Frederic Melton
The Cheesecake Factory is a chain of restaurants with locations in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The story of the Cheesecake Factory began in Detroit in the 1940s when Evelyn Overton came across a cheesecake recipe in a local newspaper. Her cakes were so popular that she decided to open a small bakery, but she eventually closed it to focus on raising her children. The family moved to Los Angeles in 1972 and opened the Cheesecake Factory Bakery, selling cheesecakes to local restaurants. Today, the Cheesecake Factory is known for its massive portions and creative cheesecake offerings, and you can even get their cheesecakes delivered straight to your door through online retailers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of bakery production facilities | 2 |
| Location of bakery production facilities | Calabasas Hills, California; Rocky Mount, North Carolina |
| Distributor for Europe | Schengen Desserts B.V. |
| Markets | North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East |
| Number of full-service restaurants | 348 |
| Number of restaurants under the Cheesecake Factory brand | 215 |
| Number of restaurants under the North Italia brand | 42 |
| Number of restaurants under other brands | 91 |
| Number of cheesecake varieties | 20+ |
| Cheesecake flavors | Original, lemon raspberry, red velvet, white chocolate raspberry truffle, chocolate mousse, pumpkin, and more |
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What You'll Learn
- The Original Cheesecake Factory recipe was inspired by a Detroit newspaper in the 1940s
- Evelyn Overton began baking cheesecakes in her basement kitchen
- The family-run bakery opened in LA in 1972
- The Cheesecake Factory has locations worldwide, including in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe
- You can get a Cheesecake Factory cheesecake delivered to your door
The Original Cheesecake Factory recipe was inspired by a Detroit newspaper in the 1940s
The Cheesecake Factory is an American restaurant company and distributor of cheesecakes. The story of this popular restaurant chain began in Detroit, Michigan, in the 1940s, when Evelyn Overton discovered a cheesecake recipe in her local newspaper. Intrigued by the recipe, she decided to bake a cheesecake for her husband's employer. The cake was a huge success, and Evelyn's "Original" cheesecake recipe quickly gained popularity.
Encouraged by the positive response, Evelyn opened a small cheesecake bakery in Detroit, Michigan, in the late 1950s. However, as her family grew, she decided to close the bakery to focus on raising her children, David and Renee. Determined to continue her passion for baking, Evelyn moved her equipment to her basement kitchen and started supplying cheesecakes to local restaurants.
In 1972, with their children grown, Evelyn and her husband, Oscar, decided to take a leap of faith and relocate to Los Angeles. With their savings, they opened The Cheesecake Factory Bakery and began selling Evelyn's beloved cheesecakes to restaurants across the city. Their son, David, recognised the potential of his mother's delicious creations and decided to open a restaurant in Beverly Hills in 1978 to showcase her cakes.
David's intuition proved correct, and the restaurant was an instant hit, with lines out the door on opening day. The Cheesecake Factory in Beverly Hills offered a diverse menu, large portions, and, of course, their signature cheesecakes. The success of the first restaurant led to the opening of additional locations, and by the end of the 1980s, the Cheesecake Factory had expanded beyond Southern California, with a total of 11 restaurants. The company continued to thrive and expand, eventually going public in September 1993.
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Evelyn Overton began baking cheesecakes in her basement kitchen
The story of The Cheesecake Factory's cheesecakes began in the 1940s with Evelyn Overton and her basement kitchen. Inspired by a cheesecake recipe from a Detroit newspaper, Evelyn baked a cheesecake for her husband's employer. The cheesecake was a hit, and it encouraged her to open a small cheesecake bakery in Detroit, Michigan, in the late 1950s. However, when she decided to focus on raising her children, she closed the bakery but continued to bake cheesecakes in her basement kitchen, supplying local restaurants.
Evelyn's basement kitchen became the starting point for what would eventually become a successful cheesecake business. By baking and supplying cheesecakes to local restaurants, she laid the foundation for The Cheesecake Factory's future success. Her dedication to her craft and the quality of her cheesecakes played a crucial role in establishing the brand's reputation for creating the best cheesecakes.
In the early 1970s, Evelyn and her husband, Oscar, moved to Los Angeles, marking a significant turning point for their business. They opened a 700-square-foot store called "The Cheesecake Factory," where Evelyn continued to bake, and Oscar built new accounts. Their reputation for delicious cheesecakes grew, and they soon expanded into a larger bakery. This expansion allowed Evelyn to create over 20 varieties of cheesecakes and other desserts, which were sold to hundreds of wholesale accounts.
The cheesecakes crafted by Evelyn in her basement kitchen and later in their Los Angeles bakery, captivated the taste buds of customers across Santa Barbara to San Diego. The business also started offering cheesecake delivery, ensuring that their indulgent creations could be enjoyed by out-of-state customers as well. The Overton family's dedication to their craft and their willingness to relocate and expand their business contributed to the success and recognition of The Cheesecake Factory as a global brand.
