Cheesecake Opens Shanghai Disney Restaurant

Cheesecake Factory Inc. expanded into Eastern Asia this month with the launch of its Shanghai location at Walt Disney Co.’s Shanghai Disney Resort. The restaurant opened June 1 by Hong-Kong-based Maxim’s Caterers Ltd. under a licensing agreement, and is located in Disneytown – the dining, shopping and entertainment hub at the resort. The Calabasas casual-dining chain has been on a winning streak this year, having kicked off the first quarter with its 25th consecutive quarter of positive same-store sales. Cheesecake also opened its second company-owned restaurant in Greenville, S.C., following the opening of an outlet in Albuquerque, N.M. in February. “We are so pleased to be opening our first Cheesecake Factory in China,” said David Overton,chief executive of Cheesecake, in a statement. “China is an exciting new area of development for us and we are so pleased to be able to bring the Cheesecake Factory’s exceptional guest experience to Disneytown in Shanghai Disney Resort.” Shanghai Disney opens to the public on June 16. The $5 billion theme park has been under construction since 2011 and includes six themed lands that will incorporate cultural concepts tailored for Chinese visitors. The park will also include attractions based on the film franchises “Star Wars” and “Frozen,” as well as Marvel superheroes. Cheesecake shares on Monday closed down 78 cents or 1.5 percent to $49.67 on the Nasdaq.