How to Finance a Smalls Sliders Franchise: Modular Drive-Thrus
By Marc Cornella
A Smalls Sliders franchise loan funds a drive-thru cheeseburger slider restaurant housed in a prefabricated modular building the brand calls a “Can.” According to the company, its May 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) estimates a total investment of $1.3M to $1.99M per Can, assuming leased property, and the brand looks for well-capitalized, multi-unit operators.
This article covers what Smalls Sliders is, what the published figures mean for borrowing, how the modular format and site requirements shape financing, which loan programs fit and how lenders review a multi-unit development deal.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Smalls Sliders; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs vary, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice.
Smalls Sliders Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: a hyper-focused menu of cheeseburger sliders, with waffle fries and shakes, served from a modular drive-thru building.
- Format: a prefabricated, climate-controlled modular building of 750 sq ft on a site of roughly .5 to .8 acres.
- Estimated total investment: $1.3M to $1.99M per Can, per the May 2025 FDD as cited by the company, assuming leased property.
- Initial franchise fee: $35,000 for the first Can and $30,000 for each additional Can under a Development Agreement.
- Candidate profile: net worth of $4M and $1.5M in liquid assets, with capital to develop the first 2 Cans.
- Typical deal: a multi-unit development agreement of 5 Cans.
- System size: the company reports more than 325 Cans open or under development, with 30 states under development.
- Royalty and marketing fees: not published on the franchisor’s site; see Item 6 of the FDD.
- SBA status: listed on the SBA Franchise Directory (code S6920) with no additional note.
What Is Smalls Sliders?
Smalls Sliders was founded by Brandon Landry and opened its first Can in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 2019. The concept is deliberately narrow: cheeseburger sliders, waffle fries and shakes, served quickly from a compact drive-thru building.
The franchisor, Smalls Sliders Franchising LLC, runs a support center in Atlanta, Georgia, and has expanded mainly through multi-unit development agreements across the South and beyond. The company says some states are already sold out for new development.
The modular Can. Each restaurant is a prefabricated, climate-controlled building of about 750 square feet. Because much of the building is built off-site and delivered, the format changes the construction budget compared with a traditional stick-built restaurant, while still requiring a prepared pad site, utilities, drive-thru lanes and parking.
Why lenders view it the way they do. Lenders see a young, fast-growing brand with a simple menu and a small building, which keeps labor and operating complexity down. They also see a concept that relies heavily on drive-thru traffic, site selection and multi-unit execution, and a system that has not yet built decades of operating history. Expect careful underwriting of the site, the development schedule and the operator group.
Smalls Sliders Franchise Costs
Initial franchise fee. The franchisor’s site lists a $35,000 franchise fee for the first Can and $30,000 for each additional Can under a Development Agreement. Development agreements usually require fees for the committed units up front or on a schedule, so confirm the timing in Item 5 of the FDD.
Site work and real estate. The published range assumes leased property, typically a ground lease or a pad site lease. Site work for a drive-thru pad can include grading, paving, utilities, curb cuts, stacking lanes and landscaping. If you buy the land instead, the real estate cost is on top of the published range.
The modular building. The Can itself, delivery, setting it on its foundation and connecting it to utilities are major line items. The building is equipped as a production kitchen designed around the slider menu.
Equipment and technology. Flat-top griddles, fryers for waffle fries, shake and frozen dessert equipment, refrigeration, drive-thru order and payment systems, menu boards and point-of-sale technology.
Opening costs and working capital. Training, opening inventory, grand opening marketing and additional funds for the early months.
Total investment. The company reports an estimated total investment of $1.3M to $1.99M per Can from its May 2025 FDD, assuming leased property. The franchisor’s site does not break out the Item 7 line items, so request the full table. When you receive it, expect line items such as:
- Initial franchise fee
- Site work, paving and utilities
- Modular building, delivery and installation
- Kitchen equipment and drive-thru technology
- Signage and menu boards
- Architectural, engineering and permit costs
- Opening inventory, training and grand opening marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Lenders size a Smalls Sliders franchise loan against that table, so make sure your own budget follows it line by line.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty and brand fund. The franchisor’s site does not publish its royalty rate or marketing contribution. Get both from Item 6 of the FDD, along with any technology and local advertising requirements.
