Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks began in a 700-square-foot gas station in Dunwoody, Georgia, serving cheesesteaks inspired by founder Derrick Hayes’ West Philadelphia roots.
The Atlanta-born restaurant company has since expanded across multiple states and is building a franchise system designed to support growth in markets across the country.
Hayes grew up in West Philadelphia, where he learned to cook alongside his grandfather. After relocating to Atlanta, he opened the restaurant that would become Big Dave’s, named in honor of his late father. The concept developed a following around West Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks and a menu that now includes beef, chicken and salmon cheesesteaks, cheesesteak egg rolls, fries and other items.
The company expanded throughout the Atlanta market and established a presence inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Its footprint has since reached North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida, while franchising has become a central component of its expansion.
Big Dave’s currently says it operates across five states, with additional locations in development, and is awarding franchise opportunities nationwide.
Expanding Beyond Georgia
Big Dave’s reached its first market outside Georgia with an expansion into North Carolina in 2024. The company subsequently entered South Carolina, where it opened its first franchise location in Columbia in 2025.
Florida is also becoming a larger part of the company’s footprint. Big Dave’s has established locations in the Orlando area, and its first Tampa Bay restaurant is expected to open near the University of South Florida in August 2026. The Tampa market is being developed by Black Apron Hospitality Group.
Washington, D.C. represents another expansion market. In May 2026, Big Dave’s announced a franchise agreement with BIG DMV, a group of restaurant operators that will lead development throughout the District.
The company is now marketing single-unit, multi-unit and area-development opportunities nationwide, with strategic territory availability across D.C., Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.
Building the Infrastructure for Franchising
As Big Dave’s enters additional markets, the company is building systems to support franchise operators across its growing footprint.
Its franchise program includes site selection, restaurant development, operational guidance and structured training covering food preparation, guest experience and team leadership. Franchisees also receive support around restaurant openings.
Supply chain has become another part of that infrastructure. Big Dave’s has established relationships with Amoroso’s Baking Company and Philly’s Best Steak Company, giving restaurants in different markets access to core components used across the brand.
The company has also expanded its leadership team. Big Dave’s appointed restaurant industry veteran Shawna Snyder as chief operating officer, with a mandate focused on national growth. The company describes the appointment as part of building the operational backbone needed to support expansion.
The Economics Behind the Franchise
Big Dave’s is using performance from affiliate-owned restaurants to market its franchise opportunity.
According to the company’s franchise materials, affiliate-owned locations generate approximately $1.5 million in average unit volume. Big Dave’s also reports $1.8 million in annual sales at one location and $1.6 million during the first eight months of another.
The company says its traditional and nontraditional locations collectively sold over 1,500 cheesesteaks per day during the July 2024 through June 2025 measurement period. These figures are company-reported franchise performance claims and do not guarantee results for individual franchisees.
Big Dave’s has also used nontraditional venues to expand its reach. The company has built a presence at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and lists partnerships or locations connected with the Georgia World Congress Center, Camping World Stadium and Kia Center among its brand relationships.
These venues give Big Dave’s another format for reaching customers as its traditional restaurant and franchise footprint expands.
Building a National Franchise Brand
The company’s current growth plans point toward a significantly larger restaurant network.
Hayes told Forbes in January 2026 that Big Dave’s was targeting 200 restaurants by 2030. At the time, Forbes reported that the company had 12 locations across four states and was selling approximately 1,500 sandwiches per day.
Recent franchise agreements show the next phase taking shape. Big Dave’s is entering new territories through local operating groups while developing the training, supply chain and operational systems needed to support those restaurants.
The expansion also represents a significant evolution from the company’s beginnings. A concept developed inside a 700-square-foot gas station has grown into a multi-state restaurant business with franchise operators, major venue partnerships and a stated goal of reaching hundreds of locations.
Big Dave’s next phase will be defined by its ability to replicate the model across a growing network of markets and operators as it works toward becoming a national franchise brand.
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