Jo lee Ferguson
Longview is expected to be home to the first Texas location of Smalls Sliders, a restaurant concept that started in 2019 in Louisiana.
The location in Longview has yet to be announced, but information from the company said it is expected to open in 2024. The franchise group Cajun Burgers LLC also is planning to open locations in Tyler, Marshall, Lufkin and Nacogdoches.
Cajun Burgers was founded by Hank Hopkins, Ryan Heck and Steven Cheatham. Hopkins has experience in multi-unit franchise development with brands including Take 5 Oil Change and American Family Care. Hopkins was previously a director at Spirit Realty Capital where he was responsible for deploying real estate capital to franchisees and middle market companies across multiple industries. Heck and Cheatham co-founded Cajun Ready Mix in 2014 and grew the business to the largest ready-mix business in Louisiana before its sale in 2022.
Smalls Sliders, which features cheeseburger sliders, appealed to Cajun Burgers because of its simple menu and “craveable sliders,” Hopkins said in a statement.
“After meeting with management, it quickly became very clear that Smalls Sliders is building a first-class team in Atlanta to support the growth of their franchise partners,” Hopkins said. “We believe that their industry expertise and passion for the brand will help deliver excellent results and we are excited to bring the concept to Texas.”
Information from Smalls Sliders said the quick service restaurant offers “drive-thru and popular walk-up experiences, serviced from a unique modular construction design, allowing real estate flexibility and rapid construction of new restaurants.”
The franchise agreement with Cajun Burgers is a “pivotal step” as Smalls Sliders implements a national expansion plan, said Maria Rivera, CEO of Smalls Sliders.
“We are thrilled to be working with Hank, Ryan and Steven and look forward to supporting their team as they expand our brand into the East Texas region. Backed by a wealth of knowledge, I am confident in their ability to make Smalls Sliders a highly sought after dining destination in a market with stellar growth potential.”
For more information, visit www.smallssliders.com.