CALABASAS HILLS Calif. In another high-level executive change at The Cheesecake Factory Inc., Michael Dixon has resigned as senior vice president and chief financial officer after eight years with the casual-dining operator. The company did not provide a reason for the resignation, which was effective July 23, the same day it was announced.
Dixon is the third senior-level executive to depart Cheesecake since May. Howard Gordon, former senior vice president for business development and marketing, left the company last month to launch his own consulting firm. Russ Bendel, the company’s former restaurant division president, stepped down in June to head the Santa Barbara, Calif.-based The Habit Burger Grill chain.
A successor to Bendel has yet to be named. In July, Mark Mears was named senior vice president and chief marketing officer.
Cheryl Slomann, the company’s vice president, controller and chief accounting officer, has been appointed interim chief financial officer while a permanent replacement for Dixon is found. Dixon will serve as a financial consultant to assist in the transition, Cheesecake Factory said.
David Overton, chairman and chief executive, said, “Mike has been a strong contributor to The Cheesecake Factory during his eight-year tenure with us. He has helped guide the company during an incredible period of growth and developed a solid accounting and finance infrastructure to support our operations. We thank Mike for his contributions and appreciate his continuing availability in a consulting capacity.”
The Cheesecake Factory Inc. operates 143 restaurants under its namesake brand, as well as 13 Grand Lux Café locations and one RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen. The company also licenses two locations of The Cheesecake Factory Bakery Café concept.