Potato chips, also known as crisps, are a beloved salty snack enjoyed by people all over the world. Bowl and Basket is a popular brand of potato chips that offers both classic and unique flavors. But what company is behind this iconic snack food brand?
History of Bowl and Basket Chips
Bowl and Basket potato chips were first introduced in 1975 by the Hoops Foods company, which was founded in 1957 in Pennsylvania. The brand was designed to be a premium potato chip that was extra thick and crunchy compared to regular chips. Some of the original flavors were Plain, Barbecue, Sour Cream and Onion, and Salt and Vinegar.
In the 1980s, the brand increased distribution along the East Coast and became one of the top regional potato chip brands in the northeastern United States. The chips developed a loyal following for their hearty crunch and abundant flavor coating.
Hoops Foods was acquired by the Hershey Company in 1996. Under Hershey, new flavors were introduced for Bowl and Basket chips including Mesquite BBQ, Jalapeño, and Sweet Maui Onion. Distribution expanded into the Midwest and South in the late 1990s and 2000s.
Today, Bowl and Basket chips are sold across 45 states, predominantly on the East Coast and in the South. The brand offers both classic and unique flavors including Sea Salt and Pepper, Honey Barbecue, and Roasted Garlic.
Bowl and Basket Chip Company Ownership
As of 2023, Bowl and Basket chips are still owned by The Hershey Company headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Hershey is best known for its chocolate, candy, and confectionery products such as Hershey’s Kisses and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
In addition to Bowl and Basket chips, Hershey owns chip brands including Skinny Pop Popcorn and Pirate’s Booty as part of its snack food division. It acquired these brands to diversify beyond chocolate and candy. Bowl and Basket chips make up a significant portion of Hershey’s $368 million in annual salty snack food sales.
Key Facts About The Hershey Company
- Founded in 1894 in Hershey, PA by Milton S. Hershey
- Headquartered in Hershey, PA with over 16,000 employees worldwide
- Best known for chocolate brands like Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher
- Total annual revenue of $8.9 billion (as of 2022)
- Operates 3 chocolate manufacturing facilities in the U.S.
- Bowl and Basket chips manufactured in Pennsauken, NJ plant
The Hershey Company positions Bowl and Basket as an affordable premium chip brand. Its unique thick cut, hearty crunch, and bold flavors are key selling points. As a subsidiary of Hershey, Bowl and Basket chips have the marketing, distribution, and resources of a major multinational food company while retaining its popular regional brand image.
Where to Buy Bowl and Basket Chips
Because Hershey is such a massive company with widespread distribution capabilities, Bowl and Basket chips are now available in all different types of stores in the 45 states where they are sold:
- Grocery stores like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Piggly Wiggly
- Mass merchandise stores like Walmart, Target, Kmart
- Warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s
- Convenience stores like 7-Eleven, WaWa, Circle K
- Drug stores like CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid
- Dollar stores like Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar
- Gas stations
- Vending machines
The chips typically retail between $3 to $5 for a 7-8 ounce bag. Bags come in classic chip flavors like Sea Salt, as well as bold flavors like Chile Limón. Many grocery stores and retailers now also carry Bowl and Basket organic potato chips, kettle chips, and snack mixes.
Top States Where Bowl and Basket Chips Are Sold
| State | Stores |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | Giant, Wegmans, Sheetz |
| New York | Stop & Shop, Stewart’s Shops |
| New Jersey | ShopRite, QuickChek |
| Maryland | Safeway, Royal Farms |
| Virginia | Harris Teeter, Wawa |
The top states for Bowl and Basket chips are concentrated in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic where the brand has its deepest roots. However, through Hershey’s distribution power, the chips are widely available at national chains like Kroger, Walmart, CVS, and Circle K across expanding geographies.
