Having to learn the entire Cheesecake Factory menu may seem like a scary task, which is made possible thanks to one particularly helpful tool. As one former server explained to Insider, front-of-house staff go through a “rigorous” two-week training program. A full week is solely dedicated to learning all 250 Cheesecake Factory menu items and their details down to the allergens they contain. “The company provided me with a giant set of flashcards to help you memorize the dishes’ looks, names, and descriptions,” the employee shared, also revealing that they got to taste a number of dishes during their lunch breaks throughout the training program as well.
At the end of the week, menu knowledge is tested through a series of written and verbal tests – though some have admitted that even after the conclusion of their training, they’re not completely versed in the restaurant’s 21-page book of offerings. “It took me a couple of months to be comfortable with the menu,” said another server on Reddit who also admitted that they still had some queries even after a year of employment.
And while the training and memorizing may sound intense, it could be worth it for those looking to make the restaurant industry their career. The former server explained in their Insider piece that The Cheesecake Factory where they worked often promoted from within for management positions, meaning there was plenty of room for growth.
