The Atlanta-based Philly cheesesteak specialists, Big Dave’s, is getting ready to expand beyond Atlanta, with a new location eventually coming to Charlotte.
Big Dave’s launched in 2014 under Derrick Hayes, who started the company to honor his father, David Hayes, who passed away from cancer in 2009. Since then, the company has expanded to four restaurants in Atlanta, three kiosks in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and a food truck. Now, Big Dave’s is ready to expand beyond Atlanta, according to QSR Magazine. Hayes is targeting Charlotte for the brand’s first location outside of Georgia and wants to begin franchising when he’s closer to a double-digit store footprint.
“This brand is special, and it’s going to continue to grow, but I’m not in a rush,” Hayes tells QSR Magazine. “My dream is to have Big Dave’s all over the nation. Whether that’s by franchising or with corporate-owned stores, it doesn’t matter. The way I get there is by keeping my boots on the ground.”
When the restaurant makes its way to the Charlotte area, customers can expect game-changing cheesesteaks and other West Philly classics. The restaurant has become such a success in Atlanta that the business was ranked one of the “Top 10 Best Sandwiches” in the world by World Food Champions. The expansion is a direct result of these successes and ultimately proves Hayes has kept his word to his father, the original Big Dave, to turn his life around with his own business.
“I just want to make my father proud by doing something the right way,” Hayes says. “It’s bigger than food. I have amazing food, but I also have amazing passion. Over the years, people have been able to see that. They’ve gravitated toward the brand because they want me to win.”
