Later this fall, Derrick Hayes will reopen the Downtown Atlanta location of Big Dave’s Cheesesteak in the former Waffle House beneath Der Biergarten on Marietta Street.
The announcement comes just two weeks after Hayes closed Big Dave’s flagship location on Forsyth Street due to a burst pipe in the Healey Building that caused serious water damage inside the restaurant. It’s unclear what led to the pipe bursting on one of the floors above Big Dave’s, which happened during the citywide water main crisis in June.
After assessing the damage and costs to repair, Hayes determined the right move was to close. He vowed not to let the closure get him down. Big Dave’s would simply relocate to another space.
The new location not only doubles the size of Big Dave’s but puts the homegrown cheesesteak chain in a prime Downtown location close to many of Atlanta’s biggest tourist attractions, including the College Football Hall of Fame, Centennial Park, and the Georgia Aquarium. State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium are also walkable from the restaurant.
A patio offers coveted outdoor seating for the new Downtown location and the ability to serve beer and wine.
In addition to relocating the flagship restaurant to a larger space, Hayes will expand the Big Dave’s brand to a new location inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium and break ground on one of five franchise locations in South Carolina owned by comedian Shuler King.
Earlier this year, Hayes entered into a franchise agreement with former PepsiCo. president Derek Lewis to open ten locations of Big Dave’s in Florida.
Hayes is married to Atlanta restaurateur and Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole.
