Building on the success of the partnership between country superstar Dolly Parton and Duncan Hines, Conagra Foods has decided to expand Parton's brand. The new line will encompass refrigerated, grocery, frozen, and snack items.
In January 2022, the singer entered into an initial partnership agreement with Duncan Hines to create cake mixes and frostings inspired by Parton’s family recipes. According to a news release from January 2022, the limited-edition "Dolly Parton’s Baking Collection" debuted on the Duncan Hines website on Jan. 26, 2022. The products were available in grocery stores from March of that year.
Parton expressed her excitement about the expansion in a news release dated Jan. 23, 2024. "I loved co-creating my Duncan Hines line with Conagra and I’m thrilled we’re going well beyond the baking aisle with new items across the store," she said. "We’re looking to continue to inspire special moments in the kitchen, with some of my family’s favorite recipes, and I think people are really going to love them!"
Born in Locust Ridge, Tennessee in 1946, Parton began performing at age ten on local television and radio shows in Knoxville, Tennessee. According to Biography.com, she moved to Nashville in 1964 and three years later her career took off. She collaborated with Charlie Porter and secured a contract with RCA Records which led to releasing hits such as "Joshua" in 1971, "Jolene" in 1973, and "I Will Always Love You" in 1974.
Six years later she starred in "9-to-5," for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. In addition to working with Burt Reynold and Dom DeLuise in "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," she continued acting throughout her career. The Dollywood theme park opened in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in 1986. In 2022, she announced her intention to release a rock album.
Tom McGough, Chief Operating Officer at Conagra Brands, commented on the partnership in the Jan. 23, 2024 news release. "This unprecedented partnership with Dolly Parton gives us an incredible opportunity to further cement Conagra Brands in our established categories," said McGough. "It also authentically positions us for tremendous growth in new ones including Southern cooking and comfort food."