Dave's Cheesesteaks Definitely Has Philly Roots

ATLANTA - Big Dave’s was founded by entrepreneur Derrick Hayes (fun fact: he is engaged to fellow restauranter & Slutty Vegan visionary Pinky Cole) & is an award-winning concept offering unique, mouth-watering takes on the classics from his hometown of Philadelphia. The brand is rooted with humble beginnings (it first started as a small venture in a Dunwoody, Ga gas station!) and has since expanded into a multi-million dollar empire with 3 Georgia locations, a food truck and multiple units in Atlanta’s famed Mercedes-Benz stadium. The counter-service menu drives lines around the block for its iconically known items like West Philly-style cheesesteaks served on traditional amoroso rolls, Philly fries smothered with your favorite cheesesteak toppings and the more uniquely popular handrolled cheesesteak egg rolls loaded with onions, three cheeses and a choice of beef, chicken or salmon.

Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks in Atlanta offers a unique take on Philadelphia classics from cheesesteaks to cheesesteak egg rolls. With locations in Atlanta and neighboring Doraville, GA, a food truck and multiple units in the city’s famed Mercedes-Benz stadium, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks serves mouth-watering flavors straight from founder Derrick Hayes’ hometown of Philly in the form of beef, chicken and salmon cheesesteaks for all to enjoy. Regularly generating lines around the block, the brand is one of the fastest-growing businesses in the Southeast.

Founded by West Philadelphia native Derrick “D” Hayes, who is the brand’s CEO, the now multi-million dollar empire was born from humble beginnings. After falling into trouble with the law, Derrick found himself granted with an unexpected second chance and vowed to turn his life around right then and there. Stemming from childhood memories of time spent in the kitchen with his grandfather, he became hooked on the idea of selling cheesesteaks and water ice, and clung to the idea of bringing the real taste of his Philly roots to Atlanta. After months of refusals from business owners all disinterested in leasing him a space, Derrick found a 700-squarefoot space within a Dunwoody Shell gas station where he could finally build his dream from the ground up. Following the buildout and after months of withstanding little to no customer foot traffic, rapper, actress & fellow Philadelphia native Eve stumbled in while in town for a project, posted a photo on social media, and the rest was history.

As luck would have it, locals and celebrities began to line up around the block to try the now-famous Philly subs. Since then, Big Dave’s has soared to success and was ranked as one of the 2018 World Food Championship’s “Top 10” Best Sandwiches. A self-made entrepreneur, restaurateur and philanthropist, Derrick has been nationally recognized by Forbes, Good Morning America, Black Enterprise, RevoltTV, People Magazine, Red Table Talk and many more. In 2021 he was named to the Forbes Next 1000 list, and even graced the cover of Essence Magazine with Pinky Cole.

THE MENU

Anchored by the cheesesteaks that started it all, Big Dave’s offers a counter-service menu of beef, chicken and salmon cheesesteaks, Philly fries smothered with your favorite cheesesteak toppings, hand-rolled egg rolls, a selection of wings, salads and water ice beverages – a Philly original.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Although the concept solidified its roaring success within Atlanta’s culinary scene through its mouth-watering food, the Black-owned business is dually committed to actively participating in uplifting its community. In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, the restaurant distributed free meals to healthcare heroes and went as far as providing face masks and other medical supplies to neighboring hospitals in the area. As an extension of the brand’s community commitment, founder & CEO Derrick Hayes established the David & Derrick Hayes Foundation – a foundation honoring Derrick’s father in support of early detection and cancer research, the David & Derrick Hayes College Fund that provides quarterly funding to deserving students with a 3.0 GPA or higher, and Square 1: The Liife Experience – a program Derrick founded with his fiance Pinky Cole (founder of the wildly successful Slutty Vegan) with an initiative to provide 25,000 Black men across the nation with full access and awareness to life insurance to support their health and generate generational wealth within the black community.

CATERING

Big Dave’s offers catering services for both large and small events and gatherings. To bring the taste of Philly to your next event, complete a Catering Request form or browse the Party Platter menu at www. bigdavesway.com