In this article, we will be taking a look at the 15 biggest potato chip brands and companies in the world. To skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to see the 5 Biggest Potato Chip Brands and Companies in the World.
Potato chips, the world's most popular snack food, are devoured by many. Statistics from IRI, a data analytics and market research company in Chicago, suggest that as of 17th April 2022, potato chips were the most popular type of salty snack, with sales totaling a staggering $8.9 billion.
According to an industry analysis report by Research and Markets, the global potato chip market size was valued at $32.2 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.24% from 2021 through 2027, reaching a value of $39 billion at the end of the forecasted period.
The market’s expansion is anticipated to be primarily driven by the popularity of snack foods, an increasing demand for a quick snack, and more hectic lifestyles. Moreover, potatoes, oil, and salt are the primary ingredients required in the production of potato chips, and all three are easily accessible around the world. This aids the potato chip sector by ensuring a steady supply of ingredients.
The report also emphasized that developing countries are expected to dominate the global potato chip industry due to the increasing westernization of food, the expansion of the middle class, and rising urbanization. With the development of infrastructure, such as metro stations, theaters, and airports, it is predicted that demand will keep rising in these countries. The report further pointed out that plain potato chips are the most popular kind and in terms of potato chip sales, the United States is the largest market.
Although there will always be a market for potato chips, more and more individuals are beginning to appreciate the benefits of nutritious snacks. Due to their high concentration of refined carbohydrates, fat, and salt, eating potato chips has been linked to weight gain. Also, since they are typically fried, they include more calories, trans fats, and possibly hazardous chemicals like acrylamide. Some potato chip manufacturers are making value-added products that are healthier than conventional potato chips. Among these are foods that are fortified with healthy ingredients and have lower levels of fat, cholesterol, and calories. For instance, under its Yellow Diamond brand, Prataap Snacks Ltd sells Omega-fortified potato chips. Furthermore, the Uglies Kettle Chips product line expanded last year to include upcycled sweet potato chips marketed as Uglies Sweets. The sweet potatoes used to make the chips are lightly salted and kettle fried in small batches. As opposed to regular chips, these chips are a good source of vitamin A, are gluten-free, kosher certified, nut free, and have non-GMO ingredients, according to the manufacturer.
Major Players in the Potato Chip Market
Several small and major manufacturers compete on price and quality, creating a highly fragmented market for potato chips worldwide. The market for fried potato chips is largely controlled by Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP). Lay's, Miss Vickie's, Red Rock Deli, Ruffles, and Munchos are the company's top-selling potato chip brands. In 2021-2022, Lay's was by far the most popular potato chip brand in America. It represented over 41% of the market for potato chips. Ruffles and Pringles, with respective market shares of 18% and 13%, were the next two leading competitors.
In addition to PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP), there are other major market players worldwide like the Kellogg Company (NYSE:K), Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ), and Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB). All these, among others, are discussed in the article below.
Our Methodology
To determine the top brands in the global potato chip market, we did a thorough examination of industry data and publications. These brands are ranked based on the volume of sales they generated as of April 2022. Data concerning sales of each brand is obtained from Snack Food and Wholesale Bakery and Statista.
Please note that we were unable to find recent sales data for McCoy’s, Miss Vickie’s, and Popchips. Nevertheless, due to their popularity in the potato chip industry, they have been included on our list.
So, without further ado, let's examine the biggest potato chip brands and companies in the world, whose products you most likely have in your home right now.
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Biggest Potato Chip Brands and Companies in the World
15. McCoy’s
McCoy’s, made in the United Kingdom by KP Snacks, is a brand of crinkle-cut potato chips.
The brands standard flavors include Flame Grilled Steak, Salt & Malt Vinegar, and Cheddar & Onion. Cheddar with Mango Chutney, Oriental Ribs, Thai Sweet Chicken, Jalapeno Chilli with Cheese, and Peppered Rib Eye Steak are among the specialties.
PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP), Kellogg Company (NYSE:K), Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ), and Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) are among the leading businesses in the potato chip sector.
14. Miss Vickie’s
Miss Vickie’s, made by Frito-Lay, is a Canadian brand of potato chips. The kettle-cooked chips are available in a range of flavors. In addition to the US and Canada, they are also marketed in Europe.
The brand provides a variety of chips with delectable flavors like Applewood Smoked BBQ, Balsamic Vinegar and Sweet Onion, and Lime and Black Pepper.
