Thirsty Wentzville drivers could soon have a new spot to grab a super-sweet pick-me-up without leaving their cars. A fast-growing "dirty soda" chain has filed plans for a two-lane drive-thru shop that would be the brand's third St. Louis-area location. The proposal calls for room for roughly 17 vehicles in the queue, with staff walking the line to take orders. If it gets the green light, the compact outpost would join other recent regional openings and add yet another drive-thru beverage option along the city's commercial corridors.
According to the St. Louis Business Journal, the site plan filing spells out the two-lane drive-through setup and 17-car queue, and notes that employees would take orders from vehicles while they wait. The Business Journal story, published Tuesday and filed by reporter Gloria Lloyd, also reported that the application has already been submitted to city staff for review.
Local footprint so far
The brand has been steadily expanding into the St. Louis market. Sauce Magazine reported that a Ballwin outpost opened May 1 at 13721 Manchester Road, following an earlier regional location. That momentum in the suburbs helps explain why operators are still hunting for drive-thru-first sites across the metro area.
Why the concept keeps growing
Industry coverage points out that "dirty soda" is essentially a remix: standard sodas dressed up with flavored syrups, creams and fruit. The sugary twist has turned into a fast-growing niche, driven by heavy customization and social-media buzz. National outlets report that this demand has pushed chains and franchisees to favor quick, drive-thru or kiosk formats so they can expand faster. Fortune has noted the broader trend as the category moves past its regional roots.
What the city will review
Wentzville's zoning and site-plan rules require drive-thru layouts to be vetted for access, parking and screening, and the city also regulates menu boards and freestanding signs to limit visual clutter and traffic impacts. Those standards, detailed in the city's municipal code, make up a key part of planning staff's checklist for any new drive-thru proposal. Wentzville municipal code
If the filing moves forward, it will go through city staff and then the planning commission for further review before construction can begin, the St. Louis Business Journal reported. The article did not include a construction timeline or an expected opening date.
