{
  "id": 17215502,
  "title": "How the Cheesecake Factory won a political food fight",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/how-the-cheesecake-factory-won-a-political-food-fight",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-30T10:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fast Company",
    "slug": "fast-company",
    "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91632461/how-the-cheesecake-factory-won-a-political-food-fight"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the midst of the 2022 midterm elections, the popular restaurant chain, Cheesecake Factory, found itself caught up in a political debate. Democrats and Republicans turned the dining establishment into a political symbol, representing whether a company is in tune with mainstream America. The controversy began when former President Barack Obama made a joke about President Donald Trump’s preference for grand renovations, comparing the White House to a Cheesecake Factory. The joke sparked a response from both sides, with Republicans criticizing Obama and Democrats defending the restaurant. Throughout the debate, the Cheesecake Factory remained silent, which ultimately worked to their advantage. The company's success, with over $1 billion in quarterly revenue and a doubled share price, highlights the effectiveness of their non-confrontational approach. As former President Obama observed, the Cheesecake Factory has become a \"sacred third space\" that should exist above partisan politics. The brand's decision to stay out of the fray served as a reminder that sometimes, in the world of business and politics, less is more.",
  "summary": "In the thick of a heated midterm electoral season, the Cheesecake Factory, of all things, became the latest brand to get sucked into a political food fight against its will. This week, Democrats and Republicans converted the familiar restaurant into a symbol for who is and isn’t out of touch with mainstream America. But largely because the chain has remained stoically above the fray, the incident…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}