How Old Do You Have to be to Work at The Cheesecake Factory?

The Cheesecake Factory believes in "making big things happen." They are known as a great place to work because employees can upsize their skills, build confidence, make great friends, and feel proud of the work they do -- all while feeling supported by their teammates.

The Cheesecake Factory is about more than just amazing food.  Their commitment to nurturing the wellbeing of their people, guests, and communities is the reason they are the only restaurant chain on the Forbes list of 100 Best Companies to Work For eight years in a row.

If you want to get an entry-level job at The Cheesecake Factory in the front of the house as a Cashier, Server, Busser, Host, or Barista/Baker, you must be at least 18 years old.

For entry-level positions in the back of the house -- dishwasher and prep cook -- you must also be at least 18 years old.

If you are looking for a career with the company, The Cheesecake Factory has fantastic advancement opportunities. 

More than half of the managers are promoted from within. You can start your career in the front of the house as a host, busser, or server, and work your way up to management positions. Or, if you prefer back of the house, you can work your way up from the dishwasher and prep cook positions into management.

Teen Jobs at The Cheesecake Factory and Age Requirements

Cashier (Hourly)

From behind the beautiful bakery counter, cashiers take orders and handle payments for walk-in guests, providing an experience that’s just as memorable as when they dine in. Cashiers also carefully pack to-go, curbside and delivery orders, double checking all meals for accuracy. 

In this position, you’ll quickly become an expert on the delicious and expansive Cheesecake Factory menu.

What they are looking for in an applicant for the Cashier position:

• Ability to create a friendly and inviting guest experience over the phone and in person
• Attention to detail; you make sure every to-go order is accurate
• A can-do attitude; you tackle every task with a smile
• Team player; you’re always willing to give and ask for help
• To-go or curbside experience is preferred, but not required

Cashiers at The Cheesecake Factory must be at least 18 years old. And, they must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and have the ability to continuously bend, reach and twist because you’re constantly on the move.

Server (Hourly + Tips)

As a server, you’ll wow guests at The Cheesecake Factory with outstanding service and hospitality. Whether guests are celebrating a special occasion or just spending time with family and friends, Cheesecake Factory servers go the extra mile to make it memorable. 

You’ll help with menu selections, quickly refill beverages and ensure food arrives on time, always delivering warm and friendly interactions. Busy restaurants mean consistent hours, flexible schedules and the opportunity to make a great income – as well as a lot of friends and memories along the way!

What they are looking for in an applicant for the Server position:

• Excellent communication, hospitality, interpersonal and math skills
• Skilled at reading the table and can anticipate your guests’ needs
• Team player; you’re always willing to give and ask for help
• Able to lift up to 35 lbs., and continuously bend, reach and twist; you’re constantly on the move!
• At least six months experience as a server in a full-service restaurant (if you have less experience, consider Cashier or Barista / Baker)

You must be at least 18 years old to work as a Server at The Cheesecake Factory.

Busser  (Hourly)

Bussers at The Cheesecake Factory set the stage for a memorable meal, ensuring the dining rooms are sparkling clean and guests have everything they need. 

You’ll move like lightning to get tables ready for the next guests and watch their faces light up when you bring a fresh basket of the famous Cheesecake Factory brown bread and butter. You’ll also support the servers by refilling drinks and clearing plates in between courses.

What they are looking for in an applicant for the Busser position:

• A can-do attitude; you tackle every task with a smile
• Team player; you’re always willing to give and ask for help
• Prior experience as a busser in a full-service restaurant is preferred, but not required
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs and continuously bend, reach and twist; you’re constantly on the move

You must be at least 18 years old to work as a Busser at The Cheesecake Factory.

Host (Hourly)

Cheesecake Factory hosts know that first impressions are everything. They provide a warm and friendly welcome when guests arrive or call in with questions. 

As a host, you’ll greet guests at the door, determine where they’d like to sit and guide them to their table while making casual conversation. When the restaurant is on a wait, you’ll quote an accurate wait time and encourage guests to browse the iconic menu or beautiful bakery case, answering any questions they may have.

