The Cheesecake Shop, Albury, NSW

The Cheesecake Shop was founded by brothers Warwick and Robert Konopacki in 1991. From humble beginnings in the back blocks of Sydney’s inner western suburb of Rozelle, the brothers Konopacki baked delicious cakes fashioned from’ Mamuska’, their Polish mother’s, traditional recipes. Robert had entrepreneurial flair and experience in food while Warwick, a clinical psychologist by trade, brought a strong analytical mind that helped design and document the recipes and procedures. Within two years the first franchised store was opened at Baulkham Hills Sydney that achieved overnight success and precipitated the opening of a further two hundred stores over the next five years. Warwick may have been the first clinical psychologist to offer a relaxing slice of cake before discussing more personal issues on the couch. The Cheesecake Shop stores are now in every state of Australia and New Zealand and have more recently opened in the United Kingdom and Poland.