Feature Photo: A Small Sliders crew at a grand opening ceremony in Odessa in May. Image: Facebook/Small Sliders.
Posted: 6-14-2026
McAllen (Hidalgo County) — Smalls Sliders has signed a multi-unit development agreement to bring four Cans to the Rio Grande Valley, marking the brand’s continued expansion across high-growth markets in Texas. The deal is led by seasoned entrepreneur Manny Saldivar and his business partners Carlos and Yazmin Hinojosa.
Saldivar brings more than 35 years of entrepreneurial experience to this deal with Smalls Sliders, with a background spanning finance, insurance, and franchising. His experience is complemented by Carlos’s background in engineering, manufacturing, and business ownership, creating a partnership rooted in operational discipline and commitment to long-term growth.
The group’s initial development plan includes four locations across Brownsville, Harlingen, and McAllen, with the first Can expected to open in Brownsville as the brand makes its debut in the region.
“We were drawn to Smalls Sliders because of its branding and the simplicity of the concept,” said Saldivar. “They do one thing, and they do it right, and that really stood out to us. We’re excited to bring something fresh and different to the Rio Grande Valley and create a place where the community can gather and enjoy themselves.”
The ownership group’s family connection adds an additional layer of alignment and trust to the partnership, with Saldivar and Hinojosa working together as cousins to introduce Smalls Sliders to a new market.
“South Texas represents a strong opportunity for Smalls Sliders, with a growing population and a community that values quality and convenience,” said Richard Leveille, vice president of franchise development for Smalls Sliders.
Smalls Sliders serves fresh, cooked-to-order cheeseburger sliders, seasoned waffle fries, and hand-spun milkshakes from its signature Smorangecolored shipping containers, called “Cans.” This deliberately simple menu, focused on quality and speed, has propelled the brand from its first location in 2019 to more than 50 Cans open and hundreds in development across 30 states, attracting experienced multi-brand franchisees nationwide.
As part of its continued expansion in the region, Smalls Sliders is actively seeking real estate opportunities throughout the market.
Edited from news release.
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