Drew Brees' Sliders: A Fast Food Success Story

Drew Brees, known for his 20 NFL seasons and Super Bowl win, has shifted his focus to the fast-food industry with Smalls Sliders. This Baton Rouge-based chain, founded in 2019, has achieved significant success, earning the second position on Restaurant Business' 2025 "Future 50" list for rapidly growing restaurant chains. Brees' involvement, combined with a simple, scalable menu and a franchise model, has fueled its expansion.

The company's strategy hinges on simplicity, offering only sliders, waffle fries, shakes, and soft drinks, inspired by successful chains like Five Guys and In-N-Out Burger. This straightforward approach ensures quick preparation and ease of execution. By mid-2024, Smalls Sliders was projected to have over 300 locations in development, having already sold 200 franchise units earlier that year, with a primary concentration in the South and plans for wider national expansion.

Smalls Sliders further optimizes operations with a minimal footprint, featuring drive-thru and walk-up windows. Its unique stores, constructed from former shipping containers, reduce construction costs and accelerate market entry. The menu's limited ingredient list and simplified operations require less staff, enabling high sales volumes. Currently operating in 11 states, the company is set to open new "cans" in 2026.