Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, formerly known as Cheddar's Casual Cafe, is an American restaurant brand based in Irving, Texas. Founded in 1979, the company has more than 170 locations in 28 states as of 2018.
History
Cheddar's was founded in 1979 by Aubrey Good and Doug Rogers. The first location was in Arlington, Texas, and the chain reached 10 locations by 1995. By 2003, Cheddar's generated $150 million in revenue from 42 restaurants in 13 states and Brazos Private Equity Partners made an initial investment to grow the company that year. In August 2006, when the company generated $245 million in revenue from 55 restaurants in 15 states, Oak Investment Partners and L Catterton Partners jointly purchased Cheddar's. In August 2007, the company recruited Kelly Baltes from Darden Restaurants to serve as CEO. In October 2014, Ian Baines was brought on as President and CEO of Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, after serving as CEO and President at Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation. Throughout his career, he has held various roles of increased responsibility with Darden Restaurants and Brinker International, Inc. In 2015, the company changed its name to Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. In 2017, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen completed its acquisition of 44 restaurant locations from Kentucky-based Greer Companies, the company's largest franchisee. The purchase increased Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen's corporate-owned restaurants to 139 out of the 164 locations nationwide, adding locations in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. On March 27, 2017, Darden Restaurants announced its intent to acquire Cheddar's from shareholders such as L Catterton and Oak Investment Partners for $780 million plus another $10 million for transaction-related expenses. On March 28, 2017, when Darden announced it that had acquired Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, Darden became the biggest gainer that day on the S&P 500. The acquisition was completed on April 24, 2017.
Menu
Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen serves a variety of made-from-scratch dishes. They are a dining establishment with traditional and modern American fare including hand-breaded Chicken Tenders, Homemade Onion Rings, and House Smoked Baby Back Ribs that are smoked for a minimum of four hours.
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. Consumer Reports named Cheddar's #1 in the Pub Style or Grill Category in its two restaurant surveys in 2009 and 2012. The company also received the top ranking in value in Nation's Restaurant News/WD Partners' Consumer Picks Edition in 2011, 2012, and in 2013 for value, likelihood to return and likelihood to tell others. In 2016, Technomic Consumer Choice Awards ranked Cheddar's No. 1 full-service restaurant chain for customer's intent to return. In July 2016, Cheddar's was named #3 out of the "20 Top Full-Service Chains In Sales And Satisfaction" by Restaurant Business. Of all the full-service restaurants tracked, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen earned the best value ratings from consumers. Its satisfaction score was also among the highest of the group. Also in 2016, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen named "Favorite Casual Dining Restaurant" in Market Force Study.
