“Be the CCO: What The Cheesecake Factory should do about its political moment”

Key points

• The piece discusses how Obama compared Trump’s decor to Saddam Hussein opening a Cheesecake Factory.
• Trump criticized the remark and Republicans highlighted Cheesecake Factory in the political framing.
• The Cheesecake Factory had not issued a public statement as of Wednesday afternoon.
• LinkedIn responses from ~150 communicators offered varied recommendations on comms strategy.
• Suggestions ranged from leaning into the brand to humorous memes and cautious neutrality.