Smalls Sliders and the Sea “Can”: Why This Restaurant Design Works

Smalls Sliders locations are impossible to miss. Bright orange, compact, and unmistakably built from shipping containers, its restaurants look nothing like traditional burger joints. That design choice is not about novelty. For Smalls Sliders, using shipping containers, or sea cans, is a strategic choice that supports rapid growth. According to Nation’s Restaurant News, once the plot is prepared, Smalls can open a restaurant in about 8 to 10 weeks, and the physical set-in-place process is measured in minutes.

In a category where construction schedules and costs can swing wildly, using shipping containers is a real advantage. 

The Smalls Sliders Story

What is a Sea Can?

Sea can is another name for a shipping container, and Smalls Sliders has shortened that to “cans.” The idea is straightforward: build the core restaurant off-site, transport it to a prepared plot, and “drop” it into place.

RestaurantSpaces reports that each “can” is about 750 square feet and is designed to be just large enough for the kitchen, with service built around off-premise ordering.

So yes, the “shipping container restaurant” look is part of the appeal, but the bigger story is how the container-based build supports the operating model.

Why shipping containers make sense for Smalls’ drive-thru-first format

Smalls Sliders is not trying to be a hangout spot with a big dining room. The “cans” are built for speed: drive-thru, walk-up ordering, and a small patio which gives guests a place to sit down for a quick meal.

That design choice shapes everything:

• A smaller footprint means fewer interior finishes to maintain and less space to staff.

• Outdoor seating fits the casual slider vibe and keeps the brand flexible across different real estate types.

• A simple flow makes the guest experience easier to repeat, especially for franchise growth.

In other words, the use of shipping containers is not a gimmick. It is a physical expression of a tight, modern off-premise restaurant strategy.

Faster builds, more predictable openings

Ask any restaurant operator what keeps them up at night during expansion and you will hear some version of delays, permit surprises, weather, and contractor schedules. Modular construction does not erase those worries, but it can reduce the issues that vary site to site.

Smalls’ approach is to fabricate the “cans” off-site and then ship them in when the location is ready. For franchisees, this kind of repeatable build can translate into a more predictable path from signed lease to first sale, which is a big deal in a competitive burger category.

The design is also branding, on purpose

Smalls does not hide the shipping container design. It celebrates it. The brand even turned its bold orange identity into a formal color story. In 2024, Smalls announced it had worked with Pantone to create and patent its own shade, “Smorange."

That matters because shipping container restaurants can sometimes feel temporary or improvised. Smalls goes the other direction. The consistent color and structure make Smalls locations recognizable at a glance, which helps a growing brand feel established even in a new market.

Guest experience: small building, big energy

A smaller prototype also changes how guests interact with the brand. Instead of stepping into a dining room, most guests are engaging from their car or at a walk-up window. That can feel more casual and more modern, especially for quick lunch runs, post-game snacks, or family stops where nobody wants to linger.

RestaurantSpaces quotes Rivera describing how the "cans" can create an “emotional connection,” especially for kids who see it as something playful and different, like a big colorful object dropped into the neighborhood.

This is where the shipping container design shines:

1) It supports fast service and operational simplicity.

2) It gives Smalls a visual identity that stands out in a sea of standard fast-food architecture.

The fine print: shipping container builds still have to meet local rules

Shipping containers in restaurant construction can raise questions with municipalities and building departments, especially around permitting, aesthetics, and how the structure is classified. Smalls acknowledges that regulations can slow or complicate container-based projects, and part of its growth story is educating communities on modular construction and its benefits.

That is worth noting if you are watching the brand expand into new regions. The model is repeatable, but every market has its own approval process. Still, the continued pipeline of units suggests Smalls has found a workable playbook for many jurisdictions.

What other restaurant brands can learn from Smalls Sliders’ approach

Smalls Sliders is a good example of how shipping container restaurant design works best when it is aligned with operations. The company did not start with “shipping containers are cool.” It started with a focused menu and a drive-thru-forward model, then chose a building type that supports speed, consistency, and brand recognition.

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Did you know?

Small Sliders has shipping container restaurants in 12 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas.

The chain has 47 locations with 5 more opening soon! To see if a Smalls Sliders shipping container restaurant is open near you, check out their list of current and upcoming locations at https://smallssliders.com/locations/.