| Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen | |
| Type: | Subsidiary |
| Former Name: | Cheddar's Casual Cafe (1979–2015) |
| Founders: | Aubrey Good Doug Rogers |
| Industry: | Restaurant |
| Parent: | Darden Restaurants (2017–present) |
| Foundation: | in Arlington, Texas |
| Location City: | Orlando, Florida |
| Location Country: | U.S. |
| Locations: | 185 company-owned and franchise locations (Jan. 2024) |
| Revenue: | $751 million (2023)[1] |
| Num Employees: | 23,000 (2023) |
| Key People: | John Wilkerson (President) |
Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, formerly known as Cheddar's Casual Cafe,[2] is an American restaurant chain based in Irving, Texas. Founded in 1979, the company has more than 170 locations in 28 states as of 2018.
Cheddar's was founded in 1979 by Aubrey Good and Doug Rogers. Cheddars Scratch Kitchen formerly known as Cheddar’s Casual Cafe, is an American restaurant chain based in Irving, Texas.[3] The first location was in Arlington, Texas, and the chain reached 10 locations by 1995.[4] The name "Cheddar's" was proposed by a 5th grade class when founders Aubry Good and Doug Rogers asked for restaurant name suggestions. [5]
By 2003, Cheddar's generated $150 million in revenue from 42 restaurants in 13 states[6] 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.[7]
In August 2007, the company recruited Kelly Baltes from Darden Restaurants to serve as CEO.[8]
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.[9]
In 2015, the company changed its name to Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen.[10]
In 2017, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen acquired forty-four franchised units located in Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia from their "largest franchisee" Greer Companies, who is based in Kentucky. This brought their portfolio up to 164 corporate owned restaurants.[11]
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.[12] 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.[13] The acquisition was completed on April 24, 2017.[14]