By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
McIlhenny Co. and T. Marzetti have teamed up for a collaborative Marzetti ranch dressing that is seasoned with Tabasco Brand hot sauce.
The licensing agreement with T. Marzetti was facilitated by IMG Licensing on behalf of the McIlhenny Company’s Tabasco Brand.
The collaborative partnership is designed to bring the flavor of Tabasco’s Original Red Sauce to Marzetti’s line of premium refrigerated dressings and dips.
Found in the fresh produce aisle, the refrigerated ranch dressing is made with high-quality ingredients and contains no preservatives or artificial flavors.
“Hot sauce and ranch fans take their favorites seriously,” said T. Marzetti Company VP, Brett Castle. “Consumers aren’t just chasing heat; they crave balance and depth of flavor, and that’s exactly what our culinary team delivered. Tabasco Brand is the highest-trusted name in heat and pepper expertise, making it the ideal partner for us to bring a spicy ranch to the refrigerated dressings category.”
Produced, owned and licensed by the McIlhenny Co., the Tabasco Brand is a long-standing American hot sauce label that is currently sold in more than 195 retail markets around the world.
Initially released in 1868 with the Original Red Sauce, the Tabasco Brand has expanded to include a range of pepper sauce options including Jalapeño, Chipotle, Sriracha, Buffalo Style, Sweet Chili, Salsa Picante and more.
“For over 150 years, Tabasco Brand has made food more exciting with our products’ signature kick of heat and flavor,” said McIlhenny Company director, Kate Neuhaus. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Marzetti to bring our pepper expertise into the world of refrigerated ranch dressings and can’t wait to see how fans use it to make their favorite foods even more exciting.”
The Marzetti x Tabasco Spicy Ranch can currently be purchased in the refrigerated produce section of Kroger’s grocery stores, before expanding to shelves at Walmart and other local grocery stores by May, 2025.
T. Marzetti is a food and beverage company that focuses on manufacturing and distributing a wide range of specialty food products for both retail and restaurant use.
The company’s portfolio of retail brands includes Marzetti for dressings and dips, New York Bakery for garlic breads and Sister Schubert’s for dinner rolls.
In addition to its retail offerings, the company holds exclusive licensing and distribution agreements with restaurant chains such as Olive Garden, Buffalo Wild Wings, Arby’s, Subway, Texas Roadhouse and more.
The T. Marzetti Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lancaster Colony Corporation.
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