The Queen of Country just entered a new arena that has supermarket shoppers racing to the freezer aisle.
Food industry executives are taking notice of the immediate demand.
And Dolly Parton just made one surprising announcement that has Walmart shelves emptying.
Dolly Parton enters the frozen food business with Southern comfort meals
Country music legend Dolly Parton is known for her incredible vocals, big hair, and even bigger heart.
But the 79-year-old icon has now set her sights on the frozen food aisle with the launch of a new line of single-serve frozen meals that bring Southern comfort food to homes across America.
On May 21, Parton announced she’s partnering with food giant Conagra Brands to release four Southern-inspired comfort meals and a dessert that are hitting grocery store shelves nationwide.
“I’ve always believed in the power of a warm, hearty meal, and now with these offerings I’m bringing a little taste of my own Southern favorites to you,” Parton said in the announcement. “Whether you’re busy or just craving some quick comfort, I hope these dishes warm your heart as much as your belly!”
According to the press release, the lineup includes Beef Pot Roast, Chicken & Dumplings, Country Fried Steak, and Shrimp & Grits – all priced at $4.49 each.
Parton is also introducing a multi-serve frozen Biscuit Batter Peach Cobbler for $9.99 that features a biscuit topping that bakes up in the oven while the peaches caramelize underneath.
Parton expands her food empire beyond baking mixes
This isn’t Dolly’s first venture into the food industry.
The “Jolene” singer has been making waves in the grocery aisles since 2022 when she launched a line of baking mixes and frostings with Duncan Hines.
That partnership was so successful that expanding into prepared meals seemed like the natural next step.
“Our partnership with Dolly Parton has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Tim Nangle, VP & General Manager at Conagra Brands. “Her genuine love for home-cooked meals and deep connection with fans makes this expansion into frozen foods a natural next step. We’re proud to bring even more of Dolly’s warmth and flavor into homes across the country.”
Dolly’s golden touch extends beyond music
Parton’s business prowess extends far beyond rhinestones and hit songs.
The savvy businesswoman has built an empire that includes the Dollywood theme park, multiple bestselling books, a production company, and her charity work with the Imagination Library, which has donated over 278 million books to children worldwide.
Her recent album “Rockstar” made history with the biggest album debut sales of her seven-decade career and earned her six #1 spots on Billboard charts.
At nearly 80 years old, Parton shows no signs of slowing down. Her cookbook, Good Lookin’ Cookin’, co-authored with sister Rachel Parton George, was the #1 New York Times bestseller and the top cookbook of 2024.
According to the announcement, Parton has the largest fan base of all measured music artists in the YouGov database and maintains a perfect E-score rating – one of only 25 celebrities to achieve this distinction.
Celebrity food brands gaining steam
Parton’s move into the food industry follows a trend of celebrities launching their own food brands.
From Beyoncé’s plant-based meal delivery service to Guy Fieri’s frozen foods, stars are finding that their names can move products off shelves just as quickly as they can sell concert tickets.
But while some celebrity food ventures fizzle out quickly, Parton’s authentic connection to Southern cooking and her massive, multi-generational fan base could give her frozen meals staying power in a competitive market.
After all, who wouldn’t want to taste what Dolly serves up at her dinner table?
The new single-serve frozen meals and peach cobbler are now available at major grocery retailers across the United States, including Walmart.
