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The Season 9 American Idol Finalists Were the First to Taste the Cheesecake Factory's New Cheesecake the Day before National Cheesecake Day

"We're so pleased to have The Cheesecake Factory as a partner of the American Idol Live Tour, and thrilled that they invited the Idols to help kick off their National Cheesecake Day celebration, including being the first to taste their new cheesecake," said Janet Scardino, President of commercial, 19 Entertainment. "In addition to serving great cheesecake, The Cheesecake Factory believes in giving back to their communities. The Idols and I are so passionate about the work that Feeding America does to help feed hungry Americans, and we're thrilled that this new cheesecake will benefit them."

Today, American Idol winner Lee DeWyze and his fellow Season 9 Finalists had the honor of being the first to enjoy the new cheesecake, a day before National Cheesecake Day. The American Idols visited The Cheesecake Factory in Virginia Beach, Va. prior to this evening's American Idol Live Tour performance at the Virginia Beach Amphitheatre. They dug into the new cheesecake, which has chunks of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups baked in Original Cheesecake with layers of delicious Fudge Cake and Caramel.

"We are thrilled that the American Idols were the first to taste our exciting new cheesecake," said David Overton, Founder of The Cheesecake Factory. "And tomorrow we invite all of our guests to celebrate National Cheesecake Day by trying the new Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake."

With the introduction of the Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake, The Cheesecake Factory is continuing its partnership with Feeding America. The Cheesecake Factory will donate the equivalent of 3.5 million meals through proceeds from each slice sold. Feeding America is the nation's largest hunger-relief organization, which helps to feed more than 37 million hungry Americans each year. The Cheesecake Factory has donated more than $1.2 million to Feeding America over the past two years, and will continue to support this important cause with several activities planned during Hunger Action Month through September.

For more information about The Cheesecake Factory, please visit www.TheCheesecakeFactory.com

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The REESE'S Trademark and trade dress are used under license.

About The Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated created the upscale casual dining segment in 1978 with the introduction of its namesake concept. The Company operates 162 full-service, casual dining restaurants throughout the U.S., including 148 restaurants under The Cheesecake Factory mark; 13 restaurants under the Grand Lux Cafe mark; and one restaurant under the RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen mark. The Company also operates two bakery production facilities in Calabasas Hills, CA and Rocky Mount, NC that produce over 70 varieties of quality cheesecakes and other baked products. For more information, please visit www.thecheesecakefactory.com.

About Feeding America

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 63,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica

About American Idol Live Tour

America's #1 show will make 44 stops this summer at a mix of top arenas and amphitheaters across North America giving fans a chance once again to catch their favorite "Idols" performing live in a town near them. The Live Nation promoted and 19 Entertainment produced tour runs through August 31st. To purchase tickets and for complete tour information, fans can visit www.AmericanIdol.com and www.LiveNation.com. Event times and dates are subject to change.

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