A cheeseburger slider and waffle fry brand that got its start in Louisiana and is backed by former NFL star Drew Brews has plans to open multiple locations in Ocala as part of an aggressive expansion throughout Florida.
On May 1, Smalls Sliders announced another multi-franchise agreement with DPC Smalls Investments, which is led by Doug Cone.
Cone, who founded Cone Distributing in Ocala in 1984, previously signed on to open multiple franchises in Ocala. The new agreement adds 12 more franchises across the Jacksonville and Tallahassee regions.
“We are absolutely thrilled to continue growing alongside Smalls Sliders in Florida,” said Cone in a press release from the company. “Since first signing on with the brand, we all felt very confident in its ability to become a staple here in Florida and knew we wanted to continue expanding our ownership portfolio. The love and passion expressed by the leadership team is contagious and we can’t wait to play a part in the brand’s impressive growth.”
According to the company, Cone previously signed a “5-can deal” in the Ocala and Gainesville market. “Cans” refer to the locations and also seem to be a reference to the physical structures themselves, which are made up of shipping containers. According to the Ocala StarBanner, Cone says that at least two of the restaurants will be located in southwest Ocala, along SR 200.
In addition to Ocala, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee, Cone is also targeting St. Augustine, Lake City, and Orange Park for potential new locations, according to the company’s press release.
DPC Smalls Investments is one of several partners that have signed on with Small Sliders to expand the companies footprint in the Sunshine State. Currently, there are additional agreements in place that could result in franchises in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Naples, and Pensacola.
Since first opening in 2019, Smalls Sliders has entered into multiple agreements to create over 200 franchises across the country. There are currently a dozen Smalls Sliders locations in operation in Louisiana.
The menu at Smalls Sliders is simple: Burgers, fries, and shakes. All cheeseburgers are made-to-order with fresh ingredients, just like the restaurant’s waffle fries and shakes.
Sliders may be purchased in combination with other items or individually.
Have you tried Small Sliders? Will you try it when it opens in Ocala?