13. Popchips
Popchips, formed in 2007, is an American brand of popped potato and corn products. Similar to how puffed rice cakes are made, they are produced by processing potato starch under high pressure and temperature.
Since its debut, Popchips has garnered awards and acclaim, including the titles of "best snack" and "best chip" and one of "America's hottest brands." Some of the top Popchips flavors include Sea Salt Popchips, Tuscan Herb Veggie Popchips, Tomato Basil Rice Popchips, Barbeque Popchips, and Ranch Tortilla Popchips.
More than 30,000 stores across North America and the UK sell the company's products.
Deep River Snacks, a family owned and operated business based in Old Lyme, Connecticut, is a manufacturer of snacks including kettle cooked potato chips, baked crisps, and popcorn. The brand’s products are gluten-free, kosher certified, nut free, have non-GMO ingredients, and cooked wholly in sunflower oil.
The brand, founded in 2001, was acquired by Mexico-based Arca Continental in 2017.
Zapp’s, founded in 1985, is a brand of potato chip made in the United States. The fact that the chips are kettle-cooked in peanut oil rather than vegetable oil, distinguishes this brand.
The brand's chips are available in flavors that are representative of Cajun culture. They come in a variety of flavors such as Voodoo, Evil Eye, Spicy Cajun Crawtator, Cajun Dill Gator-tator, Jalapeno, Regular, Salt & Vinegar, Mesquite BBQ, and Creole Onion. The most well-liked flavor is Voodoo.
Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) bought Louisiana's iconic chip brand in 2011.
Barcel, based in Mexico, produces a wide range of popular potato chips, corn chips, candies, chocolates, and similar snacks. It is a subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo, a food company with a presence in over 33 countries.
Takis, wrapped corn tortilla chips available in a range of tangy and spicy flavors, is one of the company's most well-known product lines in the US. Artisan Style, Rock & Road, Ricolino, Vero, and Coronado are some of the company's other trademarks.
Munchos, produced by Frito-Lay, an American subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP), are a potato chip snack food manufactured from dehydrated potatoes, vegetable oil, and enriched corn meal. Their lightness serves as a marketing point. They resemble Lay's Stax and Pringles, which are also produced from dried potatoes.
The price of a 7.25-ounce bag, which retailed for 59 cents in 1969, has increased to $2.29 to $3.29 as of 2022.
8. Wise Foods
Total Sales as of April 2022 (in millions): $99.43
Wise Foods, formerly known as Wise Potato Chip Company, is based in Berwick, Pennsylvania. The company, which is best known for its potato chips, also sells cheese snacks, popcorn, tortilla chips, and corn chips, along with other salty snack items.
Wise Potato Chips, Ridgies Potato Chips, Cheez Doodles, Dipsy Doodles Corn Chips, New York Deli, and Kettle Cooked Potato Chips are some of the company's brands.
The brand, founded in 1921, was acquired by Mexico-based Arca Continental in 2012.
7. Herr’s Foods
Total Sales as of April 2022 (in millions): $117.7
Herr’s Foods, based in Nottingham, Pennsylvania, is an American brand of potato chips and other snack foods. Products from Herr’s are available in all 50 American states and more than 40 additional countries. The brand’s stronghold is the Mid-Atlantic region.
More than 300 different Herr's snacks have been a favorite among foodies for the past 75 years. It makes several kinds of potato chips, focusing especially on strong and spicy flavors. In addition to more conventional flavors like Cheddar & Sour Cream, Salt & Pepper, Ketchup, Habanero and Creamy Ranch, and Salt & Vinegar, Barbecue, Kettle Cooked, Sour Cream & Onion, it also sells Ragin Ranch, Buffalo Blue Cheese, Old Bay, Horseradish, Baby Back Ribs, Kansas City Steak, and Hot Sauce.
6. Kettle Foods
Total Sales as of April 2022 (in millions): $269.8
Kettle Foods, based in Salem, Oregon, United States, is a manufacturer of potato chips. The company, founded in 1978, is owned by Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) since 2018.
To maintain freshness, the brand's manufacturing procedure employs safflower oil and packs chips in sea salt and nitrogen. Moreover, the brand does not use artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners.
Some of the top potato chip flavors sold by the brand are Backyard Barbeque, New York Cheddar, Dill Pickle, Pepperoncini, Parmesan Garlic, and Spicy Thai among others.
Some of the top companies operating in the potato chip industry include PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP), Kellogg Company (NYSE:K), Utz Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ), and Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB).
