Cheesecake taps Rare vet Benn as CFOCheesecake taps Rare vet Benn as CFO

Lisa Jennings

CALABASAS HILLS Calif. Industry veteran W. Douglas Benn was named executive vice president and chief financial officer of The Cheesecake Factory Inc., officials said Tuesday.

Benn was most recently executive vice president and chief financial officer of Rare Hospitality International, which was parent to the LongHorn Steakhouse and The Capital Grille concepts before the brands were sold to Darden Restaurants in 2007. He replaces former senior vice president and chief financial officer Michael Dixon, who left The Cheesecake Factory in July 2008 and shortly after was named chief financial officer of the Los Angeles-based Pinkberry frozen yogurt chain.

“Doug is a proven leader with an extensive background in the restaurant industry and we are delighted to have him join us,” said David Overton, Cheesecake Factory's chairman and chief executive. “Doug brings a broad base of expertise to our company with strengths that go beyond the traditional responsibilities of a CFO. He is a strategic thinker with a demonstrated ability to positively influence the growth goals and direction of a company. I’m confident that Doug will add tremendous value in helping to position our company for healthy long-term growth.”

Based in Calabasas Hills, The Cheesecake Factory Inc. operates 159 restaurants under its namesake brand, as well as the Grand Lux Cafe and RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen brands. Two bakery-cafe outlets are licensed, and the company owns two bakery production facilities.

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].