Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks has officially opened its first franchise location in Columbia’s Five Points. The restaurant was founded in 2014 by West Philadelphia native Derrick Hayes, starting as a small business in a 700-square-foot gas station in Dunwoody, Georgia. Named in honor of Hayes’ late father, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks gained recognition for its take on the classic Philadelphia cheesesteak. The brand received a major boost when Philadelphia-born rapper and actress Eve visited the restaurant and shared her experience on social media, drawing more attention to the business and accelerating its growth.
The grand opening event in Columbia brought out a large crowd, with Hayes cutting the ribbon alongside franchisees Marc Brown, Frank Williams, Dr. Kiera Brown, and Courtney Williams. Several public officials attended, including South Carolina State Senator Overture Walker and Representative Hamilton R. Grant, who presented a proclamation recognizing the new location. Hayes was also joined by his wife, Pinky Cole-Hayes, who owns the Slutty Vegan restaurant chain. Franchisees Brown and Williams previously announced plans to bring five Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks locations to South Carolina as part of the company’s expansion.
Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks now operates multiple locations across Atlanta, including one inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The restaurant has been recognized among the “Top 10 Best Sandwiches” by World Food Champions. Hayes has also received industry recognition, appearing on Forbes’ Next 1000 list in 2021 and Black Enterprise’s 40 Under 40 list in 2023 for his role in expanding the business. Last year, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks opened its first out-of-state corporate location in Charlotte, North Carolina, marking another step in its continued growth.
