Hundreds Anxious for Cheesecake Factory Opening in Novi

A crowd began to gather 6 a.m. Tuesday outside The Cheesecake Factory, the first in Michigan, at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi.

The throng of cheesecake fans buzzed with excitement, many saying that today was not a day to count calories. Hundreds waited in line before the full-service dining restaurant opened just before 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Dawn Thomas, of Farmington Hills, was first in line for opening day with her 2-year-old daughter, Daisy. She said she arrived before 6 a.m.

>>See her in the video above along with other The Cheesecake Factory fanatics.

"I would say this is by far the most enthusiastic group we've ever met," said Alethea Rowe, senior director of public relations for The Cheesecake Factory.

Rowe, who has been with the company for more than eight years, said everyone is positively overwhelmed.

Read more from The Cheesecake Factory's opening day in Novi:

• What to Know When Visiting The Cheesecake Factory
• Family Waits Hours for Cheesecake Factory Birthday Treat

Will you dine at The Cheesecake Factory in Novi? Tell us in the comments.