Cheddar's Casual Café

Cheddar's Casual Café
Private
Industry Restaurant
Founded 1979
Founder Aubrey Good & Doug Rogers
Headquarters Irving, Texas, USA
Number of locations
 135
Key people
 Doug Rogers (CEO), Don Breen (CFO), Tom Koenigsberg (Chief Brand Officer)
Owner Oak Investment Partners and Catterton Partners
Website www.cheddars.com

Cheddar's Casual Cafe is an American restaurant chain based in Irving, Texas. Founded in 1979, as of 2013 the chain has more than 130 locations in 23 states.

History

Cheddar's was founded in 1979 by Aubrey Good and Doug Rogers.[1] The first location was in Arlington, Texas, and the chain reached 10 locations by 1995.

By 2003, Cheddar’s had 42 restaurants in 13 states[2] and Brazos Private Equity Partners made an initial investment to grow the company that year. In August 2006, when the company had 55 restaurants in 15 states, Oak Investment Partners and Catterton Partners jointly purchased Cheddar’s.[3]

In August 2007, the company recruited Kelly Baltes from Darden Restaurants to serve as CEO.[4] Today the company has more than 135 company-owned and franchise locations in 23 states.[3]

Menu

Cheddar's PR photo

The neighborhood-style restaurants serve steaks, chicken, seafood, burgers, salads and desserts.[5] All locations feature a full bar. In 2013, the restaurant introduced a “575 calories and under” menu to meet growing demand for lighter fare.[6]

Awards and honors

In 2012, Zagat ranked Cheddar's the nation's No.1 full-service restaurant chain as well as Top Overall American Cuisine, the Top Rated Food and Top Rated Decor and Facilities.[7]

Consumer Reports named Cheddar's #1 in the Pub Style or Grill Category in its two restaurant surveys in 2009[8] and 2012. The company also received the top ranking in value in Nation's Restaurant News/WD Partners' Consumer Picks Edition in 2011,[3] 2012,[3] and in 2013[3] for value, likelihood to return and likelihood to tell others.

References

  1. ↑ Company Overview of Cheddar’s Casual Café, Inc, Business Week.
  2. ↑ Brazos Partners Sells Cheddar's, Dallas Business Journal.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Catterton, Oak firms buy Cheddar's from Brazos, Nation's Restaurant News.
  4. ↑ Cheddar’s Casual Café Names New Chairman, PRIME Newswire.
  5. ↑ Taris Savell: Classy decor marks Cheddar's Casual Café, Pensacola News Journal.
  6. ↑ Cheddar’s Launches New Spring Menu Including Lighter Side Options Under 575 Calories, Restaurant News.
  7. ↑ 2012 Fast Food Survey Results are Live, Zagat.com.
  8. ↑ Best Chain Restaurant Survey Finds Good Eats At Any Budget, Consumer Reports.

External links