Jay's Potato Chips

Brand History and Origin

Jay's is an iconic regional snack brand that got its start in Chicago, Illinois, in 1927. Originally founded by Leonard Japp, Sr. as 'Mrs. Japp's Potato Chips,' the name was changed to Jay's shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941 to avoid negative connotations associated with the name during World War II.

Ownership and Manufacturing

For decades, Jay's was a family-owned staple of the Midwest snack food market. After several changes in corporate ownership and a bankruptcy filing in the 2000s, the brand was acquired by Snyder's of Hanover. Following the merger of Snyder's with Lance in 2010 to form Snyder's-Lance, the entire conglomerate was ultimately purchased by Campbell Soup Company in 2018. Today, Jay's products are primarily manufactured in the United States, utilizing the supply chain networks of its parent company's snacks division.

Global Presence

While Jay's remains most recognized in the Chicago area and surrounding Midwestern states, it is now part of one of the largest food processing portfolios in the world. Its legacy as a neighborhood chip brand continues under the stewardship of a global food leader, ensuring its availability across the consumer market.