Smalls Sliders, a fast-casual concept known for its cheeseburger sliders, is continuing its expansion with a new 15-unit development deal in the Phoenix area, according to QSR Magazine.
The expansion is being led by franchisees Tanweer, Rehman, and Talha Ahmed, alongside business partner David Wehrman. Bill Bolling, Director of Marketing and Restaurant Readiness at PAK Foods, said the group aims to open its first Phoenix-area location in late 2026, followed by approximately two locations per year.
The group is looking at the area to find the best locations. “Currently, we are looking at 59th and Northern Ave in Glendale, Hunt Highway and Thompson Road in Sun Tan Valley, and also a location in Casa Grande,” Bolling said.
The development timeline is partially tied to the brand’s unique construction model, which differs from traditional restaurant builds and allows for faster deployment once approvals are secured.
Founded in 2019, Smalls Sliders operates with a menu centered on cheeseburger sliders, seasoned waffle fries, and hand-spun milkshakes. The concept has quickly scaled its presence with a distinctive operating model centered around its signature “Cans.”
“The buildings are modular and built using storage containers. This allows all of the plumbing, electrical, and interior finishing to be completed by the manufacturer, and then it is shipped to us. Doing this cuts the cost compared to a ground-up restaurant and also takes about 1/2 the time of a ground-up.”
That efficiency is expected to support a faster pace of growth across the Phoenix market. “This will work well in Phoenix, as it will allow us to grow fast and open restaurants quickly,” he added.
Beyond Arizona, the group is continuing to scale its presence in several other markets.
“We are excited to add Smalls Sliders to our portfolio in Phoenix and to continue to build this brand in our other markets of El Paso, Midland, Odessa, Tucson, and Las Vegas,” Bolling said.
