Johnsonville, the No. 1 national sausage brand, and Dr Pepper, the country’s fastest-growing mainstream soft drink brand, is bringing a bold new flavor to c-store roller grills with the launch of Johnsonville Dr Pepper Inspired Sausage, available beginning March 1. The new item translates the one-of-a-kind flavor of Dr Pepper into a sweet-forward, savory sausage that taps into today’s emerging “swalty” flavor trend, built to drive roller grill trial, incremental purchases, and menu excitement.
The Johnsonville Dr Pepper Inspired Sausage will be available at c-store and retail locations nationwide, including roller grill programs at major chains.
“C-store roller grill programs win when they deliver craveable variety, strong brand recognition, and a reason for shoppers to try something new,” said Kim Main, Sr. Director, Channel Marketing at Johnsonville. “This collaboration brings a familiar, iconic flavor profile into a format that is proven to perform in convenience, and it gives operators a fresh way to generate traffic and keep the grill lineup feeling newsworthy.”
Developed in collaboration with Dr Pepper, the new sausage takes inspiration from the soda’s long-standing role as a flavoring ingredient for meats, delivering a distinctive sweet-and-salty, or “swalty,” finish designed to stand out on the roller grill while pairing easily with classic c-store condiments and toppings.
To help operators maximize performance, Johnsonville is supporting the launch with serving inspiration and suggested builds that fit today’s flavor trends, including combinations that layer smoky, spicy, and sweet heat notes. Recommended pairings include BBQ sauce, stone-ground mustard, hot honey, caramelized onions, and grilled peppers, allowing retailers to keep execution simple while offering a more premium experience.
The Johnsonville Dr Pepper Inspired Sausage will be available in fully cooked and uncooked varieties, meeting the needs of multiple operators across foodservice and retail.
For more information, visit https://johnsonvillefoodservice.com/drpepper/
