Smalls Sliders: Disrupting the Burger Industry with Simplicity and Innovation

Smalls Sliders is a quick-service restaurant franchise that specializes in fresh, cooked-to-order cheeseburger sliders. It was founded in 2019 by Brandon Landry in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The company is currently headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Smalls Sliders began franchising in 2021 and has experienced rapid growth, with over 200 units open or under development across the United States.

The franchise stands out with a focused menu that emphasizes quality and speed. Customers can enjoy cheeseburger sliders, seasoned waffle fries, milkshakes, and the brand’s signature "Smauce."

This simplified menu allows for efficient kitchen operations and fast service. Its distinctive use of modular “Can” buildings—restaurant units built from shipping containers—enables quick setup and lower construction costs, giving it a competitive edge in the market.

Training

Smalls Sliders provides an extensive training framework to support franchisees and ensure consistency across locations:

1. Initial Training Program: Smalls Sliders offers initial training to the Managing Operator and General Manager of a new franchise. This training is conducted either virtually or at a designated facility, with no fee for the first two attendees. The program must be completed satisfactorily before the restaurant opens and includes instruction on restaurant operations, customer service, and compliance with system standards.
2. On-Site Support Training: Around the time of the restaurant’s opening, the franchisor provides on-site support including 22 hours of training for staff, mock service with friends and family, and operational assistance over the opening weekend. This helps reinforce practical skills and prepares the team for real-time service scenarios.
3. Ongoing and Refresher Training: The franchisor may require franchisees and their staff to attend additional training courses periodically. These may be conducted online or in person and include an annual franchisee meeting. Franchisees are responsible for all associated costs.

Territory Protection

Smalls Sliders provides its franchisees with a "Protected Territory" surrounding the restaurant location, which is generally about three-quarters of a mile in radius but may vary based on factors like population density and local traffic patterns.

Once a site is approved and leased, this territory is detailed in the Franchise Agreement, and as long as the franchisee complies with the agreement, Smalls Sliders will not open or authorize another franchise within that area during the term. This protection is site-specific, and relocation is only permitted under specific circumstances, such as lease termination without fault or property damage.

However, Smalls Sliders does not grant an exclusive territory. The franchisor reserves the right to operate, or authorize others to operate, competing businesses—including under different brands—inside or outside the Protected Territory.