Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks’ new Orlando location celebrated a huge leap in opening its first brick-and-mortar on April 3. From the news surrounding the event, the atmosphere certainly didn’t disappoint, and it was everything partners Derrick Hayes (founder of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks) and Derek Lewis (first franchisee) had hoped it would be. Tucked into a plaza at 441 E Mitchell Hammock Rd in Oviedo, Florida, the shop marks a significant milestone for a brand that started humbly inside a gas station — and now counts celebrities and national media among its fans.
With support from names like Eve, Meek Mill, and Lil Uzi Vert, Big Dave’s has earned cult status for its Philly-style sandwiches and bold flavors. But behind the hype is a story of legacy, grit, and vision — a story that Derrick Hayes and Derek Lewis are eager to tell as they expand the brand into Central Florida.
Why Central Florida was the natural next step
For founder Derrick Hayes, the Florida move was sparked by more than market strategy; it started with a moment of connection. “I met Derek [Lewis] when he was the keynote speaker at an event I attended,” Hayes recalled. “He was so successful — he looked like me, and I stood up and asked him, ‘Where’s my Pepsi deal?’”
That question turned out to be more than rhetorical. Lewis, a 30-plus-year PepsiCo veteran, didn’t just follow up — he signed on. He saw something in Hayes’s journey and believed in the brand’s potential. “Derek showed up afterward and told me he was interested,” Hayes said. “And that meant everything.”…