Johnsonville, the No. 1 national sausage brand, and Grillo’s Pickles, the pickle company known for changing the pickle game, are excited to announce a series of product collaborations in 2027, starting with bringing a bold new flavor to c-store roller grills with the launch of the Johnsonville Spicy Dill Pickle Flavored Ultimate Sausage, inspired by Grillo’s Pickles.
The new item combines bright pickle flavor with savory caraway, garlic, and a kick of red pepper, tapping into one of the fastest-rising flavor trends on menus today and giving operators a fresh way to build roller grill traffic.
The collaboration debuts at NACS Show 2026 in Las Vegas, where Johnsonville is featuring the Spicy Dill Pickle Flavored Ultimate Sausage at Booth C4717 in the Central Hall.
Dill pickle has taken over the snack aisle and is even showing up in offerings like beverages and prepared foods as one of the most in-demand flavors in convenience stores today.
“Dill continues its surge across Convenience in all categories, and pickle-forward profiles with a little heat are resonating especially well with younger consumers,” said Kim Main, Sr. Director, Channel Marketing at Johnsonville. “Partnering with Grillo’s – a name pickle lovers trust and admire – is a natural choice for Johnsonville to bring exciting innovation consumers are already looking for to the roller grill.”
Crafted to deliver the tangy, dill-forward profile Grillo’s is known for in a roller grill format, the new sausage is pre-cooked and roller-grill-ready, giving operators the same reliable prep with a bold new flavor. It pairs easily with the toppings and condiments c-stores already stock, requiring no new equipment or menu overhaul. Grillo’s brings a loyal, outsized fan base to the partnership.
“Pickles have always been a classic complement to brats and hot dogs, so we were excited to bring these flavors together in one offering,” said Mark Luker, Chief Commercial Officer at Grillo’s. “We’re proud to partner with Johnsonville and can’t wait for customers to give it a try!”
According to Datassential, spicy dill pickle is up 55% on handheld menus, and dill pickle flavor has grown 18% over the past four years, positioning the collaboration to capture a fast-growing, high-frequency customer base. That momentum is especially strong with younger customers, with 60% of Gen Z c-store customers saying they like or love pickle flavors.
The Johnsonville and Grillo’s partnership will continue to expand in 2027, with additional fresh, smoked, and snacking sausage offerings planned for nationwide rollout to grocery retailers.
Additional details about the 2027 lineup and availability will be shared closer to launch.
