Restaurant Chain Backed by Former NFL Star Expanding to Indiana

A relatively new restaurant chain backed by former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has just announced an aggressive expansion plan involving Indiana.

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Cheeseburger sliders just hit differently. In my mind, they are to a regular-sized cheeseburger what doughnut holes are to a standard doughnut. As a smaller version, you can easily pop those bad boys in your mouth while on the go and even purchase them by the dozen. When it comes to the king of these greasy burger bites, White Castle is definitely at the top of the list. However, there is now a new franchise rising that is bringing their own set of sliders to the fast food market.

The new chain, called "Smalls Sliders," was founded by Brandon Landry in 2019, with former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees stepping up as one of the initial investors. Formally a food truck, the brand is known for their sliders being served on buttered toasted buns, as opposed to White Castle's signature steamed buns. Smalls Sliders also serves up waffle fries you can enjoy with queso or their signature "Smauce," which is their super secret dipping sauce.

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The first restaurant set up shop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and was constructed out of a converted shipping container in the color "Smorange." Since 2019, the chain has greatly expanded its U.S. footprint, and demand for more "Cans," as they are known, has significantly risen. According to QR Magazine, the company has already sold out opportunities in six states and has just added three more to the list.

Verdict Food Service reports the states that have sold out include Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri. In light of this rapid growth, Smalls Sliders has announced they will expand franchise opportunities to Montana, Idaho, and Indiana. Currently, over 290 modular cans are either open or under development across the country, and more are likely on the way. While there is no exact timeline for when we might see one of these "Smorange" colored Cans in an Indiana neighborhood, I would imagine it might be sooner than later.