Frito-Lay Bean Dip is a popular bean dip product made by the Frito-Lay company. Many people enjoy this pre-made snack dip with tortilla chips or vegetables. But when exactly did this beloved bean dip first come onto the market?
History of the Frito Company
To understand when Frito-Lay Bean Dip was introduced, we first need to look at the history of the Frito Company. The company was founded in 1932 by Charles Elmer Doolin. Doolin had bought a corn chip recipe, some equipment, and 19 retail accounts from a corn chip manufacturer for $100. With this initial investment, Doolin launched the Frito Company in San Antonio, Texas.
At first, Doolin and his mother produced the corn chips themselves by hand in their kitchen. The chips were made from masa, fried in corn oil, and seasoned with Doolin’s secret spice blend. Doolin then had the chips packaged in 5-cent bags. The Frito corn chips quickly became popular in San Antonio and throughout Texas.
Launch of Fritos Nationwide
In the early 1940s, Doolin automated the corn chip-making process to increase production. He also established sales routes throughout the Southwest. By 1945, Fritos were being sold nationwide in stores. The company headquarters moved from San Antonio to Dallas to accommodate this growth.
Acquisition by H.W. Lay & Company
In 1961, The Frito Company merged with H.W. Lay & Company, a manufacturer of potato chips and snacks. Lay had acquired the potato chip brand in 1932 and pioneered the concept of selling snacks using direct store delivery routes. The merger created Frito-Lay, Inc., bringing together the portfolios of both snack food companies. At the time, Frito-Lay was the leading manufacturer of snack chips in the United States.
Introduction of Frito-Lay Bean Dip
So when did the famous Frito-Lay Bean Dip enter the scene? According to Frito-Lay records, Frito-Lay Bean Dip first hit store shelves in 1966. It was one of the first of Frito-Lay’s “New Generation” snack foods seeking to capture the Baby Boomer market.
Original Bean Dip Varieties
When it debuted in 1966, Frito-Lay Bean Dip was available in two varieties:
- Regular Frito-Lay Bean Dip
- Frito-Lay Bean Dip with Bacon
Both varieties were marketed as the perfect dip for Fritos corn chips. However, the bean dip was also versatile enough to eat with tortillas, fries, celery, or crackers.
Innovative Packaging
Part of what made Frito-Lay Bean Dip unique was its packaging. It was sold in 7 oz. cans with easy pull-top lids. This made it one of the first snack dips to come in a recyclable and reusable can. The innovative packaging increased the convenience and portability of the product.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1966 | Frito-Lay Bean Dip released |
| 1967 | National marketing campaign launched |
| 1975 | Restyled graphics on can |
| 1982 | Lite Bean Dip launched |
| 1991 | Jalapeno Cheddar flavor launched |
National Marketing Campaign
To promote Frito-Lay Bean Dip nationwide, the company launched a major marketing campaign in 1967. Television commercials and magazine ads portrayed bean dip as the perfect snack for family parties and get-togethers.
The marketing positioned Frito-Lay Bean Dip as a quick and easy way to enjoy beans without having to make your own from scratch. One tagline read “Tastes homemade, but you don’t have to cook or season a thing.”
Bean Dip’s Popularity Soars
The national campaign worked, and demand for bean dip skyrocketed. Within just a few years, Frito-Lay Bean Dip had become one of the most popular snack dips in the United States. It was especially beloved for its smooth, creamy texture and zesty flavor. The bacon bits in the original Bacon Bean Dip also made it stand out from other dips.
Later Innovations
While the original bean dip varieties remained customer favorites, Frito-Lay did introduce some new innovations over the years:
New Can Design
In 1975, Frito-Lay introduced redesigned graphics on the Bean Dip cans. The new design helped modernize the look while still keeping the recognizable can format.
Lite Bean Dip
In 1982, Frito-Lay introduced a lower calorie Lite Bean Dip. This helped expand the brand’s appeal to health-conscious consumers.
Jalapeno Cheddar Flavor
In 1991, a new Jalapeno Cheddar flavor was launched. This zesty flavor combined cheddar cheese with spicy jalapeno peppers.
Frito-Lay Bean Dip Today
More than 50 years after its debut, Frito-Lay Bean Dip continues to be a top selling snack dip. It remains a staple at family gatherings and parties nationwide. While the packaging has been updated, the classic bean dip flavors stay popular year after year.
Frito-Lay Bean Dip has become an iconic snack food, recognizable for its bright yellow label. Multiple generations have now grown up dipping Fritos corn chips into this beloved bean dip. It has truly stood the test of time.
Conclusion
Frito-Lay Bean Dip first debuted on grocery store shelves in 1966. Its revolutionary packaging in a can with a pull-top lid increased convenience and portability. A national marketing campaign in 1967 touted bean dip as the perfect quick and easy snack for get-togethers. Within just a few years, Frito-Lay Bean Dip became one of the most popular snack dips across the United States.
While new flavors and innovations have been introduced over the years, the original Bean Dip remains a top seller. It is now a nostalgic and iconic snack food that has been popular for over five decades. Frito-Lay Bean Dip has secured its place in snack food history.