Crumley Cites the Burger Franchise’s Simplicity as its Strength
Smalls Sliders, a Louisiana-based burger franchise, has welcomed Ryan Crumley as chief development officer. Crumley spearheads the brand’s growth strategy, real estate and construction efforts. His career history includes leadership roles with Dave’s Hot Chicken, Driven Brands, Dunkin’ Brands and Tidal Wave Auto Spa.
Crumley said speaking with CEO Charles Watson and the team assured him that Smalls Sliders has the foundation, leadership and vision to scale thoughtfully. “The opportunity to help lead that next phase of development — and oversee the opening of new cans [locations] across the country — was something I didn’t think twice about wanting to be a part of,” Crumley said.
Smalls Sliders stands out by keeping things simple, he said, acknowledging that the fast-food industry can be oversaturated. “Smalls Sliders is a brand with incredible energy and potential. I was drawn to its simplicity — a focused menu, efficient operations model and a product that people genuinely love. We’re focused on delivering an exceptional product, a craveable guest experience and a development model that’s built for speed and scalability.”
A Growing Team
In addition to welcoming Crumley, Smalls Sliders made several internal promotions to round out its executive team. Michael Alberici was promoted to chief marketing officer and Adam Roof to vice president of finance.
Watson said Crumley and his colleagues have the skills to position Smalls Sliders for future growth. “As we continue to enter new markets and strengthen our core operations, having proven leaders in development, marketing and finance ensures we remain disciplined in delivering on our franchise promise and memorable guest experience as we scale,” Watson said.
Crumley said consistency and values alignment are important for brands seeking to elevate their core operations. “You need a clear brand identity, a strong real estate strategy and the right franchise partners who share your vision and values. Entrepreneurs should focus on scalable systems and a disciplined approach. It’s not just about growing fast; it’s about growing right and setting up every location for long-term success.”
In his free time, Crumley enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, reading, woodworking and serving in his local church.
About Smalls Sliders
Smalls Sliders specializes exclusively in fresh, cooked-to-order cheeseburger sliders. The burger franchise is the brainchild of restaurateur Brandon Landry, led by CEO Charles Watson and is backed by investors 10 Point Capital and former NFL star Drew Brees.
