Jays Foods facts for kids
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| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Snack food |
| Founded | 1927 |
| Founder | Leonard Japp, Sr & William Ruwitch |
| Headquarters | , |
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Key people
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Joe Shankland President and CEO Bill Luegers CFO |
| Products | See products section |
| Revenue | US $78.1 million |
| Owner | |
Jays Foods, Inc. is an American company that makes tasty snack foods. They are famous for their potato chips, popcorn, and pretzels. Jays Foods started in 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. Today, it is owned by a larger company called Snyder's of Hanover. Jays snacks are very popular in several Midwestern states. Their potato chips and popcorn are big sellers in these areas.
The Story of Jays Foods
How Jays Snacks Began
The company's story began in 1927 with Leonard Japp Sr. He started by selling pretzels from a truck. Soon, his wife, Eugenia, created a special potato chip recipe. This recipe helped the business grow a lot.
After a big economic downturn in 1929, Mr. Japp found a new business partner. They started selling the chips under the name "Mrs. Japp’s Potato Chips."
A Name Change for Jays
In 1941, after the Attack on Pearl Harbor, feelings against Japan grew in the United States. The word "Jap" became a negative term. Because "Mrs. Japp's" sounded similar, the company decided to change its name. They wanted to avoid any bad feelings. So, the chips were renamed "Jays Potato Chips," and the company became Jays Foods, Inc.
Changes in Ownership
Jays Foods stayed a family-owned business for many years. In 1986, the family sold the company to Borden, Inc.. But in 1994, the Japp Family bought Jays Foods back!
Later, in 2004, a company called Willis Stein & Partners bought Jays Foods. They also bought another snack company. Both companies then became part of a new parent company called Ubiquity Brands.
Facing Challenges and New Ownership
Jays Foods faced some tough times. In 2007, the company needed help with its money. They closed their Chicago factory that year. On December 5, 2007, another company, Snyder's-Lance, Inc., bought Jays' remaining parts. Snyder's-Lance decided to keep making and selling Jays products. They still operate Jays' Chicago warehouse and a factory in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Where Jays Snacks Are Sold
Jays' Main Market Area
Jays Foods makes, sells, and delivers its snacks in seven states. These states are Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri.
Jays Foods has many places where they store and send out products. These are called distribution centers. They have 15 of these centers in major cities within their market area. Jays uses 310 of its own delivery routes. They also work with 200 routes run by independent distributors. The company has a total of 943 employees.
How Popular Are Jays Snacks?
Jays Foods does not sell its products all over the country. Even with big national brands like Frito-Lay around, Jays is very popular in its region. Jays Foods holds 23 percent of the potato chip market in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Minnesota, and Iowa. They have an even bigger share, over 60 percent, in the "ready-to-eat" popcorn market. Jays Foods has thought about selling its products across the whole country. They have even done research in places like New Jersey and California.
Delicious Jays Products
Jays Foods makes several different kinds of snacks under various brand names.
Jays Potato Chips
These are the classic potato chips from Jays.
- Jays Crispy Ridged Potato Chips – You can find these in Original, Ranch Herb, Onion & Garlic, Barbecue, Smoky BBQ, and Cheddar & Sour Cream flavors.
- Jays Potato Chips – These come in Original, Barbecue, Cheese, Salt 'n Sour, Sour 'n Dill, Hot Stuff, and Jay's Bacon & Cheddar flavors.
Krunchers! Chips
Krunchers! are known for their kettle-cooked and corn chips.
- Krunchers! Potato Chips – Flavors include Original, Reduced Fat, Cheddar & Sour Cream, Jalapeño, Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper, Mesquite Bar-B-Que, Hawaiian Sweet Onion, Hot Buffalo Wing, and Kosher Dill.
- Krunchers! Corn Chips – These come in Spicy Four Cheese, Guacamole, and Jalapeño flavors.
O-Ke-Doke Popcorn
O-Ke-Doke offers a variety of popcorn snacks.
- O-Ke-Doke Balls of Fire
- O-Ke-Doke Hot Cheese Flavored Popcorn
- O-Ke-Doke Cheese Popcorn
- O-Ke-Doke Chicago Mix Popcorn (This is a mix of Cheese and Caramel Corn!)
- O-Ke-Doke White Cheddar Popcorn
Hot Stuff Snacks
Hot Stuff makes other crunchy snacks.
- Hot Stuff Crunchy Cheezlets
See also
