Dolly Parton Expands Her Food Empire

Dolly is an icon, and a savvy investor – now she has moved into food and beverage in a big way.

Dolly Parton is a beloved icon, respected in the music industry and very popular. And despite her “aw shucks” personality, she is a very savvy business mogul. She has been an entertainment star for over 50 years starting with music and expanding into film. Revenue she generated from talent allowed her to build Dollywood in 1986 which expanded to include Dollywood’s Splash Country, Dream More Resort and dinner theaters.  They generate almost $2 billion in revenue. She has also expanded in the pet industry (Doggy Parton) and makeup (Dolly Beauty). Last year she expanded into food and this year, she has moved into wine. Yes, Dolly believes in rosé all day.

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At the beginning of last year, she made a move into the industry in a much larger way. She announced her exclusive partnership with Conagra Brands, the parent company of Duncan Hines, to launch a new line of food products that will include frozen, refrigerated, grocery, and snack items inspired by traditional Southern comfort cuisine.

The food product line will feature a variety of items aimed at capturing the essence of down-home cooking. Among the initial offerings is the Buttermilk Pancake Mix, which marks Parton’s first venture into breakfast foods. This product is set to hit store shelves nationwide this winter, alongside an expanded range of baking mixes such as Chocolate Cake Mix and Blueberry Muffin Mix. The collaboration aims to inspire “special moments in the kitchen” by incorporating some of Parton’s favorite family recipes into these new products

This partnership is seen as a strategic move for Conagra Brands, allowing them to enhance their presence in established categories while also tapping into new markets related to Southern cooking and comfort food. Tom McGough, COO of Conagra Brands, emphasized this collaboration provides an incredible opportunity for growth and aligns with the company’s goal of offering authentic and beloved food products. Lucy Brady, president of grocery and snacks at Conagra, expressed excitement about bringing Parton’s vision to life, stating her name and recipes will resonate with consumers across America. Sales continue to increase valdiating the partnership.

Of course, she is also a philanthropist. Her Imagination Library launched in 1995, this program provides free books to children from birth until they start school, distributing hundreds of millions of books globally. She has also been a big contributed to disaster relieve and medical research.