Drew Brees-backed burger concept Smalls Sliders announces Tampa expansion

The fast casual chain is slated to open 9 locations in cities like St. Petersburg and Clearwater.

click to enlarge Drew Brees-backed burger concept Smalls Sliders announces Tampa expansion
c/o Smalls Sliders
As if Tampa Bay didn't have enough burger concepts, another up-and-coming  slider chain has announced its venture into Central Florida.

Popular franchise operating group Purple Square Management (PSM) is bringing Smalls Sliders—a new, Louisiana-based burger chain—to the greater Tampa Bay area. A press release states that the group will debut the first local Smalls Sliders at the end of 2024, and is planning to open 8 more locations over the next few years.

While no specific locations have been announced just yet, PSM is looking to open future Smalls Sliders in cities like Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Spring Hill, Sarasota, Cape Coral and the greater Naples areas.

Sliders, of course, are the star of its menu and can be upgraded with add-ons like bacon or extra meat. Other items include milkshakes, waffle fries, grilled cheese and a spicy queso dipping sauce.

In addition to its fast casual menu, Smalls Sliders is also known for its unique, bright orange drive-thru buildings called "cans," typically made from repurposed shipping containers.

Purple Square Management is behind brands like Baskin Robbins, Dunkin Donuts, Popeyes, The Brass Tap and more.

While there are no Smalls Sliders locations in the Sunshine State just yet, the company is working on opening three "cans” in Ocala, Panama City and Pensacola.

“Florida is on track to have a very strong Smalls Sliders footprint in the coming years, and there has been clear interest for our brand from prospective operators and local communities across the state,” Maria Rivera, CEO of Smalls Sliders, 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 was founded by Brandon Landry and investor Drew Brees in 2019 and has rapidly expanded throughout its home state of Louisiana and beyond.

Head to smallssliders.com to help prepare for its eventual Tampa Bay debut.

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Kyla Fields

Kyla Fields is the Managing Editor of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay who started their journey at CL as summer 2019 intern. They are the proud owner of a charming, sausage-shaped, four-year-old rescue mutt named Piña.
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