Latest news with #BigDave'sCheesesteaks
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pinky Cole's Bentley Stolen Outside Of Her Sandwich Shop Grand Opening
The owner of the plant-based fast food chain Slutty Vegan hopped on Instagram this week to give an update on her unlucky car. Pinky Cole Hayes posted a May 25 clip on her Instagram account to say that her Bentley was stolen while parked outside her new Atlanta sandwich shop, Voagies. Cole explained in the candid clip that three people allegedly pulled up to Voagies on scooters and jumped into her black Bentley before speeding off with her car. Cole began, 'Y'all , I swear this car is not good luck. We at Voagies, and somebody just stole the car that we just got out of the shop yesterday, in front of the restaurant — while we got people standing in line, ordering food.' Voagies is Cole's most recent business venture, a vegan hoagie panned the camera to show the street, where three scooters lay abandoned on the curb and other patrons in the background. 'And they left the scooters on the ground. If you see a Bentley in Atlanta, a black Bentley, send me a DM — the police are on their way, but somebody just stole it,' Cole shared. She explained, 'Three guys just jumped in the Bentley and stole it while we were at the restaurant.' Despite the damper on what would have been a positive day for the entrepreneur, Cole told fans that she wouldn't let it get her down. 'We can't catch a break, but you know what? God is still good. If you see a Bentley, send me a DM ASAP.' As previously reported, The Atlanta business owner, who originally founded popular plant-based restaurant chain Slutty Vegan, recently opened Voagies as another chain under her belt. Cole, 37, faced business issues with Slutty Vegan that forced her to temporarily surrender control of her company, to satisfy creditors who were unhappy with management's 'exorbitant' overhead spending. After six weeks of reflecting, Cole was able to buy Slutty Vegan back and began the journey of launching a new joint venture with her husband, who is the current owner of Big Dave's Cheesesteaks, Derrick Hayes. At the time, Cole stated, 'My last investors, they brought value for what they brought value to, but when you think about elevation and growth, I'm elevating and growing with a new set of folks and I'm excited about it.' Cole added at the grand opening of Voagies in Atlanta, 'This is the first business in Slutty Vegan 2.0. This is a hoagie shop like you have never experienced before. This brand is going to scale in a way that you ain't never seen before… We will see this all over the world.' As of today, Slutty Vegan has eight locations—five of which are in Georgia and individual spots in Alabama, Maryland, and New York. RELATED CONTENT:
Business Wire
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
From Gas Station Grill to National Powerhouse: Big Dave's Cheesesteaks Becomes First Black-Owned Cheesesteak Brand to Crack Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers and Shakers List
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Big Dave's Cheesesteaks, the burgeoning fast casual brand that started in a gas station and is now a nationally-recognized franchise from entrepreneur and visionary Derrick Hayes, has ranked # 6 on Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers and Shakers of 2025. Big Dave's Cheesesteaks is proud to be the first majority black-owned brand named on this esteemed industry list. Additionally, Big Dave's Cheesesteaks President Jessie Bray was also honored in the Top 25 Fast Casual Executives list. 'As one of the youngest black men to ever make the Top 100 'Movers & Shakers' list, the impact and inspiration that this award will have on future entrepreneurs who come from a similar background is not lost on me,' said Big Dave's Cheesesteaks Founder and CEO Derrick Hayes. 'It's an honor that my passion and purpose for this brand is being recognized, and I couldn't do it without my incredible team and valued franchise partners.' Named as a tribute to his late father, the West Philly native Derrick Hayes overcame adversity and Big Dave's Cheesesteaks got its break when Grammy-winning artist and fellow Philadelphian Eve promoted the food after visiting his first location. Since 2014, Hayes has successfully grown Big Dave's from a 700 square foot space in a gas station in Dunwoody, Georgia to locations across the Southeast (Georgia, Florida, North Caroline, South Carolina) and into major sports stadiums like Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Orlando's Kia Center. Big Dave's Cheesesteaks has attained impressive growth all while being self-funded and independently built, and the fast growing brand aims to rapidly scale in 2025 by inking deals for 100 locations by the end of year. "I'm proud of the growth we have achieved so far as a brand, and it has been a pleasure working with Derrick to see his dream come true,' said Big Dave's Cheesesteaks President Jessie Bray. 'Being recognized as one of the top Movers and Shakers helps pave the way to achieve our goal of 100 signed franchise locations by the end of the year. While being honored as one of the Top 25 Executives in Fast Casual shows our dedication to our team members, it's our core values, business strategy and fact-based decision making that are the keys to Big Dave's Cheesesteaks long term success." Awarded annually since 2006, the Top 100 award honors the top 100 brands and 25 executives who are leading the fast casual restaurant industry. It celebrates their accomplishments in growth and sales, as well as their influence on menu innovation and trends. The award recognizes growth and sales accomplishments but also trend setting and incorporating technology to enhance the customer experience. To view the 'Top 100 Movers & Shakers' list in its entirety, visit About Big Dave's Cheesesteaks Big Dave's Cheesesteaks, founded by Derrick Hayes, is revolutionizing fast-casual dining with bold flavors, high-quality ingredients, and a commitment to innovation. Established in 2014 in a 700-square-foot gas station in Dunwoody, Georgia, the brand has expanded significantly, now boasting multiple locations across Georgia, including three inside Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In addition to its Georgia presence, Big Dave's has expanded into Florida with locations in Orlando's Camping World Stadium and partnerships with the Orlando Magic at the Amway Center. The brand has also opened its first out-of-state location in Charlotte, North Carolina. The establishment is a tribute to Derrick's late father, David Hayes, whose legacy inspires the brand's dedication to quality and community engagement. For more information visit Big Dave's Cheesesteaks and follow along at @bigdavescheesesteaks
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How To Scale A Restaurant From A Single Location To Several