Occupancy costs. Because the published range assumes leased property, ground rent or site rent is a major fixed cost. Model it with every scheduled increase.
How lenders factor these costs in. Lenders take projected sales, subtract food and paper costs, labor, royalty, marketing and rent, and then measure how much cash flow covers debt service. A drive-thru with a small menu can run lean, but lenders still stress-test projections, especially for early units in a new market.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
The franchisor’s site describes an ideal candidate with a net worth of $4M and $1.5M in liquid assets, enough capital to develop the first 2 Cans, strong credit, a clean background check and restaurant, franchising or business ownership experience with proven leadership and operations strength.
The approval process. The company outlines six steps: submit an inquiry, attend a virtual brand presentation and speak with franchisees, complete business planning (a proforma, market research, a business plan and FDD review), attend Meet the Squad Day at the Atlanta Support Center including a tour of locations, sign the agreement and attend New Franchisee Orientation, and open your Can with a grand opening.
The practical takeaway: Smalls Sliders is built for well-capitalized operator groups, and lenders will expect a meaningful equity contribution on every Can, not only the first.
Ways to Own a Smalls Sliders
A multi-unit development agreement. The company’s typical deal is 5 Cans. Financing usually happens Can by Can, with the development agreement setting the schedule. See our page on financing an area development agreement.
A single new Can. Some candidates may begin with a smaller commitment, but the published requirements assume capital for at least 2 Cans. Start-up loans cover site work, the building, equipment and working capital. Learn about franchise start-up financing.
Buying an existing Can. As the system matures, operating units may change hands. A resale requires franchisor approval and lets a lender underwrite real sales history. Read our guide to buying a franchise resale.
Financing Options for a Smalls Sliders Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory, the SBA 7(a) loan can fund site work, the building, equipment, working capital and the franchise fee for an eligible borrower. Large multi-unit groups need to check how their combined borrowing fits within program limits.
SBA 504 loans. When an owner buys the land and builds on it, an SBA 504 loan can finance the land, site improvements and long-lived fixed assets. Our article on franchise real estate financing compares owning with ground leasing.
Conventional term loans. Experienced operators often use a conventional business loan or a development line that funds several Cans under one credit relationship.
Equipment financing. Griddles, fryers, shake machines, refrigeration and drive-thru technology can be financed separately, which spreads equity across more units. See restaurant equipment financing and leasing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Pre-opening payroll and training, opening inventory and the gap between units in a development schedule all call for cash. A line of credit can bridge these needs. Explore our restaurant working capital options.
Seller financing on resales. On the purchase of an operating Can, a seller may carry part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules may limit them.
SBA Loans for Smalls Sliders Franchisees
SBA lenders check the SBA Franchise Directory to confirm a brand’s franchise agreement has been reviewed for SBA eligibility. Smalls Sliders is listed under code S6920 with no additional note, which means no special document requirements are flagged on the directory beyond the standard SBA process.
The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. A developer building several Cans may combine SBA loans with conventional financing, so plan the capital structure for the whole development schedule, not just the first unit.
Application tips. Provide the FDD, franchise and development agreements, site control documents, the building and site work budget, equipment quotes, a proforma for each Can and personal financial statements for every owner. Use our SBA loan calculator for early estimates, which are for planning only.
How Lenders Evaluate a Smalls Sliders Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review each guarantor’s credit, tax returns and personal financial statement.
Net worth and liquidity. The franchisor’s $4M net worth and $1.5M liquidity profile sets the baseline, and lenders want reserves left after each equity injection.
Industry and management experience. Multi-unit restaurant or drive-thru experience is a major strength. Lenders want to see who will run day-to-day operations as the group grows.
Business plan and projections. Model each Can separately: drive-thru volume by daypart, ticket size, labor, food cost, rent and ramp-up. The company’s business planning step requires a proforma, which doubles as the core of your loan package.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read Items 5, 6, 7 and 17, the development schedule and default provisions. Review Items 3 and 4 for litigation and bankruptcy history, and Item 19 to see whether the FDD includes financial performance representations. Our guide to how lenders read an FDD explains what matters most.
