Derrick Hayes, CEO and founder of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, announces the newest location of the burgeoning brand will open Saturday, April 29 in Forest Park, Georgia.
Located at 4495 Jonesboro Road, the latest addition serves as the brand’s third Atlanta-area location, offering flavors from his hometown of Philly in the form of beef, chicken and salmon cheesesteaks and hand-rolled egg rolls. The restaurant will be open from noon-6pm on the opening day, and starting April 30, it will be open daily from 11am-9pm.
The opening day will feature a ribbon cutting and proclamation from the Office of the Mayor of Forest Park at noon, Big Dave’s trivia games and activities for the whole family in a block party fashion.
Anchored by the cheesesteaks that started it all, the Jonesboro Road menu will offer a counter-service selection of beef, chicken and salmon cheesesteaks sandwiched between a traditional Amoroso roll. Additionally, they will serve Loaded Fries smothered with cheesesteak fixings, hand-rolled egg rolls, a selection of Philly-inspired salads and beverages. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner and will be available for counter-service dine-in, plus takeout via online ordering at www.bigdavesway.com and on the Big Dave’s Rewards App.
“We’re really excited to expand our brand to the Forest Park and Jonesboro communities,” said Hayes in a statement. “To see what Big Dave’s has become since our humble beginnings in a Dunwoody gas station has been a dream come true. Thank you to everyone who has always supported us – we are committed to keep bringing the epic taste of West Philly!”
With current locations in downtown Atlanta and neighboring Doraville, Georgia, Jonesboro Road will feature the brand’s menu alongside a covered patio and walk-up window. The location will mark the brand’s third brick-and-mortar and the first of two slated to open in the Atlanta area this year. These locations are in addition to a food truck and multiple units within the city’s famed Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
A West Philadelphia native, restaurateur and philanthropist, founder Derrick Hayes understands the value of hard work, dedication and perseverance. After falling into trouble with the law as a young man, Derrick found himself granted with an unexpected second chance and vowed to dedicate his time to giving back to his community while building a business to bring Atlanta a taste of his Philly roots. Soon after, Big Dave’s – a restaurant known for cheesesteaks and other Philly-inspired flavors – was born.
In 2022, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks expanded with the launch of the concept’s new product venture, Big Dave’s All Purpose Spice – a smoky seasoning salt with a hint of sweetness. Available exclusively at all Big Dave’s locations and via the company’s online store for nationwide shipping.
As an extension of the brand’s community commitment, Derrick established the David & Derrick Hayes Foundation – a foundation honoring his father in support of early detection and cancer research, the David & Derrick Hayes College Fund that provides quarterly funding to deserving students with a 3.0 GPA or higher, and Square 1: The Liife Experience – a program Derrick founded with his fiance Pinky Cole (founder of the Slutty Vegan) with an initiative to provide 25,000 Black men across the nation with full access and awareness to life insurance to support their health and generate generational wealth within the Black community.