What they are looking for in Host applicants:

• Ability to create a friendly and inviting guest experience, in person and over the phone
• Ability to quickly and accurately manage guest seating and wait times before dining
• Team player; you’re always willing to give and ask for help
• Able to lift up to 35 lbs and continuously bend, reach and twist; you’re constantly on the move

You must be at least 18 years old to work as a Host at The Cheesecake Factory.

Barista/Baker (Hourly)

As a Barista / Baker at The Cheesecake Factory, you’re the friendly face behind the beautiful bakery case, putting the finishing touches on the famous cheesecakes and desserts. You’ll glaze the restaurant's iconic strawberries, create perfect whipped cream dollops that “wow” and craft delicious espresso beverages for guests to enjoy.

What The Cheesecake Factory is looking for in Barista/Baker applicants:

• A can-do attitude; you tackle every task with a smile
• Team player; you’re always willing to give and ask for help
• Willingness to learn; you’re eager to build upon your skills
• Prior restaurant, hospitality or barista experience is a plus

Barista/Bakers at The Cheesecake Factory must be at least 18 years old.

Prep Cook (Hourly)

With more than 200 dishes made fresh from scratch every day, Cheesecake Factory prep cooks prepare and portion fresh ingredients and hundreds of prep recipes for use in those delicious dishes. 

Whether you’re mastering the creamy and perfectly textured mashed potatoes or crafting tamarind sauce for the iconic Avocado Eggrolls, you’ll learn a wide range of culinary techniques and skills in a professional, fast-paced kitchen.

What The Cheesecake Factory is looking for in Prep Cook applicants:

• Great technique; you have strong knife skills
• Kitchen savvy; you know your weights, measurements and volumes
• Attention to detail; you follow all steps and techniques to ensure consistency
• Tidy and clean; maintaining a sanitary, food-safe workstation is important to you
• Team player; willing to work together to prep our kitchens
• Comfortable standing for extended periods of time, able to lift up to 50 lbs and continuously bend, reach and twist

You must be at least 18 years old to work as a Prep Cook at The Cheesecake Factory.

Dishwasher (Hourly)

For those who enjoy rolling up their sleeves, this is a great way to join a professional, high-performing kitchen team, with plenty of opportunities to grow. 

As a dishwasher at The Cheesecake Factory, you’ll provide guests with spotless cutlery, plates and glassware. You’ll also keep pots, pans and kitchen tools clean and ready at all times for the line cooks to create delicious dishes for guests. 

Organization and efficiency are important as you quickly rinse, wash, pre-sort and deliver clean dishes to the kitchen and dining room.

What The Cheesecake Factory is looking for in Dishwasher applicants:

• A can-do attitude; you tackle every task with a smile
• Team player; you have your team’s back and they have yours
• Attention to detail; you’ll make sure every dish is spotless
• Stand for extended periods of time, lift up to 35 lbs., and continuously bend, reach and twist

You must be at least 18 years old to work as a Dishwasher at The Cheesecake Factory.

Can a 15 Year Old Work at The Cheesecake Factory?

No. The minimum age to work at The Cheesecake Factory is 16, so 15-year-old’s can’t work there. But we do have a page on our website specifically for 15-year-old’s that you can view instead.

Can a 16 Year Old Work at The Cheesecake Factory? 

The minimum age to work at The Cheesecake Factory is 18, so 16-year-olds can't work there. We do have a page on our website specifically for 16-year-old’s that you can view for more options.

How Much Does The Cheesecake Factory Pay Part-Time Workers?

The hourly earnings for employees at The Cheesecake Factory vary because of state and city minimum wage laws. However, we can give you a general idea of what the hourly pay is for each position.

Cashier (Hourly)

Cashiers at The Cheesecake Factory earn up to $18 per hour. The average pay for this position is $15 per hour.

Server (Hourly + Tips)

Servers at The Cheesecake Factory earn a server's hourly wage (which can range from $2.50 per hour to minimum wage) plus tips. 

The shift you work will determine your wages. For example, if you work a lunch shift on a Wednesday, you might take home 40 bucks in tips for a four-hour shift (plus your hourly wage). Or, on a Friday dinner shift, you could make $150 in tips during a five-hour shift (plus your hourly wage).

The income for a server position is never consistent, but usually averages out to much higher than minimum wage.

Busser (Hourly)

The wage range for Bussers at The Cheesecake Factory is between $10 and $15 per hour. The average wage for a Busser is $12 per hour.

