Drew Brees-backed cheeseburger concept Smalls Sliders coming to St. Pete
/A Smalls Sliders “can,” a converted shipping container made into a drive-thru | Smalls Sliders
Louisiana-based cheeseburger sliders concept, backed by former NFL legend Drew Brees, is set to debut one of its first Tampa Bay restaurants in St. Pete.
Smalls Sliders will open its first local location at 8624 Fourth Street North in north St. Pete, near the 92-unit townhome community Terraces at 87th, according to plans submitted by franchisee Purple Square Management.
Smalls Sliders refers to its restaurants as "cans" because they typically consist of a 750-square-foot shipping container converted into a bright orange drive-thru, serving made-to-order all-beef cheeseburger sliders, seasoned waffle fries, and shakes.
The “cans” are constructed offsite in a climate-controlled factory and later “dropped” at various restaurant locations. They feature a double-lane drive-thru, a walk-up window, and outdoor patio seating.
The chain prides itself on its simple menu, featuring a never-frozen beef patty with cheese and pickles on a toasted buttered bun, topped with Smalls' signature sauce—Smauce.
The slider combos come with seasoned waffle fries from russet potatoes and a drink | Facebook
Sliders start at $2.79 and can be ordered as combos, served with seasoned waffle fries and a drink. For customers craving more, Smalls Sliders offers pre-fixed combo meals, including options with double beef patties, bacon, and loaded fries covered in Smauce and queso.
Customers can wash it all down with chocolate, vanilla, or cookies n' cream milkshakes.
In addition to its drive-thru and walk-up window for real-time orders, Smalls Sliders also accepts online orders and digital delivery.
An opening date for the St. Pete “can” has not been announced.
The site was previously intended to house a similar concept called Little’s, a drive-thru restaurant specializing in sliders, tenders, fries, and malted milkshakes. However, the project never came to fruition.
Purple Square Management, which operates brands such as Baskin Robbins, Dunkin' Donuts, and The Brass Tap, previously stated that it plans to open a total of nine "cans" in Tampa Bay. The company is currently exploring potential sites in Tampa, Clearwater, Lakeland, Spring Hill, Sarasota, Cape Coral, and Naples.
Two Florida Smalls Sliders locations currently exist in Ocala and Pensacola.
Smalls Sliders offers chocolate, vanilla, or cookies n' cream milkshakes | Smalls Sliders
“Florida is on track to have a very strong Smalls Sliders footprint in the coming years, and there has been clear interest in our brand from prospective operators and local communities across the state,” Smalls Sliders CEO Maria Rivera said in a press release.
“Having the PSM team further their development agreement is a testament to the potential of Smalls Sliders, and we’re thrilled to have their team introduce our name to Tampa.”
Smalls Sliders, now based in Atlanta, Georgia, was founded by Brandon Landry, who also created Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux in New Orleans.
The brand "dropped its first can" in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 2019, where the company was originally founded. Smalls Sliders began franchising in 2021, and today, more than 350 “cans” are either open or under development.
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