A bright orange shipping container in Baton Rouge sparked one of the most compelling stories about American fast-casual dining. Smalls Sliders started with a single location serving cheeseburger sliders and has since grown into a multi-state franchise. The Louisiana-born brand currently operates in eleven states, with new openings appearing at a steady pace across the country.
Restaurateur Brandon Landry founded Smalls Sliders in 2019 with a simple vision: deliver top burgers quickly and make the experience a pleasure from start to finish. As demand soared, the company moved its headquarters to Atlanta to strengthen its operations and tap into a broader talent pool. Each restaurant is located in a modular 'Can': a prefabricated unit of 70 square meters, equipped with a drive-thru, a walk-up window and a patio. The standardized design shortens construction time, reduces costs and helps franchisees launch in weeks instead of months.
Recognition of this strategy soon followed. Restaurant Business named Smalls Sliders to its Future 50 list of the nation's fastest-growing small chains. The company has more than 350 franchise agreements in approximately 30 states, with openings in Colorado, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. Recent developments have also added Illinois, Nevada, Ohio, South Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia to the map, which covers almost every US region.
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Smalls Sliders has great burger energy
Smalls Sliders – Smalls Sliders / Facebook
While the structure encourages distribution, the Smalls Sliders menu keeps customers coming back. Of course, the sliders are the stars of the show: fresh beef seared to order, American cheese (beloved for its meltability) and crinkle-cut pickles. A drizzle of spicy “Smauce” or spicy queso dip adds an extra layer of savory goodness. Guests can also upgrade to a “Biggie Smalls” (double meat and double cheese) or top off their meal with seasoned waffle fries and a shake – be it vanilla, chocolate or cookies and cream.
Smalls Sliders' growth has gained even more traction thanks to backing from private equity firm 10 Point Capital and former NFL quarterback Drew Brees. Their investment has increased expansion and visibility, making the brand's signature 'Smorange' shade a familiar sight along highways, on college campuses and in bustling suburbs. Inside, crews move with a rhythm as burgers sizzle and shakes mingle, giving each location a distinct energy to match its color.
Smalls Sliders has struck a chord with diners who appreciate food that is fast, consistent and full of spice. With a compact footprint, a clear identity and a loyal following, the brand continues its remarkable momentum – proving that sometimes the biggest ideas really do come in small packages (or in this case, cans).
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Read the original article on Mashed.
