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The Cheesecake Factory has announced the closure of several of its restaurants in 2026. The company, currently operating 218 Cheesecake Factory-branded restaurants across the U.S., is simultaneously preparing for a significant expansion, with plans to open 26 new locations in 2026. California and Florida continue to host the majority of the chain's restaurants, with 38 and 24 locations respectively. Texas follows with 20.

The first closures of 2026 took place in January when the Baltimore Inner Harbor location, established 29 years ago, and the 34-year-old Washington D.C. Friendship Heights location were shuttered. These closures were part of a broader wave of departures from the Inner Harbor area, which is undergoing redevelopment. Baltimore's closure was attributed to 115 employees who are being transitioned to other opportunities, and the company expressed gratitude for its long-standing presence in the community.

Additionally, in January, two Houston locations were closed: a Grand Lux Cafe, a casual dining brand from The Cheesecake Factory founders, and Blanco Cocina + Cantina, the only Texas location for Fox Restaurant Concepts, which had operated in the Galleria area for seven years. The company noted that these closures had impacted 115 employees.

Looking ahead, The Cheesecake Factory aims to reach 300 domestic locations in its Chester Factory-branded restaurants, a goal already underway with a new Illinois location opening in June. The company remains confident in its development plans, despite the closures. However, no immediate response was available from The Cheesecake Factory regarding these closures.