Lay's
Lay's is a brand of potato chip varieties, as well as the name of the company that founded the chip brand in the United States. It has also been called Frito-Lay with Fritos. Lay's has been owned by PepsiCo through Frito-Lay since 1965.
Lay's logo, used since 2019 | |
Product type | Potato chips |
---|---|
Owner | PepsiCo (via Frito-Lay) |
Country | United States, Canada |
Introduced | 1932 |
Related brands | Frito-Lay Walkers Hostess Smith's |
Markets | Worldwide |
Previous owners | 1932–1961 Lay's 1961–1965 Frito-Lay Inc. |
Website | Official website |
"Lay's" is the company's primary brand, with the exception of limited markets where other brand names are used: Walkers in the UK and Ireland; Smith's in Australia; Chipsy in Egypt[1] and the West Balkans;[2] Tapuchips in Israel;[3] Margarita in Colombia; Sabritas in Mexico; and, formerly, Hostess in Canada.
History
In 1932, salesman Herman Lay opened a snack food operation in Nashville, Tennessee.[4] In 1938, he purchased the Atlanta, Georgia -based potato chip manufacturer "Barrett Food Company", renaming it "H.W. Lay Lingo & Company". Lay criss-crossed the southern United States, selling the product from the trunk of his car.
The business shortened its name to "the Lay's Lay Lingo Company" in 1944 and became the first snack food manufacturer to purchase television commercials, with Bert Lahr as a celebrity spokesman.[5]
In 1961, the Frito Company, founded by Charles E. Doolin, and Lay's merged to form Frito-Lay Inc., a snack food giant with combined sales of over $127 million annually, the largest of any manufacturer. Shortly thereafter, Lay's introduced its best-known slogan "betcha can't eat just one". Sales of the chips became international, with marketing assisted by a number of celebrity endorsers.
In 1965, Frito-Lay merged with the Pepsi-Cola Company to form PepsiCo, Inc. A new formulation of chip was introduced in 1991 that was crisper and kept fresher longer. Shortly thereafter, the company introduced the "Wavy Lay's" products to grocery shelves, with a national rollout in 1994.[6] In the mid to late 1990s, Lay's introduced a lower calorie baked version and a variety that was completely fat-free (Lay's WOW chips containing the fat substitute olestra).
In the 2000s, kettle-cooked brands appeared as did a processed version called Lay's Stax that was intended to compete with Pringles,[7] and the company began introducing a variety of additional flavor variations.
In 2012, Frito-Lay products controlled 59% of the United States savory snack-food market.[8]
International
Country | Description | Image |
---|---|---|
Argentina | PepsiCo commercialized potato chips under the name Frenchitas until 2001. They are now marketed under the Lay's label. | |
Australia | PepsiCo acquired The Smith's Snackfood Company in 1998 and marketed Frito-Lay products under that label, using the name Thins. After Thin's was sold to Snack Brands Australia (Owned by Arnotts), Smith's produced a line of potato chips under the Lay's brand for a brief period of time. The Lay's line was eventually rebranded in 2004 as Smith's Crisps, while the traditional Smith's line was renamed Smith's Crinkles. This is still sold in Australia as a direct competitor to Smith's Crisps. Since 2009, Lay's have been available in Australia exclusively at Costco, where they are available in a single flavour and size (500g plain). They continue to be manufactured in Australia by Smith's. | |
Benelux | Lay's are sold in three varieties: Lay's, Lay's Light and Lay's Sensations (Thai Sweet Chili/Red Paprika/Oven Roasted Chicken and Thyme). Lay's Super Chips (Heinz Ketchup/Mexican Pepper/Perfect Pickles/Salt 'n' Pepper (all through Ahold Delhaize) and Lay's Baked Chips (Mediterranean Herbs/through Ahold Delhaize). As with Doritos, Lay's are manufactured, distributed and imported in The Netherlands by Frito Lay's Benelux division, Smith's Food Group. Lay's used to be called Smiths in the Belgium and the Netherlands until the name was changed in 2001. | |
Brazil | Products used to be distributed under the Elma Chips label. In 2016, though, they were all rebranded to simply state Lay's. | |
Canada | As Lay's were produced by another company at that time, the chips were known as Hostess. In 1996, Hostess was rebranded to Lay's with a television commercial featuring Mark Messier and Eric Lindros aired in 1997 that relaunched the brand. | |
Colombia | The chips are sold under the name Margarita. They are still commercialized under the label Lay's, however. | |
Egypt | Lay's was once sold under its own label until it was merged with the local label Chipsy, which has since become the local unit of Lay's under much the same arrangement as Walkers. | |
