Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks owner Derrick Hayes aims to sign 100 franchise locations by the end of 2025. Credit: Lukas Gojda/Shutterstock.com.

Georgia-based foodservice brand Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks has signed a new five-unit franchise deal in South Carolina, QSR Magazine has reported.

Its franchise programme was launched in November 2023.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

The South Carolina franchise will be led by Marc Brown, a personal injury attorney, and Frank Williams III, also known as The Shuler King, a comedian and funeral home owner.

The two entrepreneurs are targeting Columbia, Greenville and Spartanburg for their first locations.

Marc Brown was quoted by QSR Magazine as saying: “I consider myself a foodie and have always been interested in the restaurant industry.  I’ve been following Big Dave’s for a few years.  As soon as I heard that Big Dave’s was franchising, I immediately reached out. I knew I wanted to work with this brand.”

Frank Williams III said: “I’m excited to be a part of the Big Dave’s Cheesesteak brand. Derrick and his wife are great people who are building a legacy and creating opportunities for others. They’re exactly what Marc Brown and I stand for.”

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Owner Derrick Hayes has been accepting franchise applications for a few months and is on target to sign 100 franchise locations by the end of 2025.

The brand’s first deal, announced in the autumn of 2023, involved 10 units in Florida with former PepsiCo president Derek Lewis.

Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks has a presence across Georgia, including a spot in the Mercedes Benz Stadium.

It is also preparing to open a new location in Charlotte, North Carolina, in spring 2024.

The brand, which originated as Big Dave’s Water Ice in a gas station in Dunwoody, Georgia, in 2014, has evolved significantly over the years.

A pivotal moment for the brand was an endorsement from fellow Philadelphian Eve, which led to a surge in business.