Jays Foods
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Snack foods |
| Founded | 1 January 1927 in Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Founder | Leonard Japp Sr., William Ruwitch |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Area served | Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri |
| Products | Potato chips, popcorn, pretzels |
Number of employees | 943 |
| Parent | Snyder's-Lance, Inc. (subsidiary of The Campbell's Company) |
Jays Foods, Inc. is a U.S.-based producer specializing in snack items such as potato chips, popcorn, and pretzels. Established in 1927 in Chicago, Illinois by Leonard Japp Sr. alongside William Ruwitch, the company now functions as a subsidiary of Snyder's-Lance, Inc., which was incorporated into The Campbell's Company in 2018. Jays Foods holds a notable portion of the snack market across various Midwestern states.
History
In 1927, Leonard Japp Sr. began vending pretzels directly from a truck and later collaborated with his wife Eugenia to create a unique potato chip recipe. Following the 1929 stock market crash, Japp joined forces with George Johnson to promote "Mrs. Japp’s Potato Chips." During World War II, due to prevailing anti-Japanese attitudes, the brand was rebranded as "Jays Potato Chips," leading to the formal founding of Jays Foods, Inc.
The enterprise remained under family ownership until 1986 when it was sold to Borden, Inc., but the Japp family regained control in 1994. In 2004, private equity firm Willis Stein & Partners acquired Jays Foods and combined it with Lincoln Snacks Company under the umbrella of Ubiquity Brands.
After encountering financial difficulties, Jays Foods filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy twice within a four-year span and ceased operations at its Chicago manufacturing facility in December 2007. Later that same month, Snyder's-Lance, Inc. purchased the remaining assets of Jays and pledged to sustain production and distribution across the Midwest, maintaining facilities in Chicago and Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Operations
Jays Foods produces, markets, and distributes its snack products throughout seven states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri. The company runs distribution centers located in fifteen key cities within this territory. It oversees 310 routes operated by company employees and collaborates with 200 independent distributor routes, employing a workforce totaling 943 individuals.
Although Jays Foods does not engage in nationwide marketing efforts, it commands a substantial regional presence with approximately 23% of the potato chip market within its primary states and leads the ready-to-eat popcorn category with over 60% market share. Despite competition from national players like Frito-Lay, which holds a dominant 67% share across the country, Jays has investigated opportunities for national growth through marketing studies and consumer focus groups conducted in New Jersey and California.
Products
Jays (potato chips)
- Crispy Ridged Potato Chips – Original; Ranch Herb; Onion & Garlic; Barbecue flavors
- Potato Chips – Original; Barbecue; Cheese; Salt 'n Sour; Sour 'n Dill; Hot Stuff; Bacon & Cheddar
Krunchers! (kettle-cooked and corn chips)
- Potato Chips – Original; Reduced Fat; Cheddar & Sour Cream; Jalapeño; Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper; Mesquite Bar-B-Que; Hawaiian Sweet Onion; Hot Buffalo Wing; Kosher Dill
- Corn Chips – Spicy Four Cheese; Guacamole; Jalapeño
O-Ke-Doke (popcorn)
- Balls of Fire
- Hot Cheese Flavored Popcorn
- Cheese Popcorn
- Chicago Mix (Cheese and Caramel Corn)
- White Cheddar Popcorn
Hot Stuff (other snack items)
- Crunchy Cheezlets
See also
Further reading
External links
- Archived official site (captured on April 20, 2014)