What Does the Cheesecake Factory’s Designer Think of Obama and Trump’s Jabs at His Décor?

The Cheesecake Factory, one of the top restaurant chains in the United States, has come a long way since its humble beginnings. Founded by David Overton in 1978 in Beverly Hills, California, the chain traces its roots back to the 1940s when Evelyn Overton, David's mother, started making cheesecakes for local restaurants in Detroit. Her original recipe, developed from a local newspaper advertisement, was so popular that she eventually opened her own bakery in Detroit.

As his parents focused on raising their children, Evelyn Overton continued selling cheesecakes to nearby restaurants from her basement kitchen. In the 1970s, David Overton moved to San Francisco to study law and persuaded his parents to move to Los Angeles so they could expand their cheesecake business in a bigger market. In 1972, they opened a small bakery in North Hollywood, driven by their $10,000 savings.

Despite modest success, the Overtons received criticism for having too many cheesecake flavors. David Overton, frustrated by this feedback, decided to showcase his mother's cheesecakes in a restaurant he opened in Beverly Hills in 1978. The Cheesecake Factory, as the restaurant was named, opened with minimal menu options and a nervous David Overton, who avoided the lunch rush on opening day.

The chain's first menu, featuring 60 items, was designed to be simple and straightforward, catering to David's lack of restaurant experience. The first dishes included burgers, hamburg steak, quiche of the day, and roasted chicken, alongside a variety of cheesecake flavors such as chocolate chip, peanut butter, and strawberry. The Cheesecake Factory's menu has since expanded to include a wide range of American dishes, appetizers, and desserts, making it one of the most recognizable names in the restaurant industry.