An Atlanta-based burger brand will open its first NC restaurants, including a Triangle location

A Southern slider brand is making a move into North Carolina, aiming to bring big flavors to small burgers.

The Atlanta-based Small sliders announced this week that it will bring nine locations to North Carolinaisolate Raleigh as one of the first markets. Founded in Louisiana, Smalls is now owned by Atlanta private equity firm 10 Point Capital and counts former Saints quarterback Drew Brees among its investors.

Smalls specializes in a sleek menu and small burgers. The sliders are thin, grilled patties, and instead of larger burgers, diners can add more sliders. There is also the option for a double burger, the so-called ‘biggie smalls’ style. Seasoned waffle fries are the only side dish, and specialty drinks include vanilla and chocolate milkshakes, and cola and cherry ice creams. In a rarity for burger shops, you can order queso as a dipping sauce.

The North Carolina franchise owners are real estate investor Aaron Zucker and restaurateur Bob Peterson, whose son Eric Peterson will be operating partner.

In a telephone interview, Zucker and Eric Peterson pointed it out Raleigh, Fayetteville And Greenville as targets for the first Smalls locations. But the brand doesn’t call them restaurants. Each Smalls is built in a series of shipping containers and each location is called a ‘Can’. Zucker said the search is still ongoing for the first locations in North Carolina, but owners expect a grand can opening by 2025.

Each Smalls location is drive-thru and walk-up only. So far, only Louisiana and Mississippi have Smalls “cans,” but expansions are planned in southern states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Missouri and Texas.

Zucker said the focused menu was part of the appeal for Smalls, as well as the potential for a lasting legacy by bringing a new brand to North Carolina.

“We don’t offer a huge variety, we want to do one thing really well,” Zucker said. “We are obsessed with what we do offer.”

Peterson said the menu is intended to offer something to everyone in the car, from the toddler to the high schooler and the adults.

“For me personally, the (sliders) provide flexibility for the consumer,” said Peterson. “You can satisfy children, high school students and college students. It’s about quantity and not size.”