June 20, 2025
Huge Dave’s is making headlines once more—this time by an expanded partnership with its largest and first franchisee, Derek Lewis.
In March, BLACK ENTERPRISE spotlighted businessman Derrick Hayes within the article “Huge Dave’s Cheesesteaks Opens First Franchise In South Carolina,” highlighting the model’s progress into the Southeast. Now, simply months later, Huge Dave’s is making headlines once more — this time by an expanded partnership with its largest and first franchisee, Derek Lewis.
Lewis at the moment operates six Huge Dave’s areas, together with two in Orlando’s Kia Heart by a multi-level partnership with the Orlando Magic, two in Tenting World Stadium, and conventional storefronts in Oviedo and SoDo, Florida. With eight extra areas already within the pipeline — solely in Central Florida — Lewis is additional deepening his regional footprint.
Along with his position with Huge Dave’s, Lewis can also be the biggest Philly Pretzel Manufacturing unit franchisee within the Southern area. He just lately debuted a Philly Pretzel Manufacturing unit counter inside his Huge Dave’s location in Oviedo. Slightly than a standard standalone store, this progressive collaboration affords a curated menu of Philly favorites underneath one roof, enhancing the visitor expertise and laying the groundwork for future enlargement.
Lewis has a powerful profession within the meals & beverage business as a former president inside PepsiCo Drinks NA, widely known as a company chief, entrepreneur, and social change advocate. Recognized for producing billions in income whereas advancing tradition and group, Lewis now channels his experience into franchise progress and management. Earlier this yr, Lewis added “writer” to his listing of accomplishments, publishing his memoir, Survive + Advance: Classes on Residing a Life With out Compromise, sharing classes in resilience and purposeful management.
Lewis is driving native progress with plans to open 4 extra Philly Pretzel Manufacturing unit areas throughout Orlando. “Bringing Philly Pretzel Manufacturing unit to Orlando is all about delivering worth and authenticity,” stated Lewis. “As a fan of each manufacturers and a lifelong lover of Philadelphia flavors, I’m excited to supply our visitors the very best of Philly in a single place. That is just the start — our restricted menu launch in Oviedo paves the way in which for extra areas throughout Central Florida.”
Constructing on the success of their joint opening in Atlanta earlier this yr, the brand new Oviedo location marks the subsequent step within the shared mission of Philly Pretzel Manufacturing unit CEO and Co-Founder, Dan DiZio, and Huge Dave’s Cheesesteaks Founder, Derrick Hayes, to introduce genuine Philly flavors to new communities. As we speak, Philly Pretzel Manufacturing unit, the world’s largest Philly-style pretzel bakery, at the moment boasts 170 areas throughout the nation.
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