Dirty Soda Chain Swig Lines Up Dozens of New Stores
The Utah company that calls itself the home of the original dirty soda has signed three franchise deals in recent months, lining up dozens of new stores across Texas, Colorado, and Florida.
Dirty soda is the drink behind the boom. Take a fountain soda, then add cream, flavored syrups, or bits of fruit, and you get a customized cup that fans treat as a daily pick-me-up. Swig started selling them in St. George, Utah, in 2010 and now runs more than 150 stores in 16 states.
The newest deal brings six stores to South Texas through a father-son team, Najib and Walid Haidar of McAllen. Najib already runs Dave's Hot Chicken, IHOP, and Walk-On's locations. "As we evaluated opportunities for continued growth, Swig stood out for its strong reputation, unique concept and clear long-term vision," Haidar said. The first South Texas store should open in early 2027.
The South Texas deal is the smallest of the three. A 10-unit agreement with father-son operators Alex and Alan Knox will carry Swig into Colorado for the first time, starting in Colorado Springs by the end of 2026. In South Florida, a 25-store deal will target Port St. Lucie, Palm Beach, and Stuart. The Florida group is a heavyweight: lead franchisee James Laskaris and his partner Stephen Attard already operate 80 Dunkin' shops and 11 Baskin-Robbins restaurants.
"The product stands out, the model is simple to scale and the brand's marketing and energy really resonate with a younger, highly engaged customer base," Laskaris said.
Swig keeps costs low with a store that fits in 800 to 850 square feet and skips the full kitchen most fast-food spots need. Less space and less equipment mean operators spend less to build and hire fewer workers.
"We're seeing strong demand for concepts that are both operationally efficient and highly adaptable to today's consumer preferences," Swig President Todd Smith said.
Swig has plenty of company in the drive-thru drink race. 7 Brew jumped from 14 stores in 2021 to about 600 by April. Dutch Bros passed 1,000 stores in 2025. Even Dunkin', which hit 10,000 U.S. stores in October 2025, has rolled out its own take on dirty soda.
For now, Swig keeps signing operators with deep restaurant experience, betting that a small store and a loyal following can carry it beyond its Utah roots. Check out recently opened Swig stores:
- Fort Myers, FL - 13401 Summerlin Rd
- Overland Park, KS - 6901 W 91st St
- Ballwin, MO - 13721 Manchester Rd
- St Peters, MO - 587 Mid Rivers Mall Dr
- Johnson City, TN - 2424 N Roan St