BRIDGETON, Mo. — A growing burger chain is opening its first Missouri location in Bridgeton where construction began over the weekend.

What You Need To Know

  • The burger chain has 290 locations either open or under development across the country

  • Missouri is one of six states part of a development phase. The business is eyeing more St. Louis-area spots for future locations

  • The Bridgeton franchise will be locally owned. A tentative opening date is set for Dec. 12

Smalls Sliders began as a food truck in Baton Rouge, La., that launched on New Year’s Eve in 2019, according to a spokesperson with Smalls Sliders. 

The food truck would park outside Louisiana State University, and after much success, the business open a physical location made of shipping containers.

Smalls Sliders use only high-quality ingredients and the cheeseburger sliders are made fresh to order. Customers also can order waffle fries “made with the most superior spuds,” shakes and more, according to the spokesperson.

The burger chain now has 290 locations either open or under development across the country, according to its website.

“Behind Smalls Sliders is our ‘Smalls Squad,’ a team of passionate individuals from diverse walks of life united in our purpose to make your day a small bit better,” the spokesperson said.

Missouri is one of six states part of a development phase by the burger chain. 

A location in Blue Springs, near Kansas City, is expected to open early next year. Smalls Sliders also is looking at Joplin/Springfield and Cape Girardeau for future locations, according to the spokesperson.

In the St. Louis area, Smalls Sliders is eyeing Kirkwood, Clayton, Wentzville, St. Peters, Ellisville and Florissant for future locations.

No dates for those areas have been announced.

On Saturday, a ceremonial “can drop” took place at the Bridgeton site, located 12433 St. Charles Rock Road. Crews installed the location’s shipping containers, which will serve as the restaurant’s building.

The Bridgeton franchise will be locally owned. A tentative opening date is set for Dec. 12, but is subject to change.

Similar to all locations, the Bridgeton site will be 750-square feet and designed to encompass a top-tier kitchen, a walk-up window where customers can place orders and drive-thru lanes, according to the spokesperson.

While outdoor patio seating will be offered, Smalls Sliders will not have dine-in accommodations. Customers also will be able to order online for pickup or delivery through the app.

“Internally, we’ve maximized every square inch of the Can, from prep to storage, to cooking and serving stations, all the way to where our bathroom and trashcans are placed,” the spokesperson said.

“We needed to truly maximize the smaller footprint into what we like to call ‘Tiny Can Living’ or ‘Can Life.’ This approach has been instrumental in driving our throughput and overall operational execution, especially as we make to order our product.”

 For more information about Smalls Sliders, visit the company’s website.