North Texas is about to get two more bright-orange burger boxes, as Smalls Sliders lines up new drive-thru locations in Anna and North Richland Hills. The Drew Brees-backed chain is betting that a tiny footprint and a very focused menu can make a big Texas impression.
Smalls Sliders plans to add the two Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs to its growing Texas map, according to Chron. The chain currently has 10 open Texas locations, with more sites also in development around McKinney and San Antonio, and it first entered the state through Greater Houston in 2024.
Two Permits Set The North Texas Timeline
A Friday filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation lists a proposed 792-square-foot Smalls Sliders drive-thru in Anna. The project carries an estimated construction cost of $1.25 million, with work scheduled to begin August 31 and finish January 30, 2027. Those dates describe the construction schedule, not necessarily the restaurant’s grand-opening date.
North Richland Hills has a separate Smalls Sliders project registered with the state, calling for a 796-square-foot drive-thru-only modular restaurant. The North Richland Hills filing lists an estimated $1.25 million cost and a completion date of February 28, 2027, while the project remains listed as registered rather than open.
The planned restaurants will follow Smalls Sliders’ signature “Can” format: compact modular buildings painted in the brand’s unmistakable orange, with ordering built around drive-thru and walk-up service. The company’s official menu centers on cooked-to-order cheeseburger sliders, its signature Smauce, seasoned waffle fries and hand-spun milkshakes.
The concept was launched in Baton Rouge in 2019 by restaurateur Brandon Landry, with Brees making an early investment, according to Smalls Sliders’ franchising arm. The company says it now has more than 300 Cans sold or under development, a scale-up strategy built around small buildings that can land on suburban retail pads without requiring a full-size restaurant footprint.
North Texas has already seen the chain’s expansion playbook up close. Hoodline previously reported on Smalls Sliders’ second McKinney location, which adds another orange Can to a region where fast, drive-thru-oriented food concepts continue to chase suburban growth.
For now, Anna and North Richland Hills are permit-stage projects, not opening announcements. If the registered construction schedules hold, both communities could see new Smalls Sliders locations take shape in early 2027 — small burgers, large construction calendars.
