With a strong business plan and a simple but tasty menu, Smalls Sliders has rapidly expanded while proving to be a smart franchise opportunity for many multi-unit, multi-brand operators. Since its inception in 2019, Smalls Sliders has begun expansion into nine states—in large part due to the seasoned leadership team guiding its expansion. 

“We’ve bolstered our executive leadership with a talented blend of industry experts,” says Maria Rivera, CEO of Smalls Sliders. “Given we’re growing at an unprecedented pace, we knew we needed team members with a proven history building incredible brands, and that’s exactly what we’ve created at Smalls.”

The brand’s modular Can design has allowed for this explosive growth as well. The streamlined format has enabled locations to go from an empty lot to an open and profitable business in as little as eight-weeks. The low-complexity menu combined with the fast set-up process has led to this chain’s fast-paced growth, making it one of the fastest-growing quick-service restaurant concepts to enter the industry. 

“The modular design of the Smalls Sliders Cans has been a game-changer for our expansion,” Rivera says. “On top of being able to open a restaurant in just eight weeks, it only takes 27 minutes to get the Can from the truck to being fully built. This means that we really have the capacity to grow at a pace that rivals almost any other concept out there. ”

Not only does the shipping container design speed up opening times and increase opportunities for franchisees, but it also builds strong brand recognition due to the unique aesthetic. “Our Can design attracts prospective franchise partners, but it also grabs the attention of customers through our signature orange coloring; a win-win for us as we continue to expand and establish a brand presence in new and existing markets,” Rivera says.

The opportunity for franchisees is clear as drive-thru sales have increased by 30 percent from 2019–2022, according to a report by Revenue Management Services. 

With drive-thru trends dominating the industry, the possibility of drive-thru and pick-up only restaurants continues to warrant recognition from prospective franchisees. This is bolstered further through reports by Revenue Management Services, finding dining inside quick-service restaurants decreased by 47 percent in 2023 compared to 2019. 

Fast-paced low-complexity opportunities—like ones with Smalls Sliders—seem to be a logical option for franchisees and operators, who want to avoid high opening costs and complicated set-ups. The Smalls Sliders menu, meanwhile, offers the consistency consumers depend on when purchasing a meal from a quick-service restaurant, which can lead to shortened training periods when onboarding employees. 

“The recent shift towards drive-thru and pick-up-only concepts taking over the quick-service restaurant industry has been undeniable,” Rivera says. “This is evident through industry trends and is also proven through the fact that we’ve crossed over 100 units in development since beginning franchising efforts just three years ago. The pace at which we’ve grown speaks volumes about the potential and demand for the Smalls Sliders concept.”

Smalls Sliders has found success and growth due to its strong concept and low-complexity business design. The confident and experienced leadership is revealed through the easily replicable format and the numerous esteemed operating groups and multi-brand franchisees who have bought into it, opening their own Smalls Sliders in markets across the Southeast. Given the brand’s record-breaking success already, it is not hard to envision a future where Smalls Sliders becomes a household name.

“I’m incredibly proud of the caliber of franchisees we’ve attracted and partnered with,” Rivera says. “Established franchise operating groups—including some that operate more than 250 different franchise locations—are recognizing the opportunity that Smalls Sliders offers and the potential that we have.”

To learn more, visit the Smalls Sliders website.