An Arkansas couple’s dream came to life when they became Swig franchisees along with their son and daughter-in-law. They opened their first location in November 2023, with plans to open a second one this year in April. The second store will be at 4914 Elm Springs Road in Springdale, Arkansas.
Doug and Shannon Fowler moved to Arkansas to be near their children and grandchildren. Within months, they discussed starting a family business with their son, Chris, and his wife, Jesica. Three months after unveiling the first Swig location in Arkansas at 4204 W. Green Acres Road in Rogers, it became one of the top five Swig locations in sales nationwide.
“We wanted to share the unique Swig experience with our friends and family in Arkansas, but when we first inquired, franchising wasn’t available,” said Shannon Fowler. “We considered some of their competitors’ brands, but we knew if we tried to start our own drink shop, Swig would run us out of business if they ever started franchising because the quality of its drinks and people are unmatched.”
The Fowlers had all lived in Utah previously and had fallen in love with Swig’s unique menu of “dirty sodas,” refreshers, and energy drinks. Chris Fowler, brought his family to Arkansas ten years ago for medical school residency. They have loved raising their 4 daughters in Arkansas.
“Swig is the highlight of our trips to Utah — the first and last place we go,” Chris Fowler says. “We’ve been making Swig a special tradition for over a decade, and my 91-year-old grandpa is a big fan of the Raspberry Dream. We always love trying something new there, which never disappoints us. No other brand compares to Swig.”
The family knew they had made the right investment when they saw how much Swig’s training and leadership values aligned with their ideology. They also admired the brand’s commitment to providing opportunities for its employees, including preparing them for future career endeavors.
“We wanted to bring our love of Swig to our wonderful new home of Arkansas,” says Doug Fowler, a computer engineer and long-time entrepreneur. “No place else had the exciting tastes, unique flavor combinations, or to-die-for treats Swig offers. The best part of my day is to talk with our customers and see the smiles on their faces — whether they’re trying something new or have already selected their favorite flavor and cannot get enough of it.”
“The Fowlers are incredible people who truly understand the vision and heart of Swig,” says Nicole Tanner, Swig’s founder. “With their leadership, the success with their first location comes as no surprise. They’re phenomenal partners, and we can’t wait to show more of Arkansas what they have in store.”
The Home of the Original Dirty Soda announced it was set to offer franchising in late 2022. It’s been quite a journey for the company, with Swig getting its start as a soda shack in St. George, Utah, in 2010. Fourteen years later, it has become one of the fastest-growing beverage brands in the country and already has a staggering 500 franchise units in development.
