# The Cheesecake Factory, Yum Brands, and Raising Cane’s

> Former President Obama’s Cheesecake Factory comment sparks political firestorm as Yum Brands boosts employee confidence.
- Title: The Cheesecake Factory, Yum Brands, and Raising Cane’s
- Summary: Former President Obama’s Cheesecake Factory comment sparks political firestorm as Yum Brands boosts employee confidence.
- Keywords: the cheesecake factory, yum brands, raising cane’s, obama, trump, political firestorm, breakthrough program, employee confidence, food, business, Cheesecake, Factory
- Source: Nation's Restaurant News — https://nrn.com/casual-dining/the-cheesecake-factory-yum-brands-and-raising-cane-s
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: the cheesecake factory, yum brands, raising cane’s, obama, trump, political firestorm, breakthrough program, employee confidence, food, business
## Political Firestorm
Former President Obama’s comment about Trump’s White House resembling a Cheesecake Factory went viral online.

> trump’s "got the white house looking like sadam hussein opened a cheesecake factory"
## Yum Brands' Breakthrough Program
Yum Brands launched Breakthrough to reach 4,000 employees across brands and markets.

> breakthrough aims to bolster company culture and equip employees with common language
## Cheesecake Factory's Silence
The Cheesecake Factory did not post on social media for a week after Obama’s comment.

> the cheesecake factory chose to sit this one out
## Raising Cane’s Expansion
Raising Cane’s plans 12 new restaurant openings in November, nearly doubling October’s pace.

> raising cane’s is expecting a busy november with 12 new restaurant openings
## Unit Growth
Raising Cane’s achieved 10.3% year-over-year unit count growth in 2025.

> 10.3 percent increase in unit count growth year-over-year
## Founder's Goal
Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves aims to become a top 10 restaurant brand in the U.S.

> founder todd graves has stated that his goal is to become a top 10 restaurant brand in the u.s.
## Political Backlash
Obama responded to Trump’s comment by noting many Americans can’t afford to go out to eat.

> you’d think the administration would spend more time worrying about the fact that many americans can’t afford to go out to eat
## AI-Generated Response
White House created AI-generated images of Trump at a Cheesecake Factory.

> white house created ai-generated images of trump in front of a cheesecake factory
## Employee Impact
Breakthrough program helped employees build confidence and work more effectively.

> participants said it has helped them build confidence, work more effectively together, and accelerate big projects
## Key takeaway

Former President Obama’s Cheesecake Factory remark triggered political backlash, while Yum Brands’ employee program expanded to 4,000 workers.