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The family-run bakery opened in LA in 1972
The Cheesecake Factory is an American restaurant company and distributor of cheesecakes, founded by the Overton family. The story of the famous bakery began in the 1940s when Evelyn Overton, inspired by a cheesecake recipe from a Detroit newspaper, baked a cheesecake for her husband's employer. The cheesecake was a hit, and this success spurred Evelyn to open a small cheesecake bakery in Detroit, Michigan, in the late 1950s. However, when she became a mother, she closed the bakery to focus on her children, but she continued to bake cheesecakes in her basement kitchen, supplying local restaurants.
In 1971, Evelyn's son, David, convinced his parents to relocate to Los Angeles to open a commercial bakery. The following year, in 1972, they moved to the Woodland Hills area of LA and officially opened The Cheesecake Factory Bakery. Here, they crafted cheesecakes and other desserts for local restaurants, building a reputation for creating the best cheesecakes in town. The bakery's success allowed them to expand, and they soon constructed a larger bakery to meet demand.
Evelyn's passion for cheesecake led her to create over 20 varieties of the dessert, which were sold to hundreds of wholesale accounts. The family's cheesecake deliveries expanded across California, from Santa Barbara to San Diego, and they even shipped their treats to out-of-state customers. In 1978, David took the family business to the next level by opening the first Cheesecake Factory restaurant in Beverly Hills. This restaurant initially offered a modest menu featuring salads, sandwiches, and ten varieties of the signature cheesecakes.
Today, The Cheesecake Factory has expanded far beyond its humble beginnings, with 348 full-service restaurants across its brands, including 215 under the Cheesecake Factory name alone. The company operates bakery production facilities in Calabasas Hills, California, and Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and its bakery-based menus are licensed to food service operators in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The Cheesecake Factory has undoubtedly become a global brand, renowned for its indulgent cheesecakes and innovative desserts.
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The Cheesecake Factory has locations worldwide, including in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe
The Cheesecake Factory is an American restaurant company and distributor of cheesecakes, with bakery production facilities in California and North Carolina. The company operates full-service restaurants, including 215 under the Cheesecake Factory brand, and licenses bakery-based menus to other food service operators worldwide.
The Cheesecake Factory has expanded its operations globally, including into the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. In the Middle East, the company has a presence in several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Lebanon. The first Middle Eastern location opened in Dubai in 2012, marking the company's initial expansion outside the United States.
In Asia, The Cheesecake Factory has established restaurants in China, with its first East Asian location in Shanghai, as well as in Hong Kong and Macau. Additionally, the company has plans for further expansion in the region, including Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
The Cheesecake Factory has also appointed a master distributor for Europe, indicating its intention to bring its restaurants to the continent. While specific European locations have not been mentioned, the company's agreements suggest potential expansion into Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and Turkey.
The company's global expansion reflects its success and popularity, offering its signature cheesecakes and eclectic menus to a worldwide audience. With a presence across various regions, The Cheesecake Factory continues to grow and establish itself as a leading international restaurant brand.
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You can get a Cheesecake Factory cheesecake delivered to your door
Craving a delicious Cheesecake Factory cheesecake but don't feel like leaving the house? Well, you're in luck! You can now get your favourite cheesecakes delivered directly to your doorstep, thanks to the convenient delivery options offered by Harry & David. Whether you're in the mood for a classic cheesecake, lemon raspberry, red velvet, or even white chocolate raspberry truffle, you can satisfy your cravings without having to step out.
The Cheesecake Factory has come a long way since its humble beginnings. It all started in the 1940s when Evelyn Overton baked a cheesecake from a Detroit newspaper recipe for her husband's employer. The cheesecake was a huge success, leading Evelyn to open a small bakery in Detroit, Michigan, in the late 1950s. Even after closing the bakery to focus on her family, she continued supplying cheesecakes to local restaurants from her basement kitchen.
In the early 1970s, the Overtons relocated to Los Angeles, where they opened a 700-square-foot store called "The Cheesecake Factory". Evelyn's reputation for creating exquisite cheesecakes grew, and soon they expanded into a larger bakery. By 1978, their son David opened the first Cheesecake Factory restaurant in Beverly Hills, offering ten varieties of cheesecakes.
Today, you don't have to live near a Cheesecake Factory restaurant to indulge in their delicious cheesecakes. Harry & David have made it possible to enjoy these treats from the comfort of your home. With their easy online ordering system, you can select from a range of popular Cheesecake Factory cheesecakes and have them delivered right to your door. So, go ahead and treat yourself—you know you want to!
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Frequently asked questions
The cheesecakes served at The Cheesecake Factory come from a recipe that Evelyn Overton found in a Detroit newspaper in the 1940s. Overton first baked her cheesecake for her husband's employer.
Evelyn Overton first sold her cheesecakes from a small bakery. She then closed the bakery to raise her children but continued to supply cheesecakes to local restaurants from her basement kitchen. In 1972, Overton and her husband moved to Los Angeles, where they opened The Cheesecake Factory Bakery and sold cheesecakes to restaurants throughout LA.
In 1978, Evelyn and Oscar Overton's son, David Overton, opened the first Cheesecake Factory restaurant in Beverly Hills to showcase his mother's cakes.
