Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) vs Yum China (YUMC)
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 Yum China (YUMC) over the past year, gaining 98.1% versus a loss of 4.5%. Over five years, CAKE leads with a +148.6% price change compared with -33.2% for YUMC. Yum China is the larger company by market cap ($14.11 billion vs $5.32 billion), about 2.7 times the size, while Cheesecake Factory is growing revenue faster (+4.7% vs +4.4%).
On valuation, Yum China trades at a lower forward P/E (12.4x vs 21.4x for Cheesecake Factory). Yum China offers the higher dividend yield (2.54% vs 1.07%). Yum China converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.9% 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 | YUMC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $106.91 | $41.78 |
| Market cap | $5.32B | $14.11B |
| 1-day change | -0.07% | +2.78% |
| YTD return | +111.95% | -14.85% |
| 1-year return | +98.06% | -4.51% |
| 5-year return | +148.58% | -33.21% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 28.97 | 15.30 |
| Forward P/E | 21.40 | 12.35 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.69 | $2.73 |
| Dividend yield | 1.07% | 2.54% |
| Annual dividend | $1.14 | $1.06 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.75B | $11.80B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.75% | +4.37% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $148.43M | $929.00M |
| Operating margin | 4.99% | 10.93% |
| Net margin | 3.96% | 7.87% |
| 52-week high | $118.46 | $58.39 |
| 52-week low | $43.07 | $39.72 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.75% | -28.45% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -8.87% | +48.20% |
| Average volume | 1.63M | 1.52M |
| Shares outstanding | 49.76M | 337.71M |
| Employees | 48,000 | 130,000 |
| 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
- Yum China is about 2.7 times larger than Cheesecake Factory by market value ($14.11B vs $5.32B).
- CAKE has outperformed YUMC by 102.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Cheesecake Factory trades at a higher earnings multiple (29.0x vs 15.3x trailing P/E).
- Yum China offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.54% vs 1.07%).
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 Yum China
YUMC stock →Yum China Holdings, Inc. owns, operates, and franchises restaurants in the People's Republic of China.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 130,000 employees
CAKE vs YUMC FAQ
Which is bigger, Cheesecake Factory or Yum China?
Yum China (YUMC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $14.11B compared with $5.32B for Cheesecake Factory (CAKE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CAKE or YUMC?
CAKE returned +98.06% over the past 12 months, compared with -4.51% for YUMC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CAKE or YUMC?
YUMC has the lower trailing P/E at 15.3, 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 Yum China?
Yum China has the higher yield at 2.54%, compared with 1.07% for Cheesecake Factory.
Are Cheesecake Factory and Yum China in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Restaurants industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.