The Secret Genius of the Cheesecake Factory

This video is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or commissioned by the Cheesecake Factory. It was made by a fan and entirely out of love for the Ultimate Red Velvet Cheesecake.

Audio editing by Eric Schneider
Motion graphics by Vincent de Langen
Thumbnail by Simon Buckmaster
Writing & Direction by Evan

This includes a paid sponsorship which had no part in the writing, editing, or production of the rest of the video.

Video supplied by Getty Images
Maps provided by MapTiler/OpenStreetMap Contributors and GEOlayers 3
Select footage from the AP Archive

[PolyMatter]

After a video about Russian pensions, the Cheesecake Factory felt like the next logical topic. All jokes aside, I hope you enjoy this light-hearted one before we return to more serious topics next time. -Evan

[サンゴ礁Scleractinian]

Genuinely impressed how you managed to make a video that isn't an advertisement sound more like an advertisement than 99% of advertisements.

[twa]

Went from Chinese geopolitics and sanctions on Russia to cheesecake factories fast enough

[darken]

This may not be sponsored by the Cheesecake Factory but it should be because I've never wanted to go there more than after watching this.

[nadronnoco]

I don't think I've seen a video in the educational genre more unhinged than this. I love it.

[wilfredpeake]

As someone who works in the restaurant industry the idea that a menu has over 21 pages 700 ingredients and all things are hand crafted is one of the most amazing things I have ever heard

[dariuspalau]

I was a chef for 3 years at the Waikiki location which hapened to be THE BUSIEST location racking over half a million in revenu per week. Everything about prep is true, we come in at 6AM and prep everything from the wings you consume, the tortillas, the sauces and dips, etc. Having that 5 hour window sometimes wasnt enough for the amount of prep we actually needed. This is all thoroughly accurate from a BOH standpoint. Also for those worried about food waste, Waikiki has a green bin system that all leftover food is given to farms around the hawaii chain to feed local farm animals.

[wryip]

I am a sous chef at a Cheesecake Factory, and I have never been happier watching a Polymatter video

[SeidenFisk]

I was confused by the “sponsored only by brilliant” but after understanding the appreciation you have for this restaurant, I see why that was necessary. Great video as usual ❤

[technetium]

Everything in the cheesecake factory being fresh except for the cheesecakes is hilarious

[Liquid_Galaxy]

I don't even have a cheesecake factory in my country and PolyMatter still makes it interesting

[maxb]

As a brit only hearing about the cheesecake factory through TV, when i finally went to one last year it was a surprise how good the food was, it was probably one of the best meals i had while i was visiting. I really wished that the cheesecake factory had locations in the UK.

[jordanp]

This video is a masterclass in how the video essay format can be used to make any idea seem reasonable. I just sat through at 13 minute love letter to a chain restaurant I've never visited.

[tokiwartooth]

Ive worked at Cheesecake Factory as a line cook. It was a very hard but good paying job. The standard your held to is very high. Tedious time consuming recipes. All made in house and scrutinized by your souse chef. Everything I cooked there was judged so harshly. Difficult and very demanding job, one of the hardest but best jobs I’ve ever had. paid well. Miss it but don’t miss the workload

[joewalters]

This love letter to the Cheesecake Factory has converted me to a true cheesecake apologist, but I am left with more questions than answers. How and why are they so profitable? How can they hire so many real chefs and constantly buy the hundreds of fresh ingredients and be more profitable than the chains microwaving frozen chicken tenders? Have they figured something out in the supply chain? Now I'm craving numbers AND Buffalo Blasts!

[aaronjones]

I've only ever had a good time at a Cheesecake Factory. I think you could have easily highlighted the main reason for their quirky authenticity - the founder and owner is still alive. Restaurants tend to go downhill after they are acquired by private equity firms. I would suggest anyone who can goes to a Cheesecake Factory before that happens.

[jumpywizard]

I’m French and I moved to the US last year. My American husband was always shocked that I was so fascinated with Cheesecake Factory. Coming from France, it feels like Disneyland. Seriously, I had to FaceTime my mom to show her the restaurant and the menu cuz she wouldn’t believe me on how big it all was 😂. We go there every month or two cuz it’s a treat but I love it. Service and food is always good! And like you said, what we order there is what we eat for pretty much the rest of the week 😅. Great video as always (watched it with my husband and he understands me better now, thanks ❤😊.

[samueladler]

The cheesecake factory in Indianapolis is legendary for courting diners from hours away each weekend. I imagine others have similar effects. Their proximity to malls is synergistic: diners make a day out of their trip to the big city by shopping and then going to Cheesecake. And in return, Cheesecake gets patronage during off-hours and the guaranteed crowds it needs to sustain its large menu and table count. It's kind of genius.

[josuekillboy]

I worked at the Cheesecake Factory for almost 20 years and I can tell the food there is really fresh!! And it’s one of the best restaurant I have worked! They make very from scratch, and they’re a really busy restaurant so almost everything in the menu it’s prepared the same day, I still working with the Cheesecake Factory standards, even though I don’t work for them anymore

[positivelypositive]

I just went to the Cheesecake Factory on Long Island last weekend. Cocktails were strong as hell but perfectly crafted, avocado eggrolls were decadent and cripsy, split two entrees with the wife; madeira chicken and chicken piccata, took 2 cheesecake slices to go, lemon raspberry and banana cream. Service was excellent, server was very polite, tables clean, and food came promptly. They're definitely doing things right. 💯