December 21st 2023.
Philadelphia’s iconic cheesesteak flavor is ready to entice the residents of Florida, as Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks announced an ambitious expansion plan on December 20th. This news was revealed at a special event hosted at Breakfast at Barneys in Atlanta, and reported by The Quintessential Gentleman.
The mastermind and owner of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, Derrick Hayes, went on a mission to seek out capital for his business in 2020. On his journey, he crossed paths with Derek Lewis, a former Pepsi President, and an impromptu connection was formed. This connection quickly developed into a strategic partnership, with the goal of introducing Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks to a larger audience.
The news of the partnership was met with great excitement from Hayes, who exclaimed, “When this man said Pepsi out his mouth, I could not shut up because I’m from Philly. And that’s what we drink.” Lewis was equally enthused, as he visited one of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks locations just two days later. He added, “We’re here tonight to really kick off what’s going to be a partnership. When you announced the franchising deal, I was very intrigued by that, I was very excited about that, for one, because now you get a chance to put all of your hard work and scale.”
As part of the franchise agreement, Lewis has committed to opening at least 10 locations in southern Florida. This is an incredible achievement for Hayes, especially considering his humble beginnings. In a candid moment, he commented, “I came from the Ghet-to. Like, when you bought your house in the ’70s and you paid $7,500, ghetto.” Lewis also shared his joy in achieving generational success, noting that his children now live in a country club.
Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks is now on a mission to become a household name in Florida, and share the delicious flavors of Philadelphia with new and diverse audiences. With the help of Derek Lewis, this goal is closer than ever.
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