OPENING ALERT

Tiny burger sensation Small Sliders opens first San Antonio stand

Smalls Sliders is debuting its first San Antonio restaurant on June 17.

Whataburger will soon face stiff competition when it comes to selling burgers in quirky orange structures. Small Sliders, the tiny burger juggernaut sweeping the Southeast, is opening its first San Antonio restaurant at 3103 Wurzbach Rd. on Wednesday, June 17.

Founded in 2019 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the concept immediately stood out in its use of shipping container “cans” instead of traditional fast-food architecture. Like Whataburger's famous A-frame buildings, the structures quickly became an easily identifiable brand, painted a custom Pantone shade called "smorange."

The restaurants are walk-up and drive-thru only; no indoor seating. However, diners can relax with their sliders and fries in the shade of an outdoor patio.

The menu is just as petite as the containers. Unsurprisingly, the chain focuses on mini cheeseburgers served with waffle fries and milkshakes. Although tightly edited, it includes variations such as a barbecue bacon jalapeño burger and a fair number of rotating shake flavors. Queso and chips are also available for those who want a quick snack.

The lack of variation keeps customer costs low. A two-slider combo meal with fries and a fountain drink costs $8.99; a four-slider feast is only $13.99.The Smalls locations are locally owned by father-and-son operators Ramzi and Danny Hakim of Hakim Restaurant Group.

In 2024, the company announced a franchising agreement to bring 12 locations to the city, but so far, only three cans have been announced. The other two will be “dropped” at 2418 SE Military Dr. and 8743 Highway 151.

Will Small Sliders topple the tangerine tsar of Texas burgers? The chain is already making a community commitment by supporting the San Antonio Food Bank. And the franchise may lure a few Whatafans by its opening promotion, free swag for the first 100 guests in line on opening day.

“Bringing the first Smalls Sliders Can to San Antonio has been an exciting journey, and the response we’ve seen from the community has left us blown away,” said Danny Hakim, in a release. “It’s clear San Antonio is ready for Smalls.”

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CHAIN REACTIONS

New owners lift Texas breastaurant chain Twin Peaks out of bankruptcy

Twin Peaks/ Facebook

Twin Peaks has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Six months after filing for bankruptcy, the Addison-based Twin Peaks restaurant chain is getting a second chance at success.

In a Monday, June 15 press release, Twin Peaks said it has separated from its parent company, FAT Brands, and now operates as a standalone private company called Summit Twin Hospitality I LLC. The chain currently operates four San Antonio locations.

Summit Acquisitions LLC, a group of the brand’s bondholders — high-priority bankruptcy creditors including Twin Peaks franchisees 3BMgmnt Inc., JEB Food Group, and Operadora 2 Montes — has assumed management of the brand and is poised to eventually buy the chain.

“This transition gives our team the foundation we’ve needed to execute on the vision we’ve always had for this brand,” says Roger Gondek, president and chief operating officer of Twin Peaks, in the release. “We have a strong system, exceptional operators, and enviable guest loyalty, and now we have the financial footing to match. The best days for Twin Peaks are ahead.”

In May, a business known as TWNPKS Bid Co. — backed by bondholders — acquired Twin Peaks in a $359 million debt-to-equity deal approved by a bankruptcy judge in Houston.

Five years ago, FAT Brands bought Twin Peaks from New York City investment firm Garnett Station Partners for $300 million. Last year, Twin Peaks became a publicly traded company after its spinoff from FAT Brands, which remains the chain’s biggest stockholder.

Twin Peaks enters its new era with more than 115 restaurants in the U.S. and Mexico, including 11 restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth and a total of 31 statewide. More restaurants are on the way, including franchised locations in Brownsville, Laredo, and South Padre Island.

Twin Peaks, founded in Lewisville in 2005, competes with Bombshells, Hooters, Twisted Kilt and other “breastaurant” chains.

According to the press release, Twin Peaks’ executive team remains intact, and no layoffs are planned. In fact, the company plans to add employees as its store count grows.

In conjunction with FAT Brands’ bankruptcy case, a business called FBG Bid Co. said Tuesday, June 16 that it purchased 13 restaurant brands owned by FAT Brands for about $595 million. The acquisition includes chains like Fatburger, Fazoli’s, Great American Cookies, Johnny Rockets, Marble Slab Creamery, and Ponderosa and Bonanza steakhouses, but excludes Twin Peaks.

FAT Brands and Twin Peaks filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January with plans to reorganize the businesses. At the time of the bankruptcy filing, FAT Brands owed about $1.4 billion in debt that it was unable to cover.

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