Smalls Sliders to Open in Willis

WILLIS, TX -- They’re called ‘Smalls Sliders.’ And they really are small sliders. The company’s ‘CanVan’ has been spotted at locations around Willis, handing out samples of their sliders and their waffle cut seasoned fries, with queso sauce. Willis will be the location of the first ‘can dropping,’ or 'dropping a can,’ in Texas, which the company uses instead of say ‘grand opening.’ And they are already eyeing more locations in Montgomery County. The can (restaurant) is expected to be open by October 24th, just off I-45 at 806 West Montgomery St. in Willis, across from HEB.

Smalls is a cheeseburger slider chain that was founded in 2019 by Brandon Landry (no relation to Tilman Fertitta’s company) and is backed by NFL quarterback Drew Brees. The Louisiana-based chain has planned locations in Texas, and other states. Willis is up first, with The Woodlands and Conroe cans to be dropped in the future. The Willis location was planned for earlier this year, but with weather delays, construction has started, and the opening date set.

“People are looking for more options up there as that city continues to grow,” said David Higgins, a spokesperson for Smalls, and franchisee out of Katy. “With the recent opening of H-E-B in November 2023, it makes for a strong traffic generator.”

The footprint of a can is different from all other fast food restaurants, custom built out of cargo containers with a drive-thru, outdoor seating and a walk-up window. The menu is not complicated. Basically, it’s just Smalls Sliders, Waffle Fries (w/Signature Seasoning), Grilled Cheese, Smauce (their proprietary sauce), and Queso (for the fries). You can upgrade with their Biggie Smalls (Double-Meat and Cheese), Bacon, and Smalls Way Fries (Smauce and Queso covered). Local pricing has yet to be determined, but they should be comparable to Whataburger according to company sources.

You can have your sliders on toasted buttered buns with cheese, pickles and their Smauce. Bacon is always better if you wish, and you can smother it with sauce. It’s really up to you. You can get you a soft drink, or grab a milkshake with three flavors: vanilla, chocolate, or cookies and cream.

Besides Montgomery County locations, other Houston area locations are in the works with Pasadena, Baytown, Mont Belvieu, Summerwood, Deer Park and East Houston all looking to drop a can.

“I think for us, it’s bringing something that’s very unique for the community,” said Higgins, who noted Preston Cunningham as another franchise partner involved with the restaurant chain. “There’s a lot of options out there. And we gravitated, or were attracted to Smalls Sliders because of the quality. The brand itself is pretty awesome. It’s just a fun brand.”

The can comes prefabbed in a factory, and dropped on location. It takes a little over a month to make the site ready for its first customers. Smalls is taking innovation to the next level with dropping a can wherever it needs to start a shop, and with the savings involved, could quite possibly start a new restaurant trend with prefabbed construction to curb start-up costs.

Local Man-About-Montgomery County, Nathan Arrazate, tried a slider last Thursday from Reckell Mitchell, a Smalls Operations Manager, at one of the promotions involving the company’s CanVan, near the restaurant’s expected location on Montgomery St. in Willis.

“Mmm … mmm. Dear Lord Jesus Forgive Me, this is Sinful,” said Azzrate, after taking a bite of the small savory slider during one of his FB posts. “Somebody is gonna beat me up, but Whataburger look out, Smalls is coming to town baby.”

The CanVan was at Charles Traylor Memorial Park on Rogers Rd. in Willis this past Saturday, where passersby were offered Smalls Sliders and Waffle Fries.

“It’s definitely nice to have something different around here,” said Samanatha Miller from Willis, who was with her mother Melody Smith, and daughter Breighly Walters at the park. “The queso with crunchy waffle fries I thought was a great idea.”

Smalls has made in-roads in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida so far, all will soon be dropping cans in Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, South Carolina, and Texas. Other dropping locations outside of Greater Houston in the state will be Lubbock, DFW, New Braunfels, and Tyler. Smalls plans to have 40 franchised locations open by the end of this year, and already has agreements in place in other locations.