Small Sliders is preparing to enter the East Tennessee market with its first Knoxville-area restaurant at 330 N. Cedar Bluff Road. Franchisee Blake McDavid told WhatNow Nashville the location is projected to open in early November and will be the first of four restaurants he plans to develop across a territory that includes Knoxville, Maryville, Alcoa, Oak Ridge, Halls and Sevierville.
McDavid said bringing the brand to East Tennessee was a natural fit because he lives in Knoxville and wanted to invest in his hometown. “I live here in Knoxville locally, and I wanted to secure the whole territory,” he said.
The Cedar Bluff site stood out for its visibility and surrounding activity. “It’s very heavy traffic here off the interstate. We’ve got the hospital right here, a lot of schools. It’s just a good little trade area,” McDavid said. “There’s not a whole lot through here that’s relatively new, so this will be something new for the community to enjoy.”
Guests can expect a streamlined menu centered on the brand’s signature cheeseburger sliders, accompanied by waffle fries, queso, hand-spun milkshakes and Coca-Cola products.
“We’ve got made-to-order sliders and waffle fries. We have queso that you can dip your fries and sliders in, and then we’ve got hand-spun milkshakes and Coke products,” McDavid said.
He added that keeping the menu focused is part of what makes the concept stand out. “We specialize in the one thing of the cheeseburger slider,” he said. “Our menu is very simple, but it’s very craveable as well.”
While the Cedar Bluff restaurant is the only location currently under development, McDavid said the remaining three restaurants will roll out over the next several years. “I don’t have any other locations solidified in the Knoxville area right now, but it’s in the pipeline,” he said. “I’m looking for sites actively.”
McDavid, who also operates Scooter’s Coffee franchises, said the opportunity to bring Small Sliders to East Tennessee came through networking with fellow franchisees and builds on his previous restaurant experience.
The Cedar Bluff restaurant will serve as the launchpad for Small Sliders’ East Tennessee expansion. With three additional locations still to come, McDavid said he’s actively evaluating sites throughout his territory as he works to introduce the concept to more communities across the region.
