Popular Atlanta-based cheesesteak restaurant coming to Charlotte

CHARLOTTE — The owner of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, a popular Atlanta-based restaurant, has announced plans to open a shop in Charlotte’s University City later this year.

This will be the first out-of-state location for the brand, following its Georgia predecessors in downtown Atlanta, Doraville and Forest Park.

“It’s a really big step for us to expand outside of Georgia for the first time,” CEO and Founder Derrick Hayes said in a news release. “Charlotte is booming right now, and we’re excited and honored that Big Dave’s gets to be a part of the community.”

Big Dave’s will open in a 2,100-square-foot space in the Town Center Plaza at 8548 University City Blvd., this winter.

The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner and available for counter-service dine-in, patio dining and takeout.

Menu items will include beef, chicken and salmon cheesesteaks, hand-rolled beef, chicken and salmon cheesesteak egg rolls and Philly-inspired salads.

In addition to its expanding lineup of restaurants, the brand also operates a food truck that is expected to host popups near its new Charlotte location leading up to the store’s opening.

Hayes, who was born and raised in West Philadelphia, has been nationally recognized by media outlets such as Forbes, Good Morning America, Black Enterprise and People Magazine.

He’s married to Pinky Cole, the founder of another popular Atlanta restaurant called the Slutty Vegan, which is also eyeing a future Charlotte location according to our news partners at the Charlotte Observer.

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