Drew Brees-backed burger chain to open new location in Tampa Bay

Smalls Sliders has opened its first Lutz restaurant, bringing its compact menu of cheeseburger sliders, waffle fries and shakes to a growing commercial corridor near State Road 54.

The restaurant, at 19081 Wingshooter Way, began serving customers Tuesday. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15, starting at 9 a.m., according to a company news release.

The first 100 customers in line will receive free sliders for a year, the company says. A ribbon-cutting is planned for 9:30 a.m., followed by free food samples, giveaways and children’s activities.

Smalls Sliders calls its restaurants “Cans” because of their bright orange, shipping-container-inspired design. The locations are built around drive-thru and walk-up service, with a streamlined menu that also includes queso and the chain’s signature “Smauce.”

The Lutz restaurant is owned and operated by Purple Buns LLC, a franchise group led by CEO Vik Patel. It follows the group’s opening of a Clearwater location last year.

“Lutz is a vibrant, growing community, and we look forward to serving our guests and becoming a neighborhood destination,” Patel says in the release.

Purple Buns has committed to opening at least nine Smalls Sliders restaurants in Florida. The company also has development agreements for six locations in the Atlanta market.

As part of Saturday’s celebration, Purple Buns will make a charitable donation to Joshua House, a Tampa Bay organization that provides housing and support to children who have experienced abuse, neglect or abandonment. Representatives from the nonprofit are expected to attend.

Smalls Sliders was founded in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by restaurateur Brandon Landry and is backed by private-equity firm 10 Point Capital and NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees. The chain specializes in cooked-to-order cheeseburger sliders and has been expanding through franchised locations nationwide.