Smalls Sliders to open shipping container location in Clearwater

A cheeseburger slider brand will open a shipping container location in Clearwater next week.

Smalls Sliders will open at 2540 Gulf to Bay Blvd. near the US Highway 19 intersection on May 21. The Clearwater store will be the fourth Florida location, joining two in Ocala and one in Pensacola, as the franchise expands across the Sunshine State.

Each of its locations is made from shipping containers with walk-up windows and a drive-thru. The new restaurant will be operated by Purple Square Management, a Tampa-based company that operates more than 245 franchise locations in 15 states. Its brands include Dunkin’, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, The Brass Tap, Take 5 Oil Change and more.

Purple Square Management plans to have over 350 locations by the end of the year, its website states. It has committed to opening at least nine Smalls Sliders Cans in Florida, building on its previous agreements to develop six locations in Atlanta and 22 units across Arizona.

“Clearwater has such a vibrant energy and a strong sense of community, which makes bringing Smalls Sliders here an exciting milestone for our team,” said Vik Patel, local owner and CEO of Purple Square Management. “This marks our group’s first Smalls Sliders opening in Florida, and we’re thrilled to introduce residents to the unique flavors and cheeseburger sliders that make this brand so special. The support we’ve received leading up to this opening day has been incredible, and we look forward to becoming a go-to spot for great food and genuine connections.”

The orange shipping container restaurants are called cans, and the “Clearwater Can” has created more than 60 new jobs in the area, according to a release.

Smalls Sliders was created by Brandon Landry, is led by CEO Charles Watson and is backed by 10 Point Capital and former NFL player Drew Brees.

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