India | Cricketers Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Gautam Gambhir[9] and Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan[10] and Ranbir Kapoor[11] have endorsed Lay's. | |
Indonesia | Lay's products are distributed by Indofood.[12] | |
Iran | Lay's products are distributed as Sensation by MazMaz. | |
Ireland, United Kingdom | Lay's acquired Walkers in 1989. Walkers produce and distribute a wide range of snacks, and crisp flavors include Cheese & Onion, Ready Salted, Salt & Vinegar. Walkers also makes Sensations-branded crisps in the UK. The logo used by Walkers is noticeably similar to the Lay's logo, featuring a red ribbon around a yellow sun, and derives from the Walkers logo introduced in 1990. The other Frito-Lay brands are also distributed through the Walkers label. [13] | |
Israel | Lay's label is distributed with the name Tapuchips (תפוצ'יפס) by Strauss-Elite.[14] | |
Italy | Lay's are distributed in by Ferrero SpA since 2014. | |
Mexico | PepsiCo acquired Sabritas S. de R.L. in 1966. Lay's along with other products such as Cheetos, Fritos, Doritos and Ruffles are marketed under the Sabritas brand. The logo for the Mexican company sports the red ribbon, but it has a stylized smiling face instead of the sun. It controls around 80% of the market. | |
Pakistan | Lay's brand has been endorsed by renowned stars of the country Junaid Jamshed, Ali Zafar and also actor Fawad Khan. | |
Romania | Lay's is the best sold and the most bought chips brand in the country, being followed by Chio Chips. Lay's bought its own terrain to grow potatoes for chips on in early 2008, making chips out of their own potatoes. | |
Serbia | Lay's are distributed as Chipsy, domestic company acquired by PepsiCo in 2008. | |
South Africa | Lay's are distributed by the Simba Chip company since 1998.[15] | |
United Arab Emirates | Lay's and Walkers are sold as different labels. |
Flavors
Country | Description |
---|---|
United States | Lay's Barbecue-flavored potato chips, which appeared in 1958, was the only flavor available in the United States other than the conventional salted chip until the introduction of Sour Cream & Onion in the late 1970s.
In the United States, Lay's offers a number of flavor combinations, in addition to the classic chips. Flavored products in the traditional fried varieties include Classic, Sour Cream & Onion, Barbecue, Salt & Vinegar, Chipotle Ranch, Cheddar & Sour Cream, Hidden Valley Ranch, Salt & Pepper, Flamin' Hot, Limón, and a thicker "Deli style" chip. The WOW! brand was rebranded in 2004 as Lay's Light after the olestra formula was altered and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed removal of warnings about various health consequences of the fat substitute. Other potato chip flavors offered by Lay's are Garden Tomato and Basil, Honey Barbecue, Sweet Southern Heat Barbecue, Tapatio Limon, Simply Sea Salt Thick Cut, Fiery Habanero, and Dill Pickle Brand.
|
Canada | The following Lay's flavors are available nationally in Canada: Classic, Lightly Salted, Wavy Original, Dill Pickle, BBQ, Old fashion BBQ, Ketchup, Salt & Vinegar, Smoky Bacon, Sea Salt & Pepper, and Cheddar & Sour Cream. There are also a number of regional flavors, including Fries & Gravy and Roast Chicken (available in Atlantic Canada), Sour Cream & Onion (available in Ontario, Atlantic Canada, and Western Canada) and Wavy Smoky BBQ and Wavy Old Fashioned Ketchup (available in Western Canada).
In 2014, Lay's ran a second "Do Us a Flavour" contest in Canada, with a new batch of finalists: Bacon Poutine, Cinnamon Bun, Jalapeño Mac n' Cheese, and Tzatziki.[20] Jalapeño Mac n' Cheese was chosen as the winner.[21] |
Mexico | The following Lay's (called Sabritas) are available nationally in Mexico: Original, Ruffles, Tostitos, Doritos, Cheetos, Pake-Taxo, Japoneses (peanuts), Cheetos Poffets, Rancheritos, Adobados, Frit-os, Churrumais, Caseras, Sabritones, Crujitos and Chicharrón Clásico. |
Peru | Ruffles are a variant of the Lay's called "Lay's Ondas" (Lay's Waves). |
United Kingdom, Ireland | The flavors are: Ready Salted, Salt & Vinegar, Prawn Cocktail, Cheese & Onion, Pickled Onion, and Marmite. Walkers also ran a 'Do Us A Flavour' promotion wherein the public vote for the flavor they like the best. Flavors included in the 2010 promotion were: Spanish Chicken Paella, Japanese Teriyaki Chicken, German Bratwurst Sausage, Italian Spaghetti Bolognese, French Garlic Baguette, American Cheeseburger, Brazilian Salsa, Scottish Haggis, Irish Stew, English Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding, Dutch Edam Cheese, Australian BBQ Kangaroo, South African Sweet Chutney, Argentinian Flame Grilled Steak and Welsh Rarebit.
