Atlanta-based Smalls Sliders is continuing to sign development deals geared toward covering Alabama.

The chain earlier this year announced as many as five locations in and around Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and Auburn, and the cheeseburger franchise already has Auburn and Birmingham locations set to open over the next year.

According to QSR, the company signed with entrepreneurs Jason Owenby, Kevin Kynerd and Travis Meyer to develop eight locations throughout north Alabama. The three are current owners of 20 Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joints.

They plan to target real estate in Leeds, Trussville, Gardendale, Gadsden, Huntsville, Decatur and Florence, among other cities.

Smalls Sliders opened its first restaurant in 2019 with a no-nonsense menu of burger sliders, grilled cheese sandwiches, fries, shakes and the Biggie Smalls, a double-meat slider.

Owenby said the company offers a “truly unique concept.”

“Having been in the restaurant industry for almost two decades, we knew Smalls Sliders was something special that we wanted to be a part of,” he said. “We were particularly attracted to the straightforward nature of the concept, with its modular buildout and convenient drive-thru and walk-up options. We are thrilled to be joining the brand during such a promising growth era and can’t wait to bring this amazing experience to even more communities.”