Site and lease. Lenders review traffic access, stacking room, the ground lease term and rent schedule. A lease term at least as long as the loan is essential.
Historical financials for resales. For an operating Can, expect to provide profit and loss statements, sales reports and tax returns.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Development is the core of the Smalls Sliders model. A typical 5-Can agreement commits the group to open units on a schedule, each needing site approval, construction and financing. Lenders usually finance the first one or two Cans and then extend credit as each unit ramps up and proves its cash flow.
Plan for overlapping timelines: while one Can is ramping, the next may be in site work. Keep liquidity for equity on future units and for any shortfall during ramp-up, because missing development deadlines can put the agreement at risk.
Real-World Scenarios
A restaurant group signing a 5-Can deal. An experienced operator group meets the capital profile, finances its first Can with an SBA 7(a) loan on a ground-leased pad and arranges a conventional line for the next units.
An investor buying land. A developer buys a corner parcel and uses an SBA 504 loan for the land and site work, while the Can’s equipment is financed separately.
An operator acquiring a running Can. A buyer purchases an operating unit with a short sales history. The lender reviews actual results and asks for extra reserves until a full year of data exists.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Budgeting only for the first Can when the agreement commits you to several
- Forgetting that the published range assumes leased property
- Underestimating site work costs on a drive-thru pad
- Skipping Item 6 and modeling without the royalty and marketing fees
- Draining liquidity on the first unit and missing later development deadlines
- Signing a ground lease shorter than the loan term
See more in restaurant loan mistakes to avoid.
Next Steps to Finance Your Smalls Sliders Franchise
Step 1: Confirm your capital. Compare your net worth and liquidity with the $4M and $1.5M profile and your plan for the first 2 Cans.
Step 2: Complete discovery. Attend the virtual presentation and talk with existing franchisees.
Step 3: Build your proforma. Research your market, write the business plan and review the FDD with a franchise attorney and accountant.
Step 4: Talk with a financing specialist. Map out financing for the full development schedule before signing.
Step 5: Secure sites. Get site control and budgets for site work and the building.
Step 6: Apply and close. Submit loan requests unit by unit, with reserves for ramp-up.
Smalls Sliders Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Smalls Sliders franchise cost?
The company cites a total investment of $1.3M to $1.99M per Can from its May 2025 FDD, assuming leased property.
What is the Smalls Sliders franchise fee?
$35,000 for the first Can and $30,000 for each additional Can under a Development Agreement.
What royalty does Smalls Sliders charge?
The franchisor’s site does not publish the royalty or marketing fee. Check Item 6 of the current FDD.
How much net worth and liquidity do I need?
The company describes an ideal candidate with a $4M net worth and $1.5M in liquid assets, with capital to develop the first 2 Cans.
Can I get an SBA loan for a Smalls Sliders?
Yes, subject to approval. The brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S6920 with no additional note.
Do I have to open multiple locations?
The company’s typical deal is 5 Cans, and its candidate requirements assume capital for at least 2.
Can I finance the equipment separately?
Yes. Griddles, fryers, shake equipment and drive-thru technology can often be financed through equipment loans or leases.
Is a Smalls Sliders franchise loan available to first-time owners?
The brand asks for restaurant, franchising or business ownership experience, so first-time restaurant owners usually need a strong business background or experienced operating partners.
Does Smalls Sliders offer financing?
The franchisor’s site does not mention in-house financing. Check Item 10 of the FDD.
How big is a Smalls Sliders building?
Each Can is a 750 sq ft prefabricated modular building on a site of roughly .5 to .8 acres.
Final Thoughts
A Smalls Sliders franchise loan is really a development financing plan: a modular drive-thru building, a ground-leased pad and a schedule of several Cans. Buyers who line up capital for the whole agreement, study Item 6 and Item 7 closely and match each loan to its site are best positioned to grow with the brand.
US Professional Funding helps franchise owners and developers finance start-ups, real estate, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing solutions.
