The History of Utz Potato Chips

In 1921, William and Salie Utz began making their Hanover Home Brand Potato Chips by hand in their summer kitchen in Hanover, Pennsylvania. They sold their chips to local grocers and markets, particularly in the Baltimore, Maryland area. In 1930, they built a new plant behind their home and expanded their operations. In 1947, their little Hanover Home Brand was incorporated as Utz Potato Chip Company. Just a few years later, construction began on the first modern-day Utz plant (it would become the first of several). As the decades passed, the demand for Utz potato chips continued to grow. Upon William “Bill” Utz’s passing, his son-in-law, F.X. Rice, became president of the company. Throughout the 1970s, the company expanded rapidly, even adding snacks like popcorn, tortilla chips, and cheese curls to the product lineup alongside potato chips. In the 1980s, the company added a mail order department capable of shipping Utz products internationally. In the 1990s, Utz entered full national distribution in the United States. In the 2010s, Utz added several brands to its portfolio, including Zapp’s, Dirty, and California Chips. Utz is still a family-run company today and Utz potato chips and snacks are widely available at grocery stores, convenience marts, and more. Utz Potato Chips Original are one of the company’s most popular offerings, but Utz makes several other flavors, too, including Salt ‘n Vinegar, Red Hot, Lemonade, and more! Utz also offers cheese snacks and pretzels in a variety of flavors.