Swig (soft drink shop)

Swig is a drive-through soda-fountain chain primarily located in the western United States. The chain, known for its popular "dirty sodas," was founded in April 2010 by Nicole Tanner in St. George, Utah. Since then, Swig has experienced steady growth and, as of 2023, operates locations in six states. Swig is owned by the Savory Fund, a private equity firm, the Larry H. Miller Company. The first Swig location was across the street from Dixie State University, now known as Utah Tech University.[1][2]

For other uses, see Swig.
Swig
Founded2010 (2010)
St. George, Utah
FounderNicole Tanner
Headquarters
American Fork, Utah
Number of locations
53 (2023)
Area served
Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oklahoma and Texas
Key people
Chase Wardrop (President)
ProductsSoft Drinks, Cookies
Number of employees
500+ (2020)
ParentLarry H. Miller Company
Websitewww.swigdrinks.com

History

Nicole Tanner and her husband Todd opened the first Swig store in St. George, Utah in 2010.[3][4]

Tanner found that while she and her husband enjoyed pebble ice drinks such as those served at Sonic, they found it could be inconvenient waiting in line behind others who were ordering food just to get drinks. Tanner founded Swig as a drink-focused restaurant, serving a limited menu of items from a local bakery. A second store was opened in St. George in 2011.[3]

In 2015, Swig sued competitor soda-fountain chain Sodalicious over their use of the term "dirty soda" (see below), which Swig claimed that it had trademarked in 2013.[4][5] Sodalicious argued that the term was generic and thus could not be trademarked.[4] The lawsuit ended with an undisclosed settlement in 2017.[5]

By 2017, the company had 16 locations and more franchise offers from outside of Utah.[6] The same year, Nicole Tanner sold the chain to the restaurant management firm Four Foods Group.[6]

As of 2018, the company headquarters is located in American Fork, Utah.[7]

In 2021, Swig expanded into Idaho, Oklahoma and Texas.[6][2]

On November 22, 2022, the Larry H. Miller Company purchased a majority stake in Swig. Savory Fund, Swig founder Nicole Tanner, and partners Chase Wardrop and Dylan Roede each retained significant minority equity in the chain.[8]

As of 2023, Swig has announced that it will open 25 corporate-owned locations and start a franchising program.[9] Megaplex Theatres, will start selling Swig products in 2023.[8]

As of 2023, Swig had plans to open locations in Mission, Kansas and Overland Park, Kansas.[10]

Products

Swig is well known for their "dirty" sodas, which are made by mixing base name-brand sodas such as Coca-Cola or Dr. Pepper with add-ins such as flavored syrups, creams and fruit-purees.[3] The chain also sells semi-frozen cookies with recognizable pink frosting.[4]

Popularity in Utah

The popularity of soda-fountain chains such as Swig in Utah can largely be traced to the influence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Members of the LDS Church are prohibited from consuming alcohol or hot caffeinated beverages such as tea or coffee. As such, many LDS Church members frequently drink soda in order to consume caffeine.[3][4][2] The vast majority of all Swig locations are in the state of Utah.[8]

References
  1. "Swig". swigdrinks.com. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
  2. Petersen, Victoria (2021-12-06). "In the Mountain West, the 'Dirty' Soda Rush Is On". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
  3. "Why Swig is One to Watch". QSR magazine. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
  4. Turkewitz, Julie (2015-11-30). "In Utah Feud Over 'Dirty' Sodas, Flavored Darts Are Fired". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
  5. "Utah's 'dirty soda' war ends in a settlement". KSTU. 2017-11-08. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
  6. "Swig Shoots for Soda Supremacy". Silicon Slopes Newsroom. 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
  7. "New Look for Beloved Utah Custom Soda Chain". www.businesswire.com (Press release). 2018-10-25. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
  8. Williams, Carter (22 November 2022). "Larry H. Miller Company acquires majority stake of Utah 'dirty soda' chain". KSL.COM. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  9. Coley, Ben (22 November 2022). "Rising Beverage Chain Swig Sold to the Larry H. Miller Companies". QSR. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  10. Garcia, Juliana (26 June 2023). "Swig, a 'dirty' soda company, wants to open a Mission shop". Shawnee Mission Post. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.