Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) vs Brinker International (EAT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) has outperformed Brinker International (EAT) over the past year, gaining 98.1% versus a gain of 45.8%. Over five years, EAT leads with a +289.8% price change compared with +148.6% for CAKE. Brinker International is the larger company by market cap ($7.76 billion vs $5.32 billion), about 1.5 times the size.
On valuation, Brinker International trades at a lower forward P/E (12.7x vs 21.4x for Cheesecake Factory). Cheesecake Factory pays a dividend yielding 1.07%, while Brinker International does not currently pay one. Brinker International converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 8.4% versus 4.0%.
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 | CAKE | EAT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $106.99 | $185.31 |
| Market cap | $5.32B | $7.76B |
| 1-day change | -1.15% | -2.69% |
| YTD return | +111.95% | +29.12% |
| 1-year return | +98.06% | +45.76% |
| 5-year return | +148.58% | +289.80% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 28.99 | 17.05 |
| Forward P/E | 21.41 | 12.73 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.69 | $10.87 |
| Dividend yield | 1.07% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.14 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.75B | $5.81B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.75% | +7.86% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $148.43M | $487.00M |
| Gross margin | — | 74.38% |
| Operating margin | 4.99% | 10.67% |
| Net margin | 3.96% | 8.39% |
| 52-week high | $118.46 | $254.99 |
| 52-week low | $43.07 | $100.30 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.68% | -27.33% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -8.94% | +41.70% |
| Average volume | 1.65M | 1.21M |
| Shares outstanding | 49.76M | 41.88M |
| Employees | 48,000 | 20,096 |
| 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
- CAKE has outperformed EAT by 52.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Cheesecake Factory trades at a higher earnings multiple (29.0x vs 17.0x trailing P/E).
- Cheesecake Factory offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.07% vs 0.00%).
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
About Brinker International
EAT stock →Brinker International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership, development, operation, and franchise of casual dining restaurants in the United States and internationally. It operates and franchises Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant brands.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 20,096 employees
CAKE vs EAT FAQ
Which is bigger, Cheesecake Factory or Brinker International?
Brinker International (EAT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.76B compared with $5.32B for Cheesecake Factory (CAKE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CAKE or EAT?
CAKE returned +98.06% over the past 12 months, compared with +45.76% for EAT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CAKE or EAT?
EAT has the lower trailing P/E at 17.0, versus 29.0 for CAKE. 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, Cheesecake Factory or Brinker International?
Cheesecake Factory pays a dividend yielding 1.07%, while Brinker International does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Cheesecake Factory and Brinker International in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Restaurants industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.