Smalls Sliders is gearing up to drop one of its bright-orange modular “Cans” in St. Johns County this spring, with the fast-growing chain eyeing a mid-May opening for its first Northeast Florida location. The compact, drive-thru-focused spot will bring the brand’s made-to-order cheeseburger sliders, waffle fries, and milkshakes to the busy County Road 210 corridor, assuming approvals and construction stick to schedule.
According to the Jacksonville Business Journal, the project will use a bright orange shipping container as its signature unit, with mid-May targeted for the debut. The outlet also reports that Smalls is pushing a modular growth plan across more than a dozen states as it builds out its footprint.
What the ‘Can’ Looks Like
Smalls designs each location as roughly an 800-square-foot modular container that is dropped onto a prepared foundation, typically featuring a dual drive-thru and outdoor seating instead of indoor dining. On its site, the company says it does not “break ground” but instead “drops Cans,” a setup intended to speed openings and cut costs, according to Smalls Sliders. The menu keeps things tight: sliders, waffle fries, shakes and the chain’s signature “Smauce.”
Permits and the Build Timeline
County records show plans have been filed for a site off County Road 210 and that a wayfinding monument sign permit was issued in February, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record. Local reporting also notes that St. Johns County issued a roughly $500,000 permit for the project, naming Stansell Properties & Development LLC as the contractor, with JEA previously signing off on service availability, per News4Jax.
Where It Fits in Northeast Florida
This St. Johns Can will serve as the brand’s beachhead in Northeast Florida as local franchise partners map out multiple units across the market, including another location planned for the Intracoastal Plaza retail center, according to What Now Jacksonville. Franchise filings and local coverage indicate the operator behind the push is aiming for several Jacksonville-area openings this year as part of a broader Florida expansion…