Cheesecake Factory Secures Permit for Bradley Fair, Targeting 2026 Opening
Wichita, Kansas. — After decades of rumors, dashed hopes, and viral speculation, the “will they or won’t they” saga of The Cheesecake Factory in Wichita has finally reached a definitive conclusion. In late October 2025, The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated officially pulled a building permit for 2020 N. Rock Road, confirming their entry into the Wichita market. The filing signals the beginning of a major redevelopment project at Bradley Fair that will transform the footprint of a legacy casual dining site into one of the city’s most high-volume hospitality destinations.
From Outback to Opulence The selected location is the pad site formerly occupied by Outback Steakhouse. The steakhouse’s departure was part of a larger corporate restructuring by parent company Bloomin’ Brands, which closed numerous underperforming or geographically redundant locations across the country throughout 2024 and 2025.
Unlike a standard restaurant renovation, this project is classified as a complete redevelopment. The permit description indicates a scope to “build a restaurant on the spot,” implying that the existing Outback shell—which is far too small for The Cheesecake Factory’s massive operational needs—will be demolished. In its place, the California-based chain will construct a custom facility, likely exceeding 8,000 square feet, designed to accommodate their signature 250-item menu and on-site bakery operations.
Understanding the Investment Public records list the construction valuation at approximately $3 million. However, development experts caution that this figure represents only the “hard costs” of the core and shell construction. Historical data from the company’s other recent builds suggests the true capital investment will be significantly higher.
When factoring in the brand’s opulent interior design standards—which typically feature imported limestone floors, custom decorative lighting, and intricate woodwork—along with specialized kitchen equipment, the total project cost is expected to approach $7 million to $8 million. This level of expenditure represents a massive foreign direct investment into the local commercial real estate market, far outstripping the typical finish-out costs for standard casual dining competitors.
Timeline and Expectations With the permit secured just before Halloween 2025, the clock has officially started on construction. While the company has not released a specific opening date, industry benchmarks for The Cheesecake Factory suggest a construction timeline of approximately six to nine months once the foundation is poured.
Assuming demolition and site work proceed through the winter months without significant weather delays, Wichita diners can likely expect a grand opening in the summer of 2026. This timeline aligns with the company’s stated corporate expansion goals for the 2026 fiscal year, which include opening three to four new units nationwide.
The “Anchor” Effect at Bradley Fair The arrival of The Cheesecake Factory is a strategic coup for WS Development, the Massachusetts-based firm that operates Bradley Fair in a joint venture with Laham Development. The restaurant joins a curated list of high-traffic anchors, including Sephora, Pottery Barn, and the incoming Trader Joe’s.
Retail analysts note that The Cheesecake Factory functions as a “super-regional” draw, capable of pulling traffic from a 20-mile radius. This aligns perfectly with Bradley Fair’s evolution into a lifestyle center that prioritizes experiential spending over traditional transaction-based retail.
For now, the site at 2020 N. Rock Road remains a construction zone. But for the thousands of Wichitans who have long requested the chain, the presence of a building permit is the first tangible proof that the wait is nearly over.
