Happy Group COO Sonny Asker likes to describe Savvy Sliders as a “disruptive” concept. Since its founding in 2018, the fast casual has opened 57 restaurants, and there are 60 more units in development. The brand was born out of Michigan, but has spread to existing/upcoming markets like Illinois, Nevada, Indiana, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and Louisiana. The goal is to open approximately 35 restaurants in 2026. Savvy Sliders is moving at a pace of two to three openings per month, and Asker wants to ramp that up to four. From the beginning, the restaurant set out to place a “really good gourmet slider on the market,” Asker says. The chain introduced variations of beef and chicken sliders and has since expanded to more unique options like fish, falafel, steak, and The Hangover, which includes a fried egg. Savvy Sliders is also into LTOs; the next one will be called the “Szechuan Sensation,” and will feature kimchi and Szechuan garlic aioli. Value is a core tenet of the chain as well. Asker says the concept has become known for its roughly $12 combo boxes offering two sliders, fries, and a drink. In addition to the menu, Savvy Sliders has forged partnerships with the Detroit Pistons, Detroit Lions, and Detroit Tigers. “The brand is a lot of fun,” Asker says. The chain’s story begins with Happy’s Pizza, a 65-unit chain founded by Asker’s father, Happy Asker. The urban-style brand delivers a $1.3 million AUV, doing a majority of its business between…
