Wild Bill’s Soda Franchise Grows Footprint at National Event Venues

Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co. has reached a milestone of 20 active franchise operators, signaling a rapid expansion of its mobile soda wagon fleet. By targeting high-traffic venues like the Las Vegas Convention Center, the company is outpacing traditional restaurant growth models with a strategy built on high-frequency event participation.

Money Talk·July 21, 2026·reads: 1,039

The brand added new franchisees in Cleveland, Salt Lake City, Washington, D.C., and San Diego during the first half of 2026, putting it on track to award 10 new agreements by year-end. CEO Mike Quilty attributes this momentum to the speed at which operators can begin generating revenue, noting that the business avoids the multi-year lead times associated with brick-and-mortar restaurants. To support this growth, the company added five new mobile wagons in the last six months, with five more currently in production. The system is expected to field nearly 60 units nationwide by the end of 2026.

Wild Bill’s business model relies on securing long-term contracts at major fairgrounds, sporting arenas, and convention centers. The company plans to service more than 600 events this year, up from 504 in 2025. Beyond large-scale public festivals, the franchise is shifting focus toward private and corporate bookings, including university functions and employee gatherings. This pivot is central to the company’s projection of 15% to 20% growth in net system sales for the year, as the brand looks to leverage its status as a veteran-owned entity to capture a larger share of the event beverage market.