Rick McCormack, the designer behind The Cheesecake Factory’s eclectic décor, says he isn’t upset by political jabs at the restaurant’s look. Former President Barack Obama compared President Trump’s Oval Office redesign to a Cheesecake Factory, prompting a White House response calling Obama an elitist. McCormack, 69, said he isn’t emotionally attached to the design but hopes the focus shifts to bigger national issues.
He views the controversy as part of a broader culture war involving brands like Cracker Barrel and Starbucks. Despite criticism — including being called an "aesthetic chaos" hellscape — the chain thrived, reporting $1.03 billion in revenue, up from $907.2 million. Sales rose 15% at open locations.
Founded in 1978 by David Overton in Beverly Hills, the restaurant grew from a small cheesecake shop to 218 locations, with 26 more planned.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing