Scarlett May. Photo: Mark Graham.

The Cheesecake Factory Inc. announced on Friday that it has made a seat at the table for a new general counsel.

And the Calabasas, California-based restaurant company has chosen a lawyer with plenty of industry experience. Scarlett May will replace outgoing Debby Zurzolo, effective May 14.

Zurzolo had previously announced in January she would depart this year. According to a Jan. 9 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Zurzolo, who started at the company in 1999 as the first general counsel, is leaving to “pursue other interests.”

May, who did not immediately respond for comment, joins the Cheesecake Factory from Brinker International Inc., parent company of Chili's and Maggiano's Little Italy, where she served as GC.

Prior to joining Brinker in 2014, May worked as chief legal officer for Ruby Tuesday Inc.

“Scarlett is an accomplished legal executive with significant restaurant industry experience, which will be an asset to The Cheesecake Factory,” said David Overton, chairman and CEO, in the hire announcement Friday. He also thanked Zurzolo for her “dedication, leadership and contributions” during her tenure with the company.

Brinker does not appear to have named a successor for May. Representatives from Cheesecake Factory and Brinker did not immediately respond to request for comment.