Cheesecake Factory Posts Second Straight Billion-Dollar Quarter, Stays Silent on Obama's Viral Jab

Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) reported its second consecutive quarter of billion-dollar earnings, surpassing Wall Street expectations, as executives declined to address former President Barack Obama's viral campaign-trail comparison of the White House to the restaurant chain. Chairman and CEO David Overton touted "the enduring relevance of the brand" on the earnings call, while the company did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the political attention. The stock has more than doubled since January, closing at $108 a share on Oct. 27. Analysts said silence is the right strategy amid heightened political polarization. "There is no mileage to be gained from entering this arena," said Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData Retail. Retail analyst commentary suggested the free publicity may benefit the brand despite the partisan crossfire.