Smalls Sliders, the cheeseburger slider chain that has expanded from a single Baton Rouge restaurant in 2019 to more than 300 units in its pipeline across 24 states, is preparing to open its first Lutz location at 19105 Wingshooter Way.

The restaurant is targeting a late July or early August opening. The chain's official Florida locations page lists the Lutz site as opening Monday, July 28, while the North Tampa Buzz newsletter reported Wednesday, July 23, that the team is working toward an Aug. 4 opening with a grand opening celebration expected a couple of days later. The newsletter, written by Mike Rendel, noted dates are still pending final paperwork.

The Lutz location will be the chain's eighth in Florida, joining existing restaurants in Clearwater, Tallahassee, Ocala, Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach and St. Johns.

Brandon Landry and his nephew Jacob Dugas founded Smalls Sliders, opening the first location in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in September 2019. Landry also founded Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux. Former NFL quarterback Drew Brees joined as an early investor in the brand, according to the company, and Atlanta-based private equity firm 10 Point Capital made an equity investment in July 2022.

Each location operates out of a compact, roughly 800-square-foot bright orange structure the company calls a "Can." The format includes a drive-thru, walk-up window and outdoor patio. The menu centers on cooked-to-order sliders, seasoned waffle fries and hand-spun milkshakes. Signature items include the OG Smalls Slider with premium beef, melted cheese, crispy pickle and the chain's proprietary sauce on a toasted bun, plus the Biggie Smalls double-meat option and party packs of 25 sliders.

The new restaurant sits on the same commercial stretch as Greenlane, the drive-thru salad concept backed by former Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski that opened on Wingshooter Way in September 2025.

Residents can reach the Smalls Sliders Lutz location at 813-524-6540. The exact opening date had not been finalized as of Wednesday, July 23.