Swig Brings Dirty Soda Concept to Colorado With New Franchise Deal

Swig Signs Colorado Franchise Deal as Dirty Soda Category Continues to Grow

Dirty soda chain Swig is heading to Colorado.

The brand announced a 10-store development agreement for the Colorado Springs market, with the first location expected to open before the end of the year.

The deal was signed with Alex and Alan Knox, a father-son team with a background in franchising and restaurant operations.

The Colorado announcement comes roughly two weeks after Swig closed a separate 25-unit development deal in South Florida, signaling that franchisee interest in the concept is picking up across multiple regions.

A Store Model Built for Efficient Growth

Part of what makes Swig an attractive franchise opportunity is how the business is structured.

Each location runs between 800 and 850 square feet, and because the menu is built around beverages rather than food, the stores don't require the kitchen buildout that most QSR concepts do.

That keeps construction costs down and simplifies day-to-day operations, including staffing.

Todd Smith, Swig's president, noted that franchisees are increasingly drawn to concepts that are operationally lean and flexible enough to meet current consumer habits.

The dirty soda format checks both boxes.

Expanding From a Strong Regional Base

Swig's existing footprint, which sat at roughly 150 units heading into this expansion push, has historically been concentrated in Utah and Texas.

Colorado fits naturally into that geographic picture close enough to existing markets to support supply chain and operational oversight without the complications that come with jumping to a distant, unfamiliar region.

The Dirty Soda Trend Is Attracting Serious Attention

Swig positions itself as the original dirty soda brand, and it's expanding at a time when the category is drawing interest well beyond its niche origins.

McDonald's has added its own version of the drinks to its menu, a move that reflects how mainstream the trend has become.

The broader drive-thru beverage space has seen remarkable growth over the past few years. 7 Brew went from 14 locations in 2021 to over 600 by April of this year. Dutch Bros crossed the 1,000-unit mark in 2025 after doubling its brand awareness in just 18 months. Even Dunkin', which recently launched its own dirty soda offering, hit 10,000 U.S. locations in October 2025 a milestone only a handful of chains have ever reached.

For franchise investors watching the beverage-forward QSR space, the growth numbers speak for themselves. Whether dirty soda proves to be a long-term category or a prolonged trend, the near-term demand appears strong, and brands like Swig are moving quickly to capitalize on it.

Swig Signs Colorado Franchise Deal as Dirty Soda Category Continues to Grow