Aramark (ARMK) vs Cheesecake Factory (CAKE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) has outperformed Aramark (ARMK) over the past year, gaining 98.1% versus a gain of 44.4%. Over five years, CAKE leads with a +148.6% price change compared with +111.2% for ARMK. Aramark is the larger company by market cap ($14.52 billion vs $5.29 billion), about 2.7 times the size.
On valuation, Aramark trades at a lower forward P/E (19.6x vs 21.3x for Cheesecake Factory). Cheesecake Factory offers the higher dividend yield (1.07% vs 0.87%). Cheesecake Factory converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 4.0% versus 1.8%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ARMK | CAKE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $55.06 | $106.25 |
| Market cap | $14.52B | $5.29B |
| 1-day change | -0.65% | -0.69% |
| YTD return | +50.35% | +111.95% |
| 1-year return | +44.40% | +98.06% |
| 5-year return | +111.16% | +148.58% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 38.50 | 28.79 |
| Forward P/E | 19.58 | 21.26 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.43 | $3.69 |
| Dividend yield | 0.87% | 1.07% |
| Annual dividend | $0.48 | $1.14 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $18.51B | $3.75B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.35% | +4.75% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $326.39M | $148.43M |
| Gross margin | 8.36% | — |
| Operating margin | 4.28% | 4.99% |
| Net margin | 1.76% | 3.96% |
| 52-week high | $62.65 | $118.46 |
| 52-week low | $35.07 | $43.07 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.11% | -10.31% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +24.41% | -8.30% |
| Average volume | 2.43M | 1.64M |
| Shares outstanding | 263.63M | 49.76M |
| Employees | 278,390 | 48,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Restaurants | Restaurants |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Aramark is about 2.7 times larger than Cheesecake Factory by market value ($14.52B vs $5.29B).
- CAKE has outperformed ARMK by 53.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Aramark trades at a higher earnings multiple (38.5x vs 28.8x trailing P/E).
About Aramark
ARMK stock →Aramark provides food and facilities services to education, healthcare, business and industry, sports, leisure, and corrections clients in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Food and Support Services United States, and Food and Support Services International.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 278,390 employees
About Cheesecake Factory
CAKE stock →The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated operates and licenses restaurants in the United States and Canada. It operates bakeries that produce cheesecakes and other baked products for its restaurants, international licensees, third-party bakery customers, external foodservice operators, retailers, and distributors.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 48,000 employees
ARMK vs CAKE FAQ
Which is bigger, Aramark or Cheesecake Factory?
Aramark (ARMK) is larger, with a market capitalization of $14.52B compared with $5.29B for Cheesecake Factory (CAKE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ARMK or CAKE?
CAKE returned +98.06% over the past 12 months, compared with +44.40% for ARMK (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ARMK or CAKE?
CAKE has the lower trailing P/E at 28.8, versus 38.5 for ARMK. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Aramark or Cheesecake Factory?
Cheesecake Factory has the higher yield at 1.07%, compared with 0.87% for Aramark.
Are Aramark and Cheesecake Factory in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Restaurants industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.