Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) EVP reports tax withholding of 1,787 shares

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Cheesecake Factory executive Alex G. Spero reported an indirect tax-related share disposition through a family trust. On February 16, 2026, 1,787 shares of Cheesecake Factory common stock were withheld by the company at $58.67 per share to cover tax obligations from vesting restricted stock awards.

The shares are held by the Alex Family Trust, of which Mr. Spero is a trustee. After these transactions, the reported indirect holdings include 4,790 shares in one line item and 22,670 shares in another trust-related holding entry.

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

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Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

Alex Spero G

(Last) (First) (Middle)

26901 MALIBU HILLS RD

(Street)

CALABASAS HILLS CA 91301

(City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
CHEESECAKE FACTORY INC [ CAKE ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

	Director		10% Owner
X	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)
	EVP Operations - CFRI

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
02/16/2026

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price
Common Stock	02/16/2026		F		1,787(1)	D	$58.67	4,790	I	By Trust(2)
Common Stock								22,670(3)	I	By Trust(2)

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares

Explanation of Responses:

1. Represents shares of Issuer Common Stock withheld by the Issuer solely to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the net issuance of shares of Issuer Common Stock delivered to the Reporting Person on February 16, 2026, from the vesting of Restricted Stock Awards.

2. Shares held by the Alex Family Trust of which Mr. Alex is a trustee.

3. Shares of restricted stock subject to forfeiture.

	/s/ Spero G. Alex by Scarlett May, Attorney-in-Fact	02/26/2026
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
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FAQ

What did Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) EVP Alex Spero report on this Form 4?

Alex G. Spero reported an indirect, tax-related share disposition. The company withheld 1,787 Cheesecake Factory common shares at $58.67 each to satisfy tax obligations from vesting restricted stock awards, with the shares held through the Alex Family Trust, where he serves as trustee.

How many Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) shares were withheld for taxes on this Form 4?

The Form 4 shows 1,787 Cheesecake Factory common shares withheld. These shares were taken by the issuer to pay tax withholding obligations tied to the February 16, 2026 vesting of restricted stock awards, rather than sold in an open-market transaction.

Was Alex Spero’s Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) Form 4 an open-market sale?

The reported transaction was not an open-market sale. Shares were withheld by the issuer solely to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon vesting of restricted stock awards, and are reported as an indirect disposition through the Alex Family Trust, not a discretionary market trade.

How are Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) shares held for Alex Spero according to the Form 4?

The shares are held indirectly through the Alex Family Trust. The filing notes that the trust holds Cheesecake Factory common stock, with Mr. Spero serving as a trustee, and also references shares of restricted stock that remain subject to potential forfeiture conditions.

What ownership type is reported for Alex Spero’s Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) shares?

The Form 4 classifies the reported Cheesecake Factory common stock as indirect ownership. The nature of ownership is specified as “By Trust,” reflecting that the Alex Family Trust holds the shares rather than Mr. Spero holding them directly in his own name.