Smalls Sliders, an Atlanta-based cheeseburger chain with ties to former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, has signed its largest franchise agreement to bring nearly two dozen locations to the Phoenix metro.
Tampa-based Purple Square Management (PSM), founded by Vik and Sanjay Patel, has signed a franchise agreement to open 22 locations in the Valley, according to Phoenix Business Journal. The franchise group already owns a handful of Smalls Sliders in Atlanta and Tampa, but when the company wanted to find growth partners in Arizona, he took the opportunity. PSM said it expects to have its first locations open in the Valley by mid-2025, possibly sooner, depending on how fast the group finds the right real estate.
There are many reasons why PSM jumped on the opportunity to expand Smalls Sliders into Phoenix. First, the size of the eatery locations and the ease of opening new stores played a significant role in the franchise group’s commitment to expanding the brand. Smalls Sliers locations are typically only 800 square feet and could be put on a third of an acre if it can share parking with a shopping center or large retail store. If the site requires its own parking, the sites only have to be 0.5 or 0.6 of an acre.
Another reason PSM decided to expand into Phoenix is CEO Vik Patel’s history with the Valley. Before operating more than 250 franchise locations across the country, including Baskin Robbins, Popeyes, and Take Five, the successful businessman also owned a Rent-A-Center in the Phoenix metro and wanted to get back in the state while it experienced the massive growth it was experiencing. Finally, Patel has a history with Brees, as the two have co-owned a handful of Dunkin’ franchises in Louisiana. Because of all of this, Arizona residents will soon be able to taste these delicious sliders in the next few years.
