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.
Just how big Swig has gotten depends on which account you check. Fast Casual puts the chain at more than 150 locations across 16 states, while Tucson.com has reported more than 170 locations in 17 states. Either way, the company says it is actively seeking experienced, multi-unit operators to keep that national expansion moving.
Part of a Broader Franchising Sprint
New Mexico is just the latest stop on a franchising tear that has spanned much of the country this year. Swig signed a six-unit deal to enter the Boston market, according to MassLive, marking its first push into the Northeast. In the Chicago suburbs, the chain inked a 13-unit development deal covering Naperville, Crest Hill, Romeoville and Bolingbrook, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Florida has seen even bigger numbers. A 25-unit franchise agreement is bringing Swig to Port St. Lucie, Palm Beach and Stuart, according to a release carried by PR Newswire. Swig is also expanding into Colorado through a 10-unit agreement covering Colorado Springs, per Chain Store Age.
The chain has also been growing by acquisition in parts of the Southwest. Inc. reported that Swig is pursuing drive-through-ready sites formerly run by Salad and Go, with an offer covering locations in Arizona, Oklahoma and Las Vegas. Tucson.com reported separately that Swig could open eight Arizona locations after acquiring 11 former Salad and Go sites through bankruptcy proceedings, joining Sodalicious, which opened its own Tucson drive-thru in 2023 and already runs three other Arizona locations.
No addresses, hiring timelines or construction schedules for the individual Albuquerque, El Paso or Santa Fe locations have been disclosed beyond the expectation that the first New Mexico unit will open by summer 2027. For now, the 14-unit agreement adds New Mexico to a growing map of states betting that drive-thru-only soda shops have room to keep multiplying.
