A Utah-born dirty soda chain known for its drive-thru-focused footprint is headed to New Mexico and Texas in a big way. Swig has signed a 14-unit franchise agreement that will bring new locations to Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas, with the first shop expected to open by summer 2027.
The deal is with multi-unit franchisees Heather Berry and Brock Stokes, according to Fast Casual, which first reported the agreement. Swig President Todd Smith said the pair’s background running multiple locations made them the right fit for introducing the brand to the region. “Heather and Brock’s operating experience and deep familiarity with the brand give us a strong foundation to establish Swig across this region,” Smith said.
Swig’s pitch to franchisees centers on a stripped-down building model rather than a sprawling storefront. The chain’s drive-thru-focused format can run in as little as 800 to 850 square feet and skips a full kitchen entirely, a setup the company says helps franchisees reduce both labor and build-out costs, per the same account from Fast Casual.
A Brand Built on Drive-Thrus, Not Dining Rooms
Swig is headquartered in Pleasant Grove, Utah, and has built its national push on a compact, order-and-go model with a drive-thru-centric approach. The chain specializes in dirty sodas, the customizable nonalcoholic drinks made by mixing standard soda with add-ins like creamer, flavored syrups or fruit juice, as the Chicago Tribune has described the format in coverage of Swig’s Illinois growth…