Smalls Sliders, the Louisiana-born slider chain backed by Drew Brees, is heading west. The company announced a multi-unit development agreement that will introduce four of its modular restaurants, known as “Cans,” to Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene and San Angelo.
The partnership is led by Eli Cohen and Mark Crayne of C5 Restaurants LLC. Crayne, a Lubbock native with more than fifty years in the restaurant industry, said the concept’s simplicity and focus on quality immediately stood out. “The simple menu and high-quality food of Smalls Sliders immediately caught my attention,” he said. “This is the best choice for our new venture.”
Smalls Sliders has made a name for itself with its distinctive “Smorange” shipping containers that house a tightly focused menu: cheeseburger sliders, waffle fries and hand-spun milkshakes. The streamlined approach allows operators to move quickly on openings while keeping costs manageable.
Cohen and Crayne plan to bring the first West Texas location to Lubbock within the year. The deal marks another step in the brand’s rapid Texas expansion, where more than thirty additional units are already in development.
Richard Leveille, Smalls Sliders’ vice president of franchising, said Crayne’s background made him an ideal partner for the region. “Mark’s extensive ties and knowledge make him an ideal partner to introduce Smalls to West Texas communities,” Leveille noted.
The agreement also reflects broader shifts in franchising. Brands are increasingly favoring smaller footprints, modular construction and streamlined menus that can be scaled quickly without sacrificing consistency. For Smalls Sliders, West Texas offers a new stage to demonstrate how a niche burger concept can expand in markets eager for fresh fast-casual options.
As Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene and San Angelo prepare for their first taste of sliders served from the chain’s bright orange containers, Smalls is betting that its formula of efficiency and flavor will resonate as strongly in the Texas plains as it has elsewhere.