|
France | About eight varieties of potato chips are marketed in a number of flavors for a total of approximately thirty products. Lay's flavors available in France include Barbecue, Cheeseburger, Bolognaise, Roasted Chicken, Cheese, Salt & Vinegar, Spicy, and Nature. |
Greece, Cyprus | Lay's are made and packed by Tasty Foods and Corina Snacks LTD, with Mediterranean flavors which include Feta cheese flavor, Tzatziki, Olive and Tomato, Oregano, Sea Salt & Black Pepper and various more. There are hundreds of sub-variations in the Mediterranean line adjusted to each country's liking. |
Germany | Lay's are sold in several varieties:
Lay's Classic (Herbal Butter, Paprika, Salted, Salt & Vinegar, Smoked Bacon, Sour Cream & Black Pepper, Sour Cream & Onion, Sweet Paprika) Lay's Light (Paprika, Salted) Lay's Super Chips (Paprika, Salted) Bugles (Nacho Cheese, Original, Nach Cheese, Sweet Chili) As with Doritos, Lay's are manufactured, distributed and imported in Germany by Frito Lay's Benelux division, Smith's Food Group. |
Netherlands, Belgium | the following flavors are marketed: Lay's (Naturel (Natural), Paprika (Bell Pepper), Cheese Onion, Bolognese Original, Barbecue Ham (Barbecue Bacon), Stokbroodje Kruidenboter Smaak (Baguette with garlic butter flavour), and Pickles) Lay's Super Chips (Naturel (Natural), Paprika (Bell Pepper), Patatje Joppie (French Fries with Joppiesaus), Heinz tomato ketchup, Salt'n Pepper, and Just Paprika (Bell Pepper), Lay's Sensations (Red Sweet Paprika, Thai Sweet Chili, Mexican Peppers & Cream, Sweet & Spicy Tomato Chutney, and Japanese Teriyaki), Lay's Light (Natural, Paprika (Bell Pepper), and Balsamico), Lay's Oven (Naturel (Natural), Paprika (Bell Pepper), Crispy thins Emmental Cheese, Mediterranean Herbs, Barbecue, Crispy Thins Olive Oil & Herbs, Crunchy Biscuits Tomato & Spring Onion, Crunchy Biscuits Paprika & Mediterranean Herbs (Crunchy Biscuits Bell Pepper & Mediterranean Herbs), and Olive Oil & Herbs), Lay's Deep Ridged (Naturel (Natural), Sweet Chili, American BBQ, and Xtreme Cheese).
|
Russia | Both international and local flavors are available, including Bacon, Cheese, Onion, Paprika, as well as Crab, Mushroom & Sour Cream, and Salted Cucumber. In addition to regular potato chips, Lay’s MAX and Lay’s Strong series are offered. |
Romania | Lay's flavors are Salt, Paprika, Cheese, Barbecue, Sour Cream & Dill; the Lay's Sensations flavors are: Thai Chili, Baked chicken with lemon and thyme; Lay's Max and Lay's Sticks flavors are: Paprika and Salt. |
Poland | Chips flavors are: Cheese, Green Onion, Chicken with Spices, Salted, Paprika, Hot Green Peppers, Fromage, Cucumber and Guacamole. There are also the Lay's appetite flavors of Cheese and Onion, Classic Salted, Ham and Cheese, Ketchup and Cheese. Lay's Strong: Chilli and Knuckle of Pork and Horseradish.
