[UPDATE] Smalls Sliders Has Big Plans for Georgia

With Georgia's first location of Smalls Sliders open in Stockbridge, one local franchisee is betting big on growth with plans for at least four more locations in Georgia in the months to come. 

The Stockbridge restaurant was opened by Purple Buns GA, LLC, an affiliate of Purple Square Management Company, a Tampa-based group. Purple Square, led by husband and wife Vik and Sneha Patel, own and operate dozens of franchise businesses including Dunkin', Baskin Robbins, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, The Brass Tap, Rent-A-Center, RimTyme, and Take 5 Oil Change.  Purple Square has partnered with developer Alex Deitch to grow the brand throughout the country.   

Stockbridge marked the group's first foray into the Smalls Sliders brand.  The group opened their first unit in Florida this past May when the converted a former Aussie Grill in Clearwater.     

According to the company's website, Purple Square is currently developing four more Smalls Sliders restaurants in Georgia:

197 Alps Road in Athens 

1549 Hwy 138 in Conyers

7125 Highway 85 in Riverdale 

4615 Atlanta Highway in Loganville

Purple Square is also developing units in St. Petersburg, Lutz, Tampa and Winter Haven, Florida.  

Brandon Landry, co-founder of Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux, opened the first Smalls Sliders in Baton Rouge in 2019.  In the years since, the company has opened twenty nine more locations with nearly 300 more "in development."  The majority of the existing locations are in Louisiana, but the chain has also entered Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, Texas and South Carolina. 

Maria Rivera was named Smalls' CEO in November 2022 having previously been President of Krispy Kreme US.  After moving the company headquarters to Atlanta however, Rivera abruptly departed the company this past March and was in April replaced by former Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Charles Watson.  

Smalls restaurants, known as "cans," are typically repurposed shipping containers that are "dropped" on site and measure about 800 square feet.  Their modular design and compact size make them conducive for sites just a half-acre in area, about half that of a typical quick-serve restaurant.  

Smalls keeps things incredibly simple.  Their menu consists of cheeseburger sliders, waffle cut fries and three shakes: vanilla, chocolate and cookies & cream.  The sliders are offered individually or as part of a combo (with fries and a Coke product) and add-ons like sauce "Smauce" and bacon are available, but that's about it.    

Have you been to Smalls Sliders?  Does the idea of Smalls Sliders interest you?  Where would you like to see Smalls Sliders open next?

Please share your thoughts below.