What we know about progress of Smalls Sliders, Guthrie’s opening in Warner Robins

Two restaurants new to Middle Georgia are still coming side by side on Watson Boulevard after hitting a speed bump last year.

Smalls Sliders, known for its cheeseburger sliders, and Guthrie’s, known for its hand-breaded chicken tenders, were already expected to be up and running at 2691 and 2689 Watson Boulevard.

But the Georgia restaurant franchise company behind the new restaurants hit an issue last year with the main access point to Watson Boulevard, said Rocky C. Moore, co-founder of Norcross-based PAR Concepts.

The issue was resolved with the approval of the Georgia Department of Transportation to share the main access to the restaurants with next-door Bible Baptist Temple, Moore said.

But while that was being worked out, the company’s other planned Smalls Sliders in Marietta and Kennesaw “kind of took the lead in the race” with the Warner Robins development placed on the back burner.

However, that hasn’t dampened the restaurant franchise company’s enthusiasm for the project .

“I am so excited about Warner Robins and the Middle Georgia area,” Moore said. “Love it down there, and I think this is going to be a phenomenal location.

“Smalls is a disruptive brand. There’s nothing like it. It’s a craveable product that people are going to want to have again and again and again. Guthrie’s is fresh to order … fried chicken, sauce and fries. It’s a very simplified menu.”

What’s the latest on the dual restaurant development?

PAR Concepts purchased a combined 6.1 acres of property for $1.85 million for construction of the restaurants between the church and the new Valvoline, according to Houston County property tax records.

The restaurant franchise company is now working to close the development loan with Colony Bank for the site and has hired the general contractor, Moore said.

The site development is expected to include demolition of existing structures, including a vacant yellow retail store building at 2689 Watson Blvd. and the former Toler’s Paint and Body Shop and its wooden fence at 2691 Watson Blvd.

Construction is expected to start in April, with the new restaurants targeted to open later this year.

“I’d say late Q3 or early Q4 just because I don’t know where it’ll fall — depending on construction and things like that,” Moore said.

Smalls Sliders

The drive-thru and carry-out restaurants are made from 800-square-foot repurposed shipping containers called “cans” that are literally dropped on site, Moore said.

The Smalls Sliders in Warner Robins is expected to have a drive-thru, a walk-up window and covered patio seating on artificial turf for about 12 to 15 people, according to site plans. The restaurant will have 13 parking places, including one handicapped parking spot.

The menu includes made-to-order cheeseburger sliders, crispy waffle fries and three creamy shake flavors of vanilla, chocolate and cookies and cream, according to the Smalls Sliders website. Add-ons include an extra patty, bacon and the brand’s signature “smauce” and queso.

Brandon Landry, co-founder of Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, opened the first Smalls Sliders in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in October 2019.

Smalls Sliders moved its headquarters to Atlanta in late 2022. The restaurant chain has more than 375 restaurants open or under development across 30 states, according to its website.

The new Marietta location that PAR Concepts is developing is expected to be the 50th Smalls Sliders to open nationwide, Moore said. It’s targeted to open on St. Patrick’s Day.

PAR Concepts may also open Smalls Sliders in Macon and Perry in the future.

“We’re looking really hard at Bass Road in Macon and then in Perry, Sam Nunn Boulevard,” Moore said.

In addition to the Macon, Warner Robins and Perry markets, PAR Concepts’ development area for Smalls Sliders stretches along Interstate 75 and Interstate 575 corridors from I-285 all the way up to Calhoun.

“So, there’s multiple markets in between there that we could plant stores, too,” Moore said.

Guthrie’s

The 2,092-square-foot Guthrie’s restaurant at 2689 Watson Blvd. is expected to have dine-in and patio seating as well as a drive-thru, according to site plans. The restaurant is expected to have 28 parkings spaces, including two handicapped spaces.

Because it’s a traditional brick-and-mortar store, construction is expected take longer than the Smalls Sliders, which could open slightly ahead of the Guthrie’s, Moore said.

Headquartered in Auburn, Alabama, the family-owned Guthrie’s restaurant chain bills itself as “America’s original chicken finger restaurant.”

The menu includes golden fried chicken fingers, crispy fries, creamy coleslaw, buttery Texas toast, a signature sauce, Guthrie’s own tea and Coke products.

Hal Guthrie opened the first Guthrie’s in Haleyville, Alabama, with a full-service Southern food menu in 1965, according to the restaurant chain’s website. The menu was simplified to chicken fingers in 1978.

Guthrie’s has about 75 locations across the U.S., including in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Nevada, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia, according to its website.