If you are familiar with the brand Big Dave, you probably know who Derrick Hayes is. Hailing from West Philadelphia, Derrick Hayes is the founder and CEO of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, one of the most popular and fastest-growing food ventures in Atlanta.
Besides his business, Derrick is widely recognised for his appearance on the TV show Hip Hop & Enterprise and Assets Over Liabilities. Coming from a humble background, Derrick is now a multi-millionaire because of his business. Naturally, people are curious about his success story. Well, we have sorted those details in the post below.
Early Life
Derrick Hayes was born and brought up in West Philadelphia. However, his exact birth date is not known. He grew up in a middle-class family, where his father worked a blue-collar job.
It was a tragic moment for Derrick when he lost his father to lung cancer. But this incident played a key role in shaping his career, pushing him to rise above his miseries. As far as his education is concerned, Derrick graduated from Overbrook High School in 2005.
Beginning Of Career
Derrick Hayes’ professional career was right after his graduation. He entered the food industry with the hope of making it big. With his vision and goals set, he founded Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks in 2014.
After starting his business, Derrick relocated to Atlanta, where his venture took off. Initially, he operated his business from a tiny water-ice shop inside a gas station. But with hard work and consistent efforts, he turned his venture into a nationally recognised brand.
Despite the pandemic in 2020, Derrick’s business didn’t experience a setback. To make his business more successful, he focused on delivering high-quality, handmade food. His dedication even earned him a spot on Forbes’ 2021 Next 1000 list.
Other than Big Dave’s, Derrick also co-owns Dinkies and leads the David & Derrick Hayes Foundation. He has shared his entrepreneurial journey on Hip Hop & Enterprise and Assets Over Liabilities, where he spoke about his struggles and how he became successful.
Relationship
Talking about Derrick Hayes’ personal life, he is engaged to Pinky Cole, founder of Slutty Vegan. Like Derrick, Pinky is also a successful business owner. It is not clear how the couple met, but they have been together for a long time and were even featured in Essence Magazine in 2022. Together, they share two daughters and happily settled in Atlanta.
Major Source of Income and Net Worth
As of 2025, Derrick Hayes’s net worth is estimated to be around $7 million. He built a massive fortune through hard work and dedication. The majority of his income comes from Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks. Besides that, he generates a solid income from his other business ventures.
Derrick Hayes has been in the food industry since 2014. Initially, he was not very rich, but as his business became successful, his net worth increased. It is expected that his wealth will increase even further in the coming years. He lives a lavish and comfortable life with his fiancé and kids.
