Swig, a Utah-based specialty drink shop with 47 stores in six markets it the West, has appointed Chase Wardrop its new president . The company said Wardrop will oversee all company operations and the management team of Swig. He will be responsible for expanding the brand’s footprint into new areas while maintaining the current levels of customer service, speed and innovative products.
Swig is owned by Savory, a food-and-beverage-focused Mercato Partners Fund that also owns Mo’Bettahs and R&R BBQ.
According to Savory CEO Shauna Smith, Wardrop has been instrumental in Swig’s rapid growth and the expanding specialty soda culture as a whole. Under his leadership and teamwork with partners Dylan Roeder, vice president of marketing and innovation, and Swig founder Nicole Tanner, they have grown sales to more than $30 million annually with 18 stores planned in 2021 and expansion into two new states.
“We’re thrilled to have Chase at the helm of our growing team and beloved Swig brand,” said Smith. “Drawing on his deep experience and passion, Chase will lead Swig into its next phase of growth as we bring the brand’s infectious popularity to even more people and geographies in 2021 and beyond.”
Wardrop is a graduate of Brigham Young University. After graduating in 2015, with longtime friend Roeder, he co-founded The Soda Shop in his hometown of Gilbert, Arizona. The Soda Shop became a widely popular brand locally and grew to two stores in less than a year. Wardrop and Roeder then sold a majority stake of The Soda Shop to Savory in early 2017, after which it merged with Swig. During this transaction, Wardrop became the vice-president of operations for Swig.
“Swig is an incredible brand with the best team possible and I couldn’t be happier to continue its hypergrowth into the future,” said Wardrop. “Working with so many incredible people that I respect and enjoy makes it possible to accomplish the monumental goals we have for the brand. We’re a team that never settles and will continue to evolve and improve.”
“Despite the challenges 2020 presented, the brand flourished under Chase’s leadership as we were able to open nine new units, bringing the magic of Swig to new communities in Utah and Arizona,” said Tanner. “I have every confidence that Chase will continue the legacy of Swig and grow it to new, unimaginable heights.”