INTERVIEW-Cheesecake Factory pushes on with Asian-theme chain

* CEO sees niche for RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen concept

* Says no deterioration in same-store sales since Dec

By Lisa Baertlein

LOS ANGELES, March 2 (Reuters) - Cheesecake Factory (CAKE.O) Chief Executive David Overton is planting seeds for future growth beyond the current recession as he tests a new restaurant concept called RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen.

The Cheesecake Factory -- best known for its wide-ranging menus and, of course, cheesecake -- tested its first two concepts for about five years before taking them to prime time. Overton says he's following a similar road map with RockSugar.

"We'll probably open another RockSugar in less than five years .... There's certainly no rush," he said.

The restaurant debuted in an upscale Los Angeles shopping mall in June with dishes inspired by chef Mohan Ismail's home country of Singapore, as well as cuisine from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and India.

The restaurant came on line as the U.S. economy was beginning to cool into what would become a global downturn that would force U.S. restaurant operators to close poorly performing outlets and to slash plans for new eateries.