Smoothie King and Frito-Lay are shaking up the Texas food scene this May with two bold new releases aimed at flavor risk-takers. Dallas-based Smoothie King has officially launched its first-ever Pickle Smoothie in collaboration with Grillo’s Pickles, while Plano-headquartered Frito-Lay is bringing the previously Canada-exclusive Doritos Ultimate Garlic Parm to local shelves.
Russell Scott
The "Grillo’s Pickles Smoothie" arrived at North Texas locations this week, timed to coincide with International Pickle Day on May 16. Unlike typical novelty drinks, the smoothie is built for functional hydration. It blends real Grillo’s pickle spears with bananas, organic kale, and coconut water. Lori Primavera, Vice President of R&D at Smoothie King, noted that the drink leverages the natural electrolytes found in pickle brine to assist with summer hydration.
A 20-ounce medium serving contains approximately 300 calories, 73g of total carbohydrates, and 740mg of sodium. To celebrate the launch, participating Texas stores will offer free 4-ounce samples on May 16 while supplies last.
Simultaneously, snack fans in the Lone Star State are getting a long-awaited taste of Doritos Ultimate Garlic Parm. After years as a cult favorite in the Canadian market, Frito-Lay has transitioned the flavor to U.S. retailers. The chips feature a savory blend of roasted garlic and aged Parmesan cheese. Currently, the flavor is available at Texas Sam’s Club locations in exclusive "America250" packaging, with a wider rollout to grocery and convenience stores expected through the summer.
Both companies are utilizing these bold, savory profiles to capture the "unhinged" flavor trend dominating social media.
