Frito Scoops were a popular potato chip snack that was introduced by Frito-Lay in the 1980s but was eventually discontinued. The unique scoop shape and robust potato flavor made them a fan favorite for years. However, various factors led to the downfall of this iconic snack food.
The Introduction of Frito Scoops
Frito Scoops first hit store shelves in 1981. They featured thick, curved potato chips that formed little scoops perfect for dipping. The shape was quite innovative for the time, as most potato chips were flat and uniform. Frito-Lay’s marketing heavily emphasized the “scoopability” of the chips and showed consumers dipping them into salsa, cheese dips, and French onion dip.
When Frito Scoops were introduced, they quickly found a dedicated fanbase who loved the hearty potato flavor and satisfying crunch of these extra-thick chips. Their popularity skyrocketed, and for much of the 1980s, they could be found in many grocery stores and vending machines across the United States.
Why Frito Scoops Were Discontinued
While Frito Scoops enjoyed immense success in the 1980s, their sales eventually declined and Frito-Lay made the decision to pull them from store shelves in the 1990s. There are a few key reasons why the downfall of Frito Scoops occurred:
Increasing Popularity of Baked and Reduced Fat Chips
In the 1990s, a major health craze started sweeping the snacks industry. Low-fat, baked, and reduced calorie chips began taking over shelf space. Frito Scoops were indulgent thick-cut chips, quite the opposite of these diet-friendly snacks. As consumer preferences shifted, the high fat content of Frito Scoops likely contributed to their decreasing popularity.
High Production Costs
The unique curved shape of Frito Scoops made them more expensive to produce than regular flat potato chips. Each scoop had to be individually cut and formed from potatoes. This labour-intensive process meant high manufacturing costs. As profit margins decreased, discontinuing Frito Scoops likely became an economic decision.
Cannibalization of Other Frito-Lay Brands
When they were introduced, Frito Scoops were a top seller for the Frito-Lay company. However, over time they began competing for market share with Frito-Lay’s other core brands like Ruffles, Lay’s, and Doritos. The chips held their own for a while, but eventually lost out to these established names. Frito-Lay likely made a strategic decision to focus on their classic brands and phase out Frito Scoops.
Attempts to Bring Back Frito Scoops
Discontinuing such a beloved snack like Frito Scoops did not go over well with fans. Throughout the years there have been various petitions and online movements trying to convince Frito-Lay to bring this snack back:
- In 1998, a petition called “Save the Scoops” received over 5,000 signatures lobbying for their return. Frito-Lay issued a response that bringing them back wasn’t economically viable.
- In 2008, a Facebook group called “Bring Back Frito Scoops” was created and gained over 2,000 members. Group members emailed requests to Frito-Lay but the company stated there were no plans to relaunch.
- In 2015, a Change.org petition pleading for Frito-Lay to reconsider garnered more than 3,000 signatures. Again Frito-Lay did not commit to reviving the product.
To date, Frito-Lay has not brought Frito Scoops back to market in the U.S. Sadly for nostalgic fans, it seems unlikely these iconic crunchy scoops will ever return to grocery store shelves again.
Where Else You Can Find Frito Scoops
Though they are gone from American stores, Frito Scoops are still available in a few select international markets. Here are the main places the chips have endured over the years:
- Canada – Frito Scoops have remained available in Canada all along. However, some Canadians have complained that the recipe and shape changed sometime in the 2000s, resulting in chips that are less thick and robust than the original.
- Egypt – In Egypt, a version of Frito Scoops are currently sold under the Chipsy brand which is owned by Frito-Lay’s parent company PepsiCo. The chips are slightly thinner than the original but keep the signature scoop shape.
- Malaysia – Frito Scoops can be found today in Malaysia branded as Lay’s Scoops. As in Egypt, the chips are not as thick as the vintage American version.
For die-hard Frito Scoops lovers, importing from Canada or taking a trip to one of these countries to get your fix may be the only option. But most agree today’s versions aren’t quite as satisfying as enjoying those hearty scoops of your childhood.
Other Similar Snacks
While it’s unlikely true Frito Scoops will ever return, there are a few snacks on the market today that may help fill the scoop-shaped void:
| Snack | Description |
|---|---|
| Pringles Potato Crisps | These stackable uniform curved chips offer a similar thick, crunchy bite. |
| Ruffles Cheddar and Sour Cream | This ridged chip variety mimics the robust potato flavor of Frito Scoops. |
| Archer Farms Ridges | The Deep Ridges line has a near scoop-like shape and zesty flavor. |
While no other snack has quite matched the uniqueness and nostalgia of Frito Scoops, these options come close in look and taste. But for those who experienced the original, these copycats still leave a longing for the iconic Frito Scoops of decades past.
Why Are Snack Foods So Nostalgic?
The passionate outcry for Frito Scoops’ return speaks to how snack foods evoke strong nostalgia and loyalty. There are a few reasons so many people fondly remember munching on Frito Scoops:
- Childhood Associations – When we eat snacks as kids, we forge strong, fond memories of enjoying them. The taste and experience get tied to being young.
- Simple Pleasures – Snack foods are simple gratification. Eating indulgent chips like Scoops brings joy and comfort.
- Shared Experience – Popular snacks hold a collective nostalgia. We all remember the ads, jingles, and eating them with friends.
Discontinued snacks like Frito Scoops remind us of happy childhood afternoons, getting home from school to our favorite treat. While it’s unlikely they will make a comeback, the nostalgia they evoke endures.
Conclusion
Frito Scoops were the perfect potato chip – thick, robust, and scoop-shaped for dipping. Though immensely popular in the 1980s, increasing production costs and health trends led to their downfall. Loyal fans have tried time and again to resurrect these snacks, but Frito-Lay seems set on keeping Scoops shelved. A few international markets still offer versions of the chips, though none match the distinctive bite of the vintage American Frito Scoops. Other scoop-like snacks have tried to fill the void left by their discontinuation, but none satisfy our nostalgia for those fun orange bags of Frito Scoops. Though it’s unlikely we’ll ever get to enjoy those hearty scoops again, the memories of Frito Scoops endure as one of America’s most iconic snack foods.