Dirty soda is lining up for a run at Steele Creek. Swig, the Utah-born drive-thru chain with a cult following for its customizable "dirty sodas," has filed plans for a new location in southwest Charlotte. If the project clears city review, Steele Creek residents could soon be adding coconut cream and purees to their fountain drinks without crossing the state line, although no opening date is on the books yet.
According to Charlotte Observer, Swig submitted a land-development construction plan permit for 4942 Trojan Dr that calls for a drive-thru and related site work. The application details drive-thru infrastructure and circulation improvements, pointing to a typical Swig setup featuring a single-lane ordering window and support facilities. With the permit now in the public record, the Steele Creek project has officially moved beyond rumor territory.
In a statement to Charlotte Observer, founder Nicole Tanner said Swig "represents happiness in a cup and our customers mean the world to us." Company representatives did not give a firm opening timeline, and any schedule will depend on how quickly the city completes its review and signs off on site work.
What They Will Pour
Swig’s menu leans hard into mix-and-match fountain drinks, with sodas dressed up using flavored syrups, fruit purees and creamy add-ins. Popular picks include the Dr Pepper-based Texas Tab, the Strawberry Breeze and over-the-top creations like the Shark Attack. The chain also sells water-based Refreshers, energy-drink Revivers, frozen hot chocolate and baked goods, according to Houston Chronicle. Those sugar-bomb combinations have helped fuel viral social media moments and long grand-opening lines in other markets.
Brand Growth And Local Footprint
Swig launched in St. George, Utah, in 2010 and has expanded quickly in the years since, marking milestone openings as it grows. The company celebrated its 100th store in 2025, part of a broader expansion effort detailed by Nation's Restaurant News. In the Charlotte region, Swig already operates a drive-thru in Indian Land and has another site planned for Rock Hill, so a Steele Creek spot would deepen an already growing local presence, as reported by What Now Charlotte.
Traffic, Permits And What To Watch
The chain’s first area location did not exactly sneak into town quietly. Coverage of the Indian Land opening noted lines so long they backed onto Worldreach Drive and Charlotte Highway, with staff stepping in to reroute cars in the queue, according to The Herald. Those kinds of traffic ripple effects are the details Charlotte officials will likely be thinking about when they review the Steele Creek plans. City staff will focus on how cars move in and out of the site, stormwater controls and street access before any construction permits get the green light.
What Is Next
The roughly 1-acre parcel shows up in Steele Creek commercial real estate listings that highlight its potential for a drive-thru tenant, according to Crexi. Swig has not announced an opening date, so anyone tracking the project will want to keep an eye on city permit filings and new business-license records. We will be watching the city’s review process and any updates from Swig as the Steele Creek plan moves ahead.
