U.S.BREAKING: MILDLY IMPORTANT
The Cheesecake Factory's over-the-top decor is the point
Former design chief Rick McCormack told CNN the chain looks nothing like the White House, and its menu has more than 250 items; a dry aside.
Watch it as it aired: Kenji Moonfield and Dale Bearman on this story, from Late Night BBN at 11:35 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are WSJ's, the jokes are ours.

At a glance
- First reported by WSJ: “The Cheesecake Factory Is Over-the-Top, Gaudy and Bizarre. That’s the Point.”, with reporting from Washingtonian, Fortune and Tasting Table.
- Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 11:35 PM ET on Late Night BBN, by Kenji Moonfield and Dale Bearman.
- Topics: Cheesecake Factory.
- BBN covered this story before: Cheesecake feud, Contreras MVP, King Charles dances (October 29).
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- WSJThe Cheesecake Factory Is Over-the-Top, Gaudy and Bizarre. That’s the Point.
- WashingtonianThe Cheesecake Factory's Longtime Designer Weighs in on Obama's Insult October 27, 2026 · facts used on air
- FortuneObama mocked Trump’s gold White House as a Cheesecake Factory. The chain just posted a record quarter October 28, 2026 · facts used on air
- Tasting TableWhy Cheesecake Factory's Interior Design Feels So Unusual - Tasting Table facts used on air
What BBN said about it

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThe Cheesecake Factory's decor is under national discussion, and BBN will bring you team coverage as it unfolds.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorDecor? What's the threat level?

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentObama said Trump's gold-riddled White House renovations looked like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory, the Washingtonian reports.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThe designer, Rick McCormack, told CNN the comparison is, quote, a little bit sad. He is the designer. Of the columns.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorThe designer is giving interviews. I assumed this was about a bridge.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentEgyptian columns, Italian frescoes, Victorian beadboard, French bistro chairs, and a record quarter. I'll rate it mildly important, a three.

Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorEgyptian columns, Italian frescoes, French chairs, and the only thing under investigation is the cheesecake. We will update you if it becomes slightly more important.
More Shorts
All videos →The story so far
- Trump hits back at Obama over Cheesecake Factory jab · New York Post
- Perry documentary, Cheesecake jab, Alaska Senate suit · New York Post
- Netflix's Matthew Perry doc, Obama's Cheesecake Factory jab · The Washington Post
- Trump, Obama campaign in pivotal states; DHS breach; Curry ties LeBron · AP News
- Cheesecake feud, Contreras MVP, King Charles dances · Yahoo
- The Cheesecake Factory's over-the-top decor is the point (this story)
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Saturday, October 31, 2026 · the U.S. archive · all months


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Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
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