U.S based beverage brand Swig has signed a 25-store franchise agreement with experienced multi-unit operators James Laskaris, Spiro Laskaris, and Stephen Attard, marking its entry into southern Florida and a significant step in its national franchise expansion strategy.
The agreement will see the group develop and operate Swig locations across key markets including Port St. Lucie, Palm Beach, and Stuart, with the first outlet expected to open by the end of 2026. The rollout is planned in phases, targeting high-traffic suburban and urban corridors with a strong focus on drive-thru accessibility, a core pillar of Swig’s operating model.
The franchise partners bring deep operational scale to the deal. James Laskaris and Stephen Attard collectively operate a portfolio of approximately 80 Dunkin’ units and 11 Baskin-Robbins locations, along with multiple Zaxby’s and Jimmy John’s outlets. Spiro Laskaris separately operates the Spiro’s Taverna brand, which has a growing footprint across the state. Their combined experience in scaling quick-service and fast-casual brands was a key factor in the partnership.
“We were first introduced to Swig as customers and immediately saw the potential,” said James Laskaris. “The product stands out, the model is simple to scale, and the brand’s marketing and energy resonate strongly with a younger, highly engaged customer base.”
Swig’s leadership described the partnership as a strategic alignment with proven operators. Shannon Swenson, Chief of Franchise Partnerships at Swig, said the group’s operational expertise and community-focused approach make them “ideal franchise partners” to establish the brand in a new region.
Founded in 2010, Swig has built a strong following around its customizable “dirty soda” offerings, specialty beverages, and sweet treats, delivered through a drive-thru-centric format typically operating in compact footprints of around 800–850 square feet. The brand has expanded steadily across the western United States and is increasingly leveraging multi-unit franchise agreements to enter new high-growth markets.
The southern Florida deal underscores Swig’s continued push to scale nationally through experienced franchise operators, as demand for specialty beverage concepts accelerates across the U.S. No financial terms of the agreement were disclosed.