Bowl and Basket Chip Manufacturing
Bowl and Basket chips are produced at Hershey’s manufacturing plant in Pennsauken, New Jersey. The plant opened in 1962 and produces a variety of savory snacks in addition to Bowl and Basket chips including:
- Skinny Pop Popcorn
- Pirate’s Booty snacks
- Krave Jerky
- Dagoba Organic Chocolate (acquired by Hershey in 2006)
The 300,000 square foot facility employs around 500 people who work on the production lines and in various plant operations roles. State-of-the-art cooking kettles, seasoning drums, and packaging lines produce over 100 million pounds of snacks per year!
Potato Chip Manufacturing Process
The potato chip manufacturing process for Bowl and Basket chips involves several key steps:
- Potato Selection – Potatoes are sourced from regional growers and varieties optimized for chipping are chosen.
- Washing and Peeling – Potatoes are thoroughly washed and peeled to remove skins.
- Slicing – Potatoes are sliced into thin, consistent chips.
- Frying – Chips are fried in vegetable oil at around 365°F to cook and crispen.
- Seasoning – Oil is drained off and chips seasoned in drums with flavor coatings.
- Cooling – Chips are cooled down after frying for packing.
- Packaging – Chips funneled into bags, sealed, and packed into boxes.
- Shipping – Finished chips stored in warehouse and shipped to retailers via truck.
From farm to store shelf, Bowl and Basket chips undergo careful processing and quality checks to deliver the signature hearty crunch the brand is known for. The Pennsauken plant produces millions of bags each year to meet consumer demand across the country.
Bowl and Basket Chip Flavors
One of the things that makes Bowl and Basket chips so popular is the diverse array of flavors. They offer both classic and unique flavor choices:
Classic Chip Flavors
- Sea Salt
- Barbecue
- Sour Cream and Onion
- Salt and Pepper
- Salt and Vinegar
Unique Flavors
- Jalapeño
- Hot Sauce and Lime
- Garlic Parmesan
- Sweet Maui Onion
- Honey Dijon
Consumers love the options available from tangy Sour Cream and Onion to fiery Jalapeño. Fans of the brand often collect bags to try all the different varieties.
Seasonal flavors are also sometimes offered for a limited time such as Zesty Dill Pickle for summer or Pumpkin Spice for fall. Bowl and Basket has innovation chefs who develop and test new flavor ideas each year to keep the brand fresh and exciting.
Nutritional Information
Like most greasy snack foods, Bowl and Basket chips are higher in calories, fat, sodium, and carbs compared to other snacks like fruits or vegetables. However, they have slightly lower fat and sodium compared to regular store brand potato chips.
Here are the nutritional facts for a 1 ounce (about 15 chips) serving of Bowl and Basket Sea Salt flavor potato chips:
| Calories | Fat (g) | Sodium (mg) | Carbs (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160 | 10 | 180 | 15 |
Bowl and Basket chips are a tasty indulgence to enjoy in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet. The brand offers a variety of flavors to satisfy any craving in reasonable portion sizes.
Conclusion
Bowl and Basket potato chips have been a beloved snack food brand since 1975. They are known for their hearty crunch and flavors like Sea Salt and Barbecue. The Hershey Company, most famous for its chocolate, has owned the Bowl and Basket brand since acquiring it in 1996.
With Hershey’s manufacturing and distribution power, Bowl and Basket chips are now available across 45 states but are still predominantly popular along the East Coast and South where the brand has its roots. They can be purchased at major grocery chains, mass retailers, convenience stores, and more.
Bowl and Basket chips provide a fulfilling salty snack option that comes in classic flavors as well as unique ones like Sweet Maui Onion. They are made at Hershey’s plant in Pennsauken, NJ through a multi-step process focused on achieving the perfect crunch. Fans can collect all the different varieties from a Sea Salt classic to a seasonal Pumpkin Spice.
Next time you pick up a bag of chips with the distinctive Bowl and Basket logo, know that you’re enjoying a regional chip brand that’s now grown into a nationally-distributed snack thanks to The Hershey Company.