Swig, the chain that invented ‘dirty soda,’ heads to Colorado
May 14, 2026, 4:22 PM | Updated: May 20, 2026, 11:17 am
Dirty sodas are all the rage these days, but there can only be one “original,” and the place that started the trend is finally coming to Colorado!
Swig, the Utah-born drive-thru chain that claims to have invented the dirty soda, is making its first push into Colorado with plans for 10 locations across the Colorado Springs area. The company announced a multi-unit franchise deal this week that will bring its customizable concoctions — classic sodas mixed with cream, flavored syrups, fresh fruits and purees — to El Paso County, with the first store expected to open by the end of 2026.
The deal marks Colorado as the 17th state for Swig, which currently operates more than 150 locations nationwide. Father-son franchisees Alex and Alan Knox, who bring experience in restaurant operations and franchising, will develop the stores. Specific addresses have not been announced; the company said locations will be revealed as leases are finalized and permits approved.
Founded in 2010 in St. George, Utah, Swig built an early following among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who don’t drink coffee or alcohol, before exploding into a national phenomenon fueled by TikTok and the hit reality show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” The chain’s compact, drive-thru-centric model — most locations operate in just 800 to 850 square feet — has helped it scale quickly with lower build-out and labor costs than traditional restaurants.
Beyond its trademark dirty sodas, Swig also serves water-based drinks called Refreshers, customizable energy drinks called Revivers and a menu of sweet and savory snacks. “We’re seeing strong demand for concepts that are both operationally efficient and highly adaptable to today’s consumer preferences,” Swig President Todd Smith said in a statement. “Expanding into Colorado Springs is a natural next step as we continue to scale with the right partners.”
No Denver-area locations have been announced, but the Colorado Springs deal could signal broader expansion along the Front Range as the dirty soda trend continues to gain mainstream traction.
