Kettle Chips

Kettle Chips, often branded simply as Kettle Brand, were born from the visionary spirit of Cameron Healy in 1978 in Salem, Oregon. The brand became a pioneer in the premium snack market by focusing on 'kettle-cooked' methods, which involve frying sliced potatoes in small batches rather than a continuous conveyor belt. This process gives the chips their signature thick, crunchy texture and robust potato flavor that helped the brand stand out in a sea of mass-produced snacks.

Over the decades, the brand's reputation for quality and natural ingredients made it a frequent target for acquisition. It transitioned through several owners, including private equity firms and Diamond Foods. Today, Kettle Foods represents a significant portion of the premium savory snack portfolio for its corporate parent, benefitting from global distribution networks while maintaining its identity as a natural-leaning, gourmet chip brand.

Manufacturing remains decentralized to serve local markets; the US operations are centered in Oregon and Wisconsin, while a separate division established in 1988 serves the United Kingdom and European markets from a base in Norfolk. This regional approach ensures freshness and allows the brand to tailor flavors to local culinary preferences.