Last week Friday (October 18th), Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks made a slam dunk debut at the Kia Center during the Orlando Magic’s victorious preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers. The grand opening marks the start of of a multi-year, multi-level partnership between Derek Lewis’ Big Dave’s Cheesesteak franchise and the Orlando Magic.

The event saw the attendance of notable figures including:

• Derek Lewis, franchise owner
• Derrick Hayes, founder and CEO of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks
• Nick Anderson and Charles “Bo” Outlaw, former Magic legends
• J.T. McWalters, Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships
• Michael Loulan, Director of Global Partnership Activation
• Steven Duffy, Director of Global Partnership Sales
• Richard Carbone, Assistant Director of Global Partnership Activation
• Gina Cuneo, Global Partnerships Account Activation Representative

In addition to enjoying the exciting game, fans were also treated to authentic Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks, with many raving about the quality and taste.  “The response has been overwhelming,” said Derek Lewis. “We’re thrilled to bring the Big Dave’s experience to Magic fans and become a part of the Kia Center family.”

This is now the second Big Dave’s Cheesesteak’s within the Kia Center. Having both a brick-and-mortar restaurant and a convenient cart location ensures that fans can enjoy their favorite sandwiches no matter where they are in the arena.

Big Dave’s Cheesesteak’s founder Derrick Hayes expressed his excitement about the partnership by saying, “This is more than just about great food; it’s about creating memorable experiences for fans and being a part of the Orlando community.”

Source: Courtesy / Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks

The successful launch at the Kia Center represents a significant milestone in Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks’ expansion and sets the stage for an exciting future in sports venue dining. Congrats to both Derrick Hayes and Derek Lewis on yet another win!