Smalls Sliders is betting on the growing popularity of dirty sodas with the return of its Dr Pepper Swirl milkshake and the debut of a new Dirty Dr Pepper beverage. Both limited-time items are available at Smalls Sliders locations nationwide through October 11. The move comes as consumer interest in dirty sodas—soda mixed with cream, syrups, or fruit purees—has surged. Yelp searches for dirty soda climbed 600% year over year and hit an all-time high in May 2026, according to the company.
The Dr Pepper Swirl, a hand-spun shake made with a creamy vanilla base and swirled with Dr Pepper syrup, returns after a successful limited-time run last year. The new Dirty Dr Pepper starts with ice-cold Dr Pepper, adds real strawberry puree, and finishes with a splash of creamy vanilla for a sweet, refreshing drink. Both items are designed to pair with Smalls Sliders' fresh cooked-to-order sliders and seasoned waffle fries.
"Guests talk about the Dr Pepper Swirl all year, so we are excited to bring it back and give guests a second way to sip," said Michael Alberici, Chief Marketing Officer for Smalls Sliders. "The Swirl is creamy, nostalgic and hand-spun, and the Dirty Dr Pepper arrives right as guests are chasing dirty sodas everywhere they go."
The launch underscores Smalls Sliders' strategy to stay ahead of beverage trends and drive traffic to its distinctive Smorange-colored shipping container restaurants, known as "Cans." The brand, founded in 2019, has grown rapidly to more than 375 Cans open or under development across 30 states. Backed by 10 Point Capital and former NFL star Drew Brees, Smalls Sliders has attracted premier multi-brand franchisees nationwide.
For Dr Pepper, the collaboration extends the reach of its iconic 23-flavor soft drink, which has been a staple since 1885. The brand, a unit of Keurig Dr Pepper, has been expanding its presence in foodservice through innovative menu items. The Dirty Dr Pepper trend aligns with broader consumer demand for customizable, indulgent beverages.
Frequent Sliders members get a first look at new menu drops through the brand's loyalty program, which can be joined online or via the Smalls Sliders app. For more information, visit www.smallssliders.com. To learn more about Dr Pepper, visit DrPepper.com or keurigdrpepper.com.
