Franchise Veteran Brings Experience from Roles with Avanti Restaurant Solutions, Jamba and Applebee’s
Shawna Snyder is the new chief operating officer for Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, an Atlanta-based sandwich franchise with 12 locations across four states.
Snyder’s professional background includes serving in operational and leadership roles with Avanti Restaurant Solutions, Jamba and Applebee’s. Her impact has earned industrywide recognition, including being featured in Total Food Service’s Top 25 Women in Foodservice & Hospitality in 2025. She now spearheads Big Dave’s national growth strategy, operational systems and expansion initiatives.
“Big Dave’s is a special brand with an authentic story, strong leadership and a product that truly resonates with people,” Snyder said. “What stood out to me was the opportunity to step in at a pivotal moment of growth and help build the systems and infrastructure needed to scale nationally. This role came together through strong alignment with the leadership team’s vision. There was a clear opportunity to leverage my experience in scaling brands, developing high-performing teams and instilling operational discipline to support a concept with incredible momentum and position it for long-term, sustainable growth.”
“Restaurant franchising is dynamic and constantly evolving, which is what drew me to it,” Snyder said. “You’re always adapting to consumer behavior, technology and operational efficiencies. Right now, we’re seeing a strong shift toward tech-enabled operations, data-driven decision-making and simplified menus that drive speed and consistency. Brands that can balance innovation with operational simplicity are the ones that will win.”
Derrick Hayes, founder and CEO of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, praised Snyder as a leader who “doesn’t just manage growth; she engineers it. As we strengthen our supply chain and expand our national footprint, her leadership ensures we scale with precision, protect our culture and build long-term value for our franchise partners.”
Snyder said she’s always striving to improve, whether she is working or training for a half marathon. “That same mindset of discipline, consistency and continuous growth is something I bring into my professional life every day.”
About Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks
Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks is known for its mouthwatering cheesesteaks, egg rolls, sides and desserts. Founder and CEO Derrick Hayes established the cheesesteak brand in honor of his late father.
