Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) vs Shake Shack (SHAK)
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 Shake Shack (SHAK) over the past year, gaining 98.1% versus a loss of 31.0%. Over five years, CAKE leads with a +148.6% price change compared with -14.9% for SHAK. Cheesecake Factory is the larger company by market cap ($5.32 billion vs $2.75 billion), about 1.9 times the size.
On valuation, Cheesecake Factory trades at a lower forward P/E (21.4x vs 45.2x for Shake Shack). Cheesecake Factory pays a dividend yielding 1.07%, while Shake Shack does not currently pay one.
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 | SHAK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $106.99 | $64.17 |
| Market cap | $5.32B | $2.75B |
| 1-day change | -1.15% | -0.68% |
| YTD return | +111.95% | -20.94% |
| 1-year return | +98.06% | -30.96% |
| 5-year return | +148.58% | -14.93% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 29.31 | 68.27 |
| Forward P/E | 21.41 | 45.24 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.65 | $0.94 |
| Dividend yield | 1.07% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.14 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.75B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.75% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $148.43M | — |
| Operating margin | 4.99% | — |
| Net margin | 3.96% | — |
| 52-week high | $118.46 | $107.46 |
| 52-week low | $43.07 | $51.60 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.68% | -40.28% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -8.94% | +25.78% |
| Average volume | 1.65M | 1.62M |
| Shares outstanding | 49.76M | 40.35M |
| Employees | 48,000 | 13,873 |
| 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 SHAK by 129.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Shake Shack trades at a higher earnings multiple (68.3x vs 29.3x 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 Shake Shack
SHAK stock →Shake Shack Inc. owns, operates, and licenses Shake Shack restaurants (Shacks) in the United States and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 13,873 employees
CAKE vs SHAK FAQ
Which is bigger, Cheesecake Factory or Shake Shack?
Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.32B compared with $2.75B for Shake Shack (SHAK).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CAKE or SHAK?
CAKE returned +98.06% over the past 12 months, compared with -30.96% for SHAK (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CAKE or SHAK?
CAKE has the lower trailing P/E at 29.3, versus 68.3 for SHAK. 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 Shake Shack?
Cheesecake Factory pays a dividend yielding 1.07%, while Shake Shack does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Cheesecake Factory and Shake Shack in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Restaurants industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.