africa, Russia, Turkey, and Europe.
“The Cheesecake Factory is a fantastic addition to our restaurant portfolio and is certain to be hugely popular with the people of Dubai, who will appreciate the great food, wonderful service, and inviting atmosphere that has made this restaurant renowned the world over,” says Mohammed Alshaya, executive chairman of M.H. Alyshaya Co. “There is incredible demand for The Cheesecake Factory and we are excited to partner with such an iconic brand. We already charted out an extensive expansion plan and are looking forward to continued success with the brand across the Middle East and beyond.”