Host (Hourly)

The wage range for Hosts at The Cheesecake Factory is between $11.50 and $17 per hour. The average wage for a host is $13 per hour.

Barista/Baker (Hourly)

The wage range for Barista/Bakers at The Cheesecake Factory is between $11 and $15 per hour. The average wage is $13 per hour.

Prep Cook (Hourly)

The wage range for Prep Cooks at The Cheesecake Factory is between $11 and $22 per hour, depending on experience.  The average wage is $17 per hour.

Dishwasher (Hourly)

The wage range for Dishwashers at The Cheesecake Factory is between $13.50 and $21 per hour, depending on experience.  The average wage is $15 per hour.

How Much Experience Do You Need to Work at The Cheesecake Factory?

The Cheesecake Factory is an entry-level friendly company, so you can apply for a position without any experience and get hired as a busser, host, server, cashier, dishwasher, bakery/barista, or prep cook.

However, if you do have some work experience, it could get you a higher hourly pay rate and move you faster into supervisory and management positions.

What Should You Wear to a Job Interview at The Cheesecake Factory?

The Cheesecake Factory is a casual dining restaurant, so when you show up for your interview you will want to be dressed in business casual attire.  

Consider something like a buttoned-down shirt with nice slacks and shoes. You do not want to show up too casual in a t-shirt and jeans.  But, there is no need for a business suit.

The The Cheesecake Factory Interview Questions

The possible questions in a job interview are endless, and it always depends on the interviewer. But, there are some common questions that they do often ask. 

Before your interview, do your research! Go to the Cheesecake Factory website and get familiar with the company and their menu. It's also a good idea to pick out your favorite menu items and learn absolutely everything you can about them.

At a Cheesecake Factory interview, you will most likely talk with at least one or two different managers, both front of the house and back of the house.  Here are some questions that they have been known to ask during interviews.

How do you handle stressful situations?

Why are they asking?  

The Cheesecake Factory is a popular chain restaurant that can have incredibly busy lunch and dinner rushes. There are times when working there can be extremely fast-paced and stressful. They are asking you this question to find out how well you would handle that stress, and make sure you are a good fit for the team.

What’s the ideal answer?

The interviewer wants to hear that you work well under pressure. Tell them how you have handled stressful situations in the past, and that you are able to handle a busy dinner rush. However, you never want to lie. If you can’t handle stressful situations well, working in a restaurant may not be the best fit. If you lie about your ability to handle the work environment, it could lead to big problems.

How would you handle a difficult customer?

Why are they asking?  

While most of your customers will be happy and satisfied with their dining experience, you will more than likely come across an angry customer every now and then. When this happens, they are wondering how you will handle the situation, and if it fits with their company policy.

What’s the ideal answer?

You want to tell the interviewer that if you come across a difficult customer, you will ask them what you can do to make them happy and fix the problem. If it is something that you can’t take care of, then you will go get a manager and let them take care of it.

Can you pick out an item on the menu and sell it to me?

Why are they asking?  

If a manager asks you this question, they are trying to get you to sell yourself and show off your personality and abilities. Part of your job as a restaurant team member is up-selling items on the menu and increasing ticket sales.

They are wanting to find out how well you can communicate, while being positive and professional.

What’s the ideal answer?

Know your strengths. If you get asked this question, pick something on the menu that you are familiar with. They want to hear that you have above average verbal communication skills, have a friendly and upbeat demeanor, know the menu, and can successfully sell items.

Benefits of Working at The The Cheesecake Factory 

Everyone who works at The Cheesecake Factory gets a 25 to 35 percent discount on meals -- you can even bring your friends and family when you aren't working and get that discount for the whole table!  

Benefits include:

• Health benefits including medical, dental and vision (after 25 hours/week average)
• Paid time off (after 25 hours/week average)
• Flexible scheduling
• Hospitality training
• A no cost GED and Associates Degree program
• Career growth opportunities

How to Apply at The The Cheesecake Factory

If you are interested in working at The Cheesecake Factory, you can apply directly on the company website, which is the most accurate source for up-to-date hourly job listings, as well as management and corporate positions. 

You can fill out your application online, and it will be sent to the specific restaurant you are applying to.  You can also apply in-person at the location you are interested in.