Penny, a Nebraska native with dreams of being a Hollywood star, moved to California. Luckily, her neighbors Leonard and Sheldon helped her financially while she took on odd jobs, including working as a waitress at The Cheesecake Factory.

Unfortunately, Penny injured her leg during a riding lesson, causing her to miss two episodes. To hide her injury, CBS came up with the idea to make Penny a bartender at The Cheesecake Factory. Not only did this disguise her cast, but it also allowed her to rest her injured leg during longer scenes.

While Penny's time as a bartender was challenging, it also provided her with some memorable moments with her friends. Known for her warmth and empathy, Penny often offered advice to her friends as they confided in her at the bar.

One notable interaction included convincing the uptight Sheldon to loosen up by tricking him into drinking a Long Island iced tea, which resulted in him having a great time.

Overall, Cuoco's quick recovery and physical fitness allowed her to continue her role on the show, and Penny's time as a bartender became one of her most memorable TBBT jobs.