‘They Literally Cut It in Half’: North Carolina Man Says Cheesecake Factory Slices Are Shrinking Amid Rising Prices
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA — Customers are accusing The Cheesecake Factory of quietly reducing the size of its iconic cheesecake slices while keeping prices high — and one North Carolina man’s viral video has ignited a debate over “shrinkflation” at the beloved restaurant chain.
The video, posted by TikTok user King Meel (@kingmeel93), shows him opening what he expected to be a hearty slice of red velvet cheesecake — only to find what he described as a noticeably smaller piece packaged in a flimsy new container.
“I’ve been hearing that Cheesecake Factory slices have gotten smaller, but I didn’t believe it,” he says in the clip, which has gained more than 910,000 views. “Now I’m appalled. I’m flabbergasted.”
“This Is Missing Some Inches in Girth”
In his video, King Meel says he ordered a $13 slice for pickup, expecting the same “big, luscious piece” he remembered from previous visits. But when he opened the box, disappointment set in immediately.
“The slice used to come in a hard, black-bottomed container,” he said. “Now it’s in this clear plastic one — and it’s missing some inches in girth.”
Inspecting the slice, he added, “You shrunk the cheesecake dramatically. You changed the case dramatically. Did you change the recipe too?”
After tasting it, King Meel concluded that even the flavor seemed off, saying it didn’t taste like the rich, red velvet cheesecake he once loved.
Customers Across Social Media Say They’ve Noticed It Too
King Meel isn’t the only one who’s noticed a difference. Another TikTok user, Toya (@toya_ona), posted her own video showing a thin slice of triple berry cheesecake, calling it “half of what it used to be.”
“Y’all see how skinny this piece is? I take one bite and half of it’s gone,” she said. “This feels like a company-wide mandate — skimp the people, don’t give them a full slice.”
Despite the frustration, Toya admitted she wouldn’t boycott the brand entirely. “Am I gonna stop eating this triple berry cheesecake? No. But right is right, and wrong is wrong.”
@kingmeel93 Call me back @The Cheesecake Factory ⚫️🙆🏽♂️ #fyp #storytime #cheesecake #foryoupage
Reddit Users and Employees Weigh In
The complaints have spilled over to Reddit, where users in a viral thread on r/CheesecakeFactory confirmed seeing the same trend.
“The slices are definitely smaller,” one commenter wrote. “I used to split mine over two days — now it’s gone in minutes.”
Another user added, “They’ve raised prices and cut the portions. I used to struggle to finish one slice. Now, it’s barely enough to share.”
According to a report from Food Republic, some Cheesecake Factory employees have anonymously acknowledged the change, claiming that certain locations have adjusted cutting machines to create more slices from each cake. Others say they were told to deny customer complaints about portion size.
A former employee quoted by Food Republic said, “When I worked there, they were already reducing portion sizes of entrees. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re doing the same thing with cheesecake now.”
Shrinkflation Hits the Dessert Menu
Experts say what customers are noticing is part of a wider economic trend known as shrinkflation, where companies reduce product size while keeping prices steady to offset rising costs.
According to Delish, several restaurant chains and grocery brands — from Costco’s baked goods to Subway sandwiches — have faced similar accusations in recent months as inflation squeezes the food industry.
For Cheesecake Factory customers, though, the frustration isn’t just about size — it’s about nostalgia. Many say the oversized dessert slices were a defining part of the restaurant’s charm.
“They Increased the Price and Shrunk the Slice”
Under King Meel’s viral TikTok, hundreds of viewers chimed in with their own observations and humor.
“$13 and it looks like a sampler slice,” one commenter wrote.
“It used to be hefty and last two or three days,” said another.
“I worked there — they told us the slices would get smaller and to deny it if people said anything,” claimed a third.
While The Cheesecake Factory has yet to issue an official response, the growing online chatter has left loyal fans demanding transparency — and maybe a bigger piece of cake for their money.
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