Marina
WICHITA, Kan. – A significant development in Wichita’s dining scene: The Cheesecake Factory has submitted a formal application to build a new restaurant in east Wichita.
The application—filed with the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department—lists the address 2020 N. Rock Road within the Bradley Fair shopping complex at 21st & Rock.
This location was formerly home to an Outback Steakhouse, which was demolished in 2022.
The project is large-scale: valued at US$3 million, it will consist of a new one-story steel-frame structure, featuring a restaurant, bar, patio dining and a full commercial kitchen.
For years, Wichita residents have mentioned that the Cheesecake Factory was a restaurant they hoped to see in their city. With this permit filing, that wish appears to be moving closer to reality.
Key Project Details
Below is a table summarising the major facts and figures for this exciting development:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Restaurant brand | The Cheesecake Factory |
| Location address | 2020 N. Rock Road, Bradley Fair, Wichita, KS |
| Previous tenant | Outback Steakhouse – demolished in 2022 |
| Project cost | Approximately US$3 million |
| Building scope | One-story steel frame structure; tenant fit-out for restaurant, bar, patio, kitchen |
| Permit status | Application filed with building & construction department |
| Significance | Long-desired addition to Wichita’s dining scene |
Why This Matters to Wichita
The arrival of The Cheesecake Factory in Wichita represents more than just a new dining option—it’s an indicator of growth in the region’s food & hospitality market, commercial real-estate value, and consumer demand for premium chain restaurants.
Local residents have repeatedly listed the chain among the ones they wished would open in Wichita. With the new application, that demand is being met.
From a business perspective, a $3 million investment signals confidence in the local economy, and it may spur additional tenant interest in the Bradley Fair area.
The project’s location within Bradley Fair—a well-known shopping destination—adds synergy: visitors coming for retail or entertainment can now have a major dining destination on site.
The inclusion of patio dining and a bar also speaks to trends in modern casual dining: offering more than just food, but an experience.
What Happens Next & What to Watch
While the application has been filed and publicly reported, there are still several steps before the doors open and the first slice of cheesecake is served:
- Approval & permitting: The building department will review plans, ensure zoning and safety compliance, and issue building permits.
- Construction timeline: With a $3 million build, steel framing and fit-out may take several months. No specific opening date has been announced yet.
- Local staffing & jobs: Once built, the location will create restaurant jobs (servers, kitchen staff, management) and potentially support local suppliers.
- Impact on traffic & infrastructure: The site at N. Rock Road may see increased vehicle traffic—something local planners may monitor.
- Market competition: Wichita already has many dining options; the Cheesecake Factory will now compete in the upper tier of casual dining chains.
The filing by The Cheesecake Factory to build a new $3 million restaurant at 2020 N. Rock Road in Wichita signals a major addition to the city’s dining landscape. For a brand long-desired by Wichita residents, the development could be the moment it turns from wish to reality.
The combination of premium dining, a large retail environment (Bradley Fair) and significant investment sends a strong message about the growth and appetite of Wichita’s market.
With permit approval and construction underway, the next chapter for Wichita’s restaurant scene is shaping up—with cheesecake on the menu.