ARLINGTON, Texas–Franchise soda shop Swig made its Arlington debut and wants locals to know it has a lot to offer the city.
Located at 1650 W. Interstate 20 in South Arlington, Swig this spring held the grand opening of its newest Texas location, offering a free 24 ounce drink of choice and cookie to all attendees.
Swig’s menu features any soda, water, lemonade or energy drink to customize with flavored syrups, fruit purées and creams to make drinks fitting for anyone’s lifestyle. Swig also offers sweet treats to pair with its drinks.
Drive-through only
Guests can easily drop in for a quick drink or bite, as this new location is drive-through only. Put simply, Swig is a soda shop, but it has a lot more it wants to offer Arlington.
Dunia Russel, a field training coach for Swig’s Dallas-Fort Worth locations, ran the grand opening.
“We are a soda shop, but our mission is to create leaders,” Russel said. “The thing I love the most is the opportunities we’re given at such a young age.”
Russel started with Swig at its first location in Texas. Now, the Utah-based chain plans to have 37 Swig locations in Texas by the end of the year, Russel said. Swig is constantly seeking to promote within the company and offer positions and field training to those who might not otherwise get the opportunity.
Russel said Swig stands for more than just a soda company.
“We want our customers to come and have a great experience, so they keep coming back, because we cater to them,” Russel said. “It’s genuinely the most positive workplace I’ve ever worked in before.”
Founder dreamed of growing nationally
Founder Nicole Tanner wanted to create a drive-through drink shop with customizable flavors and additives. Tanner wanted to share her Dirty™ Sodas with the country.
Originally starting in Utah and rivaling coffee shops, the brand garnered a reputation, and misconception, for being “only for Mormons” despite offering caffeinated beverages soon after its start.
Swig’s Dirty™ Sodas and Refreshers are customizable for anyone, including for those who refrain from caffeine for religious or health reasons or for those looking to cut back on their coffee intake.
One Arlington local at the grand opening, Ella Morrison, said she tried Swig for the first time and was instantly hooked. She discovered that Swig isn’t just for Mormons. It offers a little something for everyone.
“As someone with anxiety who struggles with caffeine, I’m glad Swig is in my area so I have caffeine-free options,” Morrison said. “And I’m not even that much of a soda person.”
Starting about five years after its original launch, Swig began offering Revivers, a caffeinated sparkling beverage guests could modify. So, if someone is looking for an energy boost, Swig has something to offer them, too.
‘Simply a drink company’
Gen-Z TikTok influencer and former-Mormon Ashlyn Snipes has a personal perspective on Swig and what it means to current members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are advised not to drink coffee or tea, and this makes it difficult to enjoy personalized drinks from cafés,” Snipes said. “Having a place like Swig allows them to enjoy the simple pleasure of creating their own drink that aligns with their values.”
But the idea that Swig is targeted to a particular religion is false.
“Considering it is a Mormon-owned company made in Utah, it was especially appreciated by members of the church, but it is simply a drink company,” Snipes said. “It does not push religious agenda onto its consumers.”
Snipes said it is “so exciting” that Swig has found its way to a Texas audience.
“It can be a fun group activity, a date, or just a nice convenience when you feel like treating yourself,” Snipes said. “It should be accessible to all.”
Swig also gives back to its community, offering to partner with local charities, groups, individuals or organizations. It offers a variety of options with a portion of all proceeds going back to the partner. Swig also offers fundriaser cards as a different type of money-raising option.
Swig’s website reads, “Our stores are committed to participating in the community and one way we do that is through Fundraiser nights.”
