How Derrick Hayes built Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks
Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks founder and CEO Derrick Hayes is cooking up what he hopes will be his most delicious offering yet: a chance to own a franchise.
“I think entrepreneurs are going to eat it up,” 36-year old Hayes says, “pun intended” with a big smile. “I already know that we have the No. 1 cheesesteak in the country!”
On Thursday, Hayes will begin accepting official applications to purchase a Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks franchise. The West Philadelphia native is planning to take the iconic Philly sandwich national with a goal of opening 100 franchise locations by the end of 2025.
“I’m a visionary, I’m a dreamer.” Hayes says. “Franchising is something that I thought about years ago, but I didn’t have the experience or the team to do it.”
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