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How Smalls Sliders is scaling its “Can-driven” burger QSR model with a tight menu, fast drive-thru throughput and a modular build that helps franchisees open quicker.
Smalls Sliders has officially earned a place on 1851 Franchise’s 2026 Fastest Growing Emerging Franchises list — a recognition that highlights brands shaping the future of franchising through innovation, momentum and strong demand. As interest from franchisees continues to climb, Smalls Sliders is entering a pivotal phase of expansion.
Smalls Sliders got its start in 2019, created by restaurateur Brandon Landry with Drew Brees as an early investor. Its first “Can” opened in October 2019 on Nicolson Drive in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. As interest picked up, the brand opened franchising in 2021, then later reset its growth infrastructure — including moving its Support Center to Atlanta in 2023 — before reopening franchising in May 2023.
Smalls is built around speed and repetition: a single-product-focused menu (cheeseburger sliders, seasoned waffle fries, shakes) and a smaller 750-square-foot “Can” footprint designed to streamline operations. The brand uses prefabricated, drop-in-place Cans to speed up construction, then leans on multiple ordering points — including a double-lane drive-thru and a walk-up window — to move lines without needing a big box.
In 2025, Smalls kept stacking development commitments and widening its map. In January, the brand signed its first Kentucky agreement for four units in the Lexington area and entered Nevada with a 12-Can Las Vegas development deal. The brand also added operational bench strength in June by naming Clint Penfield chief operating officer.
This is still a growth-stage system with meaningful whitespace — 22 states under development and a model designed for real estate flexibility — but it’s no longer operating like a brand that’s figuring out the basics. The smaller footprint, modular build and streamlined menu are meant to reduce complexity at the unit level, while the franchisor emphasizes structured support: site selection guidance, more than 150 hours of training, grand-opening marketing support and ongoing field support.
The near-term path is to turn a large development pipeline into open Cans and build density market by market, led by multi-unit operators. The Kentucky and Las Vegas agreements are structured to roll out over the next few years, and the broader footprint strategy continues to revolve around “dropping” modular Cans, prioritizing drive-thru convenience and using the Atlanta-based support team to keep openings and operations consistent as the system scales.
Smalls Sliders is betting on focus: one core menu, a small footprint and a build approach designed to get restaurants online without dragging out the timeline. With hundreds of Cans already open or in development and new markets coming into view, the brand is heading into 2026 with momentum — and plenty of runway for operators who want to grow with the system.
Stay tuned throughout the rest of the month for 1851 Franchise's full Fastest Growing Emerging Franchises series to explore the other innovative brands making waves in the industry.
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