'I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don't sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.' — Madam C.J. Walker, the first self-made Black millionaire Many Black restaurant owners dream of expanding, but challenges like funding, staffing, and maintaining quality can make it tough. Still, plenty of Black-owned restaurants, such as Slutty Vegan and Trap Kitchen, have successfully scaled — and so can you! Growing a restaurant takes a solid plan, smart decisions, and strong support. Let's break down the strategies to help you expand, get funding, and build a thriving restaurant business. Your current operations must run smoothly before you open more locations. If your first restaurant isn't profitable, adding more locations will only create bigger problems, including higher labor costs. Make sure your single restaurant business is making money. Track key performance indicators (KPIs) like cash flow, profit margins, and customer loyalty. Build a strong brand. When people walk into your restaurant — whether it's the first or fifth location — they should feel the same vibe, service, and food quality. That's brand consistency, which creates loyal customers. Create a playbook. Document your recipes, training, and daily restaurant operations so every location delivers the same great restaurant experience. Clear operational adjustments maintain high standards and efficient operations across all your locations. To scale your restaurant business successfully, you need a solid understanding of how to run a successful restaurant. The best path for growth depends on your goals, budget, and how much control you want to keep. Opening more locations yourself gives you full control over your brand, food, and customer experience. However, it requires significant time, money, and staff management. This approach works best for restaurateurs with a successful first location and strong leadership skills. Franchising lets others open restaurants under your brand, allowing for faster growth without using your own money. However, you need strong systems to maintain quality and consistency. Big Dave's Cheesesteaks scaled successfully this way. This works best for restaurateurs with a proven concept that attracts investors. Partnering with investors can help you grow faster by sharing costs and responsibilities, but it also means giving up some control and profits. This option is best for restaurateurs who need funding but prefer not to franchise. Ghost kitchens and pop-ups let you test new markets with lower costs and less risk. While they save money, they don't offer the same visibility as a physical restaurant. Best for restaurateurs exploring new locations or adding delivery or online ordering-only options. Your restaurant's financial health is often the biggest roadblock to expansion, but there are ways to secure funding. Business loans and grants can provide the funding you need to grow. Grants from organizations like the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) or local Black business programs don't need repayment, while loans from Black-owned banks, credit unions, or SBA programs offer structured terms but require good credit and a solid business plan. Detroit Vegan Soul successfully used these funding options to expand, making them ideal for restaurateurs with a clear growth strategy. Community investment allows loyal customers and supporters to help fund your expansion through crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter or GoFundMe. Another option is cooperative ownership, where community members invest in exchange for perks like discounts or profit-sharing. This approach works best for restaurateurs with strong community ties and a dedicated customer base. Angel investors and venture capital firms can provide significant funding for rapid expansion, often in exchange for equity. Black-led investment groups like the Fearless Fund and New Voices Fund offer both capital and mentorship to support growth. This option is best for high-growth restaurants aiming to scale across multiple cities. Buying commercial kitchen equipment can be costly, but you have options. Save money by purchasing quality used equipment, leasing or financing through companies like SilverChef, or using business loans and grants. These funding options make it easier for Black restaurateurs to access essential equipment without draining their cash flow, helping them scale their businesses more efficiently. You can't do it all alone! A great team keeps your restaurant running smoothly as you grow. Train your managers so they can handle new locations without you being there every day. Keep your employees happy by recognizing their hard work and creating a positive work culture. Use a simple hiring system to find the right people who share your values. Embracing technology, like a kitchen display system, can also make training easier and help your team deliver great service at every location. Success leaves clues. Study how successful Black restaurateurs scaled their businesses by refining restaurant operations, marketing strategies, and embracing technology. Connect with experienced restaurant owners, industry groups, and organizations like the National Black Chamber of Commerce for guidance on operations, overhead costs, and digital marketing. A restaurant consultant can also help improve efficiency and profitability. Black-owned restaurants like Slutty Vegan and The Breakfast Klub scaled by leveraging social media, building strong customer loyalty, and tapping into market demand. Learning from their business models can help shape your own expansion strategy. Marketing attracts more guests and maintains a profitable restaurant. Strong marketing efforts boost sales, engage customers, and drive sustainable growth while maintaining a consistent experience across multiple locations. Use social media (i.e., Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok) to showcase your food, engage loyal customers, and attract new ones. Targeted marketing, exclusive online deals, and positive reviews help boost visibility and drive more customers to your restaurant. Create a buzz with grand opening specials, influencer partnerships, and community events. Use digital marketing to attract more customers while showcasing your commitment to better service and reducing food waste. Community and customer engagement strengthens your brand and keeps customers coming back. Partner with local businesses, support events, and gather customer feedback to adapt and improve your restaurant for future growth. Scaling your restaurant is a journey that requires planning, financial strategy, and strong leadership. By securing funding, investing in restaurant technology, and staying focused on customer preferences, you can build a thriving restaurant chain. Next Steps? Join Black business networking groups, apply for restaurant grants, and start planning your new location today! RELATED CONTENT: Emmitt Smith Prioritizes The Long Game As Vegas Restaurant Marks 1st Anniversary: 'It's All About Sustainability' Sign in to access your portfolio
