The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (NASDAQ:CAKE) today announced that
it has named Michael E. Jannini as President of The Cheesecake Factory
Incorporated, effective February 16, 2010. Mr. Jannini will be
responsible for leading the Company’s restaurant operations, marketing,
purchasing, quality assurance and guest experience departments.
Mr. Jannini is a veteran of the hospitality industry having spent over
20 years in various management roles with Marriott International, Inc.
He most recently served as Executive Vice President and General Manager
of Global Brand Strategy and Innovation at Marriott. In this role, he
developed comprehensive, long-term strategies to drive the company’s
future brand investment and protect its industry-leading competitive
position. Key highlights of Mr. Jannini’s prior roles with the company
include leading the global brand management of Marriott’s 17 brands
worldwide and various operational roles in both regional and local
capacities.
"Mike’s success in guiding the long-term growth and profitability of a
high-quality, consumer-driven brand in the hospitality industry makes
him well suited for his role as President of The Cheesecake Factory
Incorporated,” said David Overton, Chairman and CEO. "Mike is a
results-oriented leader who brings a wealth of experience to our Company
spanning multiple disciplines. He is a strategic thinker and
collaborator with a service-minded orientation. I am very excited to
have Mike join us and extend a warm welcome to him on behalf of our
Board of Directors and the entire management team.”
The Company also announced two additional key leadership appointments.
David M. Gordon has been named Chief Operating Officer of the Company’s
restaurants and Dina R. Barmasse-Gray has been named Senior Vice
President of Human Resources.
Mr. Gordon, a 17-year veteran of The Cheesecake Factory, was formerly
Senior Vice President of Operations for The Cheesecake Factory
restaurants. He will continue to lead all operations for the Company’s
namesake concept and adds Grand Lux Cafe to his responsibilities. He
previously served the Company as Regional Vice President, West Coast
Operations; Area Director of Operations; and General Manager.
Ms. Barmasse-Gray joined the Company three years ago as Vice President
of Talent. She is now responsible for all human resources functions,
including talent, performance development and training, leadership
development, staff relations, and compensation and benefits. Ms.
Barmasse-Gray has more than 20 years experience in various human
resource capacities, having spent the majority of her career with The
Boeing Company, where she led the human resources function for a $3
billion division.
"We congratulate David and Dina on their expanded roles with the
Company. David is well deserving of his promotion to Chief Operating
Officer of our restaurants, given his many years of success with us in
operational roles of increasing responsibility and authority. He was
instrumental in leading our restaurants through a very difficult
operating environment during the past year, driving our cost management
initiatives forward without sacrificing quality or the guest experience.
He is a proven and effective leader whose integrity and commitment to
excellence have earned him the trust and respect of everyone that he
works with,” remarked Overton.
"Dina has fulfilled the role of our lead Human Resources executive on an
interim basis for over a year and has demonstrated strong leadership
capabilities. She is responsible for a key area within our Company, as
the continued selection, training, development and engagement of our
people remains critical to our success in the future,” concluded Overton.
About The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated
The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated created the upscale casual dining
segment in 1978 with the introduction of its namesake concept. The
Company operates 161 full-service, casual dining restaurants throughout
the U.S., including 147 restaurants under The Cheesecake Factory® mark;
13 restaurants under the Grand Lux Cafe® mark; and one restaurant under
the RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen® mark. The Company also operates two
bakery production facilities in Calabasas Hills, CA and Rocky Mount, NC
that produce over 70 varieties of quality cheesecakes and other baked
products. For more information, please visit www.thecheesecakefactory.com.