|
India | Lay's was launched in India 1995.[23] In 2010 there was a competition in making new flavors and the flavor 'Mastana Mango' was selected.[24] |
Pakistan | Lay's been launched in 2007.[25] In the country Lay's are available in ‘Masala’, ‘Salted’, 'French cheese', 'Paprika' and ‘Yoghurt & Herb’ flavours. Another form of Lay's quite popular in Pakistan is their Wavy line, which is basically the wrinkle version of the chips.[26][27] Like India Pakistan also had counterparts of Lay's Chaat Street flavors (Dahi Baray and Mint Chutney flavors) in 2013-'14.[28][29] |
Thailand, Philippines | Flavors featured are Classic, Sour Cream & Onion, Cheese & Onion, Mexican Bar-B-Q, Japanese Nori Seaweed, Basil, Squid, Spicy Chili Squid, Seafood and Mayonnaise, and Spicy Seafood. Temporary international flavors have also been introduced, such as French Mayonnaise, Balsamic Vinegar and Salt (England), Garlic Soft Shelled Crab (Hong Kong), Soy Sauce, Salmon Teriyaki (Japan), Lobster, Bacon & Cheese (America). Other traditional "Thai" flavors include Tom Yum, Thai Chili Paste, Thai Seafood Dip, Chili and Lime. |
China | Cool & Refreshing (Cucumber, Kiwi, Blueberry, Cherry Tomato, and Lime), Classic Flavors (American Classic, Italian Red Meat, Mexican Tomato Chicken, Texas Grilled BBQ, and French Chicken), Intense & Stimulating (Numb & Spicy Hot Pot, and Hot & Sour Fish Soup), and Stax (Authentic Original, Green Cucumber, Tomato, Sizzled Barbecue, Finger Licking Braised Pork, Black Pepper Rib Eye Steak, Sea Salt And Cheese, Sea Salt And Chocolate, Garden Tomato, Green Tea, and Lime).[30] |
Vietnam | Lay's: Natural Classic, Brazil BBQ Pork Rib, Cheddar Cheese, Manhattan Rib Eye Steak, Nori Seaweed, Texas Tenderloin Steak, Sour Cream & Onion, Thai Spicy Squid[31]
|
Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam | The flavors are Salmon Teriyaki, Classic Salty, Nori Seaweed, Pizza, Grilled Chicken Paprika, and Fiesta BBQ. It is produced by Indonesian-based PT Indofood Fritolay Makmur, a joint venture between PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur with Seven-Up Nederland B.V.[32] |
Saudi Arabia | It is available in several flavors, including Salt, Salt & Vinegar, Chilli, Chilli-Lemon, Ketchup, French cheese, and Pizza. Lay's Max is available in flavors: Chili, Cheese and Italian Blend. Lay's Forno, which has less fat by 60%, is available in six flavors: Authentic Cheese, Black Pepper, Lemon & Black Pepper, Labneh & Mint, Italian Mix (A spicy tomato flavor) and Za’atar. |
Egypt | Since its acquisition of Chipsy (شيبسى [ˈʃibsi, ˈʃipsi, ˈʃebsi], shortened to [ʃebs]), Lay's chips (marketed as Chipsy) in Egypt inherited the Chipsy range of flavors as well as the pre-merger Lay's flavors. These flavors include salt and vinegar, cheese (most likely based on rumi cheese and the most popular flavor), seasoned cheese, tomato (a ketchup-based flavor), kebab on charcoal, and chili & lime, and peri peri flavor. In 2010, a shrimp flavor was added after a national contest. |
Mauritius | Lay's flavours consist of barbeque, salt and vinegar, roasted chicken, paprika, onion and cheese. |
Nutritional information
As with most snack foods, the Lay's brands contain very few vitamins and minerals in any variety. At ten percent of the daily requirement per serving, vitamin C is the highest. Salt content is particularly high, with a serving containing as much as 380 mg of sodium.
A one-ounce (28 gram) serving of Lay's regular potato chips has 160 Calories, and contains ten grams of fat, with one gram of saturated fat. Kettle-cooked brands have seven to eight grams of fat and one gram of saturated fat, and are 140 Calories. Lay's Natural has nine grams of fat, two grams of saturated fat and 150 Calories. Stax chips typically contain ten grams of fat, 2.5 grams saturated fat and are 160 calories per serving. Wavy Lay's are identical to the regular brand, except for a half-gram less of saturated fat in some combinations. Now the various brands do not contain any trans fats.
A 50 gram serving of Lay's BarBQ chips contains 270 calories, and 17 grams of fat. It also contains 270 mg of sodium, and 15% Vitamin C.
The baked variety, introduced in the mid 1990s, feature 1.5 grams of fat per one ounce serving, and have no saturated fat. Each serving has 110 to 120 Calories. Lay's Light servings are 75 Calories per ounce and have no fat.
