In the news release, FROM HYPE TO BITE: JOHNSONVILLE'S FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND DR PEPPER® INSPIRED SAUSAGE ARRIVES MARCH 1, issued 25-Feb-2026 by Johnsonville over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that missing URLs have been added. The complete, corrected release follows:
FROM HYPE TO BITE: JOHNSONVILLE'S FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND DR PEPPER® INSPIRED SAUSAGE ARRIVES MARCH 1
After Months of Buzz and Debate, the Never-Before-Tasted Sausage is Finally Available at Retailers Nationwide
SHEBOYGAN FALLS, Wis., Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning March 1, America meets an unprecedented, yet wholly inevitable, sausage. Johnsonville and Dr Pepper® are officially bringing their much-buzzed-about collaboration to consumers nationwide with the launch of Johnsonville Dr Pepper® Inspired Sausage—a completely original, never-before-tasted mashup that's prompting equal parts intrigue, excitement, and disbelief. Is it a culinary innovation or a sign of the apocalypse? That debate is already underway—but one thing is certain: people are talking, and America is ready to take a bite.
The signature new sausage is inspired by the soda giant's original 23-flavor blend and will be available on shelves and roller grills across the U.S. at Walmart, Kroger, 7-Eleven, and many more.
The arrival of the Johnsonville Dr Pepper® Inspired Sausage comes as Americans crave unexpected ways to come together during what has been dubbed the "antisocial century." Johnsonville's annual National Temperature Check, conducted by the Harris Poll, revealed that 73 percent of Americans are hanging out less than they used to, and a majority (51%) agree that socializing feels more uncomfortable now. Still, 76 percent agree that getting out of their comfort zone is good for them, and 91 percent of Americans agree that delicious food makes hanging out more fun. Enter America's No. 1 sausage brand and the country's fastest-growing mainstream soft drink brand to deliver an innovation designed to bring people together.
"Johnsonville and Dr Pepper® are built for hangouts, and our data continues to show people are connecting less," said Jamie Schmelzer, Vice President of Marketing at Johnsonville. "So, we got together and made something fun, unexpected and maybe delicious? Reaction to the idea of a soda-inspired sausage has been a little polarized, but we hope people hang out, give it a try and let us know what they think, love 'em or hate 'em."
Johnsonville collaborated closely with Dr Pepper® to translate the soda's one-of-a-kind flavor into its time-honored sausage—an idea inspired by the brand's long-standing role as a go-to ingredient for flavoring and marinating meats. The unique Dr Pepper® blend enhances the richness of Johnsonville's signature sausage, delivering a nuanced, sweet and salty – or SWALTY – finish.
"At Dr Pepper®, we're always looking for bold, delicious ways to show up in fans' lives, and this collaboration with Johnsonville takes that to a whole new level," said Derek Dabrowski, SVP of Brand Marketing at Dr Pepper®. "Our signature 23‑flavors has been used in home kitchens and backyard BBQs for years, so transforming that iconic taste into a sausage felt both unexpected and completely natural. The result is a unique, flavor experience that brings the depth and personality of Dr Pepper® into a whole new category, and we can't wait for fans to discover it."
Available in both fully cooked and uncooked varieties, the Johnsonville Dr Pepper® Inspired Sausage invites experimentation. Bold toppings are encouraged: from peppery heat and smoky depth to spicy BBQ sauces, stone-ground mustards, or hot honey, the combinations are endless. Push the flavor further with caramelized onions and grilled peppers, and let the sausage's subtle sweetness do the rest. Whether it's breakfast, a weeknight dinner, a backyard cookout, or a championship-level tailgate, there are no rules.
While the initial response to the new food drop may be divided, ranging from BBQ enthusiasts asking what took so long to sausage purists questioning whether Johnsonville's hometown, Sheboygan Falls, Wis., can be trusted, this new flavor combination proves all bets are off.
The release of the Johnsonville Dr Pepper® Inspired Sausage builds on the momentum of Johnsonville's Keep It Juicy platform, launched in 2024 to champion togetherness. Watch the 15-second ad for the long-awaited sausage HERE, airing March 2 across linear and digital and on social platforms today.
To learn more about the new product, visit www.johnsonville.com/drpepper. For brand updates, recipes, and inspiration, follow @Johnsonville on social and join the conversation using #fizzyglizzy.
About Johnsonville, LLC:
Wisconsin-based Johnsonville is the No. 1 national sausage brand, selling and serving more than 80 different varieties of sausage across 40+ countries and in more than 75 U.S. professional, semi pro and college sports stadiums. Founded in 1945, Johnsonville remains a family-owned company of obsessed sausage-makers that employs and develops approximately 3,500 members globally.
About Dr Pepper®:
Dr Pepper®, a brand of Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc. (KDP), is the oldest major soft drink in the United States. Since 1885, the twenty-three flavors of Dr Pepper® have earned legions of fans that enjoy its unique, refreshing taste. The brand is available in Regular, Diet, Caffeine Free, Cherry, Zero Sugar, Cream Soda, Strawberries & Cream, and Blackberry varieties. For more information, visit DrPepper.com or keurigdrpepper.com. For the brand's latest news and updates, follow Dr Pepper® at Facebook.com/DrPepper, Instagram.com/DrPepper or TikTok.com/DrPepper.
Methodology:
The Harris Poll, on behalf of Johnsonville, conducted an online survey among 2,089 US adults aged 18 and older. The survey was conducted from November 13 – 17, 2025. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Karen Kraft at [email protected].
SOURCE Johnsonville
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