AMERICAN restaurant chain The Cheesecake Factory is set to take over the site of the ill-fated Union Market in Fulham.

The eatery is renowned for its 50 different types of cheesecake but also operates an extensive hot food menu, specialising in steaks, burgers and fish dishes.

It currently has more than 160 branches in North America and recently opened a further restaurant in Kuwait. Fulham would be its first European venture.

Union Market, an independent, high-end food shop, closed last month after going into administration. It signed a lease agreement for the Fulham Broadway premises from another American chain and former tenant, TGI Friday's, for £300,000 but struggled to make money.

Some Twitter users were sceptical about the prospect of another American restaurant trying its hand at the site. @saturngirl said the chain wouldn't appeal to passing Chelsea fans, while @Clareaux wrote: "From British food to American cheesecake. Yuk."

But @lucindahearth said: "Went to Cheesecake Factory in the US recently, was impressed - not all cheesecake, and extensive and delicious main menu too."

Fulham-based catering manager John Brodie, 38, used to live in America and was a regular at the chain. While he believes the concept can be a success in Britain, he was unsure about Fulham as a location.

He said: "They serve excellent quality food - it certainly isn't fast food muck and is not cheap. I'd be really excited about them coming over here but I'm not sure about Fulham and especially that location - TGI's was there before and didn't really work. I'm just not sure the area has the restaurant trade footfall."

While it has been lauded for its quality, The Cheesecake Factory has also gained a reputation for being one of the unhealthiest eateries in America, renowned for its gigantic portions.

In 2010 Men's Health magazine branded it the 'worst family restaurant in America' due to its sandwiches having an average content of 1,400 calories.