Did You Know?

There are lots of nationally known companies that got their start in Michigan. Did You Know? is a semi-regular feature highlighting some of these companies.

The Cheesecake Factory

It's hard to find anyone that has not heard of the Cheesecake Factory. Their cheesecakes are legendary and, from what I hear, the other food is great too! I will admit that I've never had any non-cheesecake selections. What can I say? Most people, though, don't realize that the origins of Cheesecake Factory lie in Detroit.  Evelyn Overton created the original recipe and owned a small cheesecake shop in Detroit in the late 1940's. With two small children, she and her husband, Oscar, gave up the shop and she made cakes for local businesses from her Detroit kitchen. In 1971, the Overton's moved to Los Angeles and opened a 700 square foot shop, The Cheesecake Factory. The rest, as they say, is history. There are now over 150 locations that offer a full menu and, of course, endless varieties of cheesecake.

Sadly, there is no Michigan location of the famous chain, but the next time you enjoy a bit of Cheesecake Factory cheesecake, remember that it got it's start in Detroit, Michigan!