New Lemon Pepper Doritos to Launch Nationally in 2027

Retailers will soon add a regional wing-inspired flavor to their snack inventory as PepsiCo expands its national product line.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Consumer Goods

A bright yellow lemon slice and cracked black peppercorns on a textured grey stone surface, emphasizing culinary ingredients. — PepsiCo plans to expand its Doritos product lineup in 2027 with a new lemon pepper flavor, targeting growing consumer interest in citrus-forward seasoning. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you generally enjoy when snack brands release new, unconventional flavor variations of classic products?

PepsiCo is expanding its Doritos product lineup with a new lemon pepper flavor designed to capture interest in the profile popularized by the Atlanta wing scene. The product is scheduled for a nationwide retail rollout in early 2027.

Why it matters

The launch reflects an effort by major snack manufacturers to leverage regional culinary trends in national product development strategies. This expansion targets shifting consumer preferences for citrus-and-spice seasoning profiles in the salty snack category.

PepsiCo is adding one new lemon pepper SKU to the Doritos product line, representing a targeted expansion of its existing portfolio. The flavor, which was previewed to retailers at the NACS Show, will reach national shelves in early 2027.

The players

PepsiCo

A multinational food and beverage corporation that holds a leading position in the global snack market.

The details

The development process focused on scaling the flavor profile commonly found in Atlanta-style wing shops into a commercial snack seasoning. By integrating citrus and black pepper, the company aims to broaden its market reach among consumers seeking higher-intensity, non-traditional snack flavors. Retailers began evaluating the SKU during the recent NACS Show to prepare for the upcoming national launch.

Last week: Retailers previewed the flavor at the NACS Show.
Early 2027: Nationwide product availability begins.

Market Landscape

This release follows the industry trend of adapting regional culinary profiles for mainstream, mass-market distribution. It mirrors broader category strategies to refresh legacy snack brands through flavor innovation.

Operators in the retail and snack distribution space should monitor the 2027 rollout to assess consumer demand for regional flavor extensions. Adjust inventory planning early to account for the shelf-space allocation required by new, high-turnover product entries.

The takeaway

Product innovation in the snack segment increasingly relies on translating hyper-local restaurant trends into scalable mass-market goods. Operators should track the performance of these regional-to-national transitions to inform future purchasing and stocking decisions in their own outlets.