West Philly native Derrick Hayes and his business partner Aisha “Pinky” Cole are masters of adapting, pivoting and pouring into their community. Their ability to do so has fueled the growth of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, which this week generated $1.5 million in revenue at its flagship location in Atlanta.
They also have a focus on building generational wealth for their family. They’ve been featured on shows like Hip Hop & Enterprise and Assets Over Liabilities.
1. Net Worth
Derrick Hayes is one of the wealthiest people in the world. He has achieved a lot through hard work and perseverance. He is a role model for many people worldwide. He has a good future ahead of him. He is well-known for his work and has become a popular figure in the industry.
The West Philadelphia native began his career with a position for the U.S. Postal Service and worked at Bryn Mawr Hospital, until he moved to Atlanta in search of a better life. His luck changed when rapper and actress Eve stopped by his first restaurant, a 700-square-foot space at a gas station in 2016. She raved about its chicken cheesesteak and helped launch the chain.
Five years later, Big Dave’s has two locations in Atlanta and a third inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons. The company also has a cookbook, a line of spices called Big Dave’s All Purpose Spice and a new venture: vegan egg rolls. In addition to his business, Hayes works with Cole in philanthropy, including their non-profit Square 1 that provides scholarships and tuition assistance.
2. Age
Derrick Hayes was born in 1988 and is a self-made man who rose from a poverty-stricken community. He grew up watching his father work hard to provide for his family, and he decided to follow in his footsteps and become an entrepreneur. He now owns a popular restaurant in Atlanta and is well-known for his hard work.
Upon moving back to the state of Georgia, Hayes took a leap of faith and opened Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, named in honor of his late father. He began with a water ice location in a gas station in Dunwoody and quickly became a hit after Philadelphia native and actress Eve visited for a taste of home.
Since then, he has expanded his business to include two locations in downtown Atlanta and Doraville, Ga, as well as a store inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and a food truck. He is also a recognized Forbes Next 1000 honoree 2021 and is committed to serving the community by providing high-quality food and employing local frontline workers.
3. Height
The business mogul has a few different sources of income. Among them are his two Big Dave’s locations, his online store and various other ventures. He also has a number of investments. His net worth is estimated to be in the millions of dollars.
The West Philadelphia native has a lot to be proud of. His journey from the streets to Forbes has been nothing short of amazing. He has made his mark as a restaurateur and philanthropist. He recently landed on the cover of Essence, a popular magazine for women of color. He is the second person from his neighborhood to do so. He is married to Aisha “Pinky” Cole, who also grew up in the same neighborhood as Jada Pinkett Smith and her husband, Will Smith.
His first store, a water-ice shop at a Shell gas station in Atlanta, earned him less than $100,000 during its first year of operation. But he has since expanded, selling over $2.3 million worth of cheesesteaks in the city last year alone. He’s now planning to take the franchise nationwide.
4. Weight
Derrick Hayes is an entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist. He owns Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, which is a popular restaurant chain in Atlanta. He also has an impressive portfolio of real estate properties, brand deals, and a host of other business interests. He is also focused on building generational wealth for his family.
Hayes grew up in West Philadelphia and credits his late father for his entrepreneurship and hard-earned success. He believes that Blacks need to build their own economies, and he hopes to inspire others to follow in his footsteps.
Hayes is currently dating Pinky Cole, the founder of Slutty Vegan. They met during the George Floyd riots, when Cole reached out to help him after his car windows were broken. The pair share a daughter and two other daughters from previous relationships. In addition, the couple runs a vegan restaurant chain called Dinkies, which serves a variety of egg rolls and Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. The restaurant is a hit with celebrities like Lena Waithe and Eve.
