The bottled sauce will hit about 7,500 retail locations, including Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, and H-E-B
Credit: Papa Johns
Papa Johns is bringing its Special Garlic Dipping Sauce to grocery stores nationwide for the first time, the company announced May 13. The bottled product, called Papa Johns Garlic Flavored Sauce, will begin reaching select U.S. grocery and retail locations this summer.
The sauce will be available at about 7,500 distribution points, according to Nation's Restaurant News, across Walmart $WMT, Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, and H-E-B. Availability may vary by retailer.
Shoppers will find the retail product in a 14-ounce squeeze bottle, shelved in the refrigerated aisle alongside butter and margarine, according to Allrecipes. The formula is certified gluten- and dairy-free. To replicate the texture of the restaurant version, the company suggests a 30-second microwave heat before use.
"Our Special Garlic Dipping Sauce is one of the most iconic flavors in our brand, and our fans have a deep connection to it," Papa Johns VP of Culinary Mark Gabrovic said in a statement. "Our goal was to take that bold, buttery garlic flavor fans love and reimagine it for life beyond pizza night."
Gabrovic noted the retail product is "inspired by" the restaurant version rather than an exact reproduction of it.
Papa Johns CEO Todd Penegor framed the move as a revenue diversification play. At the May 7 first-quarter earnings call, Penegor described the grocery push as a way to open new revenue streams. "This launch builds awareness by extending our brand beyond our restaurants and gives customers a convenient way to add Papa John's $PZZA signature flavor to their everyday meals," he said, adding that it "unlocks new sales layers to expand our topline."
Widely credited as the original dip formulated with pizza specifically in mind, the garlic sauce has been tucked into every Papa Johns order since the chain opened in 1984, according to Nation's Restaurant News.
Papa Johns joins a growing list of restaurant chains that have moved condiments and sauces onto grocery shelves. Nation's Restaurant News notes that brands including Chick-fil-A, Zaxby's, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Texas Roadhouse have all moved into the retail condiment space in recent years.
The sauce launch comes as Papa Johns navigates a difficult sales environment. The company missed Wall Street's first-quarter targets for both revenue and profit, with North America comparable sales falling 6.4% — the third straight quarter of declines. Papa Johns maintained its full-year 2026 outlook, expecting North America comparable sales to fall by 2% to 4%.
Papa Johns has posted a collection of recipes on its website illustrating how the sauce can be worked into everyday cooking, covering everything from quick bites to full dinners.
Join 500,000+ readers who start their day with Quartz.
By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
