Operations

Former Raising Cane's exec named COO of Smalls Sliders

Photo: smalls

June 16, 2025

Smalls Sliders, a cheeseburger slider concept, has named Clint Penfield as chief operating officer. He brings more than two decades of experience from Raising Cane's, where he held senior roles including chief of restaurant services and senior vice president of restaurant services. His tenure there saw him guide operations across hundreds of locations as the brand expanded nationally.

"Smalls Sliders is built on a foundation of operational simplicity and bold hospitality," Penfield said in a company press release. "My goal is to scale what makes Smalls special, while ensuring every Can delivers a standout guest experience, every time."

Charles Watson, CEO of Smalls Sliders, highlighted Penfield's "culture-first leader" approach, stating his leadership will help the company grow without losing its unique qualities.

Smalls Sliders, known for serving cooked-to-order cheeseburger sliders, seasoned waffle fries and hand-spun milkshakes from its signature "Smorange-colored" shipping containers dubbed "Cans," has expanded rapidly since its 2019 founding.

The brand has more than 375 Cans open or under development across 22 states. Investors include 10 Point Capital and former NFL star Drew Brees.