Smalls Sliders Soda Shakes are being rolled out by the brand in time for the summer season to help capture some of the consumer demand for seasonally themed treats with a branded twist.
The menu items start off with the brand's vanilla shakes swirled with concentrated syrups from Coca-Cola, which is positioned as the first use of the product in restaurants in the US. The options include Barq's Root Beer and Fanta, which will each impart the signature flavor of their respective soda. The products also leverage the brand awareness of Barq's and Fanta to help Smalls Sliders more easily communicate the quality of the menu items to customers.
Chief Marketing Officer Michael Alberici spoke on the Smalls Sliders Soda Shakes saying, "This summer, we are giving our guests a flavor experience that's both nostalgic and unlike anything currently on our menu. Working with Coca-Cola on these new concentrated syrup flavors gave us the opportunity to create something unexpected and craveable for our guests."
Image Credit: Smalls Sliders
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Soda-infused Desserts
- Restaurant desserts are blending familiar soft drink flavors with creamy formats, creating room for limited-time menu items that translate beverage loyalty into premium treat purchases.
- Branded Flavor Collaborations
- Cross-brand flavor partnerships are turning recognizable CPG identities into foodservice shortcuts for trust, differentiation, and faster consumer adoption.
- Nostalgia-led Seasonal Treats
- Summer-focused products with retro soda cues are reframing nostalgia as a launch platform for craveable experiences that feel both familiar and novel.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Quick-service Restaurants
- Fast-casual and quick-service operators are using branded ingredient integrations to make limited-time offerings more distinctive in crowded seasonal menus.
- Beverage Brands
- Soft drink companies can extend concentrated syrups beyond fountain use, opening new foodservice revenue channels through desserts, snacks, and hybrid menu formats.
- Frozen Desserts
- Shake and ice cream categories are gaining fresh differentiation through licensed flavors that connect established beverage equities with indulgent cold treats.