Lay's Classic Potato chips were cooked in hydrogenated oil until 2003.[33] Currently, the chips are made with sunflower, corn and/or canola oil.
Baked Lay's are produced in cheddar, barbecue, sour cream and onion, and original flavors.
Controversy
In April 2019, PepsiCo's Indian subsidiary sued four farmers in Gujarat, India for copyright infringement, claiming they were growing a variety of potatoes trademarked by the company for exclusive use in its Lay's potato chips.[34][35]
References
- "Chipsy Egypt". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
- "Who we are". pepsico.rs. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
- Tapuchips - Elite. Strauss-group.com. Retrieved on 2012-03-29.
- Thomas, Jr., Robert McG. (7 December 1982). "HERMAN W. LAY, 73, IS DEAD; SUCCESS TIED TO POTATO CHIPS". New York Times. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- News Desk: My Father, the Potato Chip. The New Yorker (2011-05). Retrieved on 2012-03-29.
- "Frito Takes to Gridiron, Calls 'Rollout' for Wavy Lays". Brandweek. New York: Adweek. 1994-01-03. p. 5. ProQuest 218067617.
- snackgirl (2008-09-03). "Pringles vs Stax". Second Rate Snacks. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
- How It All Began. Frito-Lay. Retrieved on 2012-03-29.
- "MS Dhoni, Gautam Gambhir to feature in new lay's ad campaign". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
- "Frito-Lay signs Saif and Kaif as brand ambassadors". Zee News. 2003-02-03. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
- "PepsiCo ropes in Ranbir Kapoor to endorse Lay's potato chips". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
- "Lay's Sour Cream and Onion". www.indofood.com. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
- https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/57923/7-international-names-american-products
- https://www.strauss-group.co.il/newsmention/tapuchips_13_3_2013/
- "Lay's". Fastmoving.co.za. Archived from the original on 2016-08-13. Retrieved 2016-07-28.
- "Lay's Debuts Four Global Flavors". CSP Daily News. July 25, 2016. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
- Ledbetter, Carly (14 September 2015). "Canadian Cult-Favorite 'All Dressed' Chips Hit U.S. For Limited Time" – via Huff Post.
- Stoddart, Stephanie (April 15, 2016). "The Snack Attack: Ruffles Brings A Taste Of Canada To US With All Dressed Chips, And We're All Aboot It". WWJ-TV. Detroit. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
- Weisblott, Marc (22 Oct 2013). "Maple Moose beat back the haters to win Lay's chip byelection — but flopped in the marketplace". Canada.com. Retrieved 3 Nov 2014.
- "Lay's Canada announces 2014 Do Us a Flavour finalists" (Press release). PepsiCo Canada. 7 Aug 2014. Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 3 Nov 2014.
- "Calgary man wins potato chip contest with "Jalapeno Mac N' Cheese" flavour". 21 Oct 2014. Retrieved 3 Nov 2014.
- Srivastava, Malay (28 February 2014). "Comparitive study between uncle chips and lays [sic]".
- "Lay's Launches the Global Superhit: Lay's MAXX in India". PR Newswire. May 22, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
- "Lay's Mastana Mango voted as Flavour of the Nation!". pepsicoindia.co.in. August 10, 2010. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
- "Lay's Pakistan". pepsico.com.pk.
- "Tag: Lays Pakistan". brandsynario.com.
- "Tag: Lays Wavy New TVC 2014 – Do the Wavy Dance with 4 Hit Flavours". brandsynario.com.
- "LAYS Chaat Street". brandsynario.com.
- "Tag: LAYS Chat Street Delights Pakistanis with Desi Flavors". brandsynario.com.
- "乐事官方网站-片片刻刻有乐事". www.lays.com.cn. Retrieved 2018-04-14.
- "Lay's". Lay's Việt Nam. Retrieved 2020-09-13.
- "Indofood CBP Company Profile". Indofood CBP. Archived from the original on April 27, 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
- Tracy Sayler A Defining Moment for Sunflower Archived July 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Oil Mill Gazetteer • Volume 112, December 2006
- Business, Rishi Iyengar, CNN. "PepsiCo is suing farmers in India for growing the potatoes it uses in Lays chips". CNN. Retrieved 2019-04-26.
- Jebaraj, Priscilla (2019-04-25). "Potato farmers cry foul as PepsiCo sues them". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2019-04-26.