Smalls Sliders

Smalls Sliders is a quick service restaurant franchise centered on cooked to order cheeseburger sliders. Brandon Landry and Jacob Dugas founded the brand in 2019. Its first “Can” building opened in October 2019 on Nicolson Drive in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after the initial concept launched in September 2019. The modular “Can” buildings support a compact format, consistent operations and rapid deployment. As of April 2024, Smalls Sliders had 13 open locations, including a site in Flowood, Mississippi, beyond its Louisiana base. The brand operates in the fast casual segment, which is valued at over $100 billion in the United States and has experienced consistent annual growth. This PeerSense analysis reviews the concept, its costs, operating structure and available performance information to support buyer due diligence. PeerSense is a commercial capital advisory firm that introduces franchise buyers to SBA and conventional lenders. It is not a lender.

The broader limited service restaurant industry, including fast food and fast casual businesses, exceeds $300 billion annually in the United States. The fast casual segment is projected to achieve a compound annual growth rate exceeding 8% through 2030. Growth reflects consumer demand for convenience, ingredients perceived as higher quality and customizable menus that sit between traditional fast food and full service dining. Smalls Sliders is built around several related preferences, including drive thru access, fresh cooked to order meals and an experience centered on a distinctive restaurant format. Its modular “Can” buildings support drive thru and takeout service, which fits the continuing shift toward off premise dining that accelerated during recent global events. The compact footprint may also help address higher real estate costs and labor availability concerns. The quick service restaurant market remains highly fragmented, with thousands of independent and franchised operators. Smalls Sliders separates its concept through a specialized menu and its modular format. Inflation can push consumers toward value oriented meals that retain perceived quality, creating an opportunity for brands offering speed, quality and affordability.

A Smalls Sliders franchise requires a significant capital commitment. The initial franchise fee for the first “Can” is $35,000, compared with a typical QSR range of $25,000 to $50,000. Each additional Smalls Sliders location carries a franchise fee of $30,000, supporting a multi unit development structure. The estimated initial investment shown in the Franchise Disclosure Document ranges from $1,297,825 to $1,993,734. The modular “Can” building and related site work account for $789,913 to $1,401,896. Furniture, fixtures, equipment and technology account for $313,249 to $331,475. Signage and menu boards add $74,613 to $104,613. Opening inventory is estimated at $23,000 to $28,000, while three months of working capital is estimated at $25,000 to $30,000. The stated liquid capital requirement is $1,500,000, and the net worth requirement is $4,000,000. The minimum grand opening advertising campaign fee is $15,000. 10 Point Capital, a QSR focused private equity firm, partnered with Smalls Sliders in July 2022 and provides corporate backing and strategic direction.

The operating model focuses on fresh cooked to order cheeseburger sliders, seasoned waffle fries and shakes served from modular “Can” buildings. The format emphasizes service speed, consistency, throughput and a compact labor structure. Specific staffing requirements are not disclosed, but the small footprint is designed around efficient productivity per employee. The “Can” is the primary format and places emphasis on drive thru service and off premise consumption. Initial training is provided to the Managing Operator and General Manager of a new franchise. Training may be delivered virtually or at a designated facility, and successful completion is required before the franchise can begin operations. Corporate support is reinforced by a C suite that was completely rebuilt by November 2025. Charles Watson became CEO in April 2025, and Clint Penfield became Chief Operating Officer in June 2025. The leadership team also includes Don Crocker as Chief Development Officer and Casey Halbach as Chief People Officer. Supported by 10 Point Capital, this team provides strategic direction, operating guidance and marketing support. Specific territory exclusivity terms are not provided. The brand is developing across 30 states, and eight states have sold out their initial phase development. The capital requirements and expansion pace point toward sophisticated multi unit operators or investor groups rather than single unit absentee owners.

The system average is now tracking above $2 million. In 2023, the system sold 3.5 million cheeseburger sliders.

Smalls Sliders reopened for franchising in May 2023 after resetting its growth infrastructure. By December 2023, it had opened 11 “Cans” and had 155 units sold or under development. The brand had 13 open locations by April 2024 and projected 40 open Cans during 2024. The development pipeline exceeded 200 Cans open or under development by March 2024, exceeded 250 by June 2024 and exceeded 300 by August 2024. By October 2024, the total was approaching 400 Cans open or under development. As of March 2026, the figure was 375 Cans open or under development across 30 states. The Franchise Times Top 400 for 2025 listed Smalls Sliders with 21 operational units, while the broader committed development pipeline remained substantially larger. The headquarters moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2023 to improve access to talent and resources. The July 2022 partnership with 10 Point Capital supported scaling efforts. By November 2025, the company had rebuilt its C suite, including Charles Watson as CEO and Clint Penfield as COO. The brand’s main operating distinction is the modular “Can” design, which offers a compact footprint, streamlined operations and rapid construction. The menu focuses on fresh cooked to order cheeseburger sliders and seasoned waffle fries. Its drive thru centered format supports digital ordering and delivery integration. Smalls Sliders has also reported “getting international interest,” although its current operations are exclusively in the United States.

The intended franchisee is generally a well capitalized multi unit operator or investment group with experience in quick service restaurants or hospitality. The required liquid capital of $1,500,000 and net worth of $4,000,000 place the opportunity above an entry level franchise investment. Candidates should have management experience, understand operating efficiency and be able to support rapid expansion. Industry experience is not expressly required, though multi unit food service experience would be useful when managing several locations. The tiered franchise fee structure and volume of sold or developing units indicate that the development strategy favors multi unit ownership. Smalls Sliders is developing across 30 states, with current or planned operations in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Kentucky, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, South Dakota, Virginia, West Virginia, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, South Carolina, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana and Montana. Eight states have sold out their initial phase development: Arizona, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Mississippi. The brand expected to have locations in 16 states by Q4 2025. The timeline from franchise agreement signing to a “Can” opening is not specified, although the modular building may allow faster construction than a traditional brick and mortar restaurant. The franchise agreement term and renewal provisions are also not provided and would need to be reviewed in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

10 Point Capital and the leadership team under CEO Charles Watson support the company’s expansion plans. The concept is seeking multi unit operators across the United States, with 375 Cans open or under development across 30 states as of March 2026. PeerSense provides franchise due diligence information that includes SBA lending history, a Loan Activity Score, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data and comparison tools. Buyers can use this information to review the Smalls Sliders franchise profile and assess the investment alongside their operating experience, available capital and financing options.