Dirty Soda Brand Targets National Growth Through Large Franchise Deals
Swig is rapidly emerging as one of the dominant players in the booming dirty soda industry, using aggressive multi-unit franchise development to expand into major new markets across the United States.
The beverage franchise recently signed a 25-store agreement for Southern Florida and a separate 10-unit development deal for Colorado Springs, signaling continued momentum for the fast-growing drive-thru concept.
As consumer demand for specialty soda beverages continues climbing, Swig is attracting experienced restaurant operators looking to diversify into one of the industry’s fastest-growing categories.
Since launching franchising in 2022, the company has experienced significant expansion. Swig finished last year operating 141 locations after adding 43 net new units. That growth followed earlier additions of 36 units in 2024 and 17 units in 2023, highlighting the company’s accelerating development pace.
The brand currently operates 158 locations across 16 states and continues prioritizing large regional development agreements to establish stronger market penetration.
Franchise Sales and Revenue Continue Climbing
Swig’s sales performance has strengthened alongside its growing store count. Company-reported data showed that franchise locations open for at least one year achieved average unit volumes exceeding $1.4 million during 2025.
That figure represented a substantial increase from approximately $1.2 million reported the previous year, reflecting continued consumer demand and improving operational performance across the system.
Leadership credits the brand’s momentum to a combination of strong customer loyalty, social media exposure and a highly customizable beverage menu that resonates with younger consumers and families alike.
The dirty soda category itself has become increasingly visible nationwide, creating greater awareness for brands operating within the segment.
Rather than viewing increased competition as a threat, Swig sees additional market entrants as validation that consumer demand for customized soda beverages continues growing rapidly.
Experienced Operators Help Fuel Swig’s Expansion Strategy
Swig is actively partnering with multi-unit franchise groups that already possess deep restaurant and operational expertise.
The company’s new Florida development agreement was signed by James Laskaris, Spiro Laskaris and Stephen Attard, operators with extensive quick-service restaurant experience. Their portfolio currently includes 80 Dunkin’ units, 11 Baskin-Robbins locations and several Jimmy John’s and Zaxby’s restaurants.
Meanwhile, Colorado Springs expansion will be led by father-and-son operators Alex and Alan Knox through a 10-unit agreement.
Swig leadership says operational quality and cultural fit remain top priorities when selecting franchise partners.
The company places heavy emphasis on customer experience and internal culture, referring to franchise operators as “daymakers” because of the brand’s focus on creating upbeat and memorable customer interactions.
In addition to reviewing operational KPIs and restaurant experience, Swig evaluates whether prospective franchisees can maintain strong team culture while delivering consistent service standards.
Large Territory Agreements Build Market Awareness Faster
Swig’s expansion model focuses heavily on sizeable territory agreements capable of quickly building brand awareness within new regions.
Leadership believes that 15- to 25-unit deals create stronger long-term positioning by allowing franchisees to scale efficiently while establishing recognizable market presence.
The strategy is particularly effective in territories where consumer awareness already exceeds the company’s physical footprint due to strong online visibility and viral social media engagement.
To support this expansion phase, Swig has expanded several internal departments, including franchise sales, real estate and franchise support operations.
The company also strengthened leadership by promoting Todd Smith to president and adding former Dave’s Hot Chicken executive Shannon Swenson as chief of franchise partnerships.
Dirty Soda Continues Building Nationwide Consumer Demand
Dirty soda has evolved from a niche beverage trend into a rapidly expanding consumer category fueled by TikTok videos, influencer marketing and growing demand for customizable drinks.
Swig has benefited heavily from organic exposure, with social media users frequently sharing drink combinations, store openings and customer experiences online.
That visibility has helped create excitement in new markets even before locations officially open.
According to company leadership, the combination of social media amplification and customer engagement continues generating strong opening traffic and growing franchise interest across the country.
Swig Positions Itself for Long-Term Beverage Industry Growth
Despite rising competition from larger restaurant chains and beverage brands entering the dirty soda category, Swig remains confident about its long-term growth potential.
The company views soda as an already established consumer habit with enormous market size and believes its customization-focused model enhances an existing category rather than relying on a short-term fad.
Leadership compares Swig’s position today to Starbucks during its early growth years, when coffee transitioned from a basic commodity into a highly personalized experience-driven business.
By combining customizable beverages, drive-thru convenience and strong customer engagement, Swig believes it is building a scalable franchise model capable of sustaining growth for years ahead.
Explore more about the Swig franchise opportunities.
