Food Chains Have Infused Menus with Dr Pepper

Major restaurant chains have launched new limited-time offerings featuring the flavor of Dr Pepper.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Food and Drink

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a ramekin of barbecue sauce and golden chicken tenders, representing food industry flavoring trends. — Major restaurant chains including Slim Chickens and Portillo's have launched new limited-time menu items featuring the flavor profile of Dr Pepper. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you order food items made with soda ingredients at your local restaurant?

Slim Chickens, Round Table Pizza, and Portillo's have incorporated Dr Pepper into their menu items. The new offerings utilize the soda's complex flavor profile to enhance savory and sweet food options.

Why it matters

Research shows that consumers increasingly associate the distinct taste of Dr Pepper with smoky and savory flavor profiles. Brands are leveraging this trend by pairing the beverage's sweetness with ingredients like chicken, bacon, and pepperoni.

Dr Pepper is famously composed of 23 unique flavors, which brands now use as a core ingredient in sauces and dry rubs. Slim Chickens, which maintains a footprint of 300 units, is among the chains currently implementing this flavor profile.

The players

Slim Chickens

This restaurant chain headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas, operates a network of 300 units across the United States.

Round Table Pizza

Based in Los Angeles, this national pizza chain is known for its specialty pies and recently expanded its condiment menu.

Portillo's

This Chicago-based fast-casual restaurant chain is recognized for its hot dogs, beef sandwiches, and variety of dessert shakes.

The details

Slim Chickens began applying a Dr Pepper-infused dry rub to its chicken after frying in September 2026. Round Table Pizza has also introduced a barbecue sauce variant incorporating the soda, which is available as a topping or dip through early next year.

Portillo's released its Dr Pepper shakes in August 2026.
Slim Chickens and Round Table Pizza launched their menu items in September 2026.
The Round Table Pizza limited-time offering concludes on January 3, 2027.

Industry Dynamics

This trend highlights the ongoing race among restaurant chains to capture consumer attention through high-profile, recognizable brand collaborations. These partnerships follow the broader industry push to modernize menus by integrating established consumer-favorite flavors into everyday savory dishes.

Consumers can currently access these Dr Pepper-themed menu items at participating locations nationwide. Interested diners should note that the Round Table Pizza offering is time-sensitive and will be removed from the menu on January 3, 2027.

The takeaway

The integration of soda flavors into mainstream food menus demonstrates how brands are working to drive interest through unexpected pairings. Consumers seeking to try these limited-time options should prioritize visits before the scheduled menu rotations occur.