As grilling season heats up across America, Dollywood Parks & Resorts is adding even more flavor to its award-winning culinary lineup through a new partnership designed to elevate the park’s signature Smoky Mountain dining experience.

The popular Tennessee destination announced that Royal Oak is now the official charcoal partner of Dollywood, bringing live cooking demonstrations, specialty menu offerings, exclusive recipes for season passholders and expanded barbecue experiences to the park throughout the summer season.

The partnership brings together two brands rooted in family traditions, outdoor gatherings and classic American barbecue, while reinforcing Dollywood’s reputation as one of the top food destinations in the theme park industry.

Royal Oak products will now be incorporated into several of Dollywood’s most popular dining locations, including Wilderness Pass Restaurant and Hickory House BBQ. Guests can also expect enhanced barbecue-themed experiences at Miss Lillian’s BBQ Corner, where Royal Oak becomes the presenting sponsor.

According to Dollywood Parks & Resorts President Eugene Naughton, the partnership aligns perfectly with the park’s long-standing commitment to authentic Smoky Mountain cooking traditions.

“We’re proud to welcome Royal Oak as our official charcoal partner,” Naughton said in the announcement. “The culinary experience we offer at Dollywood is well-known throughout the industry. Our dedication to foods authentic to the Smoky Mountain region has helped us earn this reputation, and this new partnership with Royal Oak allows us to continue delivering on those traditional grilling processes that can’t be replicated in any other way.”

Food has become a major part of the overall guest experience at Dollywood in recent years. The park’s culinary team has earned multiple industry honors, including several Golden Ticket Awards from Amusement Today for its dining offerings and festival food experiences.

Royal Oak’s marketing director, Cuyler Hunter, said the partnership celebrates the connection between grilling, family gatherings and summertime traditions.

“At Royal Oak, grilling has always been about more than fire and flavor—it’s about bringing people together, creating memories, and celebrating the moments that make this country’s BBQ culture so special,” Hunter said.

The new partnership arrives as Dollywood continues to build national recognition beyond its rides and attractions. In recent years, the park has repeatedly been named among America’s top theme parks by Tripadvisor and USA Today, while also earning praise for its seasonal festivals, entertainment lineup and culinary events.

Located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in Pigeon Forge, Dollywood has become known for combining Southern hospitality, Appalachian culture and immersive themed entertainment into a destination that appeals to both thrill-seekers and families.

For visitors planning summer trips, the Royal Oak partnership adds another smoky layer to Dollywood’s growing scene — one centered around authentic barbecue flavors and traditional charcoal grilling techniques that fit naturally within the Smoky Mountain atmosphere.

For more information about Dollywood and its summer offerings, visit  Dollywood.com. 

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