---
title: "Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks Opens First Franchise Location in Columbia, South Carolina"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/d14498cf-2a7b-481d-984a-114883cc5320
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20250325_big_daves_cheesesteaks_opens_first_franchise_location_in_columbia_south_car.html
category: "Sandwich & sub"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Sandwich & sub"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit","Emerging brands"]
published: 2025-03-25T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T18:03:33.785Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1555396273-367ea4eb4db5?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks Opens First Franchise Location in Columbia, South Carolina

**TL;DR:** Big Dave's Cheesesteaks has opened its first franchise location in Columbia, South Carolina. The location is part of a deal to bring five Big Dave's Cheesesteaks restaurants to South Carolina.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2025-03-25. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20250325_big_daves_cheesesteaks_opens_first_franchise_location_in_columbia_south_car.html).*

## Story

Named in honor of Hayes’ late father, the eatery quickly gained acclaim for its authentic cheesesteaks, especially after a visit from Philadelphia-born actress and rapper Eve, who praised the establishment on social media.

The opening brought out thousands to see Derrick Hayes cut the ribbon alongside franchisees, Marc Brown, Frank Williams, Dr. Kiera Brown, and Courtney Williams. Guests included South Carolina State Senator, Overture Walker, South Carolina Representative, Hamilton R. Grant (who awarded the group a proclamation) and Hayes’ wife, Pinky Cole-Hayes (owner of Slutty Vegan).

The Columbia location is the first South Carolina Big Dave’s. Last year, Franchisees Marc Brown and Frank Williams III inked a deal to bring five Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks restaurants to South Carolina. The location is nestled in a strip of businesses on the northern end of the district.

The new location is also down the street from Philly Pretzel Factory, who recently announced a partnership with Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks to provide freshly baked, hand-twisted soft pretzels to Big Dave’s locations.

The Marietta Street flagship boasts standout features like a vibrant outdoor patio, eye-catching neon signage, and both a custom-made Liberty Bell and cheesesteak art installation, paying homage to founder Derrick Hayes’ Philadelphia upbringing. The new location added Halal beef and an 18-inch cheesesteak sandwich to their menu.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- unit expansion (topic)
- partnership (topic)
- franchise location (topic)
- Philly Pretzel Factory (company)
- menu update (topic)
- Columbia, South Carolina (location)
- Slutty Vegan (company)
- Pinky Cole Hayes (person)
- Big Dave's Cheesesteaks (company)
- Derrick Hayes (person)

---
Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20250325_big_daves_cheesesteaks_opens_first_franchise_location_in_columbia_south_car.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/d14498cf-2a7b-481d-984a-114883cc5320).