Dirty Soda Growth: Swig, Taco Bell, PepsiCo
Key Takeaways from the Article:
Here’s a breakdown of the main points from the article about the rise of “dirty soda”:
* What is Dirty Soda? It’s essentially soda mixed with flavored creamers, frequently enough described as tasting “like a dirty Mountain Dew Baja Blast.”
* Swig is the Pioneer: Swig is the company credited with popularizing the trend, growing to over 140 locations and seeing an 8.2% increase in same-store sales this year. They were acquired by The Larry H. miller Company in 2022.
* Trendsetter Status: Swig’s CEO believes they are doing for soda what Starbucks did for coffee. Other soda shops (Sodalicious, Fiiz, Cool Sips) and even coffee chains like Dutch bros. are now offering similar drinks.
* Fast Food Adoption: Major fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Taco Bell are also getting into the dirty soda game, validating its broad appeal.
* Easy for Restaurants: Dirty soda is easy for restaurants to add to their menus because it utilizes existing soda machines and readily available creamers. It’s simpler than customizing espresso drinks.
* Broad Appeal: Dirty soda appeals to a wide audience because it has less caffeine than coffee, is affordable, visually appealing (thanks to TikTok), and provides a “fun treat.”
* Reversing Soda Decline: The rise of dirty soda, along with prebiotic sodas, is contributing to a halt in the decades-long decline of soda consumption in the US. Consumption is projected to slightly increase in 2025.
In essence, the article portrays dirty soda as a surprisingly impactful trend that’s revitalizing the soda industry and offering a new, accessible beverage option for consumers.