I have been inspired by Derrick Hayes and Big Dave's Cheesesteaks starting as an Instagram follower and then as a customer. I actually drove from Tampa to Orlando to try his Classic Dave's Chicken — wow — was it worth the drive and the many more drives I will continue to make to Big Dave's. Hopefully, Tampa is on the list for new locations!

Derrick's vision, his grit, and his heart for community and family sets him apart as a Founder who isn't just building restaurants — he is building movements. He has transformed a promise to his late father into a national brand and a platform for purpose. His story is about resilience, responsibility and relentless belief in what's possible when you refuse to quit.

From a gas station start-up to a brand recognized most recently among Fast Casual's Top 10 Movers and Shakers, Derrick Hayes proves that purpose-driven leadership changes everything. He is building a franchise with national reach, creating generational impact, and inspiring Founders everywhere to think bigger.

Lessons from Derrick Hayes

In this episode of Founderology – Built to Breakthrough, Derrick opens up about the decisions, setbacks, and breakthroughs that shaped his path. He shares how to lead through loss, how to stay authentic when the spotlight turns on you, and why purpose—not money—is the ultimate driver for growth.

Here are just a few of the powerful lessons Derrick delivers:

• How to condition yourself for the long game and run your own race.
• Why every Founder must know their numbers, their culture, and their vision.
• How to turn purpose into the fuel that powers your brand through the hardest of times.
• What it takes to build your own table instead of waiting for a seat at someone else's.
• One of my favorite is the 20% financial factor.

Leading with purpose, legacy

Derrick Hayes is a purpose-driven leader carrying forward the dreams of his family and the hopes of his community. He has redefined what a cheesesteak can represent: not just food, but opportunity, empowerment, and impact. This conversation is real, impactful, and full of hard-earned wisdom every Founder can use. Derrick's story is a roadmap for visionaries who are ready to rise, scale, and lead with purpose.

Listen to learn, lead, break through

Listening to this episode feels like sitting across from a Founder who has lived the grind, faced the naysayers and chose to keep building anyway. Derrick Hayes embodies what it means to lead with vision, build with heart and drive with purpose. This is a must-hear conversation for any Founder ready to unlock the lessons of purpose, perseverance, and power.